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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
NA3R Rating: 2018-01-21
Solid and a good performer Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I returned an MFJ-989D which had serious quality control issues and I purchased this tuner to replace it at the recommendation from the folks at HRO.

Solid construction, a METAL crank for the inductor, the turns counter works properly and no parts floating around in the cabinet! It tunes up my 73 foot end-fed long wire on all bands running a KW from my AL-80B.

I agree with previous posts about the numbers on the dials and turns counter being hard to read at a distance.

It is a little expensive but you get what you pay for. I would absolutely recommend this product.
K6JMQ Rating: 2018-01-15
Well Built Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have about 50 hours on my AT2K and I'm very happy with. There are two things I would change. The inductor control numerals are small and can be difficult to read if the tuner is more than an arm's length away. The other issue I have is the coax (antenna) selector feels "mushy". Everything else about the unit is top notch.
KE5GGY Rating: 2018-01-13
Great Reputation - Time Will Tell Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've been a fan of the Palstar product for years. I've owned the AT2K-D and loved it. I recently purchased, in Jan 2018, a new AT2K HF Antenna Tuner. I bought it directly from Palstar in Ohio.

The tuner itself is a ROCKSTAR and makes getting 'tuned up' very easy. Compared with my MFJ 962D tuner, the Palstar is much smoother and easier to operate.

I'm currently using the AT2K with a Zero-Five vertical and it tunes up very easily on 80 and 40 meters.

My only concern with this tuner is the quality of construction, and specifically quality of the Direct-Tuned Mode Switch. The Palstar switches that I've grown accustomed to have a firmer pull with a distinct 'click' when it's in position. What I'm 'feeling' on this new AT2K tuner is a less 'solid' switching 'click' into position, reminiscent of an older 'worn' switches. I'm concerned that it's not going to hold up for the long haul.

I've written to Palstar regarding this, and they informed me that, in spite of my description, the part is of high quality and is not defective. Still, it's interesting to note that several other reviewers have made similar comments.

In summary, I love the Palstar product. I wouldn't keep buying them, and pay a premium price, if I didn't believe they were the best. I am concerned that, due to their growth, they may not be able to maintain quality control. I certainly hope so. Time will tell.

73 Pete Thomson
KE5GGY - Denton, Texas

If you have any questions about my review you're welcome to email me at ke5ggy at gmail dot com or check into 3.916 MHz any night between 7 and 10 PM Central.
KM6NTW Rating: 2018-01-08
Excellent tuner Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I needed a full power ATU to tune a multi-band dipole which I could never get below 3:1 SWR on 20m. I was hesitant to pay this much, but it was worth it. With this tuner, I get 1.2:1 across the whole band. I found no issues with the build quality and the instructions are clear.
LY1O Rating: 2017-12-08
bad basic part Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
641/5000
I've been using tiuner for half a year.
Very good product.
1. Product quality assurance - 4 points
2. Accuracy of the measuring device - 4 points
3. Functionality - 5 points
4. Appearance - 4 points
5. Reliability - 0 points
I appreciate how Mickosoft Windows pays attention to the computer - under the weakest hardware.
The weakest place is the roller inductor. It has a plasma body in place of the ceramic. Do not hold that roler inductor housing. Deformation and no inductor. I changed the inductor to the ceramic and everything works super!
PALSTAR saves your prestigious account. In the adverts of dileri it was said that the induction ceramic ...
I do not believe in PALSTAR!
73! Jonas LY1O
VE3BXG Rating: 2017-08-23
Better than an autotuner!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought the AT2K to replace an LDG AT-600ProII autotuner that was defective right out of the box. Not only could it not tune my system, but it made enough noise to wake the dead. The AT2K is easy to use and tunes your antenna in a few seconds. I'm new to ham radio and my initial bias was toward an autotuner. But I'm now asking myself why anyone would prefer one of those finicky and noisy beasts to something as simple and reliable as the AT2K manual tuner.
WU2M Rating: 2017-08-23
They used to be good. Not anymore. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought one of these tuners several years ago and it has performed well.
We purchased another one for use at a club station over the winter and discovered it is not the same tuner as the original. The Quality control at Palstar must be lacking because we had one stuck switch AND bad solder joints to deal with to get the meter to work. This was right out of the box. I guess this thing is really a 500 watt tuner because at 1KW the inductor had burnt.
I'm sure that someone will tell me that it is the fault of the antenna or something else but the old old MFJ roller inductor tuner just keeps working.
Sorry Palstar, we will not be buying your products anymore. The only reason I am giving a 2 in this review is because the old one works well. I hope that Palstar reads these reviews and gets their act together like it used to be.

----------------------
Earlier 5-star review posted by WU2M on 2012-12-10

Palstar has a real winner here. The AT2K works great and feels solid. It's fit and finish is good and it functions as it should. Everything feels super smooth unlike some other tuners that are made very cheap.
I use this tuner with a double G5RV (Just getting back on the air, better antennas to come in the spring!) and an Alpha 89 and have had no problems at all. I think this tuner is a keeper!
W8EAS Rating: 2017-06-09
The Cadillac of Tuners Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Bought mine used, and didn't feel necessary to open it up (based on previous owner communication) - plug and play. Worked from day one and continues to work as expected. Using 100 watts into an end fed, tunes 80-10 easily, Bought with the idea that I will eventually buy an amplifier; the AT2K will be the right choice for that purpose.
KA2Z Rating: 2017-06-09
Cheap Junk Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I cant believe all the glowing reviews on here for this tuner.
I ordered one. Thinking its going to be good quality.
It came, when I took it out of the box, the crank for the inductor was not moving the numbers, and the antenna selector switch was just turning without stops at each selection.
What the...
I dont care if it is a good design, these tuners are obviously being assembled by high school kids, or cheap labor that dont care less!
Feels light weight and cheap too, like an MFJ tuner.
I sent this junk right back.
I'll look on ebay for an old Johnson Viking matchbox.
KC1MK Rating: 2017-04-30
Great tuner! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I recently bought a new Palstar AT2K tuner. From the reviews, it sounded like it might be just right for my station and probably the last tuner I would have to buy.
After using it for several weeks, I am very pleased with it. My main antenna is a 102' inverted V, with the center at about 20 feet and the ends at about eight feet, fed with 100' of 450-ohm ladderline into a DX Engineering 1:1 balun. Yes, not an ideal antenna, but I can make many contacts with it, and generally if I can hear them I can work them. Even with the poor band conditions lately, I have been making quite a few contacts.
The tuner is built like a tank and the workmanship inside looks very good. The controls are smooth and it is easily resettable.
I will hopefully be putting up a 250' loop at about 45 feet in a month or two, and I am sure the AT2K will handle this antenna well.