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Ron,
In saying that you "run the amp from a 240V dedicated circuit" I am sure you have verified its output with a voltmeter.
What's the VAC readout on your voltmeter for your 240V dedicated circuit?
73,
Ray
KJ5MI
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I run my LA1K on a dedicated 240V circuit, and the voltage reading on the outlet is 242 Volts on Mains, and 239V when on backup generator.
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Ron,
Ok, so rather than using electricity provided by your local power company, you are powering your LA-1K with two (2) of your own generators -- main and backup units to achieve 242VAC and 239VAC, respectively.
The Palstar "WARNING" thing, attached to your previous entry, says "TO SWITCH BETWEEN 120V AND 240V" but the voltage selector switch on my LA-1K says 230V instead, as shown in the pic attached to my entry here.? Maybe someone from Palstar corporate would kindly provide us the part number and name of the OEM of the current power supply for reference.
Hey no April Fools.. my brand new LA-1K experienced a power on/off switch malfunction within the first 30 calendar days of use.? The power switch, deemed defective by Palstar, required remove and replace actions to return the LA-1K to fully serviceable condition.? Perfect example of infant mortality!
Guess what.. talking about infant mortality, when I opened up my LA-1K to install the replacement power switch (shipped to me by Palstar) I couldn't believe seeing the overwhelming numbers of made-in-china (i.e. PRC) components inside my LA-1K.? So, the "MADE IN USA" label on the back of the LA-1K really doesn't mean much at all.
Again, buyers beware!!
73,
Ray
KJ5MI
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Sorry, this group.io thing here doesn't display Apple's picture file format.? So, I converted it to JPEG and reattaching it to show the voltage selector switch of my LA-1K (Serial Number: 38935, delivered on January 21, 2023) indicates "230V" instead of the "240V" as explicitly stated in the LA-1K "WARNING" materials "TO SWITCH BETWEEN 120V AND 240V" that accompany each shipment.
73,
Ray
KJ5MI
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Ray,
Maybe I should have used a? different word other that dedicated.? I meant it's coming from the main house box on it's own breaker and there is nothing else running in the outlet.? The master electrician who installed it measured the voltage at 240V.? I just checked it my VOM and its showing 242V.?
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Ron,
Thanks for the clarifications.. my guess is your master electrician achieved the 240VAC (varying somewhat with inbound voltage) to satisfy your stated requirements for your LA-1K.
You and I both feed the LA-1K with a FTDX-101D, but my LA-1K shares the clothes dryer's wall outlet by way of power adapters/cables intended for EV charging.? This provides 249.7VAC for my LA-1K as shown in the attached pic to this entry.? It was taken right after cabling things up to the dryer wall outlet.
As can be seen on Palster's website http://www.palstar.com/en/la-1kspecifications/ the AC power requirements are 100-125VAC 15A or 200-250VAC 10A with the use of its "Internal Medical grade" power supply, that is misleading at best, since the newer LA-1K amplifiers (mine included: Serial Number: 38935, delivered on January 21, 2023) no longer have said power supply installed.
In the absence of AC power requirement specifications for the current power supply installed in our newer LA-1K, I am thinking my 249.7VAC may well be unacceptable, since the voltage selector switch of my LA-1K indicates only "230V" instead.
I have been evaluating ways to reduce my 249.7VAC to around 230VAC; will provide updates here, accordingly.
73,
Ray
KJ5MI
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On Sun, Apr 2, 2023 at 06:33 PM, <tuneupmagic@...> wrote:
Palster's website http://www.palstar.com/en/la-1kspecifications/
Clickable Palster web link which is current as of this writing, stating the AC power requirements are 100-125VAC 15A or 200-250VAC 10A with the use of its "Internal Medical grade" power supply, that is misleading at best, since the newer LA-1K amplifiers currently in production (mine included: Serial Number: 38935, delivered on January 21, 2023) no longer have said power supply installed. 73, Ray KJ5MI
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In my experience, it will be fine at 249.7 VAC. ?If you are truly concerned, pick up the phone and call Palstar. ?Then post the answer here for all to know.
