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You can
write your own review of the ICOM 2K.
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VA3UP
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Rating: 5/5
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May 23, 2006 04:35
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Clean signal, dead reliable, and easy to use.
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Time owned: months
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I recently found one on the used market after a long search. Although it has a serial # around 1000, which I think is relatively old, it works to perfection with crisp 600 to 700 watt signals on all bands including 10m. My force 12 and wire dipoles are resonant on all bands so no tuner needed. Switching from band to band is automatic on my Pro so all I have to do is turn it on.
The fan is noisy if you put it on the desk near the mike. I put it on the floor beside the desk and that really solves the problem. Too bad thiy didn't put a 2 speed fan in originally, one to run silently all the time. You do get quite a few minutes of tx time before the fan kicks in but on a ragchew it runs all the time.
Why was this discontinued? Mine is probably over 15 years old and still perfect. I can't go back to tubes now.
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ZS5J
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 2, 2005 10:57
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Bring it back Icom
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Since the day I first got my licence in 1985 as a youngster, I wanted to own an Ic-2KL and IC-AT500 pair. But in those days I had just finished school and 2 years draft in the army, so I didn't have enough money to afford it. All I could afford at the time was a new IC-751 transceiver, and figured I would save up and buy the amp later. After 6 or 7 years of working and paying for a new car and house, I was finally in a position to afford one - but they had stopped production. So since 1993 I have been searching high and low for a pair in good condition. They were harder to find on the used market than hens teeth. Then last year I located one 600 miles from here. I left right away, anxious that someone else would beat me to it, and drove back right through the night.
I set it up at home using it with a TS-2000, an Icom IC-746, a Kenwood TS-850SAT, a Kenwood TS-870S, and a Yaesu FT-1000MKV field. It worked like a charm on all 5 radio's. I have 2 other HF amps here, the Kenwood TL-922 and Ameritron ALS-500. But they are now collecting dust. I use the IC-2KL and AT-500 as my primary amp and tuner with the TS-2000. As others have said, the only quirk is the noisy fan, but I plan on using an external fan, on low speed, to suck the heat out.
I will not sell this amp/tuner, never. I would like to add the Icom PW-1 to the shack, however.
I cannot understand why Icom stopped production of this gem - it would sell like hotcakes, even in todays market - 25 years after it was first introduced !!!!! It was wayyyy ahead of it's time when it first came out. Ps. I get 550 - 700 watts out on all bands. 16 reviews so far, and everyone gives it a "5", that figures.
73 John ZS5J
Richards Bay, South Africa
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N6AJR
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 1, 2005 21:07
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great amp
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have a 2kl, and am looking for another.
I drive it with the 756 and use an at500 ( I have 3 of those) into my assortment of antennas, from a 160-40-80 AD sloper to my 4 ele Wilson tribander or my favorite my 3 ele 6-20 m steppir.
I have had lots of amps, a LA1000nt, several clippertonl's , 3 811's and one 811h, an als500, and am currently down to the 2kl and an alpha 76a. I am looking for another 2kl or a 4kl . I have the 756 set up with the 2kl and the at500 and the steppir ( I added the autotune board to the steppir too) and run them into my AC LOG program that has telnet spotting built in..
I see a spot on the telnet, and click on it. the 756 goes to the freq, and the antenna goes there, and the linear goes there. if on 40 or 80 or 160 I use the at-500, on 20 to 6 I turn of the at-500 and use the steppir autotune function. Hook that up with my foot switch, and voice keyer and I am set up for search and pounce contesting at 500 watts. And the telnet automatically fills out half the logger info for me, tab , tab, enter and on to the next one, and the logger sends the spot to the telnet for others.. It is 1 touch ham radio. sweet!
I have the 746 pro set up currently to a alpha 76a and a manual dentron MT2000a, but I would like to move that over to the ts 2000 and use the hopefully soon to be purchased 2kl for the 746 side with one of the at 500's and use it as a sit in one freq and run rig for contesting.
I use the ts 2000 for 2m, 440 and 6m ssb and psk31, and rtty and sometimes rag chewing.
I have a ft 847 in the truck and a ft 857d in the car, and carry a ht on the harley. I use a ht and a mag mount in the other car,, I ain't got around to putting a rig in there yet..
I love the 2 kl and will probably upgrade some day to its biggest brother the pw-1 or the middle child, the 4kl.. but for now want a second 2kl..
