Palstar LA-1K User guide

AM/FM Power Set Procedure

For AM or FM power levels must be adjusted in that mode.

For AM mode set carrier no higher than 275 Watts. AM

requires peak power of 4 times carrier level.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Transmit Fault Indications

Bypass SWR: [as seen on display]

Amp is in BYPASS to protect from high SWR. This

indication shows up whenever SWR is, (or has been) over

2.5:1 during a transmission. Transient faults such as

antenna arcing can show a low SWR after the fault event,

while transmitter is still keyed up.

Bypass TEMP: [as seen on display]

Amp is in BYPASS to protect from high temperature.

Temperature will show in red when temperature exceeds

71 degrees C. When the heatsink temperature exceeds

100 degrees C. “Bypass Temp” will show on the display.

(Amplier locked in Bypass)

Solution:

Allow time for the heatsink to cool down to below 70

degrees C.

Operate mode will automatically return. Verify that

nothing is blocking proper airow through the side

vents.

Solution:

1) Make sure correct LA-1K antenna connector is

selected.

2) Verify that your HF-AUTO or other tuner has obtained

a good match while amp is in standby. Attempting Auto

tuning at high power can cause this “Bypass SWR” alert.

With some autotuners it may be necessary to select

manual mode after obtaining a low SWR to prevent

unwanted tuning in the middle of your transmission.

3) If antenna arcing or loose connection is suspected,

try the amplier on a dummy load. If it works normally,

there is likely some type of intermittent SWR problem.

Note: High SWR, or prolonged transmission in carrier

modes, may cause elevated temperature.

Bypass+VD: [as seen on display]

Amp is in BYPASS to protect from loss of +50V, drain

voltage supply. The indication should clear in a few

seconds. This occurs when operating on 120V, if Drain

Current (Id) exceeds 32 Amps.

Solution:

Switch supply voltage to 240V, or If operating on 120V,

Reduce Drive Power.

PALSTAR

TX Wait: [as seen on display]

This shows on display when the PTT Line is grounded but

NO RF is present. RF must be applied with PTT line low

to key the amplier to the transmit state.

Other Issues:

Won’t amplify or autoband switch when transmitting.

Solution:

Make sure that the PTT cable is connected to the

transceiver. This is a REQUIRED connection. Note that

“TX” will show on display whenever the PTT connector

sees a ground. Some transceivers must have their PTT

keying output enabled in the transceiver’s menu

settings.

Low SWR on transceiver, high SWR on LA-1K

This problem arises when you observe Low SWR on

transceiver, but the LA-1K shows High SWR.

Solution:

Always disable (i.e. Bypass) the autotuner in your

transceiver when driving any amplier.

The transceiver’s autotuner can not match loads

connected to the amplier’s output.

PALSTAR

Palstar products are designed by
Hams for Hams carrying on the
Palstar tradition for high-quality
products designed and
manufactured in Ohio, USA.

LA-1K RF SENSING 1000W
DUAL HF LDMOS AMPLIFIER

 1000 watts PEP CW ICAS (160 m to 6m)

 RF Sensing Auto Band Switching

 Color TFT touch screen

 Variable speed fans

 12.75” x 6.25” x 16.5”

Weight: 27 lbs, 12.3 Kg



PALSTAR

LA-1K RF SENSING 1000W
DUAL HF LDMOS AMPLIFIER

Technical Manual

9676 N. Looney Rd,
Piqua, OH 45356 USA

[phone]

[phone]
[phone] (Fax)
www.palstar.com

PALSTAR

Designed and Manufactured in the USA

Copyright 2018 Palstar, Inc.

