Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: Palstar AT2K

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 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
ON5HB Rating: 2020-09-06
Very good tuner but QC lacks a bit. Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I bought this tuner as it has good rating.
It has been handling my Acom1000 + G5RV without any problems at all.
This is an excellent tuner, and I would give it a solid 5 stars if they didn't made silly mistakes.
My tuner wasn't put to 0 at the beginning of the turns, it went to -50.
This is a stupid mistake and it took me several mails to Palstar to make them understand the issue.
Other then that, it's an excellent tuner and it tunes 1KW to 1:1 all day long.
Palstar get your QC in order and people will give you 5 stars all year round.
VK4TUX Rating: 2020-06-18
Bad assembly Rude service Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I recieved a AT2K which caused my SPE amp to swr alarm soon after first use at 400w. I had to pull my shack apart to get the unit out, take lid off. Found that the roller inductor had not been graphite greased nor tensioned causing the issue. On contact with Paul; from Palstar, he was rude and in self denial of the facts presented to him, also shown in photographs here. Also they were too tight to send out the graphite grease they forgot to use during assembly.
In hindsite I should have gone with MFJ and avoided PALSTAR ripoff pricing and bad quality assembley and service.
KN6GFG Rating: 2020-01-18
An excellent, well-made product Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just acquired one of these recently and I have to say I'm impressed. The build quality is very good, and the functionality is exceptional. I have a 40m EFHW which I was able to successfully tune on 30, 17, 12 with no problem. I was even able to tune the same antenna to a flat SWR on 75+80m; the result is perhaps not the most efficient, but calling CQ got me heard by several RBN stations with decent signal. Definitely built like a boat anchor - very solid, and very BIG. Now I need a bigger radio to go with it...
KC5RR Rating: 2019-12-31
Christmas Gift Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Man, I love this thing. My sweet wife got it for me as a Christmas gift. It was easy to set up and I was off and running. The first thing I did was tune my 40 meter vertical for 30 meters. In one week I have worked 49/50 states. Then I tuned my multi-band dipole for 80 meters. I have also worked 49/50 states. I'm having fun, which is the main objective.

This is my first tuner, since I mainly use my hexbeam (no tuning needed) and my 40 meter vertical (no tuning needed). I thought it would be nice to work 30 meter and 80 meter. 80 meter was unusable on my dipole before the tuner -- SWR was maxed out on my radio meter. The tuner brought it down to 1.5 to 1.

I'm not sure why people are complaining about the six-function switch. It works just fine, it just doesn't clunk into place. I highly recommend this tuner.
MI0GTA Rating: 2019-10-29
Here's hoping Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
AT2K TUNER UPDATE : THIS TUNER COULD FIND 1/1 ON WET SPAGHETTI... 73……………………………………………………………………………………..

I bought this tuner from a well known uk dealer and it junked out, wouldn't tune my Western hf-10 di-pole on any band.. it was returned the following day... Now I've another at2k on the way from a different dealer that is brand new in the box with the 4/1 balun thrown in... I hope this one is ok and i'll up date this review next week when I receive it.. Currently running with a Palstar AT-500... A solid tuner that can tune tone deaf singer's, piano's and guitars just by sitting it beside them.... up date on the at2k to follow.. 73de MI0GTA
G7DAZ Rating: 2019-10-29
Close but no cigar Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
My old MFJ (More F$%(&!" Junk) finally died so i decided to go with what some said WAS better by a country mile, PALSTAR :-)

Yes it is indeed good quality; yes it is built like a tank; yes it does look the dogs danglies (G7DAZ says so); yes the "old-style" meter does look better at night; yes it does take up half of your shack space; yes if it was to fall on top of your cat it would kill it outright; yes it will probably survive a scud missile attack; NO i don't like the absence of 1:1 and 4:1 baluns and ceramic open-wire feeder post/s, not a deal breaker in my opinion but i can "mod" the unit later if/when i decide to do so.

BUT (and it's a big BUT) this is the reason it's 4 stars instead of 5 !!

