Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: Palstar AT1KM

Category: Antenna Tuners/Matching Networks

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : Palstar AT1KM
Reviews: 56MSRP: $359.00
Description:
The AT1K comes in two models: the AT1KM meter display (pictured) and the AT1KD digital display.
Featuring differential capacitor tuning with 2 stators and 1 rotor. For ease of use the AT1K series utilize only 2 controls to operate for tuning with a precision ceramic body roller inductor and high power balun. As on all Palstar tuners the front panel and top cover are powdercoated.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.palstar.com/palmain.htm
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00564.9
N8NOE Rating: 2005-09-22
Exceptional!...... Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have been using the AT1KM for about 2 Months now, after using some SGC gear for Years. I needed something to handle 1.2kW, and the SGC's limit is 500w.. I don't think I could be better off. VERY happy with the Equipment, and after talking to some folks at Palstar, Inc. VERY good Tech Support. I'd recomend any of Palstar's gear to anyone, as I also have had the DL2K "Dummy Load" for a while longer than the Tuner..
VE4EAR Rating: 2005-09-21
Outstanding Equipment Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
All the previous reviews do not over exagerate this fine piece of equipment. Been in use for just over 2 weeks and I am definitely impressed. No problem tuning a 80 meter dipole on all bands from 160 to 10 meters. Flat VSWR and maximum power out on all bands. Easy to use, well built and it works! While not the least expensive tuner on the market, you definitely get what you pay and there won't be any disapointments here. The built in 2 position antenna switch is very handy for smaller stations. Large easy to read meter, smooth controls...No negatives at all!
FORMER_W3SWL _JH Rating: 2005-09-21
The cat's meow !!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just received my AT1KM tuner today, 2 days after placing the order !!! It was packed to withstand the worst any delivery person could dish out !! Hooked it up and WOW what a tuner. The fit and finish are top notch, the controls are velvety smooth and man can it tune. This has got to be the best of the best. Super fast service, packed to survive any journey and what a pleasure to use. Flat SWR across the board on my inverted L wire. All I can say is if you're looking for a tuner, look no further. This IS the best there is. Hats off to Palstar !!
W9ATB Rating: 2005-09-17
Outstanding!!!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I recieved the tuner this week. Solid as a rock. Tunes my Cobra Ultra Lite Jr with no problems at all even on 160!!!!!! Fine piece of AMERICAN made equipment. Have used several tuners the past few years and nothing comes close to this one.
VA2VYZ Rating: 2005-08-23
Excellent and easy to use !!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Receive the tuner today. Read the manual ;-). Plug the tuner.... easy setup, ready to run !!!

The antenna tuner is really well made and look robust. Quality product !!! Far better than MFJ tuner products.

I recommend the AT1KM !!!
N6DXX Rating: 2005-08-08
excellent tuner Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I purchased the AT1KM recently to replace my 3KW MFJ 986 tuner. The 986 worked well for me but it was too large (deep) for my desk. Since I only run 100 watts, I decided to try a 1KW tuner.
I own a Palstar R30 receiver & am pleased with its performance, so I thought I'd try their AT1KM roller inductor tuner for my HF rig. My antenna is an 80 meter horizontal loop fed with 450 ohm ladder line & using an external balun, the last 10 feet of transmission line into the shack is RG-8. I have no trouble getting a 1 to 1 SWR reading on any band 80 thru 10 meters.
The roller inductor is very smooth & the vernier tuning of the capacitor makes tuning-up a snap. The turns counter of the inductor is solid & "repeatable" - no slippage.
Needless to say I'm very pleased with its performance & oh yes it fits nicely on my desk too.










AA2LD Rating: 2005-07-11
Wow Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've never had very good luck with tuners. My yaesu auto tuner and the MFJ auto tuner were just OK but quirky. The MFJ tuner wouldn't work well with my Ameritron amp at 400 watts and couldn't tune it. My feedlines are long and I use an uneven dipole. These are tough situations, I'll admit.

Now along comes this Palstar tuner and it's built like a tank and, with a little experimentation, could tune a paperclip. In no time, I was pumping out 400 watts into my wire at SWR 1.5 or better. I can't see ever going to an auto tuner again except for perhaps QRP or a vehicle. Nice job, Palstar.
KC9CS Rating: 2005-06-25
Solid, well built tuner Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I spent a lot of time reading reviews before deciding on the Palstar AT1KM. I had a few questions as this was my first tuner, called Palstar and the owner came on and answered my inquiries, even suggesting the AT1KM as my best choice for my station needs. I liked that. I ordered from Burghart's Amateur Radio and the item shipped and arrived in 4 days. Nice service there too. The AT1KM was bomb-proof packaged and Burghart's overpacked that! Anyhow, I got the tuner set up and installed and really like it. Nice smooth controls, manual tells all about setup and how to use. The suggested settings will put you 'in-the-ballpark' but I needed some slight variance, no doubt due to my long coax runs and the tower switching relays, etc. perhaps, but they don't vary by much. The tuner is sensitive so a light touch on the controls or you'll spend a bit more time dialing the proper settings in. But so far, I get really nice matches with this unit. It's a nice match to my AL-811H and the various antennas I use. I think I made a great choice on this tuner.
KC9CS
KG9EQ Rating: 2005-06-07
Great Tuner! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I needed to replace a very dead MFJ-969 tuner. I did comparisons on a number of tuners, and finally settled on the AT1KM as the tuner that would best serve my needs. Since I don't have an amp, and am not looking to purchase one soon, I didn't need a high power tuner. Found one used here on eHam, bought it and have been happy with the purchase. Tuning is simple and very smooth. Working to get my ladder-line fed Skelton Cone in the air and see how well the tuner works with it. If it performs as well as it does now, I'll never need to buy another tuner for the shack for a long time to come! Quality build, much better that the cheap competitors' offerings.

73,

Jim, KG9EQ
KZ1A Rating: 2005-03-21
SOLID PERFORMER Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I purchased the AT1KM to replace my aging Tucker T-3000 tuner. In the short time I have used it, I can only wonder why I didn't purchase one sooner. Solid construction, quality parts and ease of operation. Tech Support on their end has been nothing short of outstanding. I would highly recommend it for middle sized stations.
Two thumbs up !!!!