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Reviews For: Palstar HF-AUTO-R

Category: Antenna Tuners/Matching Networks

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Review Summary For : Palstar HF-AUTO-R
Reviews: 2MSRP: 495.95
Description:
The Palstar HF-AUTO-R is the full-function remote control unit for use with the HF-AUTO automatic antenna tuner. The HF-AUTO-R allows for remote operation of the HF-AUTO base unit up to 500' away and duplicates all buttons, controls, and display info.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.palstar.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0025
K8ALM Rating: 2019-01-16
Works very well for me Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The HF-Auto tuner is built like a tank and does a great job but it is a large unit which takes up a fair amount of space. I bought the HF-AUTO-R so I could move the HF-Auto to another area of the shack. My ONLY complaint of the HF-AUTO-R is the on/off switch is in the back of the unit. It would be much more convenient if it was in the front. In spite of this I still give it a 5.
KD0ZV Rating: 2017-08-22
Works just like the tuner Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This extends the functionality of the HF-AUTO tuner allowing you to remote the tuner to the antenna or another location off the desk. It is about 5" narrower than the tuner so saves a little space if needed. This helps as the HF-AUTO is huge.

I debated not giving the unit 5 stars but since it works perfectly once setup, I decided it deserved a 5 star rating.

What I did not like was the unit comes with ZERO documentation, so they expect you to know how to hook it up. In my case I thought I had it correct (and I did) but it still did not work. Palstar forgot to send a null serial adapter which they promptly shipped out next day air which resolved the issue. Had that been in some sort of instructions it would have saved me some grief.

My other complaint is the unit runs on AC so I cant switch it on/off with my Astron supply. There is no way to shut the unit off without reaching around to the back of the unit and finding the switch near the power cord. In my case its impossible to reach. To make it worse, Palstar accidentally built my unit with a silk screened front panel showing the power switch markings. So apparently at one time they either shipped the unit with a switch or planned to.

So I had to search online and find a switch that matched my other Palstar gear, remove the front panel and machine a rectangular hole to fit the switch and wire it. Looks like a factory job now but not happy with Palstar's decision to leave a switch out.

Paul was very helpful when I called.