The DIRECT-TUNED MODE SWITCH is "garbage" or has (in G7DAZ's opinion) been assembled poorly/incorrectly at the factory.....this is NOT the fault of the UK retailer i purchased it from.

REASON :- The 6 position switch whilst freely turning/switchable DOES NOT SIT in the same position every time; e.g. sometimes (9 times out of 10) it will SIT slightly FORWARD/BACKWARDS of it's CURRENT position and i have to "ROCK IT BACK" about a 1/16" to get it to sit so that there is NO MOVEMENT i.e. it's sat (engaged) where it should be.

I removed the lid of the unit to check inside the unit (something that all MFJ buyers have to do by default as they nearly always have something missing/loose/in-correctly assembled) and was blown away with the build quality :-) but on closer inspection the 6-way rotary wafer switch (2 of them back to back) whilst looking ok at a first glance did reveal the slight 1/32" PLAY/INCORRECTLY SEATED (the pins that grip the wafer are OFFSET). The front panel knob makes the internal 1/32" play into an external (bigger diameter of the knob) 1/16" PLAY or GIVE...either way not good :-(

I could not without having to (nor wish to under the warranty period) remove said switch assembly see (middle-age-eyesight) the cause of this "GIVE"... I assume the centre hole in the wafer switch isn't quite cut/machined right to fit the spindle/shaft.

In a nutshell if i turned the switch clockwise it nearly always sat correctly; however if i turned the switch anti-clockwise (general operating would negate this sometimes) then i would have to TURN IT 1/16" CLOCKWISE TO MAKE IT SEAT/SIT PROPERLY AS THERE IS "PLAY" IN THE SWITCH IF NOT SLIGHTLY ADJUSTED IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION.

So why not just turn the switch CLOCKWISE EVERYTIME i hear you say ? i would have to agree with you on this......BUT......what happens (think contest/in a rush/boredom/phobia of clockwise directions/other/insert-your-own-reason-here) WHEN i want to go BACK ONE SWITCH TURN and can't be bothered (reasons just mentioned above) to turn the switch ANOTHER 5 turns ? .....I CAN'T WITHOUT HAVING TO "RE-SEAT" THE SWITCH. The pins that grip the wafer switch MAY/MAY-NOT be making FULL contact and at 1KW RF (not that this station G7DAZ is allowed to transmit that (nudge nudge wink wink say no more)) that's a bit of a GAMBLE i'm NOT PREPARED to take !!

So whilst i like it and no doubt it will outlive me, the 6-way-rotary-switch is just not upto my British standards (quality wise); again the opinion of G7DAZ.

Why not send it back ? ....True i could've done, but it was the last one (at the time) that the Ebay retailer had in stock and due to the size/weight/time etc. etc. i just couldn't be bothered for a minor "niggle"....i needed an ATU that weekend and yeah i should've had a spare (but i don't) to fall-back on....In time i may purchase another one of these or the "D" variant and use this current one as a spare/back-up unit.

Would i buy another one ? ....without a doubt...the chances of the same happening again are slim (but not impossible)

4 out of 5 ....close but no cigar ;-)

73 de G7DAZ (Darren/Daz)
WD5ENH Rating: 2019-04-28
Enjoyable Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought the AT2K from HRO about a month ago and I am really enjoying this tuner.First off to me it look like a piece of ham equipment. And I do like the styling of the tuner. The input and the output knobs just feel great with the vernier tuning just feel precise, also on the roller inductor feel smooth and positive. I do run a 600 watt amplifier with ease. The antenna is a G5RV jr. in my small backyard so I have trouble tuning my antenna. The setting that Palstar give you in the mauual is to get you close to get the swr down which is okay but they give you space to wright your actual setting for your antenna down so you can get your antenna tune quickly. I know there are the automatic tuner can tune your antenna in seconds, but with the manual tuner I know that antenna is tune. It is still nice to have a hands on with this tuner. This should be the last tuner I will to buy.
KM9E Rating: 2019-01-27
Awesome Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This antenna tuner will tune a wet noodle! Awesome unit. Even better ... I had a failure of the Meter about 4 weeks after my purchase. It would show forward power, however, no indication of reflected power. I called Palstar and spoke with Candi. She asked me to send the tuner in to their facility , as the problem could be in several locations of the tuner. I boxed it up & took it to Fed Ex to send it ground to their facility in Piqua, OH (I live near Indpls, IN). The next day, I received a call from Candi stating the repairs had been made & it was in the three-step QC process (three different people). As soon as it had been approved & verified by all the technicians it would be shipped out. To my surprise, It was on my porch at 11:00 am the very next morning. From the time I packed it up, repairs were made & back on my bench in 42 hours! NEVER have I seen this kind of service from any company!

