Palstar Antenna Tuner |
Palstar Inc. is a manufacturer from the USA that has been active since the 1990s. The CEO himself is an enthusiastic radio ham (NP8PH) who demands high quality from the products they manufacture. The product range includes Tuners, as well as meters and other accessories for ham amateur.
HF-AUTO Automatic Antenna Tuner 1800 Watt |
A
solid automatic tuner designed for high power rating - is that possible? Palstar
shows us how it's done!
The Palstar "HF-Auto" Tuner is capable of a maximum power rating of 1800 watts
(2 to 200W carrier power when tuning). There are no clacking relays or stepper
switches used in the device, but continuously variable components like a roller
inductor or a large plate capacitor to ensure for a perfect match every time.
High power rating does not mean that you can't use QRP, too! The Palstar HF-Auto starts tuning with 2 watts already! With the built-in microprocessor tuning only takes 10 seconds tops, but usually even less (3-5 seconds). The large and well legible LC-display shows settings of the tuner like C and L settings, SWR, selected antenna output and more. The LC-Display makes operating the device very easy, a simple menu system helps to set various parameters easily.
The HF-Auto provides three arbitrary antenna outputs that are selected either manually or automatically depending on the frequency. Alternatively the tuner can be switched to "bypass" mode to deactivate it. Once settings for good SWR are found they can be saved automatically, which makes tuning next time even faster. The serial interface is used to upgrade the firmware, a serial cable is included. Palstar plans to launch a remote-controlled version of this tuner, however a release date is not available yet. Power supply requires 12V, a DC cable with a connector for the tuner is included.
Max. output power: | 1800 Watt (160-10m) |
800 Watt (6m) | |
HF Band: | 6m - 160m |
Tuning time: | max. 10, typ. 3-5 seconds |
Display: | 4 line large print LC Display, backlight |
Capacitor: | large plate variable differential (max. 5.5kV) |
Inductance: | Roller inductor 16 µH on ceramic body, plus 10µH fixed inductor |
Outputs: | 3x SO-239 coax connectors |
Power supply: | 13.8V DC, 4A max. |
Chassis: | Aluminium, hot dip galvanised of powder coated |
Size: | 318mm × 165mm × 419mm |
Weight: | 11,3kg |
Only the coax cable is needed to connect radio and tuner! No other connections necessary.
Order No. | ||
---|---|---|
HF-AUTO | Palstar automatic tuner 1800 Watt | 1899.00 |
40400.01 | PL cable, 1m LowLoss Kabel CLF-400 10mm Ø | 14.10 |
40400.02 | PL cable, 2m LowLoss Kabel CLF-400 10mm Ø | 14.30 |
40402.50CM | PL cable, 0.5m H-155 | 10.30 |
40402.01 | PL cable, 1m H-155 | 10.90 |
40402.02 | PL cable, 2m H-155 | 12.10 |
HF-AUTO-REM Remote Control Unit for HF-AUTO Automatic Tuner |
The
Palstar HF-AUTO-R is the full-function remote control unit for use with the
HF-AUTO automatic antenna tuner. The HF-AUTO-R allows for remote operation of
the HF-AUTO base unit up to 150m away and duplicates all buttons, controls, and
display info.
The combination of the Palstar HF-AUTO and HF-AUTO-R will allow for high-power remote operated analog autotuning with a power rating of 2 Watts to 1800 watts.
To operate a null modem cable is required, which is not included.
Order No. | ||
---|---|---|
HF-AUTO-REM | Palstar Remote Control Unit for HF-AUTO | 680.00 |
AT-500 Manual Tuner 600 Watt |
Finally a Palstar tuner with the traditional high quality and feature set has become available for low power as well. The compact tuner Palstar AT-500 can handle max. 600W transmit power.
The manually tuned Palstar AT-500 is suitable for all bands from 160m to 6m. It uses a differential capacitor and a precision roller inductor for tuning. A built-in 4:1 balun allows operation with balanced feedlines as well as coaxial cables. The tuning is very easy to handle because only two controls (C,L) have to be tuned. The roller inductor can be used up to 6m, for 160m operation an additional inductivity is switched.
The Palstar AT-500 tuner has an easy to read cross needle instrument (back lit) which also offers a peak hold function. The measurement range can be switched from 300 to max. 1000W. A 6-positionantenna switch is used to commute between 2 coaxial cables direct or via the tuner, a balanced line or bypass.
