Magazine reviews: [Click Here for Customer Reviews] These articles were first published in RadCom, the magazine of the Radio Society of Great Britain. RadCom: www.rsgb.org ZM30 Antenna Analyzer Click here: RadCom September 2005: ZM30 Antenna Analyzer © 2005 RadCom/RSGB. Used with permission. AT1KM & AT1500CV Antenna Tuners Click here: RadCom May 2005: AT1KM & AT1500CV Tuners © 2005 RadCom/RSGB. Used with permission. ARRL & QST: www.arrl.org Adobe reader needed: download here AT4K & AT1500BAL Antenna Tuners Click here: QST Sept 2004: AT1500BAL & AT4K Tuners © 2004 QST/ARRL. Used with permission. WM150 Wattmeter Click here: QST July 2002: WM150 wattmeter © 2002 QST/ARRL. Used with permission. R30 Shortwave Receiver Click here: QST Nov 2002: R30 Shortwave Receiver © 2002 QST/ARRL. Used with permission. www.http://www.megahertz-magazine.com ZM30 Antenna Analyzer Clic ici: Megahertz 08/2005: ZM30 Analyseur D'antenne © 2005 Megahertz. Utilisé avec la permission. Used with permission. Customer reviews: Please click: AT-AUTO | AT1500CV | AT4K | AT5K | BT1500A | R30 | ZM30 | MW550P | SP30 | DL5K | CW50 AT-AUTO I recently acquired this auto tuner. In a word "WOW!!" I run an Acom 2000A, Icom IC-775dsp, and a Sommer XP707 log type beam. The antenna is 10-40 meters. Now, the Acom amp will tolerate a SWR up to 3:1 but my Sommer antenna on 40 meters has a SWR of 2.8:1 The amp will do ok but it's too close to its limits. The antenna is a little high in capacitive reactance on 40 meters and the tuner just tweaks everything to perfection. I did look at the MFJ-998 auto tuner. It did work ok, but it does not sport a peak reading watt meter. Also, the relays banging away really surprised me as they were quite noisy! Amazing how much superior the Palstar is! The stepper motors are a bit louder than the ones in the Acom. I also have a loop antenna and a Cushcraft AP-8A vertical. The MFJ-998 did not tune the loop too well on 160 meters. The Palstar did not break a sweat. Although the Palstar auto tuner is almost twice the price ..you can't beat its performance or quality! Of course my manual tuner, an Ameritron ATR-30 works very well and will load my antennas without any challenges. I prefer the auto tuner operation and speed. Now I'm not really using the tuner to its fullest as I prefer to use the auto mode but not the tuner connected to the radio to follow as I tune across the bands. I listen on a myriad of frequencies and bands but do not transmit. This operating procedure would have the tuner work more than necessary. Bottom line, I am very pleased with this tuner and it's made in USA!!!! Regards, Marty KA7GKN AT1500CV Re: AT 1500CV 1500Watt Antenna Tuner, SN 3996 Overall Grade: A- Dear Sir: I wish to give you feedback on your AT1500CV 1500Watt Tuner that I bought from Ham Radio Outlet, Inc. in Portland, OR 97223, on June 14, 2006. When I unpacked the AT 1500CV Antenna Tuner, I could hear something loose inside. As I proceeded to remove the twelve (12) cabinet screws, I noticed that they were only “finger tight”. As I removed the top case, I saw a loose nut. I installed the nut on the screw that is located below the “Output Air Variable Capacitor”. Since I retired as a Quality Assurance Inspector (electronics), I began inspecting the components and workmanship of the AT 1500CV tuner. I found that S1 had a terminal on the rear wafer that was not soldered. The wire was routed from Coax 1 through the unsoldered rear wafer terminal to the front wafer terminal (soldered). This was an “oversight”. It can happen to anyone. Since I have several decades of different solder certifications, I soldered the connection. Overall, the AT 1500CV Antenna tuner is very clean, excellent soldering, good insulation gaps, good component layout, good front panel layout, rear panel, assembly and construction engineering techniques. I like the nylon washers under the cover screws. The appearance is Excellent. I noticed extra spare parts included. Great!! Excellent manual. Well Done. Note: The AT 1500CV owner’s manual on p.10 under the 12VDC Input (2.1 mm plug), there is a mention of a meter lamp and fan. What fan??? I didn’t see one. Interesting!! One suggestion, if I may: I would like to see a “folding wire stand” underneath the front of the tuner. I use a prop, so I can see the front panel easier. Comment: I scotch taped my little chart below the Inductor knob. When I removed my chart for updating, some of the white outline paint came off. Well, I won’t do that again. Thank you for reading my critique. Palstar did very well. It tunes my 160m (540 ft) trapezoid quad loop from 160m to 10m very well. I have a BSEET, FCC First Class Radio-Telephone License, FCC Amateur Extra License, Senior Electronics Technician (Shop Leader) (retired) from Kitsap Naval Base Keyport, Quality Assurance Inspector (electronics), and a Hazardous Material coordinator. Sincerely, Edward C. Saftich AK7H 12355 NE Philip Drive Kingston, WA 98346 --------------------------------------------------------------- Re: AT1500CV I just wanted to take a second to share a story... Recently bought a ........ Long story short, what a piece of junk. Brought it back within 2 days and traded it in for the AT1500CV at the local HRO store. THIS THING IS AWESOME!!!!!!! Excellent quality, feel and operation. You have a GREAT product and a new sales person to spread the word. I will always look to you for any needed equipment before looking elsewhere. Please keep up the AWESOME job!!!!! David Coccio, N7AKC --------------------------------------------------------------- Re: AT1500CV Hello: I bought a Palstar AT1500CV in December. I use wire antennas exclusively and have always tried many different tuners. This 1500CV is one of the best tuners I have owned in 43 years of hamming. The design is good and the build quality is excellent. Please tell everyone who is involved with this product that it is "a job well done." Many hams who have seen my Palstar are going to end up buying one. In fact, I am getting tired of taking the cover off to let people see "inside." 73, Stan K9IUQ --------------------------------------------------------------- Re: AT1500CV Hi Paul, Just like to say how pleased I am with the new AT1500CV. I did a lot of fact finding before deciding on this unit. It took me quite a while including an e-mail inquiry to you. I definitely made the right choice. I'm one that is not easily pleased either, but I can't remember the last time I bought a piece of equipment that please me so much. I think you might categorize me in the "tickled pink" class. I've been a ham since 1955 (same call - K2OAA) and have had lots of different tuners including Matchboxes, Murch, home-brews and surplus tuners. This tuner outclasses them all for quality, design and shear ruggedness. Someone put a lot of heart and soul into this unit. Bravo! The outside of the unit is very impressive just looking at it, but what really impressed me were the vernier tuning knobs. That's class. I wasn't expecting it and it was like icing on the cake. To my knowledge it wasn't mentioned anywhere in my research. It should be. Naturally, I had to see what was inside and I opened it up right away within ten minutes. Again, I was very impressed with the quality and layout of the unit. Normally, I'm very critical, but I can't agree with any of the negatives that I read about in eHam.net reviews. They either don't know what they're talking about or they just like to complain. I just can't find a thing wrong with the unit and that's saying something for me. Nice work Paul and the Palstar team. Sincerely, John/K2OAA --------------------------------------------------------------- Re: AT1500CV Hello Palstar, I just thought you might like to know about the AT1500CV and DL2K I've had about two months now. I really love the quality and the workmanship of these two products. I know you've no doubt had others write, but I thought maybe one more. Thanks for the great products. Best regards, Jerry --------------------------------------------------------------- Re: AT1500CV Paul, Many thanks for the excellent service. The AT1500CV arrived well packed in just 4 days and the build quality is even better thank I expected. So congratulations to you and your team on a job well done. I will not hesitate to order any Palstar products in the future. Many of my local radio club members are very interested in the product. Many thanks for now, Dave 2WODAA Click here for to AT1500CV Product Page | Back to Top AT4K Re: My new AT4K Paul, The tuner arrived the same day I called you. This is what I think of it. My first tuner way back when was a Murch and it was an excellent tuner even though it didn't have the metering. I was inactive for 14 years than when I became active again two years ago I sold the Murch and acquired a MFJ 989-C...my next tuner was a used Tucker 3000(Vectronics HT1500)...my next one was an Ameritron ATR 30...I sold it after not quite 4 months of use. I was undecided which tuner to buy, the Nye viking or the Palstar AT4K. After reading the reviews of the AT4k on eHam.net I decided to go with the AT4k. After just a few days use I can tell you I am totally and completely thrilled and tickled to death with my new AT4K. It tunes everything I throw at