Hi; I totally forgot that they were taken over by mfj. Although I haven't had any direct experience with mfj products, it does make red flags go up. A friend locally got talked into selling his ic2kl that he wasn't using because of antenna issues for $400.00. I think someone got themselves a deal. The thing about an amp is you might as well buy what you really want and keep it. You probably wouldn't have a need to change amps nearly as often as you might elect to upgrade the radio itself. Richard ----- Original Message ----- From: "Steve Forst" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Monday, March 31, 2008 8:29 AM Subject: Re: amps-sticker shock Richard, I'm not an Ameritron basher. In fact on my short list of amps last year were the ALS-600 and the AL-80B tube amp. I'm sure I would have been happy with either, but decided to spend the extra money and Hope to get a good product. Perhaps THP and the other high end models are overpriced, but Ameritron does have a poor reputation for QC in the years since the MFJ takeover. You pays your money and takes your chances. The e-ham reviews are not Gospel, but are interesting. The Ameritron does come with a power supply. Als-600 with linear supply and ALS-600S with switching supply. PS is built in on the THP and I think the others as well. The Icom you have is still highly regarded after all these years and if it were me, I'd hang on to it. I had a blast in the WPX contest this weekend and the amp never got warm. But maybe next week it will go up in smoke. 73, Steve KW3A ----- Original Message ----- From: "Richard Fiorello" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Monday, March 31, 2008 9:25 AM Subject: amps-sticker shock > Hi; > Haven't been amp shopping in a long time and I guess I am a victim of > sticker shock. I had an old amartron tube amp years ago and had no > problems. Wonder why there unit is so much cheaper? Does that $1,300 > include the 12 volt supply? > I have an old icom that suddenly seems more valuable. > Richard > > >