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Re: I need help making the cable that connects the Yaesu FT DX-10 to the Palstar LA-1K Amplifier
开云体育I can also verify warranty is 1 year only. Was stated this to me when I sent my amp in for repair. Eva advised me at the time. ? Barry VE6UM ? From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of tuneupmagic (null) via groups.io
Sent: April 10, 2023 3:03 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [la1k] I need help making the cable that connects the Yaesu FT DX-10 to the Palstar LA-1K Amplifier ? On Mon, Apr 10, 2023 at 12:27 PM, Joe Loverti WW8X wrote:
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Re: I need help making the cable that connects the Yaesu FT DX-10 to the Palstar LA-1K Amplifier
On Mon, Apr 10, 2023 at 12:27 PM, Joe Loverti WW8X wrote:
Joe, I emailed Mark Ward of Palstar this afternoon, asking "What is the length of the LA-1K warranty period?"? In reply, Mr. Ward confirmed "The warranty period of the LA-1K is one year from date of manufacture." I immediately followed up with another email, asking "how to decode the S/N to get the date of manufacture?"? In reply, Mr. Ward advised that "There is no decoding, the serial numbers are sequential but we simply pull 10 sequential numbers at a time for each product...so all products are in little groups of 10 with big jumps each time." Mark advised me, my LA-1K was made on 1-19-2023 according to their records. 73, Ray KJ5MI |
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Re: I need help making the cable that connects the Yaesu FT DX-10 to the Palstar LA-1K Amplifier
On Mon, Apr 10, 2023 at 12:27 PM, Joe Loverti WW8X wrote:
Joe, I have just looked at the pics I took of everything that came with the amp during my LA-1K unboxing.? Palstar included a Warranty Card, but no Warranty Agreement of any kind. I can see the PDF file name of their product brochure is LA-1K_Feb_2018.pdf by looking at the web link you provided.? Looking at the product brochure in question, I know with absolute certainty the "Vacuum RELAY T/R Switching" and "Internal Medical grade" [power supply] claims for their current production LA-1K units are misleading at best. Mark Ward (Palstar technician) advised me to ignore Page 15 ("POWER SUPPLY PERFORMANCE) of the LA-1K Technical Manual in its entirety.? Mr. Ward told me Palstar replaced the medical grade power supply named in the technical manual (hard copy) found in the stuff shipped with my LA-1K. Oh well, maybe one can't really expect too much from merchandises intended for hobby use only! 73, Ray KJ5MI |
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Re: I need help making the cable that connects the Yaesu FT DX-10 to the Palstar LA-1K Amplifier
Ray, That's odd since their product brochure downloaded from their website plainly states a two-year warranty:? And on their?website product page: It appears they need?to update a few things. Joe WW8X On Mon, Apr 10, 2023 at 11:56?AM tuneupmagic (null) via <tuneupmagic=[email protected]> wrote: On Mon, Apr 10, 2023 at 11:00 AM, Joe Loverti WW8X wrote: |
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Re: I need help making the cable that connects the Yaesu FT DX-10 to the Palstar LA-1K Amplifier
On Mon, Apr 10, 2023 at 11:00 AM, Joe Loverti WW8X wrote:
The Palstar 2-year warranty, indicates to me they stand by the quality of their products.Joe, When I asked about their 2-year (i.e. 24-month) warranty on the LA-1K, as published on Palstar.com (same as of this writing on April 10, 2023), Ms. Eva Hrivnak advised me Palstar has only 1-year (i.e. 12-month) warranty on their LA-1K amplifier at the time I ordered my LA-1K with her over the phone earlier this year. 73, Ray KJ5MI |
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Re: I need help making the cable that connects the Yaesu FT DX-10 to the Palstar LA-1K Amplifier
Ray, I picked up my LA-1K directly from the Palstar facility on December 19 of this past year. No 'infant mortality' here. I have had great success with it. It performs as advertised. The LA-1K pairs great with my HF-Auto and makes running power and changing bands and?frequencies a real joy. As to the issue of foreign-made electronic parts, because of our global economy much electronic gear is made these days using parts sourced from all over the world, including Mexico, Taiwan, Korea, China, and others. I believe Palstar, like other manufacturers, likely does its?best to meet quality standards to ensure customer satisfaction. An occasional malfunctioning switch or part does not necessarily mean they have lowered these standards. The Palstar 2-year warranty, indicates to me they stand by the quality of their products. Best 73, Joe WW8X On Sun, Apr 9, 2023 at 9:24?AM tuneupmagic (null) via <tuneupmagic=[email protected]> wrote: On Tue, Mar 28, 2023 at 07:42 PM, <ddffbb22@...> wrote: |
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Re: I need help making the cable that connects the Yaesu FT DX-10 to the Palstar LA-1K Amplifier
On Tue, Mar 28, 2023 at 07:42 PM, <ddffbb22@...> wrote:
Hi Jim!Hi Dirk, AJ6XW, I acquired a brand new LA-1K directly from Palstar, and took possession of the amplifier (Serial Number: 38935) on January 21, 2023.? The power on/off switch on my brand new LA-1K failed within 30 calendar days of use.? So, now this really concerns me having read that your brand new LA-1K also has infant mortality issue! Could this possibly be a trend Palstar having poor quality components (i.e. manufactured in communist China) installed in the LA-1K? It has been a little over a week since you shipped your defective LA-1K back to Palstar, have you been notified by Palstar of their findings, fixes, etc. on your LA-1K, yet? 73, Ray KJ5MI |
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Re: 120/240V switch?
