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LA-1K vs Acom 1200S
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Rick Boswell
Getting ready to do some upgrades in the shack and looking for a solid state amp (and tuner) in the 1000 watt class. The two most interesting so far are the LA-1k (with HF Auto tuner) and Acom 1200S (with 04AT tuner). In reviewing the available literature/manuals/reviews, both seem to have some strengths and weakness and roughly equivalent reliability (generally "good" but not "excellent"). I especially like the user interface and tuner integration of the 1200S. Any informed insights re LA-1K vs 1200S?
Thanks, RB K8EZB |
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Hello Rick, ?? We'll, things might be better for the 1200S now, but last year they were having big problems delivering with four-plus month waiting, and a fair number having go back to Latvia for repair.? (no facility in the U.S.).? Palstar is right right here in Ohio.? If all else was equal I'd choose Palstar just for that reason.?? Mass production of LDMOS amplifiers has proven to be a daunting task.? Flex has stopped production twice and done recalls, I just heard Elecraft is having problems and stopped shipping (not personally verified yet), and Acoms were basically un-obtainable until recently maybe.? Palstar is the only company that has not had such issues and shipped reliable units since day-one.? As for some empirical info, I have two LA1K amps and they work flawlessly. Best, Dennis Sent from my Verizon Motorola Smartphone |
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P.S.... Besides the information on the Acom/Palstar amplifier comparison, you have the tuners to think about. Palstar HF-Auto tuner has achieved legendary status.? Thousands in the field and pretty much universal approval.? The Acom tuner has 6 reviews on eHam with a 3.3 rating, the Palstar has 80 reviews with 4.7 rating. ?? Also, in my previous post I said that people were having to send their amps to Latvia... It's really Bulgaria, although neither is a happy prospect. Dennis Sent from my Verizon Motorola Smartphone |
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I like the Palstar LA-1K for all reasons above but also because TRX-MANAGER allows me to run it remote with nice display.? Also runs really cool easy 1KW out in 6 meters.? Not degraded at higher frequencies. 73 Paul NO0T Paul Sobon 1700 Bassett Street, #1904 Denver, CO 80202 On Sat, Apr 20, 2019, 12:14 PM Dennis via Groups.Io <pegasus9000=[email protected]> wrote:
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Rick Boswell
Thanks to those who offered comments. Yes, the Bulgaria location for service is less than appealing, however I note that overall, Acom amps seem to get excellent reviews. Apparently teething issues with the solid state amps. I have never had to return a piece of ham gear to the factory for service, so I am still an optimist! I would have little patience with a buggy product no matter where made/serviced. Still thinking!
Rick K8EZB |
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Bob NN5D
Rick, I have had the LA-1K for 5 months.? I'll preface this by saying I think it's a great piece of gear, but it didn't start out that way. My first ten minutes of use went well, but then it suddenly lost output power dropping to less than 200 watts out with 40 watts drive.? I talked with several other hams who have the LA-1K, and they were all helpful. After several tests, the conclusion was made the amplifier had lost it's finals shortly after I started using it.? The next step was to contact Palstar and get approval from them to return the amplifier for warranty repair. However,? Palstar was not overly accommodating.? Instead, they accused me of over driving the amp which they said caused the damage. I argued I had not driven the amp by more than 40 watts, but Palstar didn't seem to believe me.? I will emphasize I was very careful to operate the amplifier the exact way Palstar recommend.? After a few days of discussion via phone and email, they agreed that I needed to return it.? Their turn around time was good, and a week after sending it back for repair, Palstar contacted me via phone.? He agreed that the finals were bad, and he said they would be replaced under warranty. But, he acted very irritated. He told me he has sold several thousands of them with no failures. His comment was, "I don't know what you did to this amplifier."? The truth is, I had done nothing to it, except try to use it in the way it was intended.? Once the repair was completed two days later, he called me again, and said it was fixed, but I had to pay the return shipping.? I had already paid for shipping back to them, and this was starting to get expensive. I was displeased and angered at Palstar's insistence that I had mistreated the amp.? And, I felt return shipping under a warranty should be at their expense rather than mine.? Since they had my amp, and I wanted it back, I ended up agreeing to pay the return shipping. Since receiving the repaired amplifier, the unit has performed magnificently.? I believe I just had the bad luck of having defective finals, and all it needed was a new set.? Anything new can have something go wrong, and that's why we have such things as warranties.? Why they wanted to blame me didn't set too well, but all is well now. I typically run the amplifier at a drive of 20-40 watts.? I have never driven it with over 45 watts.? This amplifier is very well built and designed. If this issue had happened with an Acom, it would've required shipping it overseas.? As someone else on this forum stated, just the fact alone of Palstar being in the USA is enough for me to buy "locally."? And, beyond that, I believe the LA-1K is built as well or better than any in this price range and design.? Since acquiring the LA-1K, I have added the Palstar HF-Auto.? In my opinion, this tuner is top of the line. |
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David ~ K1SZO
I was considering the ACOM 600S, but ended up going with the Palstar LA-1K due to delays and if I had to return it.? Latvia is a long ways away.
