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| Reviews Summary for Palstar DL2K Dummy Load |
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Reviews: 23
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Average rating: 4.8/5
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MSRP: $Suggested Retail Price $159.95
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Description: Specifications
2000 watts for 1.5 minutes
Fan cooled ( switched )
Frequency range DC to 30 Mhz
Internal wattmeter and analog metering
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More info: http://www.palstar.com
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You can
write your own review of the Palstar DL2K Dummy Load.
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W3RXO
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 18, 2008 18:42
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Fantastic Product, from a first rate manufacturer!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I bought mine used from a fellow who had recently bought a legal limit + amplifier, and felt he ought to upgrade to a DL5K. Shortly after getting my DL2K from him, I also picked up a big power amp, and maybe wish I had held out for a DL5K, but I am not sure why. Likely just want that extra capability, "just in case". I haven't had any trouble with the DL2K, and it is, as Palstar describes their equipment, "Built like a tank". Superb quality and craftsmanship go into this dummy load, and, even thought I was a bit concerned about trying it, it easily handled my Alpha 374A, with the 3rd tube modification done, on 75/80 meters. Power out was somewhere north of 2100 watts into a 2kw rated dummy load, long enough to tune up the Alpha, to it's limits. I am very pleased with this product, and would only recommend that if someone were considering one, maybe think to the future, and look into the DL5K, in case you get a BIG power amplifier, just to be safe. Otherwise, this is a perfect dummy load.
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K1JOS
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 3, 2008 17:35
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Great Company - Great DL
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have owned my DL2K for about 2 years. It has worked flawlessly even beyond legal limit with key down with my Alpha 87A. Yes, the fan is a bit noisy but hey it's a DL and you're not on the air and the fan works when I pumping almost 2k into it. I recently had a problem, beyond warranty and not even a real warranty issue if it were still covered. I emailed Paul... he is very busy and you might not think he is reading but low and behold, I received a very special box by UPS within a few days. Paul knows how to stand behind his products when other companies would not even tread. My appreciation to him and Palstar for a great Ham USA company. BTW, their AT-AUTO is also one FB tuner. It memorizes all of the best matched settings with my ICOM/Alpha combination and just effortlessly tunes across bands, etc as I listen for DX and it's then all set for me as soon as I hit that xmit button on my mic. Another made in the USA perfect tank.
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VE3LLL
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Rating: 3/5
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Mar 14, 2008 10:01
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Not as enthused as others
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've had the DL2K for a couple of years. I believe I got one of the last of the models with the fan switch on the rear of the unit.
After receiving it I wrote to Paul @ Palstar expressing incredulity that the switch was on the rear and asking for advice about how best to hook up a front switch. I wasn't terribly rude, but I guess my expression of incredulity at the design was enough that my first two emails were ignored and Paul's reply to my third was inscrutable; no help at all.
I did put in a switch, and have used the unit at 200-300W since but without using the fan. As others have said, it's really well built for such loads.
However in testing an amp today I put the DL2K to work at the loads it's supposed to handle, putting in power from 1,250W to 1,950W.
First, I was quickly reminded how very noisy is the fan in this device (the fan must be used when power exceeds 500W). Chances are, NOTHING else in your shack has ever made so much noise. It's about 3-4 times as loud as a Drake TR7 supplementary cooling fan, if that helps you imagine it. If not, think "jet engine", you won't be TOO far off! Great strides have been made in cooling and cooling fan technology (compare your new computer to your old one!) but they haven't been found at Palstar.
So the fan was on, and use was well below the load curve printed on the front of the unit. Loads were rarely applied for even 30 seconds, while the unit should handle 2kW for 60 seconds and lower loads for longer.
Under these loads the unit smelled quite strongly of hot resistors. As I said, it was first time at these power levels, but even after repeated use with minutes of cool-down time between each use, the reek was very noticeable and worrying. And after about fifteen minutes of total use (maybe 3 minutes of that was loaded time) I reached up to turn it off and found the case VERY hot to the touch; you would not be able to leave your hand on it for long. Despite all its noise, the fan doesn't seem to keep up.
