Yaesu FL2100F HF Amp

I have been a ham for 30 years now and I have achieved DXCC, WAS, ect with only 100 watts and a Dipole or Vertical. I have a friend in S. Florida who buys amps at hamfests, refurbs them and resells them so I know he won't beat me on the deal. He offered me the Yaesu FL2100F for $345 shipped so whatever the shipping costs he is picking that part up.

After 30 years of hamming I am embarrassed to say that I know practically NOTHING about HF amps and I am going to have a local ham buddy to get it hooked up for me. I plan to use it mainly on 75 and 40 meters since I am finally going to have the room to put up a descent amount of wire so I want more than an average signal on these 2 bands. At some point though I am going to want to use it on 20 meters, anything higher than 20 meters I have NO interest in except 6 meters and up.

So I guess the questions are:

1) How much power can I expect to get out ? I was told about 700-800 watts.

2) Are replacement tubes fairly easy to find ?

3) Is $345 a descent price for the amp and shipping ?

4) Does this model amp compare in any way to other amps like the SB200/220 and others ?

Tnx in advance for your input.

[N2RJ]

The FL2100 uses two 572b's which are easy to obtain. RF parts sells them. These tubes are made in China though and there are reports of quality control issues. But I have four 572Bs in my AL811h and they work just fine.

The power output you will get on SSB is about 700-800w if you drive the amp hard. Personally I'd run it at 500w so the tubes and PS components last longer.

The price you are paying seems fair. That price is comparable to what you'd pay for a used SB200.

The Yaesu FL2100 is comparable to the Heath SB200.

The SB220 is a different class of amp - it is 2KW input so that's about 1.2-1.5KW output into your antenna system.

[mm0jvb]

ryans 100% correct.
i use the 2100b model & at the price you've been offered .take it or you'll regret it.
i payed that price allmost but in british ££'s so allmost double the price your paying . read the reviews on eham.net no one gives it a bad rating in fact everyones loves it , drive it with 50w all day long. infact i spoke to ryan using mine, not that long ago. they are great old amps you'll love it.

[N8YX]

This is a little late in coming...but...

With 100w drive, you can expect 500-600w from any of the FL2100 (B/F/Z) series amplifiers. The single biggest weakness I've been able to identify with them is the bandswitch; they're prone to burning up contacts.

572B/T160Ls are fairly common. Ebay is full of Cetron NOS and used specimens, and one can get new 572Bs from RF Parts.

I have several Cubic 1500Z (ZA, ZR) amplifiers. They're very close in design to the FL2100 and SB200 lines. That is to say, they're rugged little amps. While not "legal limit", any of these do provide excellent bang for the buck and are very easy to service should the need arise. Mine just keep on working...original tubes and all. (They're 25 years old.)

http://foxtango.org/amplifiers/FL%20Amplifier%20Evolution.htm may be of interest to anyone wanting more info on Yaesu's various amplifiers.

The person who is selling the amp is very good friends with a friend of mine who I have known since the 7th grade. I just returned from vacation in Florida and the guy who is selling the amp was a 15 minute drive from where I was staying. I went over to his house to check out the amp and it looks fantastic, can hardly believe it is as old as it is. The $345 price includes the shipping costs so I gave him a check and should get the amp here soon.

This is my very first amp in 30 years of hamming so it will take a little getting used to I guess. I just recently purchased a Dentron MT2000 antenna tuner for an extremely cheap price and I tested it and it works just fine. I can't wait to get this amp so I can fool around with it and get some signal reports with it both on and off.

Tnx everyone for your comments, hope to work some of you on the bands.

[KG4CGC]

Good luck with the new amp.
Sounds like you're going to have a lot of fun.

Good luck with the new amp.
Sounds like you're going to have a lot of fun.

Thanks my friend, being my very first amp in 30 years in the hobby I'm actually looking forward to it. Oh and I see I made a mistake on the amp model, it is a FL2100B and not "F".

[wd0ct]

Guys on the amps forum don't care for the fl design and prefer the sb200.
One common problem is the switched in fixed caps for low bands going bad.

Best of luck with it and don't run it over 600 watts.

Steve

[N8YX]

Guys on the amps forum don't care for the fl design and prefer the sb200.
One common problem is the switched in fixed caps for low bands going bad.

Best of luck with it and don't run it over 600 watts.


If ya puX0r them:

I've got a stash.

858 Centralabs; 5KV, 1000pF - and I pick more up all the time. Just helped a guy on Teh Zed get his '2100 going again after they went south.

I have an L7 which is exhibiting the same problem. Drake used stinking ceramic DISCS in that design... :shock:

Guys on the amps forum don't care for the fl design and prefer the sb200.
One common problem is the switched in fixed caps for low bands going bad.

Best of luck with it and don't run it over 600 watts.


If ya puX0r them:

I've got a stash.

858 Centralabs; 5KV, 1000pF - and I pick more up all the time. Just helped a guy on Teh Zed get his '2100 going again after they went south.

I have an L7 which is exhibiting the same problem. Drake used stinking ceramic DISCS in that design... :shock:



I may be in contact as when the amp get's here I am switching the tubes to brand new ones. If this other issue gives or will give me trouble in the future I will either swap it out now or just wait.

I don't plain on pushing the amp much over 500 watts as my new antennas for HF will make up for the power.