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Reviews For: Palstar LA-1K LDMOS Amplifier

Category: Amplifiers: RF Power - HF & HF+6M

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Review Summary For : Palstar LA-1K LDMOS Amplifier
Reviews: 38MSRP: 3795
Description:
The LA-1K is a RF Sensing Dual HF LDMOS 1000 Watt
Amplifier. While the LA-1K will work with a wide variety
of tuners and transceivers, Palstar custom-design the LA-
1K to work as the perfect match for our very popular HF-
AUTO autotuner. Made in the USA
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.palstar.com/en/la1k/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
55384.7
VK4KPM Rating: 2021-07-02
Excellent linear. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
My first amp of any description. I only work voice on USB, LSB so my exposure to the La-1K is limited as far as it's capabilites are concerned. I find it an excellent amp and can find no faults of any descriptions. Works perfectly. It also works seamlessly with the Palstar Hf Autotuner. I do not connect anything from my FT3000DX other than the antenna out and PTT cable. Similarly with the tuner I have output of La-1K to power in and then co-ax out to Gap Titan. The instruction leaflet needs modification I feel as ALC is recommended whereas on speaking with Mark at Palstar he said not to bother with ALC. A very simple device. Must be foolproof because I have not wrecked it yet.
K9ZTV Rating: 2021-03-27
Excellent Amplifier Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
For the past fourteen years I've used a Yaesu Quadra with great enjoyment and zero problems. Packaged in two cabinets and weighing 78 pounds, it represented twenty year old technology I could hardly lift as I approached my mid-seventies. When an opportunity came along last summer, I sold it.

In contrast to the Quadra, the LA-1K is completely self-contained in one package weighing just 27 pounds including a linear power supply and employing modern LDMOS power amplifiers. By not including an ATU Palstar was able to achieve a lighter and less complicated amplifier and increased sales for its matching HF-AUTO stepper ATU. By incorporating RF sensing, the amp can be excited by any transceiver of any brand, make, or model (including vintage gear).

It's one drawback is the lack of full break-in QSK capability for the serious CW operator. My primary mode since 1960 has been CW, particularly with the National Traffic System where full QSK is mandatory. However, this problem is easily solved with the addition of an external electronic T/R switch such as the DX Connections QSK-2500 (https://qsk2500.myfreesites.net/) which is an excellent device that I used for years with the Quadra. It keeps the amp's relays closed for an adjustable period of time, thus making relay noise a non-issue, while incoming signals can be copied in-between characters. The QSK-2500 functions perfectly and silently with the LA-1K making the amp a truly full break-in amplifier.

Initially, I had problems with the amp throwing SWR faults when the HF-AUTO was matched 1:1. Several conversations with Palstar's tech resulted in firmware updates, the last of which (1.08c) fixed the problem. I have nothing but praise for Palstar support. This willingness by Palstar to issue firmware upgrades to correct specific situations as they arise should not be overlooked by the potential buyer.

I'm using it in DIRECT KEYING mode to facilitate QSK, and running band-data through the DB9 jack so the amp follows the transceiver. A note of caution: the amp can be keyed either through pin 7 of DB9 or the PTT jack, but not both at the same time. Either one or the other, but not both.

I run the LA-1K on 240v AC. Though capable of 1200 watts output, it should not be run higher than the 1000 watt rating.

I'm very satisfied with the performance of this amplifier.



KB6DYA Rating: 2020-09-06
perfect ssb amp Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I sold a Alpha 8410 and bought this. most of my work is ssb and coupled with the Palstar hf auto is the perfect combination . The fans are as quiet as my computer fan. the T/R relay is loud. I do not think this would be a very good cw amp, if not wearing headphones and it is NOT full QSK. The amp has very good IMD specs. Palstar is a very good company to work with, all questions were answered with in 24 hrs
W9BB Rating: 2020-07-30
very nice Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I'll try to be brief, My likes are plug and play, I have the option of 120/240v with supplied cords, and I trust in Palstar...I'm using 120v with 50 drive getting 900 to 1000 out. Palstar's build quality is second to none (internally) ...Thing's I don't like are the military gray cabinets and the fan's.(which aren't bad but you know there running ) I'm sure that Palstar's concern's is to build a quality amp which is evident if you open up the amp. So over all great product, does work seamlessly with my Palstar HF-AUTO..Also made in the USA
K2MIT Rating: 2020-07-27
Great amp when combined with AT-Auto Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I bought this when it first came out. I liked that it sensed RF. Makes me wonder their are other dedicated interfaces. Glad they put firmware update port on front unlike tuner.