My current antenna supports only 500 watts SSB, so I never push it over say 32 watts of drive.? Though, even if I had a bigger antenna, my intention was to get a 500-600 watt amplifier.? This saves my amp finals and my radio finals. :) I also have the HF-AUTO and after the initial setup.? The only thing I touch on either the amp or the tuner is the power buttons.? Everything else is automated. Mine have been a joy to use and the only issue I had was when I first got the HF-AUTO, it had four nuts rolling around inside the case.? I just removed them, didn't see anything missing and it's worked perfect.? I have no issue recommending the LA-1K or the HF-AUTO. You can also look at ? Well, if you haven't already.? They are also state side. 73, David ~ K1SZO |
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Rick Boswell
Thanks to those who contacted me offline on this topic. I have continued to do due diligence on both amps and tuners, including discussions with HRO and DXE personnel, as well as an email exchange with Acom in Bulgaria. LA-1K getting a strong thumbs up. FWIIW, both DXE and Acom say there is service for the A1200S in the U.S. DXE states that if the amp is purchased from them, they will provide both in-warranty and out-of-warrant service. This is confirmed in my email from Acom. Have added Expert/SPE to my list of candidates and will check this out before going ahead.
RB K8EZB |
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Rick Boswell
Here is the DXE language (from website) re Acom? A1200S repairs:
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DX Engineering is now an authorized ACOM repair facility. We provide warranty and post-warranty service of all ACOM products. We have the training, experience, parts and equipment necessary to repair any ACOM amplifier. |
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Danny K5CG
I'd like to have a standalone remote control panel for the amp on Windows. I wonder how TRX Manager is doing it? From: "Paul" <sobonpaul@...> To: [email protected] Sent: Saturday, April 20, 2019 3:07:51 PM Subject: Re: [la1k] LA-1K vs Acom 1200S I like the Palstar LA-1K for all reasons above but also because TRX-MANAGER allows me to run it remote with nice display.? Also runs really cool easy 1KW out in 6 meters.? Not degraded at higher frequencies. 73 Paul NO0T Paul Sobon 1700 Bassett Street, #1904 Denver, CO 80202 On Sat, Apr 20, 2019, 12:14 PM Dennis via Groups.Io <pegasus9000=[email protected]> wrote:
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Rick Boswell
The Acom has only one antenna output.Yes, however, if you use the companion 04AT tuner, you have provision for four antennas plus other useful features.? DXE tells me that the A1200S and 04AT are in stock for immediate shipment and are fresh from Acom with the latest rev level. I have not yet decided either way, but am leaning more toward Acom as I gather additional info. If I were to come to the point of view that it would be necessary to return to Acom in Bulgaria for repair, this would likely be a deal breaker for me. So far DXE is saying all the right things. RB K8EZB |
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Exact same issue within 1 week of arrival - output now is max 300-400 watts - never overdriven.? I have found Paul to be extremely helpful in?my testing; today shipped back FEDEX and he offered to reimburse shipping.? I love the amp, have an HF-Auto Tuner.? I'll post back results after the La1K is returned from the doctor.? Eva is super nice when answering the phone and chasing down the folks.? Thanks!!!!?
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Paul
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