Good question, Jerry.
A couple of days earlier, Joe, WW8X, brought up a good point here about using his HF-AUTO with his LA-1K. That led to some discussions on whether or not one really needs an automatic antenna tuner, like the HF-AUTO.? Then Ron, WD8T, wrote earlier today "I'm using mostly resonant antennas so I don't rely heavily on a tuner." Thought I'd share here the relationship of antenna system resonance vs. SWR in the absence of an antenna tuner the way I operate my LA-1K with my YAESU FTDX-101D. 73, Ray KJ5MI |
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Re: 120/240V switch?
Why is this listed on the LA-1K Forum? Jerry Webb, KB1N On Fri, Apr 7, 2023, 16:54 tuneupmagic (null) via <tuneupmagic=[email protected]> wrote: Just FYI... |
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Re: 120/240V switch?
My LA-1K SWR reading matches what my LDG-1000proII and LP100A meters show on most of my antennas but I'm using mostly resonant antennas so I don't rely heavily on a tuner.? I don't put much faith in the SWR reading accuracy on my hf rigs.? Putting 1kw through a tuner into a non-resonant antenna may contribute of the different SWR readings.?
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Re: 120/240V switch?
On Wed, Apr 5, 2023 at 10:18 AM, Joe Loverti WW8X wrote:
And, yes I never thought I'd want an auto-tuner either, but since having my Palstar HF-Auto, I wouldn't want to go back.?Hey Joe, You brought up a good point about using the HF-AUTO with your LA-1K.? Here's a video clip I created several days earlier when getting my 6M antenna system ready for the often spring season band openings.? If I had the HF-AUTO operating between my 6M antenna system and the FTDX-101D, things would have turned out differently.? Oh btw, my FTDX-101D was inadvertently left on LSB. Please note I dialed up the Yaesu RF output power to 100W, then transmitted on 50.125 MHz (calling frequency on 6M) with the LA-1K on STBY.? Observations: While my LA-1K indicates 1.6:1 SWR, the Yaesu indicates 1.2:1 SWR.? My Rig Expert AA-55 Zoom indicates 1.28:1 on 50.125 MHz for my 6M antenna system on the LA-1K end. I am thinking the LA-1K could misinterpret a given SWR of an antenna system (i.e. inflating the number) resulting in all kinds of undesirable amp shutdown events. Question: When operating your HF-AUTO/LA-1K combination at greater than 900W PEP (SSB) on various HF frequencies, had you sometime encountered your LA-1K stopped transmitting due to excessive drain current (Id) in the middle of your QSOs? Thanks, 73 Ray KJ5MI |
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Re: 120/240V switch?
Ray, I trust you'll be happy with your Elecraft purchase. I don't have any experience with them, but I understand they are excellent! Yes, 1.5kW is sweet! But, likely your antenna will play a larger role in signal reports than the power output at those levels. And, yes I never thought I'd want an auto-tuner either, but since having my Palstar HF-Auto, I wouldn't want to go back.? Cheers and 73, Joe WW8X On Wed, Apr 5, 2023 at 6:25?AM tuneupmagic (null) via <tuneupmagic=[email protected]> wrote: On Mon, Apr 3, 2023 at 04:26 PM, Joe Loverti WW8X wrote: |
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Re: 120/240V switch?