AT-500 | |
---|---|
Max. Power (output) | 600 Watts PEP (500W CW) |
HF Band | 6m - 160m |
Tuning | 1x differential capacitor, 1x roller inductor |
Antenna switch | 2 Antennas, bypass, wire antenna |
Capacitor | Differential capacitor 14 — 360pF @2.5 kV |
Roller Inductor | 15 µH |
Impedance range (1.8-30MHz) | 20 — 1500 Ω |
Instrument | Cross needle, Peak/Peak Hold, backlit |
Measurement ranges | 0-300 / 0-1000 Watt |
Balun | 4:1 |
Case | Aluminium, hot dip galvanized, partially pulver coated |
Size (T × B × H) | 327mm × 263mm × 140mm |
Weight | 3,6kg |
Order No. | ||
---|---|---|
AT-500 | Palstar AT-500 Tuner | 625.00 |
AT-2K Manual Tuner 2000 Watt |
![]() AT-2K 2kW tuner with roller inductor |
![]() AT-2KD 2kW tuner with roller inductor |
The Palstar AT-2K tuner is a manual antenna tuner for shortwave and 6m. By using the three controls (2x variable capacitor, 1x roller inductor) you get very accurate and precisely reproducible tuning results. Varicaps are tuned via a 6:1 reduction, the smooth-running roller inductor via a big crank. These components have, accordingly to its maximum allowable transmitting power of 2000W PEP, a very high voltage resistance. Impedance ranges from 20 to 1500 Ω for frequencies from 1.8 to 30 MHz, on 6m impedance is a little less.
Connect with the mode switch two different antennas either directly or via tuner to the transceiver. An additional output to connect balanced antennas is available, an optional 4:1 current balun is recommended (not included). The built-in dual cross-needle meter shows forward and reverse power as well as the resulting SWR. Switch max. measuring range of the meter from 300 to 3000W. A 'Peak and Hold' function makes it easier to read the meter. Power supply requires 12V, max. 200mA.
Very similar to the AT-2K tuner is Palstar's AT-2KD. It is identical in all respects except it just uses one varicap, which also differs slightly in design. This simplifies tuning a bit, at the expense of accuracy.
AT-2K | AT-2KD | |
---|---|---|
Max. output power: | 2000 Watts PEP (1500W CW) | |
HF Band: | 6m - 160m | |
Tuning: | 2x variocap, 1x roller inductor | 1x variocap, 1x roller inductor |
Antenna switching: | 2 Antennas, bypass, optional balun | |
Capacitor: | Low minimum custom variocap 15 — 413pF @4.5 kV | Differential with 2 stators and 1 rotor 20 — 430pF @5.0 kV |
Roller inductor: | silver-plated inductor wheel shaft and contact wheel on ceramic body | |
Impedance: (1.8-30MHz) | 20 — 1500 Ω | |
Meter | Active cross-needle (Peak/Peak Hold) with backlighting | |
Meter power range | 0-300 / 0-3000 Watt | |
Power supply: | 13.8V DC, 200mA max. | |
Chassis: | Aluminium, hot dip galvanised of powder coated | |
Size (L × W × H): | 343mm × 368mm × 127mm | 335mm × 305mm × 146mm |
Weight: | 6,3kg | 6,0kg |
Only the coax cable is needed to connect radio and tuner! No other connections necessary.
Order No. | ||
---|---|---|
AT-2K | Palstar 2kW tuner with roller inductor, 2 variocaps | 725.00 |
AT-2KD | Palstar 2kW tuner with roller inductor, 1 variocap | 725.00 |
40400.01 | PL cable, 1m LowLoss Kabel CLF-400 10mm Ø | 14.30 |
40400.02 | PL cable, 2m LowLoss Kabel CLF-400 10mm Ø | 14.30 |
40402.50CM | PL cable, 0.5m H-155 | 10.30 |
40402.01 | PL cable, 1m H-155 | 10.90 |
40402.02 | PL cable, 2m H-155 | 12.10 |
AT-4K and AT-5K Manual Tuner |
When you really want to get a lot of power to the antenna, then the Palstar AT-4K is the right tuner. This is the tuner Palstar has become well-known for and it has ever since been continuously improved. The tuner has a max. power rating of 3000 W PEP (2500 W CW) (real loads). The high-quality components are designed for long durability, as both variable capacitors are specified for 6kV, the roller inductor and switch up to max. 10A HF power. The use of three controls in t-matching (2x variable capacitors, 1x roller inductor) makes very precise and fine tuning possible.
Additionally the Palstar AT-4K has a switchable 1:1 balun at the input of the tuner. This way end-fed wire or open wire antennas can be tuned directly. The balun is switched on by a front panel relay. As with all large tuners from Palstar, the AT-4K has a large cross-needle display with backlighting. Switching meter range from 300 to 3000 W provides instant overview of forward and reverse power as well as the resulting SWR. The meter has a 'Peak and Hold' function to read peak values more accurate and easier. Power supply requires 12V, max. 200mA.
