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| Reviews Summary for Palstar ZM30 Antenna Analyzer |
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Reviews: 41
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Average rating: 4.8/5
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MSRP: $$329.00
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Description: The Zm30 is an automated micro-controlled SWR antenna analyzer with a 8 bit micro-controller with a precision low power DDS signal generator. It also includes a self-calibrating reflectometer and displays SWR at selectable frequencies from 1 Mhz to 30 Mhz. It measures: SWR,impedance,reactance, and inductors and capacitors, transmission lines,stubs, and Q and resonant frequency. There is a serial port for field upgradable software. Battery operated.
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More info: http://www.palstar.com/palmain.htm
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WB0BBO
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 11, 2009 07:44
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Outstanding Service !!!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I purchased my ZM-30 in late Dec 2007 and have used this fine instrument many times and it has become my most valued piece of test equipment. Unfortunately something happened to it one weekend this past January, so I emailed Palstar explaining the problem and the fact that it was a month out of warranty. My reply came from the CEO himself, and this was Paul Hrivnak's reply: "Send in your unit and we will mod and repair/test".
I did not send it in until May 4th due to a knee replacement and recovery time. On June 4th I called to check the status and the employee explained that boards they needed to repair my unit plus another one, as well as build 30+ new units were on back order and had just arrived that day.
Yesterday, June 10th, my ZM-30 was delivered fully repaired and calibrated with the latest Ver.6.0 firmware and even a new owners manual matching the new firmware. This was only 6 days from the day I called, telling me they put my repair ahead of building new units, and they returned it to me without any cost even covering the return shipping, knowing the unit was out of warranty and the problem might have been my fault.
This type of customer service is nearly impossible to find; so Paul, you and your employees at Palstar have earned my business for life.
TNX and 73's, Bill
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N7XDX
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 10, 2009 09:02
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Quality Analyzer
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I'm very pleased with the user-friendly interface and quality construction of this analyzer. Used it when building a homebrew Moxon and it worked flawlessly. I own another Palstar product and they are top-notch.
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W4LJM
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 3, 2009 16:48
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One Great Analyzer!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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What a great antenna analyzer! Quality engineering speaks for itself! Rock-solid stability. Well thought out menu. Beats the heck out of anything I had before, ie MFJ, Auteck, etc. Cost a little more than the others, but well worth it. I just love using this little puppy! Palstar, well done! I could not be happier!
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WA2EQF
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Rating: 5/5
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May 21, 2008 04:10
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A very useful shack tool
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have purchased several pieces of PALSTAR equipment and have been very pleased with the quality. This analyzer is no exception. It is intuitive and easy to use. It's been particularly useful on Field Days and for Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) setups in building and tuning antennas. The graphing feature from ZMData is worth its weight in gold. It allows you to visually scan the antenna's characteristics across the band that the antenna is designed for. In two years of use, I have not experienced any of the static problems mentioned in some of the reviews. I do keep the input terminated when not in use with an old Thinnet termination resistor. Although the manual has gone through many iterations, I find it well written and easy to follow. I have kept the firmware up to date. The data port makes upgrading the firmware quick and simple. I have updated the firmware several times without incident. I have used the analyzer both in the battery-powered mode as well as from the wall wart and it seems to work equally well either way. Batteries last long enough to do any antenna job. I've had several questions for Paul at PALSTAR, and he's answered them quickly. The only negative I can offer is that the current version on the firmware gets a little goofy when I try to set the step size, but I am sure this will be corrected. In summary, I am very satisfied with this piece of test equipment, it is fairly priced and I would recommend it to anyone.
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W4UUC
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 3, 2008 08:55
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Incredable Value
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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The best quality built analyzer that I have owned. It is reliable and provides commercial quality reliability and accuracy. It has excellent computer interface capabilities. A real super value, that should last for a long time. Thanks to Palstar!