On Mon, Apr 3, 2023 at 04:26 PM, Joe Loverti WW8X wrote:
As for Chinese-made components used in their gear, most manufacturers these days have great difficulty sourcing parts which cause long delays in fulfilling?orders. I suspect most of the parts in most electronic equipment being made today are largely comprised of foreign-made parts. That does not surprise me at all. But I can tell you firsthand the people at Palstar are indeed assembling, testing, packing, and shipping their products in-house.Joe, Since I am already an Elecraft paying customer, acquired my KX-2 Shack-in-a-Box from Elecraft during their 2018 Black Friday sale event, thought I would contact their tech support folks to get an idea of their ability to purchase the necessary parts for their KPA1500 1.5kW amp w/internal ATU, that is in-stock and ready to ship, as of this writing on April 5, 2023, for only USD $6,699.95 (free shipping).? That's a bargain comparing with the $3,695.95 LA-1K (just 1kW) and the USD $1,695.00 HF-AUTO combined; totaling USD $5,390.95, as of this writing. ? Paying 24% more for a full-legal-limit solid-state amp (with internal ATU) that is truly made in America is a no-brainer! It was shortly after 1200 hours (California local time) when I reached out to Elecraft at 831-763-4211 yesterday.? A lady answered my call on maybe the 3rd ring, and promptly got me on the phone with the Elecraft tech support individual.? When asked, the gent advised me Elecraft has absolutely no problems acquiring components for their KPA1500 from reputable USA vendors/suppliers (no eBay and/or PRC stuff) at the present time.? Adding that Elecraft outsources to nearby American companies to manufacture their CCAs (circuit card assemblies) to include populating said CCAs with parts provided to them by Elecraft.? Then he told me the KPA1500 is being put together in their in-house production facilities -- truly made in the USA!! Oh well, I didn't think I would need a 1.5kW amp (and definitely not an automatic antenna tuner of any kind) otherwise the Elecraft KPA1500 would have been on the very top of my shopping list. 73, Ray KJ5MI |
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Re: 120/240V switch?
开云体育Nice to know Ray, ? This is only my 2nd amp since 1984. Old one was SB220 and was ok, but not as good as this amp (full 1k out, warc and 6m&160m). Wasn’t cheap for paying exchange rate to US dollar. Came out to $5000 CAN. I would have rather lived in the USA and paid $3700. So if some of you are griping about how much it cost, try paying $1300 more, and I had to send mine in for repair and due to customs and shipping (NOT CHEAP. Add $500 more for this) because of a bad Capacitor. I never had any issues with Palstar and found them very nice over the phone. Just wish there was a Canadian repair depot if ever needed to save border and shipping costs. Not fun playing the Customs game. ? Further good news. Since the repair, amp has been rock solid. I use this amp nearly every day. And run it a lot, especially during contests. Trust me, this LA1K amp has many hours on it and is only a few years old. I use it on 160m to 6m and is a very dependable and reliable addition to my Station. I am hoping this amplifier will last me as long as the good ole SB220 has been around (as my SB220 was used) for over 40 years. Only the test of time holds true to such matters and so far so good. As for Amplifiers in general, I own 2 other as expensive amplifiers for my home theatre and they are also solid state and 1 had to go in for repair (only a year old) for a blown centre channel. Who knows how long electronic parts last… Just because it says made in Canada or Made in USA doesn’t mean the parts are made there. Maybe in some cases the word “Assembled” may be more appropriate. However, I do believe the LA1K to be of excellent craftsmanship from my level of expertise. ? 73 Barry VE6UM ? From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Michael Kelly
Sent: April 4, 2023 10:05 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [la1k] 120/240V switch? ? Thanks Kent, I wish all owners would look at the product overall instead of cranking about it.? My LA1K is over 2 years old with moderate use, never a hiccup?running 750-900 wts driving at 40 watts.? Tuner is AT2KD running into a Zero 5 40 meter vert. which I use on 15 meters also. Very good sig?reports. I have owned and used several amps since being licensed in the early 1970s and find this one to be the best if the bunch (sb 220, B&W 2500, Acom 1000, National?NCL 1000, home brew 4-1000, )? Mike N1BLW ? On Tue, Apr 4, 2023 at 11:34?AM tuneupmagic (null) via <tuneupmagic=[email protected]> wrote:
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Re: 120/240V switch?
Following a helpful phone conversation, my LA-1K was returned for repair (under warranty) for a known manufacturing problem.
It was repaired in a timely manner, upgraded to then latest specs and promptly returned.? The only minimal cost I incurred (at my request) was a replacement of quieter fans and T/R relay.? They even paid shipping both ways.? I was very pleased with the service I received and would not hesitate to recommend their equipment. 73 ..... Fred,? W9KEY |
Ron - WD8T
Fred, W9KEY