I sent my IC-2KL to scott at MTS and had him do the 10 meter "no switchy" mod for under $150 shipped. He is a whiz on icoms in general and the 2kl is puring now and goes to 10 meters easily 500 watts. MTS Ham Radio Repair(http://www.angelfire.com/biz2/mts/)
they are that good, really
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W4GLM
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 3, 2005 09:21
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Hard 2 Beat
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Had my IC-2KL and AT-500 combo for 14 years,
never missed a beat. Had the 10 meter mod kit
and finally had Scott Malcolm install it and check it out, he said no problems.
Makes very nice 1/4 KW plug & play system, my exciter is a IC-765, (also flawless), the
AT-500 tunes a 1000' loop on all bands thru
a 4:1 balun.
Never a hiccup, gets great reports.
If you cat get the system, do it, you will
not regret it...
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PA3DUV
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 20, 2004 06:22
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keeps on rockin'
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Purchase mine in 1992, second hand together with the AT500. I did the fan mod, replaced the molex connector for a DIN connector (Icom standard) and did the QSK mod.
The amp is used in the 20 meter port of my Winlink PMBO, working 24/7 all day long. I rate the IC2KL with a 5+++, a simple, sturdy and solid performer. Recently I've purchased another IC2KL to be used in the 40 meter port.
Regards, Dick
PA3DUV
IC 2KL QSK Mod: www.qsl.net/pa3duv
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YV4FF
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 2, 2004 17:59
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The best
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Have it since 1995 working great the 751A+2kl+AT500 the best of the best
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W3JMU
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 21, 2004 12:33
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Simply THE BEST
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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My 2KL/AT-500 was purchased at the 1994 Dayton Hamvention, and put into service, in April of that year. So, a little arithmetic will tell you that it is approaching TEN years of duty, most importantly, without flaw, trouble, hiccups or getting tired. It has been used with both my IC 737A and IC 706MKII transceivers, into all sorts of antenna systems, and continues to perform splendidly. This equipment has got to be the closest to bulletproof, of any amateur radio gear I have ever owned (licensed 11/56). If you want a beautifully integrated, automated, flexible and powerful station, connect your ICOM transceiver to one of these, and you will never want to part with it. (Very hard to find, but worth the search/$$). If the 4KL is as good, I'm going to try to find one!.
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ON4VP
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 10, 2003 17:09
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if you find one, get it !
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I got mine second hand, still looking like a new baby. I owned a Acom 1000 before so I was spoiled (I thought). I think I am now ! These amp is really great, mine delivers 550-600 watts pep and feels comftable. Thanks to PA0RCF who made a fan modification by placing a silent computer fan, and a mod that makes the fan run slow all time and kicks in when temp rises above 50°. but with the fan running constant at low rpm, the amp almost never kicks the fan in at high rpm, so this baby is very qiet in the shack.
I have a Kenwood TS850SAT coonected to this amp and made a mod inside the 850 to get the band data converted to the Icom's line voltage for band switching, works like a charm. the IC2KL follows where I set the 850, controlled by the logging software, a luxery to work with this combination. (pics on www.2die4.be)
I feel that having 500 tot 600 watt pep is not so different from the 1KW I was used to. I prefer having -3dB but constant power on, no more heating time, instant band change and no tuning.
This amp can't compete against legal limit power, but it sure makes a few S-points on the opposit station's meter and works like having a K in the shack.
If you can't find one, get it ! It is a great piece of equipment.
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J73BT
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 2, 2003 22:03
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great amp and tuner
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I rate this amp and tuner 5++, it is suppose to put out 500 watts but I have seen it done 850 (if you adjust the swr null on the low pass filter). The ic2kl really makes u sound like 1kw.I have had mine for about 3 years now with no major problems, just a litle tricky to get going,but when set ... works like a dream. The tuner is also great , it follows you every where your rig can go (except 6meters). you just have to keep the presets and band switch clean with some contact cleaning solvent every now and then. Great buy ..........if you can still get one.
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W7KPQ
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 18, 2003 01:43
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Great no tune amp
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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The Icom 2KL solid state no tune amplifier along with the Icom AT 500 automatic antenna tuner is a great combination. These units will automatically change bands when using an Icom exciter which makes them a dream to use. The 2KL easily puts out 500+ watts which is more than enough for most situations. I highly recommend the 2KL and AT 500 to anyone who wants a straight forward amp and tuner that rocks even though these units haven't been on the market for some time. Icom would do will by bringing back an amp like the 2KL!
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