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On Fri, 31 Mar 2023 11:19:01 -0700, you wrote: I received my amp from Palstar in Sept 2022 and it had a rather large warning flyer in the bag with the power cords (attached).? I didn't miss it and I run the amp from a 240V dedicated circuit.
I received my amp in June/July 2022 and the provided instructions indicated the amp was set for ~120 VAC. There was a minor issue with the amp and it was returned for service (operator error). After a quick turn around there was a note indicating the PS came in sent for ~120 VAC and was returned wih then same setting. It seems a certainty Palstar can answer a specific PS switch question given the amp's serial number. A simple telephone call to Palstar should answer any questions about a amp with a particular SN. Save the angst for later HI 73de n4jvp Fritz
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Richard,
Interesting to see that Fritz, N4JVP, also suggested giving Palstar a telephone call... So, I'll take this opportunity to share with y'all my experiences (both before and after the sale) in dealing with Palstar.
Once narrowed down my prospective amp to a short list that included Palstar, Mercury and ACOM several months ago, I tried getting someone on the phone at Palstar, but nobody would answer the phone at 800-773-7931 even calling different times in the middle of a business day.? Finally, Eva Hrivnak answered my call really late in the day, as she was staying late that day.? Ms. Hrivnak took her time to explain the Palstar advantage -- main selling points being 1) Made in USA, 2) Palstar really cares about their customers; more on that later.? Days later after Mr. Mark Ward (Palstar tech support) answered my key questions over the phone, I ordered my LA-1K with Ms. Eva Hrivnak.
As you may have read my post on April Fools Day about the malfunction of my LA-1K power on/off switch.? Long story short, in the course of my email discussions with Mr. Ward about the possible root causes of the defective power on/off switch, I had also sent Paul Hrivnak (Chief Engineer of Palstar) a courtesy copy of each email.? Said discussions ended with my 03-Mar-2023 email asking Mr. Ward: Why then Palstar claims the LA-1K can do just 500W FM, when couple of Palstar customers achieved 1kW FM output with their LA-1K amplifiers operating on 120VAC (30A)?? Yes, 120VAC (30A) is no typo!? The very next day (Saturday, March 4, 2023) I received an email from Paul Hrivnak, Chief Engineer of Palstar, in which he advised me "I just copied 15 emails on 15 sheets of paper this morning" referring to the courtesy copies I emailed him.? Mr. Hrivnak then closed with "I will not respond to anymore emails from you !!!"? Adding "Jesus give me a break"? By the way, I kept all those emails in my gmail account to remind myself that Palstar really doesn't care much about their direct-paying customers.? I can see treating a person that way if he/she purchased the nearly USD $4,000 LA-1K pre-owned from someone other than Palstar.
Next copied/pasted here from my April Fools Day posting for ease of reading about the "Made in USA" selling point "Guess what.. talking about infant mortality, when I opened up my LA-1K to install the replacement power switch (shipped to me by Palstar) I couldn't believe seeing the overwhelming numbers of made-in-china (i.e. PRC) components inside my LA-1K.? So, the "MADE IN USA" label on the back of the LA-1K really doesn't mean much at all."
In closing, who knows what country-of-origin components would we find inside the MercuryIIIS (costing much less $ than the LA-1K) and ACOM RF amplifiers?
Live and learn!
73,
Ray
KJ5MI
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Ray, My experience with Palstar is quite different from yours. I live within a little over an hour from Palstar and this December I inquired about the availability of the LA-1K. Eva got right back with me and said they could have one ready in a few days. No deposit was necessary she informed me. When I arrived to pick up the LA-1K I was greeted by Eva who could not have been more accommodating and friendly. My amp was packed and ready she said and insisted that I tour the facility with her. She personally walked my wife (who was with me) and me around their relatively?small operation introducing us to each employee one by one. We got to meet with Mark and he gave me some tips and helpful advice on setting up the LA-1K. Of course, I realize I was dropping a nice sum of money on an amp and maybe that's why I got the royal treatment. But, I can tell you Eva is a wonderfully warm person and seemed to have a genuine?good rapport with the staff. It was a pleasure to meet her and the folks at Palstar that day. This was right before Christmas and Paul was out at the time shopping for things for their company Christmas party the next day, so I didn't get a chance to meet him.