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KC2GUY
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 6, 2008 17:42
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As Good As It Gets
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've had this tuner for sometime now. Measuring home brew antennas and store bought. It is invaluble for every ham. Very intuitive and easy to use. I, by mistake, connected my antenna directly into the unit without first discharging any electrostatic build-up on the antenna. This fried a sensitive circuit in the unit. You can avoid this by first making contact with your pl239 or antenna wire lead to the housing of the unit. I sent it back, and wihout any charge, paul COMPLETELY went over the unit, replaced the damaged part AND upgraded it to firmware V5 AT NO CHARGE. Received the unit back as new in a week. Works and shows as new. Palstar is a tribute to whats right with America. Made in USA, a supurb product, best in class with phenomenal customer service. I also enjoy my two other Palstar Products ! Wouldnt go anywhere else for a antenna tuner, and analyzer.
BRAVO PAUL and the team at PALSTAR !
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WG9U
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 22, 2008 08:02
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Very Competent Analyzer
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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After some fairly extensive research, product evaluation, model comparison, and forum reviews, I decided upon the Palstar ZM30 antenna analyzer.
I received the ZM30 analyzer last week and I just wanted to say that this is a solid well constructed instrument. I am extremely pleased with the quality and functionality. The menu interface is intuitive, allows fast access to the
features set and rapid configuration changes. I took it out of the box and withing minutes, ran a number of tests on some of our antenna systems.
The ZM Data Plotter Excel macro program does a wonderful job of plotting SWR, Resistance, and Reactance from ZM30 data point files, and producing nice graphs for review.
The serial interface is an extremely nice feature for firmware updates and saving the test data file to your computer for later evaluation.
I will agree with a previous reviewer, that for some individuals not familiar with advanced testing procedures, more detailed examples should be included in the manual.
Overall, what can I say, it's a great product!
It should be noted that I have extensive experience with the MFJ 259 and 359 analyzers and in the 1 - 30MHz category this is by far the best analyzer I've used to date.
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W3ACO
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Rating: 4/5
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Jan 2, 2008 06:56
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works well but be carefull
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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This is an update from my earlier review of Aug 2006. The input circuit is very sensitive to random voltages on the coax. I have had the unit repaired three times by Paul at no charge. (Palstar's service is excellent, rapid turn around).
Electrostatic voltages on the coax will fry the input bridge. Now, I first put a 50 ohm load on whatever I am going to measure, then disconnect the load and connect the analyzer. This drains off any accumulated static charges. Seems to work for me.
It needs to be recalibrated, especially if changing environment temperature. Thank goodness, this takes just a minute. It is accurate. I disagree with some other reviews that the frequency drifts. So what, this is not a signal generator and the frequency readout is right there for you to read.
Other than the static sensitivity issue, I have no problems. This time I give the unit a 4 rating.
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W8NLZ
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Rating: 4/5
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Sep 7, 2007 09:24
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A solid addition to the ham shack
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Others have already noted the excellent construction and operation of the ZM30. I'll add what it has provided for me in the first few weeks of ownership.
I bought the unit to help me tune a Buddipole dipole in the field. The audio tone for SWR really helps. As a bonus, in a few hours, I have been able to determine and graph the precise settings of my manual antenna tuner(s) for my antennae across all HF bands, without radiating a watt. Now all my ham pals want me to do the same for them.
The unit has a basic manual, but the operation is so intuitive, you probably will only look through it once. Easy to operate.
I'm glad I spent the few extra bucks for the ZM30. Believe it will serve me for years. Against all other candidates, it is a "5". I gave it a "4" only because I think Palstar can - and will- do even better on the software and manual.
FYI, I use the unit on the AC wall wart most of the time and appreciate that the power supply was included in the basic kit.
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PA3HGT
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Rating: 4/5
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Aug 21, 2007 06:30
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Very good but .....
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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This analyzer is doing a very good job when you measure coax- en openline antenna's.
It's highly accurate and easy to operate.
Manual is not good written and needs improvement.
Measuring traps by the manual is not working,i attended Palstar a year ago on this and they promised when there is a solution for that.
I have still no email for this issue after one year!
Firmwareupgrade was not easy and i called help from Palstar who answer very quickly.
I give it a 4 because the manual and the "trap-thing".
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