The two should be designed to look like each other—my only complaint. 60 watts and 880 watts. Why spend more for 1 S-unit?

Eva was great taking the order and the small question I had Paul easily answered. Good to see American made products of this quality.
N4APG Rating: 2020-04-06
Reliable and Efficient - MARS/CAP/Gov Capable Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have found the Palstar LA-1K amp to be a highly effective HF LDMOS amplifier. It is as straight forward as any HF amp and effective on 2 - 30 MHz frequencies with the special MARS/CAP/Gov firmware from Palstar (Yes - you must show proof of authorization in MARS/CAP/Gov). It is easy to integrate with a Flex 6700 and an Icom IC-7300. I suggest using the Ampkeyer outboard keying circuit to protect both your radio and the amp. With 30 watts of drive I can easily realize 500 to 900 Watts across the 2 - 30 MHz HF band - excluding the CB radio channels, naturally. The price for the amp is about half the cost of a 2-30 MHz commercial amp, with a 2-year warranty. Great folks at Palstar. I use my amp with the matching Palstar HF-Auto auto tuner, which is one of the best tuners I have used.

I run my LA-1K on 240 VAC for best efficiency.
KJ7JAL Rating: 2020-03-15
Works on 120V if you power up amp FIRST Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have been running this LDMOS amp on top of a Palstar HF-Auto tuner successfully for several months now on 120v household current. I do not have access to 240v in my shack and chose this unit for its ability to work on a household 120v (15 amp) circuit out of the box. Palstar confirmed that this unit is designed to work on a 15 amp 120v circuit despite the "20 amps" silk screened on the back of the unit. I do appreciate the ability to upgrade to 240v at a later date.

I am running an interface cable from the Radio Interface [ICOM YAESU] on the back of the LA-1K amp connected to the [ACC] Socket on the back of my ICOM 7300.

I do use a SotaBeams Click2Tune button on an ICOM 7300 to drive the HF-Auto automatic antenna selector and to trigger the HF-Auto tuner. I do protect the LA-1K amp by using the HF-AUTO automatic antenna selector to send 20M to antenna A, 40/80M to antenna B and everything else to antenna C, a big pail of transformer oil.

Using 50 watts of drive power, I consistently get 1000 watts of output using 120v.

Initially I had an occassional dreaded screen of death at power up, failing to get to the initial logo screen. Upon experimentation, I discovered that if I powered up the LA-1K FIRST, before powering up any other units on the same power circuit, I never get a failure to boot, over months of 120v operation. I suspect that the order of power up is not a problem if you run on 240v.

Having upgraded from a manual tube amplifier, I really enjoy the ease of using of this Palstar LA-1K, Palstar HF-Auto combination. I have only rare "user error" moments these days and make consistent contacts using amplification when needed.

In contrast, I also enjoy making HF contacts at 10 watts while traveling using a hand held battery powered radio, a portable mast and a linked dipole.

N3IL Rating: 2020-01-14
Disappointed in Construction & HF Auto integration Time Owned: more than 12 months.
An installation warning to current owners/users - the rear panel ALC and PTT RCA phono jacks are NOT strain-relieved other than being soldered directly to the rear panel circuit card assembly. Recommendation - use the DB-9 connection for access to the PTT/Key In line. Fast-forward: the center pin on the PTT RCA phono jack broke first causing intermittent operation and then no operation. These RCA phono jacks are not secured mechanically to the rear panel; they are simply passed through open holes in the rear panel. There are no grommets or other methods of providing strain-relieve.

