Ameritron ALS-1306
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| Frequency | 1.5 - 54 MHz (160 through 6 m), continuous - no tuning required |
| Bands | 160m, 80m, 40m, 30m, 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m, 10m, 6m |
| TX power | 1200 W (1200 W output, no tuning required. Solid-state: eight MRF-150 RF MOSFETs at 50 V in a double-ended push/pull parallel output. Needs the matching ALS-1306PS 50 V power supply.) |
| Modes | solid-state no-tune HF/6 m linear amplifier |
| rf input | SO-239 from the transceiver (50 ohm) |
| rf output | SO-239 to the antenna/tuner |
| alc keying | ALC and amplifier-keying lines to the transceiver |
| dc in | 50 V DC from the matching ALS-1306PS power supply |
| power req | 50 V DC from the ALS-1306PS supply (which runs on AC mains). Instant-on solid state - no tube warm-up. |
A true no-tune, instant-on amplifier: 1200 watts across 160-6 m with no tuning knobs to fiddle and no tube warm-up, so band and frequency changes are immediate - excellent for contesting and digital modes. The all-MOSFET design has no tubes to replace, it includes 6 meters, and it offers automatic band-following and solid-state protection.
Output is 1200 W - a bit below a tube amp's legal-limit headroom - and it needs the separate, heavy ALS-1306PS 50 V supply, adding cost and bench space. Solid-state amps are less tolerant of high SWR/mistuning than tube amps, it is expensive, and as an Ameritron (MFJ) product availability should be checked given MFJ's 2024 wind-down.
The Ameritron ALS-1306 is a no-tune, instant-on solid-state amplifier giving 1200 W from 160-6 m - a convenient, tube-free choice for operators who value immediate band changes for contesting and digital work. Accept the slightly-below-legal-limit output and the separate 50 V supply; those wanting maximum headroom may prefer a tube amp, and buyers should confirm current Ameritron/MFJ stock.
The Ameritron ALS-1306 is a solid-state, 'no-tune' linear amplifier for the HF bands and 6 meters. Where a tube amplifier needs you to tune and load it every time you change frequency, and to wait for the tubes to warm up, the ALS-1306 uses transistors and broadband matching: you just change band on your radio and transmit. It delivers a full 1200 watts of output continuously from 1.5 to 54 MHz, covering 160 through 6 meters - including the 6-meter band that many tube amps leave out.
Inside are eight rugged MRF-150 RF power MOSFETs, running at 50 volts in a double-ended push/pull parallel configuration, fed by a separate matching power supply (the ALS-1306PS). Being solid-state, it is instant-on with no warm-up, which - along with the absence of tuning controls - makes it especially well suited to contesting, fast band-hopping and digital modes where you change frequency constantly. It includes the automatic band-following and protection circuitry typical of modern transistor amplifiers, and connects with SO-239 input and output plus ALC and keying lines.
The trade-offs: at 1200 watts it has a little less headroom than a legal-limit tube amplifier, it requires the separate (and heavy) 50-volt supply, and solid-state amplifiers are less forgiving of high SWR or mistuning than tube designs. It is also a premium purchase (around $2,200-2,500 with the supply), and because Ameritron is an MFJ brand, availability should be confirmed given MFJ's 2024 manufacturing wind-down.
It is the no-tune, 6-meter-capable solid-state alternative to Ameritron's tube AL-572, and a big brother to the mobile solid-state ALS-500M.