LA-1K SPECIFICATIONS

THEORY OF OPERATION

 SSB POWER: Power levels up to 1000 Watts PEP

 CW MODE: 1000 Watts CW ICAS

 FM/RTTY: 500 watts

 AM: 275 watts

 FREQUENCY RANGE: 1.8 TO 54 MHz

 DISPLAY: Color TFT touch screen

 INPUT DRIVE LEVEL: 45W - 55W (All Bands) 40-55W (Typical)

 OUTPUT: 3 x RF SO-239 or Type N

 ALC: Exciter power control

 GAIN: 13dB + or -1dB (nominal)

 RF SENSING: Auto Band Switching without Band Data

Cable from transceiver

 RF OUTPUT: Vacuum RELAY T/R Switching

 POWER SUPPLY: Internal Medical grade

 AC POWER: 100-125VAC 15A or 200-250VAC 10A

 DC SUPPLY: 50VDC @42A

 POWER DEVICES: 2 x 5600H 600W LDMOS

 AUTO-PROTECT: SWR/Short Circuit/Over Temp

 COOLING: Variable Speed Fans (3 speed)

 INTERMOD: Low IMD Distortion >-35dB

 PURE SIGNAL: Sample@+10dBm @1kW ouput (Rear Panel)

 CHASSIS: .090 ga. aluminium

 TOP COVER: .090 ga. aluminium, powder coated

 DIMENSIONS: 12.75” W x 6.25“ H x 16.5” D

 WEIGHT: 27 LBS, 12.25 Kg

 DESIGN CONCEPT: Full compatibility with Palstar

HF-AUTO autotuner

 WARRANTY: Two year

The LA-1K RF Sensing Dual HF LDMOS amplier is a complete
stand-alone amateur RF LINEAR amplier.

It is completely independent of data from an external source to
determine frequency for tracking from Band to Band. As a result of this
feature, the LA-1K will function with any transmitting device without
interconnecting data cable attachments.

The power output of the LA-1K is 1000 Watts PEP CW ICAS (Intermittent
Commercial and Amateur Service). Under the ICAS classication, the
use of the LA-1K is designed for transmissions that are of an
intermittent nature.

Intermittent operation of the LA-1K implies that no operating or
“ON” period of 1000W of Continuous Carrier Power will exceed
approximately 1(ONE) minute. On Single Side Band (SSB) voice
duty there is no limit on transmit time at full power of 1000W PEP.

Every “on” period must be followed by an “o” or standby period of at
least the same or longer duration. The LA-1K provides a +10dBm@1kW
RF tap feed at the rear panel to provide provisions for “PURE SIGNAL”
operation provided by compatible transceivers. The level adjustment
is calibrated at the factory. The LA-1K was designed to be fully
compatible with the Palstar HF-AUTO automatic antenna tuner.

Included with the LA-1K:

• Two (2) line cords for 110VAC and 220VAC

• User Manual

• Amplier unit

• Shipping box (please keep box for warranty repair, etc.)

As per FCC 15.21 changes or modications not expressly approved
by Palstar could void the user's authority to operate the
equipment. No tune up procedure exists.

Page 1

PALSTAR

SCREEN DISPLAY ON POWER-UP

ON INITIAL POWER-UP

Display will indicate STBY mode (stand-by). To switch

mode press the “MODE” button on the touchscreen

display to switch into “OPR” mode (operational).

To change default POWER UP MODE push MENU then

NEXT until SELECT POWER UP MODE displays at the top.

Now select desired POWER UP MODE, STANDBY, or LAST

USED, or OPERATE.

STAND-BY MODE OPERATIONAL MODE

TRANSMITTING

OPERATIONAL MODE

OPERATIONAL MODE

To switch into Operational mode “OPR” press the “MODE”

button on the touchscreen display. The touchscreen

menu will display “OPR” mode (operational). The red

power bar graphical indicator will only be visible when

transmitting.

OPERATIONAL MODE

NOTE: Wattmeter only shows RED power bar graphical

indicator when the LA-1K is producing power.

It is recommended that for power up mode “STBY” is

selected to allow a TUNE sequence when using our

HF-AUTO Antenna Tuner. After the HF-AUTO is tuned,

push MODE to select “OPR” for operation mode.

Page 2

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

 Automatic band selection when user transmits

 Automatic antenna selection of last used antenna output when

bands selected

 Over temperature protection by fan speed control, and bypass

mode if temperature exceeds 100° C (fault temperature shows on

display)

 Unit is locked in Bypass until temperature drops below 70°C

 Frequency operation lock-out from 25.99MHz - 28.00MHz

 Also see Page 5 and Rear Panel on Page 15.

PALSTAR