|
New to Ham Radio?
My Profile
Community
Articles
Forums
News
Reviews
Friends Remembered
Speak Out
Strays
Survey Question
Operating
Contesting
DX Cluster Spots
Propagation
Resources
Calendar
Classifieds
Ham Exams
Ham Links
List Archives
News Articles
Product Reviews
QSL Managers
Site Info
eHam Help (FAQ)
Support the site
The eHam Team
Advertising Info
Vision Statement
About eHam.net
|
| Reviews Summary for PALSTAR AT5K 3500 Watt Antenna Tuner |
|
Reviews: 28
|
Average rating: 4.4/5
|
MSRP: $1195
|
Description: The AT5K takes power handling to the next level coming in with a rating of 3500 watts single tone continuous performance with low losses & wide Z range. Bands 160m to 15m with limited Z range on 10m. The AT5K provides balanced OUTPUT with high power 5kW TEFLON cable balun at the INPUT of the tuner circuit for excellent balanced feed antenna operation.
|
|
More info: http://www.palstar.com/at5k.php
|
|
Email Subscription
You are not subscribed to this review.
Subscribe!
My Subscriptions
Subscriptions Help
|
You can
write your own review of the PALSTAR AT5K 3500 Watt Antenna Tuner.
|
W4BJM
|
Rating: 5/5
|
May 13, 2009 17:12
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
One word...."Rocks!!"
|
Time owned: 3 to 6 months
|
This tuner is awesome, and I rate it at a 4.9/5. The 0.1 deduction is because it will not tune on the very upper edge of 10 meters. So if you need SWR adjustment on the FM part of the band, your out of luck. I run simplex FM on 29.600 when 10 meters is open and the tuner will not work at the upper edge of the band.
Otherwise, this tuner rocks and is built like a tank! If you buy one, you certainly will not regret it.
Brad
W4BJM
|
|
WA1GZY
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Apr 20, 2009 15:09
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Impressive Performance!
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
Well built, Quality Feel and Works Brilliantly covering 160, 80, 60 and 40 meters! All HF Bands tune to unity match with a few twists of the dials. No real "learning curve" to become a master band hopper.
My old Nye Viking MBVA would not tune 160 using the same Alpha Delta "shorty" balanced feed antenna. After 40 years, the Viking has earned its' retirement to my closet shelf!
It's expensive but in this instance, you get what you pay for!
|
|
K5YY
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Feb 17, 2009 18:53
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
AT4K early units equal
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
Just wanted to comment that the early LED bar graft AT4Ks were as robust as the AT5K.. Then it seemed that to lower the price to appeal to many more hams, the AT4K suffered a bit of quality in the components, not much though. Then the AT5K came out with HD components to satisfy the QRO boys. So, an early AT4K should give you the same satisfaction as the later AT5K, BUT they are few and far between. Palstar makes the best tuner on the market in my opinion and the service is great and emails answered promptly.
|
|
KA1CDE
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Feb 17, 2009 15:22
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
excellent tuner
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
I have owned this tuner for a couple of years. The roller inductor takes a little time to get use to. I have been able to tune the swr down to 1:1 on all frequecies.
The manual explains how to get the most out of the tuner and how to properly tune your antenna.
After 2 or more years the meter light bulb burnt out, I requested a new one from Palstar and received it with any charges at all.
I have found Paul to be polite and informative.
I would recommend a Palstar anytime.
|
|
W6THW
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Feb 9, 2009 07:42
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great product
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
I have had my AT5K antenna tuner for 2 years
and a Command Technologies HF-2500 amplifier for about 4 years and have had no problems with them. The tuner will handle anything i can put to it. I have never had a problem with Paul.
|
|
KX2V
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Feb 6, 2009 16:30
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
100% Reliable!!
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
I have had this tuner for several years.
I can tune anything with the AT5K.
100% reliable On ALL bands!!!
|
|
W4AMP
|
Rating: 0/5
|
Jan 23, 2009 14:48
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Dog.
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
|
This tuner is an overrated piece of junk. The claims made for this tuner are not factual. My station consists of a Yaesu Ft2000 and an Ameriton AL80B with resonant dipoles for 80 and 160. Two days after putting the 1200$ tuner in line November 2008 the meter failed. When I called Paul, he wanted me to troubleshoot the circuit for him. Why did I pay 1200$ for it again? I sent the clunker back and ate the shipping. They repaired it quickly and returned it. Even though it is a complete dog on 160 and Paul was a condescending goof on the phone, I put it in line and kept using it. January 23 it failed on the bypass output!Running a 1000 watts into a resonant 160 dipole (checked on a MFJ 259B before and after the tuner failed) the meter croaked again. The cheap chinese meter that says Palstar, Inc. on it. You know, the same one that failed the first time. So I call Paul. I tell him his tuner is over rated. He hangs up immediately. I call back and state to the next employee that the 3500 watt power rating is false, and ask how they arrived at that level. Of course, another hang up. On my fourth call I state I want a refund and Paul tells me there will be a 20% restocking fee. For a 1200$ tuner I have had less than a 120 days. For the second time in less than a 120 days I have had a failure in the same part, the meter. Let me describe the rest of the problems with this tuner. Inductor stops are terrible, older MFJ tuners are better. Dog on 160, arcs whether you are using a 1/2 wave dipole or a full wave loop with a 4:1 balun. Works 80-10 even with the constantly blown meter. So will a MFJ at one third of the cost. Keep your 1200$ and shop somewhere else. The staff at this company just want your money and their customer service is them hanging up on you. Serial for this overrated failure is #10504. Avoid Palstar and Command equipment all together. It is over priced and over rated, literally and figuratively.
|
|
KF8KL
|
Rating: 5/5
|
May 22, 2008 11:32
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great tuner!
|
Time owned: 6 to 12 months
|
|
I must echo NV7E's sentiments--this is a great tuner and I also used to own an MBV-A which I sorely missed when I sold it a few years ago. I no longer miss it as the AT5K will do everything and more. I also have a limited antenna situation because of a small lot. That being said the AT5K has handled any match I've thrown at it with ease. I will also add that Paul is a real gentleman to deal with and I have the sense that he will never produce anything that isn't outstanding in its class. Bravo Paul and keep up the good work. K8LD
|
|
KE4BB
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Mar 21, 2008 06:10
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Best Money I ever spent on Ham Radio Equipment
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
You know that feeling when you get something and wish you would have spent a little more to get some thing else.
You won't experience that with this tuner.
It cost more but it's worth it. I have had three other tuners and they don't compare.
Before you buy a MFJ, turn the roller inductor. It feels cheap.
I've had my AT5K for almost four years. Can't think of a one better.......mmmm the 10K with digital readout.....(it wasn't available when I purchased mine).
One last thing. They must be practically indestructible because I have destroyed some stuff over the years. I wish I were kidding.
|
|
W3ZDF
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Sep 27, 2007 18:31
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great Engineering
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
I received the AT5K today, outside of the Rotary Inductor readout spline loose, and I fixed that. it performs as I expected. Thanks to Paul.... it is a great tuner used with my HT-18 Hy-Tower....
The quality is well worth the cost... as I have had several MFJ tuners.. and we all know what the initals stand for.... and this is a great product..... the AT5K....
|
|
If you have any questions, problems, or suggestions about Reviews,
please email your Reviews Manager.
|
|
|
|
|