The even larger AT-5K is built very similar to it's smaller brother AT-4K: a manual tuner with a T network design, with switchable balun for symmetric feeds. The max. power of the AT-5K is 3500 W CW (approx. 4000 W PEP). Due to the large capacitors the impedance range on the 10m band is limited. Operation on 10m is possible, but only with better adapted antennas.
AT-4K | AT-5K | |
---|---|---|
Max. Power (output) | 3000 W PEP (2500 CW) | 4000 W PEP (3500 CW) |
Bands | 160m - 10m | 160m - 15m, 10m with limited Z range |
Tuning | 2 Capacitors, 1 rolling inductor, T network | |
Antenna Switch | 2 antennas, bypass, optional balun | |
Capacitor | 2x max. 460pF @6 kV | 2x max. 600pF @6 kV |
Rolling Inductor | 10 A, 7 kV, silver-plated inductor wheel shaft and contact wheel on ceramic body | |
Impedance range | 20 — 1500 Ω | |
Instrument | Active cross-needle (Peak/Peak Hold) with backlighting | |
Instrument Power Range | 0-300 / 0-3000 Watt | |
Balun | 1:1, switchable | |
Output | Unbalanced/balanced activated by front panel switch | |
Power supply | 13.8V DC, 200mA max. | |
Case | Aluminium, hot dip galvanised or powder coated | |
Dimensions | 384 mm x 193 mm x 483mm | 413 mm x 210 mm x 502mm |
Weight | 9,0 kg | 13,0 kg |
Only the coax cable is needed to connect radio and tuner! No other connections necessary.
Order No. | ||
---|---|---|
AT-4K | Palstar 3kW tuner with roller inductor | 1170.00 |
AT-5K | Palstar 4kW tuner with roller inductor | 1499.00 |
40400.01 | PL cable, 1m LowLoss Kabel CLF-400 10 mm Ø | 14.10 |
40400.02 | PL cable, 2m LowLoss Kabel CLF-400 10 mm Ø | 14.30 |
40402.50CM | PL cable, 0.5m H-155 | 10.30 |
40402.01 | PL cable, 1m H-155 | 10.90 |
40402.02 | PL cable, 2m H-155 | 12.10 |
BT1500A Balanced Antenna Tuner 1500 Watt |
The
Palstar BT1500A is built for exactly one reason - to tune balanced antennas best
possible. There is no trade-off with coax fed antennas nor with unbalanced feeds.
The Palstar BT1500A with two roller inductors on one shaft and a variable capacitor with two sections is designed to be truly balanced. This makes a nearly perfect adjustment for open wire fed antennas possible (also with high power rating). The variable capacitor can be switched either to the input or output side. When the variocap is on the input side it provides a low Z and high-pass filter, when on the output side a high Z and low-pass filter. This offers various impedance ranges for different antennas and applications, making the tuner more versatile.
As with all large tuners from Palstar, the AT-4K has a large cross-needle display with backlighting. Switching meter range from 300 to 3000W provides instant overview of forward and reverse power as well as the resulting SWR. The meter has a 'Peak and Hold' function to read peak values more accurate and easier. Power supply requires 12V, max. 200mA.
Max. output power: | 1500 Watts PEP (1000W CW) | |
HF Bands: | 10m - 160m | |
Tuning: | 1x variable capacitor, 1x double roller inductor | |
Capacitor: | 2 sections, switchable (65pF, 960pF) @4.5kV | |
Inductance: | double roller inductor 44µH on one shaft | |
Impedance: | Relay switched Hi-Z/Low-Z impedance range | |
Meter | Active cross-needle Peak/Peak Hold with backlighting | |
Meter power range | 0-300 / 0-3000 Watt | |
Input: | SO-239 (PL) connector | |
Output: | Balanced | |
Power supply: | 13.8V DC, 200mA max. | |
Chassis: | Aluminium, hot dip galvanised of powder coated | |
Size: | 337mm × 165mm × 429mm | |
Weight: | 7,7 kg |
Only the coax cable is needed to connect radio and tuner! No other connections necessary.
Order No. | ||
---|---|---|
BT-1500A | Palstar, balanced antenna tuner 1500W | 940.00 |
40400.01 | PL cable, 1m LowLoss Kabel CLF-400 10mm Ø | 14.10 |
40400.02 | PL cable, 2m LowLoss Kabel CLF-400 10mm Ø | 14.30 |
40402.50CM | PL cable, 0.5m H-155 | 10.30 |
40402.01 | PL cable, 1m H-155 | 10.90 |
40402.02 | PL cable, 2m H-155 | 12.10 |
Alle prijzen zijn inclusief BTW., maar exclusief verzendkosten.
Tussentijdse prijswijzigingen en typefouten voorbehouden.
Fabrikanten kunnen specificaties en uitvoeringen wijzigen.