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Reviews For: PalStar AT1500CV

Category: Antenna Tuners/Matching Networks

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Review Summary For : PalStar AT1500CV
Reviews: 68MSRP: 429.95
Description:
Antenna Tuner with CERAMIC roller inductor. 1500 Watt.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.palstar.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00684.8
M5ALA Rating: 2002-05-11
Excellent Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Due to financial problems Christmas 2001, I had to sell my 756pro and MJF962 ATU. The ATU I was pleased to loose.
Once my cash flow settled, I took the plunge and purchased a 756Pro II, but this time a Palstar AT1500CV ATU. From the adverts in RADCOM (RSGB magazine) the Palstar looked small and compact. When the Palstar arrived I was a little shocked at the size of the unit. (As big as the Pro II) But what an instrument, super smooth control of both the capacitors and the inductor. I was also impressed with the build quality, heavy gauge aluminium and very stable. Each time I return to a previous band setting it's settings were spot on as if I had never moved away from the original setting. I do not have to hold onto the ATU whilst tuning the inductor, (Not like the MFJ ) where I had to hang on to the ATU with one hand and tune the inductor with the other. This unit is new to the UK and I can totally recommend it.
This ATU is in my shack for now and the long term future. I can only think that all that can destroy my Palstar is a direct lightning strike.
W7LW Rating: 2002-04-09
Worth the money, but... Time Owned: N.A.
I just purchased this antenna tuner. I feel it is worth the money and is better than some of the close competitors.

It was, however, aggravating for me hook-up the balun jumper and one lead of balanced feedline under one of the tiny, short (bolt) wing nuts. Why not go a little bit bigger (diameter) and about a quarter inch longer with the bolt? The other thing that I don't understand; why use nylon standoff insulators on the wire antenna posts? If MFJ can use ceramic standoffs, it sure isn't a cost of manufacturing issue. I don't get it.

In taking issue with one of the reviewers, the antenna switch isn't anything to write home about. I would classify it as a high quality 1950's high grade "receiver" band switch.

The balance of the componets appear to be of good quality and the design, in particular, the parts placement,is excellent.



K7ZD Rating: 2002-04-06
Last tuner I'll probably ever need ! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I recently decided to do more WARC band operating. The old workhorse Drake MN2000
still is in fine shape, but doesn't quitehave the "reach" I need to tune some of the copper I
have running around the QTH. I wanted to replace the Drake with something of similiar
quality. Had already discarded the "mighty fine junk" from friend's advice.. so I did a lot
of looking for comparisons. Settled on the PalStar. Believe me, you WILL feel good about
the money you spent on this unit. Matches everything I throw at it! I used to work for
Drake back in the early 70's, and PalStar builds their products with the same quality I remember from those days long gone. Bob Drake would've been proud to put his name on the AT1500.. 73, Gary K7ZD
W5AAT Rating: 2002-03-03
Excellent! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Called PalStar and Paul answered the phone.He went into great detail about the advantages and capabilities of his product. I was already "half-sold" due to the reviews posted here.Tuner arrived 3 days later.Unlike other product I was using before,this guy actually sat with all four corners touching the op table!!Good sign!Tuning is velvet smooth and has repeatability.No more tuning and re-tuning to different value settings every time I QSY and go back to original freq.Additionally,it is no longer necessary to hold the inductor knob with one hand while I "thump" it with the other in order to get it back on track.I run 600w into a 136'dipole fed w/450 ohm ladder line and this guy just sits there and laughs on all freqs.Buy a PalStar 1500cv and get rid of that "Mighty Fine Junk!"
KG6ENA Rating: 2002-02-15
Very good tuner, well worth the money! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Finally broke down and got a real tuner. Those other ones....forget it.

This tuner is very smooth...very. Tunes all bands very easily. MUCH nicer than my prior tuner (manu. not mentioned). Have more confidence with the Palstar. Highly recommend one. Well worth the money.

Tuner would really look good if they had a brushed metal front panel and a highly stylized retro-deco-rocketman type case......
NG3J Rating: 2002-01-09
Great Tuner Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I must say that I am VERY impressed with this tuner! I previously owned a MFJ 989c which was a piece of junk in my opinion. Talk about night and day. Palstar wins hands down. Turning the inductor knob is very smooth (can't say that for the MFJ). It tunes 160m without any problems with the amp running 800 watts (can't say that with the MFJ). Palstar's large input and output dials make it is easy to record band settings for later retrieval (can't say that about the MFJ). Overall, a well built quality tuner. I would like to see how she does with wire antennas fed with 450 ohm ladder line, although I am fully confident that this tuner will not have any problems with that also.

So all this for just about the same price as the MFJ 989c (actually the Palstar costs about $70 more). Do yourself a favor, if you're considering the Palstar - buy it! You won't be disappointed. If you're considering the MFJ 989c - DON'T! Get the Palstar. Take it from someone who had the 989c. If you don't want to take my word, just take a look at the reviews for the 989c. Case closed!
K9IUQ Rating: 2001-12-24
Excellent Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This quality made tuner will please anyone.It only costs a little more than the MFJ junk and is well worth it. All tuners should be made like this one.

I have put a kilowatt into it on 160 meters and it doesnt whimper. I run SSTV without any problems.

I use a center fed zepp antenna with open feeders.
The tuner tunes all bands with this antenna.The vernier knobs on the caps are super and the gear driven inductor readout makes repeatability easy.

This tuner is a keeper......
WB8YQJ Rating: 2001-11-27
Affordable excellence! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The AT1500cv is the updated version of the popular HF1500 from Palstar. It has a new look and a new ceramic based roller inductor for high power operation. I run 100 watts only, but appreciate the substantial antenna switch and quality construction. Unlike some other brands, this unit has NOT been scrutinized from top to bottom for potential manufacturing cost savings. Nor is it hastily assembled. This is a piece of ham gear that you'll want to keep for life, at a price that is only slightly above the cost cutter units. Dentron used to make ham gear this way, and guys still love that gear today. If you are considering a tuner, you owe it to yourself to take a look at the PalStar website!