Overview

Palstar BT1500A 1500 Watt Double L Balanced Antenna Tuners

Palstar BT1500A 1500 Watt Double L Balanced Antenna Tuners are the only 1,500 watt, double-L network antenna tuners on the market today. BT1500A tuners feature two tandem mounted, precision ceramic roller inductors for a truly balanced tuner. A dual section capacitor provides the correct amount of capacitance for both low-band and high-band operation and is relay-switchable between the input and output side to provide the maximum possible range of impedance matching.

So, why buy a balanced tuner?

Joel Hallas described the problem many antenna tuners experience in his September 2004 QST article on balanced tuners. He wrote, "Unfortunately, the typical random sized center-fed antenna with random length ladder line feed has an impedance at the feed point that varies dramatically with frequency. The result can be heating and loss (and occasional damage) at the balun ... the classic solution has been the use of an inherently balanced tuner."

In his QST article, Joel Hallas was reviewing Palstar's former model AT1500BAL as a high-power solution for amateur operators looking for a balanced tuner. Since that review, the engineers at Palstar have reengineered their AT1500BAL tuner inside and out and reintroduced it as their BT1500A.

Palstar BT1500A 1500 Watt Double L Balanced Antenna Tuners feature two precision ceramic-body roller inductors mounted in tandem. The massive dual-section capacitor can be switched, with a front panel controlled relay, from the input side to the output side of the tuning network to provide maximum flexibility in tuning range. Another front panel controlled relay switches the two sections of the capacitor for high and low-band coverage. Plus, as a final touch to the BT1500A, Palstar's engineers added the peak and peak hold dual cross-needle metering found in our popular PM2000A wattmeter.

Here are the specifications on these great double balanced antenna tuners; model BT1500A:

-- Power rating: 1500 watts PEP
-- Relay switched Hi/Low-Z impedance range
-- Relay switched Hi/Low-C variable capacitor
-- Total inductance of 44uH for greater impedance range on 160m
-- Matching range: 160m - 20m (2500+/-j2500), 10m - 15m (1000+/-j1000)
-- Two tandem-mounted ceramic body roller inductors - silver plated wheel and wheel shaft
-- One turns counter and one crank handle drive both inductors
-- Low minimum capacitance, dual-section variable capacitor (960pF/65pF @ 4.5kV) with Vernier drive for smooth accurate tuning
-- Ferrite 1:1 input balun, required on double balanced tuners
-- Peak and peak hold dual cross-needle metering (1-2 sec hold) with backlighting
-- Cabinet metalwork is heavy 11 gauge (0.090 in. thick) Iridite®-coated aluminum; powder coated front panel and top cover

Note: For additional information, please look at the files under the "Documentation" tab.

Please remember that Palstar BT1500A 1500 Watt Double L Balanced Antenna Tuners are highly-specialized tuners, designed to do only one thing--tune balanced-line feed antennas--and do it well. Order yours from DX Engineering!

Documentation