Antenna Tuner Selection

[N1LAF]

I am building from my portable station to a more permanent one. I have the rotator (CDR HAM-M) being rebuilt, and the footing for the tower in place, I have a Mosley CL-33 beam in great shape and ready to go. I have two outstanding items, amplifier and antenna. I think the Ameritron AL-811H is the amplifier of choice (4 inexpensive, vertical tubes), and now a tuner to match it. I am looking for something better than Made From Junk, and easy on the wallet. I have been reading user reviews, doing my research, and I think I have found the right tuner.

Has anyone have had experience with Palstar tuners, specifically the Palstar AT1KP tuner? The price is reasonable, and reader reviews on Palstar tuners been really good.

MFJ - reader reviews are not so good, even though I have a 300W MFJ tuner that hasn't been a problem (MFJ-969).

[kf0rt]

I've got the AT1KM, which is the same as the AT1KP, but without the peak reading wattmeter (the KM has the wattmeter, but it's not peak reading).

'Bout all I can say is that you'll love it. These things are built like tanks and work very well.

Edit: Looks like the AT1KP is differential, so not the same as the KM, though Palstar apparently no longer makes the KM.

BTW, R&L sells Palstar stuff at a discount: http://www.randl.com/cart/ They're about $55 off list on the AT1KP. Good folks to deal with.

[W5IEI]

I have the Palstar BT 1500,and love it!!!!

You can't go wrong with Palstar.
Mike

[kc7jty]

MFJ really sucks, I bought a 948 new a couple months ago and the meter died one month after I had it. Not real happy with it's tuning abilities either. :roll:

[N2RJ]

I have a 941e that came with a bent fin on one of the variable caps.

More Fucking Junk!

[N1LAF]

MFJ really sucks, I bought a 948 new a couple months ago and the meter died one month after I had it. Not real happy with it's tuning abilities either. :roll:

In my scrap pile, I have a MFJ-812B VHF 144-220 SWR/WATTMETER - meter popped off the case, and the meter is also dead, no continuity.

[N9FE]

There has been three of mississippi's finest tuners returned for palstar's in our group in the last few months, everything from non working meters, parts missing, cold solder joints, in any event there were all sent back for palstar's,, so there ya go....

[N9FE]

There are a bunch of palstar tuners on QTH.com right now...

[N1LAF]

Looks like I'll be joining the Palstar group real soon

Everyone, thanks for the replies.

[N2RJ]

Can't go wrong with a Palstar. I use a Palstar balun. It feels solid and works like a champ.

[kc7mrq]

Everyone seems to agree that MFJ is lower quality (junk) and Palstar is the preferred tuner.

Next question, Do I choose a tuner with a 4:1 balun on the output or a 1:1 on the input?

I currently use ladderline, but will use coax at some point in time. I am leaning toward a Palstar AT4K. Anyone with experience with that tuner?

Corey

[N8YX]

I'm partial to Drake's MN2700, MN75 and MN7 but the "collectors" have driven the prices of those things through the roof.

I would look into one which has a 4:1 balun for ladderline feed; for lower-impedance application you could always install a 1:1 current balun a little upstream in the coax feedline then connect the other end to one of the unbalanced inputs.

[N3ATS]

Ditto on Palstar. I love my AT1500CV.

[KC8TCQ]

I guess I have been lucky, never had any problems with MFJ equipment. Of course now that I have said that, my tuner will blow up in my face. :o

[M0GLO]

Viking Matchbox, all else is just imitation. :whistle

Ahem. KW Matchbox, my friend. Not JUST "a Matchbox".

Don't lead these people astray here now.

[K8YS]

I've got the AT1KM, which is the same as the AT1KP, but without the peak reading wattmeter (the KM has the wattmeter, but it's not peak reading).

'Bout all I can say is that you'll love it. These things are built like tanks and work very well.

Edit: Looks like the AT1KP is differential, so not the same as the KM, though Palstar apparently no longer makes the KM.

BTW, R&L sells Palstar stuff at a discount: http://www.randl.com/cart/ They're about $55 off list on the AT1KP. Good folks to deal with.

but then you have to deal with Rude & Lazy

[K8YS]

Can't go wrong with a Palstar. I use a Palstar balun. It feels solid and works like a champ.

Is Palstar the guys up in Sydney OH?? Used to be in Covington?? Made mobile antennas??

[M0GLO]

Ahem. KW Matchbox, my friend. Not JUST "a Matchbox".

Don't lead these people astray here now.

Oh yes, of course!

Better have the meter accessory as well or you'll be stuck using an AM-2 like me. :mrgreen:

[w2amr]

Viking Matchbox, all else is just imitation. :whistle
Agreed. A KW matchbox can handle anything you can throw at it.

[N2RJ]

Can't go wrong with a Palstar. I use a Palstar balun. It feels solid and works like a champ.

Is Palstar the guys up in Sydney OH?? Used to be in Covington?? Made mobile antennas??
I have no idea

[kf0rt]

Palstar, Inc.
9676 N. Looney Rd
P.O. Box 1136
Piqua, Ohio
45356

[n2ize]

Viking Matchbox, all else is just imitation. :whistle

Yes, I strongly agree. I wouldn't be caught dead using anything but a link coupled tuner... either a Johnson Matchbox or a homebrew link coupled tuner. NEVER EVER use a tuner with a balun in it. They suck. Why do you want an attenuator in your tuner ? Which is eventually going to overheat and burn out.

A good quality link coupled tuner is easy to build. Pick up an old ARRL Handbook from the 1940's, 50's or 60's and start building. No excuses.