In my set-up I had used an RCA stereo cable to connect the ALC and PTT between the LA-1K, and my 7610 and LP700 Monitor. The ALC and PTT connections at the LA-1K were tight, the RCA phono plugs fit very snuggly. I had slack (~1') in the RCA stereo cable. I physically moved the LA-1K about a foot forward to gain access to the area behind the amplifier - to run two new coax cables in the shack. The stress on the PTT RCA phono jack was enough to cause the center pin of the phono jack to twist/turn and break. Spent two days debugging - depending upon how the LA-1K was repositioned determined if I had an intermittent connection. I did move the amplifier several times during this debug period.

I did not want to ship the unit for repair or take the time to drive/drop off and then repeat for pick-up (I live ~1.5hr from Palstar). Solution: I de-soldered the center pin piece still in the rear panel circuit card assembly, removed the remaining metal (center pin) from the RCA phono jack, used the DB-9 connection for PTT/Key-In, and replaced the ALC RCA cable with one that had a looser fitting phono jack (plus additional slack in the cable).

My unit also has the loud fans - start upon application of mains power, never decreases in loudness. This is more of an annoyance though I have a quiet shack and the fan noise has been heard by other QSO parties (the LA-1K is ~1m from the desktop microphone).

I also have the HF AUTO Tuner - purchased with the LA-1K. As others have commented, not a seamless operational integration. At times HF Auto will indicate SWR s <1.5 and the LA-1K will go into TX Bypass showing SWRs >2.5. At other times both the HF Auto and the LA-1K will indicate SWR <1.5 yet the LA-1K will not amplify (yes, it is in operate and not stand-by). In both cases, I power cycle both units, start a new tuning cycle, and generally all is well again. All operations have been in SSB mode, 160-20m.

Documentation is fair at best, also noted by others.

Now - when everything is playing nice together I have been very pleased with the OTA performance. I've received excellent signal and audio reports; the amp runs cool after hours of SSB QSOs; drive of 30W produces ~700W, 45W drive >1000W (I have a dedicated 240V mains circuit for the amp); and operation is straight-forward.

Summary - for a piece of gear with a street price of $3500 I expected a higher level of construction detail and overall documentation.
AB4D Rating: 2019-12-29
Not as expected Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I recently purchased and returned a Palstar LA-1K amplifier. I did not operate the amplifier. Therefore, my review is based on my limited interaction with the product and Palstar, and comparison to other products I have owned.

I ordered the amplifier directly from Palstar, shipping and handling, no issues. My issue with the amplifier began, when I turned on the amp and heard the significant annoying/whirring fan noise. I contacted Palstar for assistance. I was informed the amp contains four fans, two for the PA deck and two for the third party power supplies. Upon that information, we concluded the noise was likely normal, but was generated by the twin fans cooling the power supply.

I presented the question about the fans to the Palstar users group, and included a video of the amp/noise. Some respondents indicated their LA-1K was quieter, others stated their amp was just as noisy, one responder indicated his amp was silent and thought mine had an issue. I asked to return the amplifier. The return was not problematic, but there is fees involved.

Overall, it seems to be a good product, but noisier than I expected. In comparison, the Acom 600S I use is near silent, and an older Yaesu Quadra I own, although generates some fan noise, does not make the same type of almost mechanical noise as the LA-1K's fans.
W9BHI Rating: 2019-12-09
Not good for AM use Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought mine used (4 months old) and it worked OK for SSB, but it overheated on AM with only 150 watts of carrier.
I inquired about the remainder of the 2 year warrantee and was told by Paul (rudely) that the warrantee on amplifiers is NOT transferrable to the next owner, only the original owner has the warrantee.
That is a terrible way to do business.
I guess they don't have a lot of faith in their product that it will last past one owner.
I sold the amp not long after that.
DO YOUR HOMEWORK before buying an amplifier.