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.
I did have some questions about my amp a week or so later and emailed Palstar and got a helpful answer the next day from Mark. Other than that I can't really speak to the customer service angle. And, hopefully, I won't need to. Have you ever given thought that perhaps those 15 'courtesy' copies of emails you sent may have been a bit too much and actually viewed as a nuisance? It's possible. I'm just saying my experience with Palstar was quite delightful. My HF-Auto and LA-1K deliver as expected and I'm pleased with how they perform.?
Joe WW8X
On Mon, Apr 3, 2023 at 1:40?PM tuneupmagic via <tuneupmagic= [email protected]> wrote: Richard,
Interesting to see that Fritz, N4JVP, also suggested giving Palstar a telephone call... So, I'll take this opportunity to share with y'all my experiences (both before and after the sale) in dealing with Palstar.
Once narrowed down my prospective amp to a short list that included Palstar, Mercury and ACOM several months ago, I tried getting someone on the phone at Palstar, but nobody would answer the phone at 800-773-7931 even calling different times in the middle of a business day.? Finally, Eva Hrivnak answered my call really late in the day, as she was staying late that day.? Ms. Hrivnak took her time to explain the Palstar advantage -- main selling points being 1) Made in USA, 2) Palstar really cares about their customers; more on that later.? Days later after Mr. Mark Ward (Palstar tech support) answered my key questions over the phone, I ordered my LA-1K with Ms. Eva Hrivnak.
As you may have read my post on April Fools Day about the malfunction of my LA-1K power on/off switch.? Long story short, in the course of my email discussions with Mr. Ward about the possible root causes of the defective power on/off switch, I had also sent Paul Hrivnak (Chief Engineer of Palstar) a courtesy copy of each email.? Said discussions ended with my 03-Mar-2023 email asking Mr. Ward: Why then Palstar claims the LA-1K can do just 500W FM, when couple of Palstar customers achieved 1kW FM output with their LA-1K amplifiers operating on 120VAC (30A)?? Yes, 120VAC (30A) is no typo!? The very next day (Saturday, March 4, 2023) I received an email from Paul Hrivnak, Chief Engineer of Palstar, in which he advised me "I just copied 15 emails on 15 sheets of paper this morning" referring to the courtesy copies I emailed him.? Mr. Hrivnak then closed with "I will not respond to anymore emails from you !!!"? Adding "Jesus give me a break"? By the way, I kept all those emails in my gmail account to remind myself that Palstar really doesn't care much about their direct-paying customers.? I can see treating a person that way if he/she purchased the nearly USD $4,000 LA-1K pre-owned from someone other than Palstar.
Next copied/pasted here from my April Fools Day posting for ease of reading about the "Made in USA" selling point "Guess what.. talking about infant mortality, when I opened up my LA-1K to install the replacement power switch (shipped to me by Palstar) I couldn't believe seeing the overwhelming numbers of made-in-china (i.e. PRC) components inside my LA-1K.? So, the "MADE IN USA" label on the back of the LA-1K really doesn't mean much at all."
In closing, who knows what country-of-origin components would we find inside the MercuryIIIS (costing much less $ than the LA-1K) and ACOM RF amplifiers?
Live and learn!
73,
Ray
KJ5MI
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I will add my experiences to the conversation.? I own several pieces of Palstar Equipment and have for several years.? Over the years I have sent both my amp and my tuner in for repair and upgrades, both under and outside of warranty, and had very pleasant experiences.? I have found their repair costs outside of warranty to be more than fair.? I have talked many times over the phone with Mark, Eva, and others in the office.? Paul even called me on one occasion to talk about my amp repair.