After purchasing this unit, I made the mistake of looking at the HF AUTO made by Palstar. While talking to Candi, I asked if I could upgrade this tuner to the HF AUTO. She explained that they don't offer this upgrade, but to list it on Ebay or Eham.net. She made me an offer that I couldn't refuse as an alternative. I gave here the "magic numbers" and placed the order. She then explained that each one is built to order, and it would go out that day or the next day. She also told me that if I was in the Dayton area to stop by & they would give me a personal tour of their facility! I am definitely going to plan a road trip to see this place. Reminds me of the good ole days & my Ten Tec Tour of the Seiverville, TN plant.

Yes, Palstar's products cost more than MFJ & LDG, but they are worth it! They are built like a tank & impressive in their workmanship. The interior pictures are suitable for framing. This is how a tuner should be built! Hams are an inherently tight (frugal) with their money. To be frank, they are flat out tight-asses! It is a hobby ...I get it. But if you want a quality product with quality service, go with this company. IT IS WORTH IT ... Thank you Candi & all at Palstar!
KK7DW Rating: 2018-07-09
PalStar AT2K Tuner Excellent Antenna Tuner! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just received my PalStar AT2K tuner with free 4:1 Balun! After having ordered a MFJ-989 tuner and a MFJ-986 tuner that both arrived with missing paperwork, screws, and on top of that, both MFJ tuners new from the factory arrived defective!! I was very upset to say the least! I DID return both to MFJ with courtesy shipping labels provided by MFJ. Thank you for that MFJ. The PalStar AT2K arrived in perfect condition, packed very well, included all the necessary paperwork and accessories. It arrived ahead of schedule, no shipping delays as with MFJ! In using the new PalStar AT2K, the controls are of such better quality than MFJ's top of the line tuners, it isn't even funny the difference in feel. This AT2K tuner has tuned every antenna that I have tried it on and works flawlessly! I'm very impressed with PalStar's quality and I can see that this tuner will fit my needs for many years to come, in fact, this may be the last tuner I'll have to buy, unless I decide to up my power output! All of my communication with PalStar has been perfect, no delays, quick shipping. I would tell you that I appreciate MFJ for servicing the needs of the amateur radio community, however, their lack of quality control, being able to contact them with questions, or receive their products in a timely manner is dismal! I purchased many MFJ products over the years and was always happy with their products, I got out of radio for a few years and after returning to my hobby, I began to build my radio station back up. I am shocked by MFJ's lack of quality control, a little better checking of your products before they leave the factory is in order! I would also tell you all, if you're looking into buying a new antenna tuner, dig into your pocket book a little deeper and pay for the PalStar AT2K, you won't be disappointed. You get what you pay for fellas, I thought I was buying MFJ's top of the line tuner and was very disappointed! Now I know where "Mississippi's Finest Junk" comes from! Sorry MFJ, thanks for the other great products that you supply that do work, however, you're top of the line antenna tuners DON'T cut it! Rock On PalStar, you are doing a fantastic job and supplying the amateur radio community with great products! Enjoying my new tuner!!!
W1BG Rating: 2018-02-16
Quality Slipping Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
As KE5GGY also noted in his review, the 6-position switch leaves much to be desired, as the previous good, positive detent in older units is notably missing. With the new switch you have to be somewhat careful in making your selection as it's fully possible to end up halfway between two positions. In my opinion this represents an obvious cheapening of the bill of materials. How much are they really saving? Otherwise the tuner works great, which is more than I can say for an AT2K-D which I just returned DOA to Gigaparts.