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Reviews For: Palstar AT2K

Category: Antenna Tuners/Matching Networks

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Review Summary For : Palstar AT2K
Reviews: 130MSRP: 595.95
Description:
A newly-designed, smaller roller inductor allows the AT2K to tune 6 Meters, while a relay-switched toroid adds the extra inductance needed for 160 Meter coverage. Newly designed capacitors feature lower minimum capacitance for improved high band performance, while maximum capacitance has been increased to 400pF for better low band performance. In addition, the Peak/Peak Hold metering from the PM2000 has been incorporated into the AT2K.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.palstar.com/en/at2k.php
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
231304.6
CURTGEMMELAB9HB Rating: 2010-01-27
Great Tuner!!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This tuner is fantastic. It matches my dipole no problem. It is well worth the money. The tuner is so smooth and easy to operate and you will not be disappointed with this tuner. It also looks great in the shack.
PA7M Rating: 2009-10-23
great tuner Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Easy to use working great whit my home made dipool and mobile whipe's and look verry nice in my shack.
K8JHR Rating: 2009-10-05
Solid and works right Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Good tuner. I use it to tame a 43 foot vertical monopole (from DX-Engineering) and it works well on all bands. Matches the rig to a very difficult radiator - which is, by design, not resonant on any ham band. Tunes my various wire antennas just as well.

Does its job well. Paul at Palstar has been approachable and helpful on the phone. Looks good next to my Ten-Tec Omni VII and Ten-Tec Centurion linear, which make for a very workable station.

========== James - K8JHR ============
K6SRO Rating: 2009-08-22
Very Impressed Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I'm a new ham with an old 1938 Hallicrafters HT-4 (AM/CW) transmitter. This transmitter puts out some decent power (325W phone/450W CW) and I needed a tuner that would not only handle it, but also a Kenwood TS-570S I just acquired. I wanted a tuner that was American made, sturdy, easy to use, would grow with me to full legal limit power, and built to take it. My antenna is a 80M G5RV dipole (nice antenna by the way). I needed to achieve low SWR especially at 3870 kc since the HT-4 is crystal controlled at this fixed frequency. After researching many tuners, reading the reviews, I centered on the Palstar AT2K and am very, very glad I did. I am getting SWR of 1.1-1.3 at full power on the HT-4 at 3870 kc, and <1.1 on most bands with the Kenwood TS-570S. Having nothing to compare it to in real-life experience, for my first tuner I couldn't be happier and can't imagine needing any other, except maybe an automatic tuner someday.
K2ID Rating: 2009-06-30
Simply the Best! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I sold my Palstar AT Auto because I no longer had the auto band switching amp I bought it for and I needed to raise some cash. It was a great tuner, quiet as a mouse but overkill for my new simplified shack.

I tried to replace it with a tuner from one of the other guys to save a few bucks and found that it they did not perform as well as they claimed or tuned within their published specification with my antenna which the Palstar (both auto Tuner and the AT1KP) had easily handled.

This tuner allows me to tune to 1:1 SWR from 160m up and not have to retune as I move around the phone portions of each band. I have not come across any other tuner that could do that with my antenna.

There are two problems with Palstar tuners though. I hate to mention it but here it is:

1. They are built so well that you will probably keep it for life and if you are a ham like me that expects things to break after a few years so that I can buy a new toy, this is not a good thing. :)

2. Once you use a Palstar you are permenantly ruined and cannot ever use any other tuner. Once you acquire the taste for the best it is difficult to settle for anything less. I have to admit that I once entered rehab to try to break my Palstar habit but quickly reverted back to Palstar as soon as I was released.

Seriously though, they are built better than any otherr equipment, whether ham or otherwise, that I own and perform better than any other tuner I have had; and I have had quite a few tuners. More and more of the local hams are buying Palstars through word of mouth; mostly my big mouth. All I can say is if you can afford one, buy it and never have to worry about whether you bought the right tuner or not.
K3YUB Rating: 2009-06-14
WOW!!! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
This tuner is worth every penny. Construction and design is superb (commercial grade). I have been able to achieve a 1:1 match to my Carolina Windom 40 on every band 6m through 80m. I will never part with the AT2K. I have other Palstar items - DL2K and SP30 - OUTSTANDING!!!
W2IL Rating: 2009-05-02
The Best Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Purchased Palstar AT2K from HRO and was shipped UPS from their San Diego store to my QTH in Florida. NO problem, it was packed carefully and arrived safely. This is an excellent tuner. Top quality in every respect. Made like a tank but looks great at the same time. I love the feel of the controls, so smooth. Owner manual has complete instructions and it so easy to operate. Very glad I made the decision to buy this tuner after much research. It doesn't really cost more than other like tuners. You will not be disappointed.
N7LRA Rating: 2009-04-14
The "Rolls Royce" of Antenna Tuners Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Without a doubt, this is the finest example of engineering and manufacturing I have seen in today’s Amateur Radio equipment market. Every detail was considered when Palstar designed this unit, from the smooth vernier tuning controls to the thoughtful use of plastic washers under the cabinet screws (to protect the finish from damage when the screws are tightened). I expect this unit will last for many years – even generations – to come. The power meters (fwd/reflected) on the unit I received appear to be very accurate and the peak-reading feature is a nice extra at no extra cost. I want to thank everyone who took the time to write a review of their Palstar equipment. Without your information, I would have made the mistake of purchasing a vastly inferior unit from another company…for about the same price!
AB0Z Rating: 2009-03-27
Pretty much the best! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I used to use the Johnson Matchbox and then the Palstar AT1K. They did the job well, but couldn't match my 80M ladder-line doublet all the way down to 10 or up to 160. This one can!! Plus, you have classic Palstar high-Q inductors and capacitors.

I use an outboard DX-Engineering 1:1 balun (the AT2K has its own 4:1 internal balun, too). You should also look at the Palstar balanced line tuner AT-1500BAL if you would like a truly balanced tuner.

I looked around and today there is nothing even close to this for performance or quality. Just get one!

73 de David, AB0Z
David Meyer Rating: 2009-03-27
Great piece of equipment Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This was my first manual antenna tuner. I had heard such raving reviews that it seemed to be a good choice. It was indeed. I have a 75 meter double bazooka dipole and I get 1.1 to 1 on every band except 160 and 15 meters. On 15 meters, I am getting better than 1.4 and on 160 meters, I am getting better than 1.6. The tuner is fast and easy to use. It seems to be an extremely well built piece of equipment. I am definitely happy this is the tuner I chose.