it. For the first time I was able to get a flat SWR on 160 meters using a variation of 132 FT. Carolina Windom. The tuner works very smoothly and is good in appearance. The internal compnents are top notch quality. The tuner as a whole is #1 in my book and I look forward to many years of operating with the AT4K. I haven't applied high power yet for my amp -- it needs a little repair -- but I am 100% positive it will do the job in that area also. I just wish I would have visited you website sooner as I would have ordered your watt/SWR meter also instead of the one I just purchased. After I have used it for a few weeks I will post a review on eHam.net giving nothing but a very positive review. Neil Hood -- WA4NRQ --------------------------------------------------------------- Re: AT4K Dear Palstar, Just hooked up my new AT4K and we are having ice and rain storms here in Traverse City, MI. Anyway, the tuner performs great...The AT4K was able to tune one of my antennas (a ground feed sloper) for 80 meter phone which...[two other tuners]...were not able to match. 37 countries this last weekend on 80 phone with that antenna and your tuner. Thank you and your staff very much!!! 73, Jeffrey Peters K9JP Link to AT4k Product Page | Back to Top AT5K Big-Beefy-Beautiful... itz the AT5K super tuner! By James Murphy (WV4R) [originally on eHam.net] Finally!!! After a couple months of On-Air evaluation, I want to add my two-cents regarding my recent AT5K Direct Factory Purchase from PALSTAR. First off, I talked at length to Paul, the owner of PALSTAR, regarding my interest in his products. Paul is very customer-oriented and he went the distance to be sure he understood my needs & which unit would suit my operating style best. Paul is the First reason I purchased my AT5K because if I do not believe in the seller I am not motivated to purchase. I settled on the AT5K unit because of my interest in 160m this winter & the AT5K is the top of the line in low frequency matching. After ordering directly from PALSTAR, I was advised on the manufacturing date & the ship date. The unit arrived within the promised time. The shipping container was special contoured foam, which totally protected the unit, which arrived unblemished. Owner Manual is very thorough & very user friendly. The exterior is cosmetically attractive with a heavy cabinet and super finish. Even the machine screws match the unit. Once I installed the operating unit, I began appreciating the features/benefits of such a high dollar antenna tuner. EVERYTHING is uncompromising quality & the beefiest size for any continuous-duty legal limit uses. virtually ONE to ONE everywhere! Power Meter is Two-needle, backlit. Unit features Average-Peak-Peak Hold functions & very accurate when directly compared to my trusty old Bird meter. Meter requires supplied 12vdc or can be run off your supply. The meter alone is well worth $250. Paul told me the accuracy is achieved by using two-transformer design. All I know is that it works great! Antenna Switch is a big, tough, switch for TWO antenna systems Thru/Direct with Bypass which is very convenient for a dummy load hookup. The antenna switch alone is well worth $200. A very heavy-duty 12vdc open-frame relay switches for true BALANCED LINE use. A whisper-quiet 12vdc Fan can be switched ON from front panel if you run the max into a bad match. shame on you. OK. I had to Look INSIDE before I installed the unit to be Sure nothing was mucked up in shipping. Engineering, Materials, Design, Construction is beauty to behold. From the machine screws securing the cabinet/chassis to the look & feel of the massive ceramic/silver plated rotary inductor AT5K rules. The layout was picture-perfect. There was not even a finger print on the inside. If I closed my eyes & dreamed of the ideal Look of a tuner, this would be my dream after over forty-six years of hammy radio. Tuning is very predictable with the smooth tuning controls/counter. Make a chart; you will always be in the ballpark. Customer service. well I did have a minor adjustment. Paul sent out over-nighted the part INCLUDING the TOOL to remove/replace the part myself saving potential reshipping nightmares. In twenty minutes, his expert instruction put me on the air. This is world-class customer service. Some hammy radio guys might see the AT5K as a bit pricey but I challenge anyone to homebrew the design, materials, workmanship, features & benefits for the factory-delivered cost. Looks, Function, Capability, Materials, Finish, Service truly earns my AT5K the FIVE STAR rating from WV4R. 73 es God bless, Murf. Click here for AT5K Product Page | Back