160m – 10m

Bands

1.5 kW

Output

1991

Introduced

Frequency	1.8-29.7 MHz (all amateur HF bands)
Bands	160m, 80m, 40m, 30m, 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m, 10m
TX power	1500 W (1500W PEP, keyed CW, or continuous carrier, no time limit. Aux fan recommended for high duty cycle (contesting/RTTY).)
Modes	All modes: SSB, CW (full QSK break-in), RTTY, digital
Weight	38.5 kg (84.9 lb) - Ships in two cartons: amplifier ~42 lbs (~19 kg) + power transformer ~43 lbs (~19.5 kg). Total ~85 lbs (~38.5 kg).
Connector	SO-239
Year	1991

Connectors

rf in	SO-239 (TX RF input from transceiver)
rf out	SO-239 (to antenna/tuner)
amp keying	keying input (transceiver ALC/relay)
dc in	AC mains (built-in power supply with separate transformer)
power req	AC mains powered. Built-in power supply. Separate power transformer (~43 lbs).

the automatic amplifier, fully microprocessor-controlled auto-tune, no knobs to twist TWO Eimac 3CX800A7 triodes in grounded grid 1500W continuous output on ALL amateur HF bands 1.8-29.7 MHz, no time limit fully automatic band change and tune-up: microprocessor controlled, <1 second average no manual tuning required, no LOAD/TUNE/BAND knobs to adjust (unique for tube amps!) 50-55W drive for full rated output (matches most 100W transceivers at half power) input VSWR: <1.5:1 within amateur bands, <2:1 elsewhere heavy-duty PIN diode T/R switch: 150W feed-through + hot switching, ~1ms switching time full CW break-in (QSK) capable all digital modes supported (FT8, RTTY, PSK, etc.) AlphaRemote software: control all functions from Windows desktop toolbar AlphaMax firmware upgrade (for units built before 1999) self-contained with built-in power supply (separate transformer ships in own carton) 87A Omega: limited edition final production run with all coils/connectors WARNING: HIGH VOLTAGE, LETHAL! Follow safety procedures. WARNING: 3CX800A7 tubes approaching unobtanium status (~$1000+ each when available). Earlier 8874 tubes already unobtainable. DISCONTINUED. Alpha RF Systems (formerly Ten-Tec) provides limited support

Strengths

An automatic tube amplifier: it auto-tunes in under a second with no knobs, delivering 1500W continuous with no time limit, full QSK break-in, and a PIN-diode T/R system. It supports digital modes, has AlphaRemote control, uses two 3CX800A7 triodes in grounded grid, and retains its value when clean and stock.

Weaknesses

Discontinued. The 3CX800A7 tubes are approaching unobtanium (~$1000+ each). 85 lbs total weight. AC mains only. AlphaMax firmware is no longer available from the web store. Alpha/Ten-Tec support is limited. $2500-4500 used. High voltage; lethal.

Verdict

A self-tuning HF amplifier. The Alpha 87A defined automatic amplifier operation: microprocessor-controlled band change and tune-up in under a second, with no manual adjustments. It delivers 1500W continuous on all HF bands with full QSK break-in. The main risk now is tube availability; 3CX800A7s are approaching unobtanium prices, so buy one with fresh tubes or budget for replacements.

The Alpha 87A is one of the most respected HF amplifiers ever built for amateur radio, the kind of amp that earns a near-mythical reputation for running the full US legal limit of 1500 watts and simply never quitting. It was made by ETO (Ehrhorn Technological Operations, the original Alpha company) and it covers every HF band from 160 through 10 meters, including the WARC bands. What set it apart in its day was automatic tuning: change frequency and the microprocessor retunes and switches bands in about a second, with no front-panel knobs to fiddle.

One detail is worth getting right, because it is widely misstated: the 87A uses a pair of Eimac 3CX800A7 triodes, not the single 8877 that powers its successor. It runs key-down with no time limit and supports full break-in QSK. The one genuine weak spot is the PIN-diode transmit/receive switch, which gave a number of owners trouble over the years, something to check on any used unit.

It first shipped in 1991 and was produced into the mid-2000s, and clean examples still command strong money. Its modern successor is the Alpha 9500, which moved to a single big tube and vacuum-relay switching. For a vintage legal-limit amp at a fraction of the price, classics like the Heathkit SB-220 are the more affordable route.