My latest experience was a few months ago when I purchased a brand new Palstar meter from an authorized distributor.? It did not work correctly from day 1.? Normally I would have exchanged it through the distributor but it was out of stock everywhere.? I had backordered it prior to a steep price increase.? I contacted Palstar via email and went in circles with several people over the course of a couple of months.? They seemed to think the issue was on my end.? Ultimately they asked me to send it up, which I did.? After 6 or 8 weeks, I contacted them to check on it.? They had determined it was a bad circuit board, replaced it, and put it on a shelf and forgotten about it.? They neglected to contact me about the repair when it was completed.? They then charged me for shipping to return it to me (remember it was a warranty repair).? In the end, I paid to ship it to them and again for them to ship it back to me.? I wasn't super happy about that, considering I reported the problem the day it arrived after purchasing it brand new from the authorized distributor.? This experience contrasted with my previous multiple experiences.? They had provided prepaid shipping labels when my amp needed repair under warranty.
73 Fred K3FRK
On Mon, Apr 3, 2023 at 3:27?PM Joe Loverti WW8X < jloverti@...> wrote: Ray, My experience with Palstar is quite different from yours. I live within a little over an hour from Palstar and this December I inquired about the availability of the LA-1K. Eva got right back with me and said they could have one ready in a few days. No deposit was necessary she informed me. When I arrived to pick up the LA-1K I was greeted by Eva who could not have been more accommodating and friendly. My amp was packed and ready she said and insisted that I tour the facility with her. She personally walked my wife (who was with me) and me around their relatively?small operation introducing us to each employee one by one. We got to meet with Mark and he gave me some tips and helpful advice on setting up the LA-1K. Of course, I realize I was dropping a nice sum of money on an amp and maybe that's why I got the royal treatment. But, I can tell you Eva is a wonderfully warm person and seemed to have a genuine?good rapport with the staff. It was a pleasure to meet her and the folks at Palstar that day. This was right before Christmas and Paul was out at the time shopping for things for their company Christmas party the next day, so I didn't get a chance to meet him.
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.
I did have some questions about my amp a week or so later and emailed Palstar and got a helpful answer the next day from Mark. Other than that I can't really speak to the customer service angle. And, hopefully, I won't need to. Have you ever given thought that perhaps those 15 'courtesy' copies of emails you sent may have been a bit too much and actually viewed as a nuisance? It's possible. I'm just saying my experience with Palstar was quite delightful. My HF-Auto and LA-1K deliver as expected and I'm pleased with how they perform.?
Joe WW8X
On Mon, Apr 3, 2023 at 1:40?PM tuneupmagic via <tuneupmagic= [email protected]> wrote: Richard,
Interesting to see that Fritz, N4JVP, also suggested giving Palstar a telephone call... So, I'll take this opportunity to share with y'all my experiences (both before and after the sale) in dealing with Palstar.
Once narrowed down my prospective amp to a short list that included Palstar, Mercury and ACOM several months ago, I tried getting someone on the phone at Palstar, but nobody would answer the phone at 800-773-7931 even calling different times in the middle of a business day.? Finally, Eva Hrivnak answered my call really late in the day, as she was staying late that day.? Ms. Hrivnak took her time to explain the Palstar advantage -- main selling points being 1) Made in USA, 2) Palstar really cares about their customers; more on that later.? Days later after Mr. Mark Ward (Palstar tech support) answered my key questions over the phone, I ordered my LA-1K with Ms. Eva Hrivnak.
