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Reviews For: Palstar AT-500

Category: Antenna Tuners/Matching Networks

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Review Summary For : Palstar AT-500
Reviews: 22MSRP: $439.95
Description:
600 Watt PEP Antenna Tuner
Covering 160 to 6 Meters, the AT-500 features a differential tuning capacitor with 2 stators and 1 rotor, a precision ceramic body roller inductor, and a 4:1 ferrite current balun for balanced line feeds.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.palstar.com/at-500.php
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00224.5
N8LOQ Rating: 2013-11-16
5.0 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I might let my FT-990 go and I might let my Zero-five antenna go, but I'll NOT let this tuner go! get one, you'll see!

73 Sid W8SFC
KD7XH Rating: 2013-01-23
I would give it a ten Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This antenna coupler works better than expected. Plus 12 Volts is not needrd for operation on 80 thru 10 meters (only to engage the 160 M relay and for peak reading function on the meter. The vswr meter works normally without 12 V power).. To get the most efficent match adjust the capactor closest to 100 as this adjustment gives the most output capactance, thus the least loss throught the tuner. I use it with a 80 M inverted Vee at 30 feet using 300 Ohm twin lead about 115 feet long. So far this tuner works great.
G4FFD Rating: 2012-11-13
Well-Made, Versatile and Effective Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Mine was a replacement for a 30 year-old MFJ Differential Tuner, which has been excellent and reliable. It had become tired and needed a rest. The lower power AT-500 has been a satisfactory purchase. It has a well-pressed strong case that fits together well and the components are high-quality. Reading the capacitor dial is easy with a glance at the big red triangular pointer. It is like an analogue watch face that does not need figures, your reading becomes spontaneous within a degree or two. The triangle stands out in subdued light.
The design uses an inductor with increasing spaced windings. It is not quite as versatile as the old MFJ and there is one combination it finds difficult to match on 21Mhz on my centre-fed balanced line antenna. It gives a 1.5 VSWR which works well. All other bands below the design frequency of the antenna are matched 1:1 with low reactance.
I happened to have a Palstar 1/1 current balun to hand. Plugging this in to a spare coaxial socket at the rear of the ATU and attaching the balanced line allowed perfect matching on 21Mhz,
but not on 24Mhz. (The internal balun is a 4:1 current transformer.)
If you want perfection you have to seek it. If you start trimming your antenna and/or feedline, you will be at it for weeks! Using another ratio balun on an alternative entry portal is much easier.
I think this ATU is good.
K4AAZ Rating: 2012-07-18
excellent product...American Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Bought my AT-500 used from HRO in mint condition..already have an AT-2K that is a fine product, I use this tuner on a small station with a vertical dipole for 20m and higher.very reliable and easy to tune..If you get one you won't be sorry...
KE4WSH Rating: 2012-07-06
Great product Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Had the at-500 for almost a year no problems what so ever.well made built like a tank.My first tuner was a ldg att-pro11 it is not in the same class as the at-500
DO3EG Rating: 2012-01-21
lousy quality and service Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought that American Quality made product in Germany brand new for nearly 500 Euros.After a longer period of transmission with barefoot power the finals of my TRX blew up. Reason was a missing solder close to the swr board of the Palstar AT-500. I asked Palstar (P. H.) for compensation of my losses.His answer was thank you for reparing the unit and he asked me what I want him to do, ...that was all. I rate it a lousy 1 because of bad quality control , bad service and no hamspirit of P. H. This unit was the first and last Palstar product I bought. Other companies with three letters have better quality control and service behavior and are much cheaper !
N7USC Rating: 2012-01-09
JUST: WOW Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is my first MANUAL antenna tuner. My auto tuner just didn't have the range. So I bit the bullet and got this one from Palstar. I know it was more expensive...but got a "good deal on ebay for it.

Now...what do I think? WONDERFUL. Very easy to use, and very broad in its tuning capability. I've been able to now tune my antennas to bands that I couldn't before and even tune my 40 m dipole to 80 meters....neat.

Does all that it is advistised to do.

CON: my inductance knob is a little sticky but I don't care....I can live with it.
G6YGZ Rating: 2011-10-14
This is a wonderfull piece of kit. Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have been using my Palstar AT-500 for 7 months now, and I am really pleased with it. It is very easy to use and very quickly tunes my Homebro cobweb antenna with my Ts-570D and my 500W PEP linear Amp on 20,17,15,12, and 10 m with good clean transmisions. I would recomend this as a wonderful piece of kit.
VE2OL Rating: 2010-11-27
very good tuner Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Hi,In my long career in the hobby I have built many tuners and I give a 5 to this one because it is very well built and it tunes my 265 foot OCF down to 1:1 on all bands 1.8 to 30mhz.I cant tell for 6 meters as my radio and interest don,t go there. I bought it primarily because it is fast and easy for quick band changes because there are only 2 controls.I ordered direct from Palstar and the gang there answered my queries and shipped promptly.It helps that they are all hams. I would recommend it to anyone.It,s a solid addition to my shack, 73, Ray VE2ol
KA4SSH Rating: 2009-11-02
WORKS AS ADVERTISED Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
THIS IS MY THIRD PALSTAR-ALL WERE BUILT LIKE HEAVY TANKS AND HAVE USA AS PART OF THERE RESUME-IHAVE THE 600 WATT [ALS-600]AMERTRON AND LONG WIRES- IF I TUNE TO THE MID RANGE OF THE BAND WITH THIS TUNER I CAN WORK THE WHOLE BAND WITH LITTLE OR NO ADJUSTMENT ON THE TUNER' THEY ARE MORE MONEY THAN MOST BUT YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR-PAY THE EXTRA AND YOU WON'T BE SORRY - GREAT MATCH TO MY 756 III AND 160-10 WIRES AND AMP--