This experience suggests that this device is maxed-out at quite a bit less than its advertised capacity. If you are routinely dealing with legal-limit or higher loads, you might consider something else, maybe even Palstar's 5000W unit (but only if it has a quieter fan.)
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K2MK
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 14, 2007 06:02
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Nice package
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Just received my DL2K. As stated by others, there is a front mounted fan switch and light switch. It's a nice solid piece of equipment and I was able to mount my two position antenna switch directly to the SO239 connector on the rear. That helped clean up some cables. I'm only running 200 watts but when I moved from the basement to an upstairs home-office the XYL wouldn't let me bring up the old Heathkit Cantenna. Just too messy looking. This unit works great with the added benefit of having a lighted power meter. The fan sounds quite powerful but doesn't appear to be needed for 200 watts.
When I showed the XYL the improvement she had thought I was kidding when I said it was a dummy load. But those words are printed right on the front panel. Unfortunately "Dummy Load" has become her new nickname for me. It makes up for my ten or more nicknames for her.
Don't hesitate to purchase this device. It's a well made and attractive addition to the shack. And no oily mess. Make the XYL happy and you too could receive a new nickname.
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KE0XS
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 14, 2007 17:53
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Very Cool
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Received my DL-2000K today and put it through the paces with my LK-550. Handled every power level I threw at it. The fan really cools the unit down quickly. My only recommendation is that they consider a different plug for DC power. Mine was loose in the socket and I had to wrap a piece of electrical tape (as a shim) around the shaft of the plug so that when inserted it didn't move around and pull out so easily. Great Unit. I will be installing a thermo switch this week to automatically turn on the fan.
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W0NGS
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 8, 2007 22:44
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Nice unit and no messy oil
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I received my DL2K yesterday and the first thing I noticed was how well it was packaged for shipment. Not a scratch or dlemish on the unit. Once unboxed I just had to take the cover off and peek inside. I was really impressed by the quality of workmanship. Nice features are the fan/lamp/and range switches are well marked and mounted on the front panel. This unit replaced a old Cantenna by Heathkit and a oil filled load by MFJ both I have used for years but was getting tired of cleaning up the oil mess when they leaked. Only changes I would add is to put a handle on the top, and a thermostat mounted near the resistor stack which would turn on the fan when needed. I will probably add the thermostat myself before mounting the unit in the radio stack. All in all I am impressed with my first Palstar purchase and look forward to seeing other products from the company in the future. And it's made in the USA.
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NT4I
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Rating: 4/5
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Jan 27, 2007 18:41
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Not Bad
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have had my DL-2K for about 3 years now and had one problem. The SO-239 connector spun loose and the wire connecting it to the resistor bank broke. The wire was a little light for the application (in my opinion). In any event, I tightened the SO-239 and re-soldered a heaver wire and it has been fine since. I also think the meter, switch and connector could have been laid out in a more user friendly manner. Other than that, I have not burnt it out yet HI HI.
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W3ADC
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 27, 2007 16:17
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Very Nice
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Recieved about 2 weeks ago and the new model has the fan switch on the front nice addition to the hamshack.
73
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W8JHA
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 10, 2006 20:00
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Don't buy the oil can
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I agree with KQ4KK - Dont buy the oil can. The DL2K is a nice, reliable unit.
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KQ4KK
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 3, 2006 15:53
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Top Notch
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I almost bought a MFJ for $30 less! The Palstar is quality construction and execution. I bought mine new, in the box, thru a eBay reseller for much less than direct from Palstar. But, the eBay reseller had it shipped direct from Palstar, with full warranty.
Yea, would be nice if the fan switch was on the front instead of the back. The illuminated meter seems to work well. It even came with a 1amp wall wart to power the fan and bulb.
Buy this, instead of a oil can or something from MFJ.
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