As you may have read my post on April Fools Day about the malfunction of my LA-1K power on/off switch.? Long story short, in the course of my email discussions with Mr. Ward about the possible root causes of the defective power on/off switch, I had also sent Paul Hrivnak (Chief Engineer of Palstar) a courtesy copy of each email.? Said discussions ended with my 03-Mar-2023 email asking Mr. Ward: Why then Palstar claims the LA-1K can do just 500W FM, when couple of Palstar customers achieved 1kW FM output with their LA-1K amplifiers operating on 120VAC (30A)?? Yes, 120VAC (30A) is no typo!? The very next day (Saturday, March 4, 2023) I received an email from Paul Hrivnak, Chief Engineer of Palstar, in which he advised me "I just copied 15 emails on 15 sheets of paper this morning" referring to the courtesy copies I emailed him.? Mr. Hrivnak then closed with "I will not respond to anymore emails from you !!!"? Adding "Jesus give me a break"? By the way, I kept all those emails in my gmail account to remind myself that Palstar really doesn't care much about their direct-paying customers.? I can see treating a person that way if he/she purchased the nearly USD $4,000 LA-1K pre-owned from someone other than Palstar.
Next copied/pasted here from my April Fools Day posting for ease of reading about the "Made in USA" selling point "Guess what.. talking about infant mortality, when I opened up my LA-1K to install the replacement power switch (shipped to me by Palstar) I couldn't believe seeing the overwhelming numbers of made-in-china (i.e. PRC) components inside my LA-1K.? So, the "MADE IN USA" label on the back of the LA-1K really doesn't mean much at all."
In closing, who knows what country-of-origin components would we find inside the MercuryIIIS (costing much less $ than the LA-1K) and ACOM RF amplifiers?
Live and learn!
73,
Ray
KJ5MI
|
Fred,
Your most recent experience with Palstar sure sounds like my many encounters with the U.S. Postal Service in recent years!? Oh btw, what all went wrong with your LA-1K needing repair actions under warranty?? When did you first took delivery of your LA-1K brand new?
Thanks!
73,
Ray
KJ5MI
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My experience with Eva was practically identical to yours, Joe.? After she received my PayPal payment in full, Palstar had my LA-1K shipped within the next day or two, as promised.? Both Eva and Mark were very courteous over the phone.? Oh, I couldn't agree more about the nice sum of money.. with nearly USD $4K on an amp, we certainly have many choices!
I am just hoping that the PRC (i.e. Communist China) will prove me wrong in that they have somehow significantly improved the quality of their manufactured items in recent years.? After all, there were times items manufactured in Japan had been of extremely poor quality until an American by the name Dr. Deming taught the Japanese engineers, managers, etc. the concepts of quality.
Oh btw, when I was a lead electronics engineer, both in private industry and the DoD, I encouraged my junior engineers to courtesy copy me on all written correspondences for situational awareness purposes.? It is certainly possible that Mr. Paul Hrivnak, Chief Engineer of Palstar, like most engineers I worked with in my career, isn't gifted in speed reading and comprehension of materials read.? That said, he could have been overwhelmed by the 15 emails I traded with Mark.? In any event, I had absolutely no expectations for Mr. Hrivnak to answer any of the emails in question.
73,
Ray
KJ5MI
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Hi Ray,
I have 2 LA-1K amps.? I accidentally forgot to turn down my transceiver power after running barefoot and caused some damage to the first one I owned.? When they repaired it, they installed a newly developed (at the time) circuit board that forces the amp into standby if hit with? too much power.? In my?opinion, that circuit?should have been part of the original design.? When I bought the second amp, I immediately sent it in and paid them to install that protective board?in it.
I have also had my HF-Auto in for repair.? The plastic gears had developed cracks.? I was told at the time that it was a known issue and that they identified an alternative source for gears which were being used in the newer production units.
73 Fred K3FRK
On Mon, Apr 3, 2023 at 4:52?PM tuneupmagic via <tuneupmagic= [email protected]> wrote: Fred,
Your most recent experience with Palstar sure sounds like my many encounters with the U.S. Postal Service in recent years!? Oh btw, what all went wrong with your LA-1K needing repair actions under warranty?? When did you first took delivery of your LA-1K brand new?
Thanks!