to Top BT1500A Wanted to thank you for your speedy repair of the tuner I had just purchased. I particularly appreciated your paying the shipping costs. You folks are truly committed to your customers. By the way the tuner performs well beyond my expectations. A great piece of equipment. Richard Rohde, W7DAX Link to BT1500A Product Page | Back to Top R30 Shortwave Receiver Re: R30 Shortwave Receiver Hi Paul and Hi Girls! Well it's been almost three years since I purchased my R30 and I just wanted to tell everyone how happy I've been with this receiver. Boy! I love this thing. It has NOT disapointed me once. Everything is still working great and tuning with the analog meter...well "howwwww sweet it is." It's right there, every time. In a time where blinking lights, lots of buttons and jumbo LCD's seem to rule the day, apparently there really is no substitute for great engineering and assembly. Palstar does all these to an exceptional degree. A properly designed, manufactured and tested radio really doesn't need all the DSP, notching and bandpass hoop-la which seems to be the standard fare today. There just is no substitute for rock, solid core design. Again, wonderful radio, top-notch manufacturing and above all...honesty! I hope all is well with you and yours and that Palstar is safe and sound Kind regards, Scott James --------------------------------------------------------------- Re: R30 Shortwave Receiver Dear Sirs: Thank you for making the only very high quality, compact, and low cost MW/HF receiver! From what I've heard - especially for low-interference and relatively weak-signal-strength locations like mine in northern NM - it is the best receiver for under $2000... Thanks again for an outstanding, unique, and innovative receiver!... Sincerely, John Evensta --------------------------------------------------------------- Re: R30 Shortwave Receiver Thanks Paul! The receiver is wonderful. The selectivity with the collins filter is nothing short of remarkable and with no PBT, no B/W adjustments at all, between the excellent dynamic range and lack of leakage through the filter (plus what must be a close to ideal shape factor) I can honestly say the R30 equals the SSB performance of my 756 Pro II...and in a wonderfully small and attractive enclosure that seems rugged enough to drive a vehicle over. Nice design work. I think I am going to buy the [AA30] active antenna next then probably the big tuner [AT4K]. When one finds a quality manufacturer, well, it is kind of ridiculous to purchase inferior products again. Dick --------------------------------------------------------------- Re: R30 Shortwave Receiver I recently purchased an R30 and have been enjoying it immensely. The build quality is good, audio quality is excellent with an outboard speaker. Sensitivity is also excellent. It's nice to see that there are still some quality products made here in the 'ole USA! I'm in the process of beginning an R30 discussion group on yahoogroups.com, and would appreciate any input to help it become successful. Congratulations on building an excellent product and I look forward to many a happy hour DXing with it! Best wishes, Gary Wilt in NJ Click here for R30 Product Page | Back to Top ZM30 Antenna Analyzer Re: ZM30 Antenna Analyzer Hello All at Palstar, I just wanted to follow up with you and first say how pleased I am with the antenna analyser. I use it to tune my screwdriver antennas and others as well. Second topic was my handling of the shipping mix up with USPS and my invoice, It just goes to show you how quality of product and service is reflective of the people who run the operation. Mr Kovacs was more than happy to address my concerns and rectify the mix up. I enjoyed talking with all of you and look forward to seeing you in Dayton this year. Again my thanks to all of you and before I forget I wanted to mention that what led me to purchasing from Palstar was the horrible experience I had with a borrowed "........" analyser and from what I gather the owner of that "........" analyser has sent his analyser to "........" with horrible customer service thus far. Keep up your business ethics and continued success to you. VE6VRK Mark Vrkljan CD1 Edmonton, AB CANADA Re: ZM30 Antenna Analyzer Dear Pete: Thanks for everything. I receive the ZM30 at 07/18/2005 and it's really a superb device. Good handling and easy to use too (good and easy instruction manual). I also like the extra adapters such as the balanced transformer, calibrate resistors, etc...and again, Pete, your service and ordering help are outstanding!!! A very happy amateur PA3GPP. Many greetings, Klaas van