73,
Ray
KJ5MI
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Hi Fred, In his Nov-2018 ARRL review of the LA-1K, Dr. Terry G. Glagowski, W1TR, states "Palstar has changed to a different input relay, and they updated the review unit under warranty."? Sounds to me the LA-1K has been a work in progress, with poor KPP (key performance parameter) design requirements, from day one!? I couldn't agree more that the circuit forcing the amp into standby if hit with too much power, should have been part of the original design.
Oh btw, in the same ARRL review of the LA-1K, Dr. Glagowski states the amp has "a pair of NXP MRFE6VP5600H 600 W LDMOS transistors and a 50 V switch-mode power supply."? In this NXP page you will find that the OEM states "Not Recommended for New Designs" referring to the MRFE6VP5600H.
Seeing that those original LDMOS transistors have been deemed obsolete by the OEM, likely with limited sources of supply, sure hope the ones currently installed in the LA-1K would stay fully functional for a long, long time.
73,
Ray
KJ5MI
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Hi Guys,
I have been following this topic for a while. I feel that we need to give Palstar a break. I don't know if you realize how hard it is to find parts? With my little DX Connection QSK box, I spend about half my time finding suitable parts, and half my time building the units. We are fortunate that we still have ham gear suppliers.
If you can find many parts not made in Southeast Asia, let me know. Thanks.
73
.... Bill K3HZP
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I would agree.? Palstar seems to be doing well keeping production and repairs going when others are lagging behind by months if not longer.? Flip over to the ACOM group and you will be glad you purchased a Palstar.? I've also heard grumblings that at least one ACOM service center has about the same QC as MFJ does at present and a lot of their work has to be redone by others.? Need to speak to someone about your ACOM amp?? Just call the manufacturer in Bulgaria.? I'm sure you'll get right through to someone. :)
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More misinformation. Those devices are readily available. Just got 1 off ebay. Several dealers selling brand new from $ 125.00. Also Amazon.?
Hi Fred,
In his Nov-2018 ARRL review of the LA-1K, Dr. Terry G. Glagowski, W1TR, states "Palstar has changed to a different input relay, and they updated the review unit under warranty."? Sounds to me the LA-1K has been a work in progress, with poor KPP (key performance parameter) design requirements, from day one!? I couldn't agree more that the circuit forcing the amp into standby if hit with too much power, should have been part of the original design.
Oh btw, in the same ARRL review of the LA-1K, Dr. Glagowski states the amp has "a pair of NXP MRFE6VP5600H 600 W LDMOS transistors and a 50 V switch-mode power supply."? In this NXP page you will find that the OEM states "Not Recommended for New Designs" referring to the MRFE6VP5600H.
Seeing that those original LDMOS transistors have been deemed obsolete by the OEM, likely with limited sources of supply, sure hope the ones currently installed in the LA-1K would stay fully functional for a long, long time.
73,
Ray
KJ5MI
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Work in progress?
Just ask any Elecraft owner about a "work in progress" and see what he says, especially if he owns a K4.
Updating QST review units?
Go back and read the last 20 years of Product Reviews where faults noted by the reviewer prompted an immediate firmware release or were quickly fixed in production units.
Over the years Collins printed more pages of Service Bulletins for its amateur gear than it did pages for its owner's manuals.
These days all purchasers are beta-testers, whether they realize it or not. Thousands reporting glitches and wishes accelerate progress faster than any manufacturer alone could ever do.
In short, Palstar is in good company for continually updating the LA-1K and should be commended for being accommodating in its repair policies (as frequently noted on here).
Manufacturing an amplifier regardless of design is considerably more complex than manufacturing manual ATUs.
73,
Kent
K9ZTV
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On Apr 4, 2023, someone wrote:
In his review of the LA-1K, Dr. Terry G. Glagowski, W1TR, states "Palstar has changed to a different input relay, and they updated the review unit under warranty." Sounds to me like the LA-1K has been a work in progress ...
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Ron - WD8T
Bill K3HZP