der Lingen Netherlands Click here for ZM30 Product Page | Back to Top MW550P Active Preselector/Tuner Re: MW550P Active Preselector/Tuner Dear Paul, Thank you for your quick service and return of the MW550P unit, and also for the supplied matching transformer, and regulated power supply. They are much appreciated. The repaired unit, when used with the included regulated power supply and the matching transformer, does have significantly better performance now, even when the existing high-impedance antennas are used (for the R8 Drake receiver). Apparently the MW550P gives a greater performance boost to my BCB DX portable (the Sony ICF-S5W) than it does to the R8, perhaps because the stock R8 is already quite sensitive and selective. With my portable unit, the MW550P has outstanding performance, making the portable perform like an expensive table receiver. Thank you again for your assistance, Paul, and please be assured that I am very happy with my purchase. 73's and Best Wishes, Gary (N7EKX) Click here for MW550P Product Page | Back to Top Re: MW550P Active Preselector/Tuner Hi Everyone, As many of you know, I am quite pleased with the performance of the Palstar MW550P. Last night DX conditions were not too good. A few Pacific stations were in but not too hot. However, there was one interesting situation. I have a local on 840 khz, KSWB Seaside, 8 miles away. They run 500 w ND at night. KSWB is old rock, so they slop. Fortunately their modulation is generally not too high, but still splash on any antenna with a lobe to the South of me. Unfortunately, using my EWE antenna has exactly that, a lode to the S/SW, right through KSWB. So in the past hearing a split on 837 or 846 is not an easy task. With the EWE I get about S9+35 DB on KSWB I was playing around with the Palstar MW550P last night with and without it. You can put the unit in the bypass mode. I was tuning by KSWB and they were playing "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" by the Rolling Stones, that is puts out a fair amount of slop. In the bypass mode, I noticed a het on 846 khz, but no audio I could tell, just splash. I kicked the unit in the presellect mode peaking it on 846 khz, in popped audio from Kiribati. Lots of splash, but I could hear the music, and talk in Gilbertese. Infact enough, if I wanted to send a CD for a report, it was good enough for a QSL! I would kick the unit back and forth, in and out of the bypass mode. The same was true each time I tried it. The MW550P in narrow has selectivity on 2 khz and the adjacents are down. I think I mentioned that 10 khz from a strong signal, I will be down 20 DB. Since the Drake R8 has a wide open front in, this does make a world of difference. If Drake would have added a good high Q presellector in the front end as they did on the SPR4, it would have made a big difference. Again I am sold on the MW550P. No doubt about it! 73, Patrick Patrick Martin Seaside OR KAVT Reception Manager Click here for MW550P Product Page | Back to Top SP30 Speaker Re: SP30 Speaker Good Morning Paul, Again, my sincere thanks in providing the new speaker, it proved to be the right fix. It's companies like yours that provide the extra effort to customers that make them so great especially when coupled with a quality product like all your Amateur products. BTW: If you ever get a chance read the book: "The Starbucks Experience" well done on a great company. 73, John Miller-OHST Safety Officer, Ada County-Boise Idaho Risk Management office: 208-287-7107 cell: 208-867-3410 Click here for SP30 Product Page | Back to Top DL5K Dummy Load Hello Paul, I wanted to comment on two items I recently purchased from Palstar (the DL5K dummy load & CW50A CW keyer) for a new hamshack I am building here in Somerset, PA. Your products are well beyond the typical 'Amateur' grade. Palstar products are very clearly high-end items. Designed, built and shipped with absolute perfection in my opinion, at very reasonable selling prices. I hope to be able to add more Palstar items to my shack in the future. 73, Dan KK3AN Click here for DL5K Product Page | Back to Top CW50 Keyer Hello Paul, I wanted to comment on two items I recently purchased from Palstar (the DL5K dummy load & CW50A CW keyer) for a new hamshack I am building here in Somerset, PA. Your products are well beyond the typical 'Amateur' grade. Palstar products are very clearly high-end items. Designed, built and shipped with absolute perfection in my opinion, at very reasonable selling prices. I hope to be able to add more Palstar items to my shack in the future. 73, Dan KK3AN Click here for CW50 Product Page | Back to Top