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Reviews For: ICOM PW-1

Category: Amplifiers: RF Power - HF & HF+6M

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Review Summary For : ICOM PW-1
Reviews: 78MSRP: 5000
Description:
HF/6 Meter All Band 1KW Amplifier
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.icomamerica.com/amateur/amplifiers/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00784.3
K2TCM Rating: 2011-04-15
Excellent Amp!!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just bought the Icom PW1 at HRO in Delaware. Jim detached the head for me (great service) and I got it home and put on a 240V plug. Found out I needed to remove one side of a diode to get it to operate on all bands--Had to remove diode D-18---a tiny diode that was there to prevent the CB crowd from using it. Icom tech guys are fantastic!! Man these things are TINY---but got it done. This amp is so easy to use and this little control head is such an elegant addition to my shack!!!! The tuner handles my antennas and it is effortless to run!! This thing makes a major difference in s unit reports--having a ball with it! Highly recommend it!!!
VK2YN Rating: 2011-04-03
Seamless... Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
OK had the unit in a cardboard box..amd thought about time to set up...

Base rig an IC7600, which i control mainly through HRD for CW via winkey and digital modes.

Separating the head was a pain in the ...... but we got there.

followed web set info i googled, and up and running within minutes..so far seamless band switching and operation...

Unlike computers and software, it was actually a pleasure to get something out of the box that worked first time..

Derek VK2YN
K8WLK Rating: 2011-02-20
Solid Performer Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
ICOM did a fine job with the PW-1. After six months of operation I would not give it up for another amp. Set up was easy and fast. I have the PW-1 integrated with my ICOM 756 Pro III and Ham Radio Deluxe, HRD logbook and Digital Master 780. They all work seamlessly together providing quick and almost instant access to band and frequency changes.
KB6HRT Rating: 2011-02-14
GREAT! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Have had the PW-1 at least 5 years now, one failure a chip in the control head, shipping was a little pricey! Have used it with a 706M2G, 756PRO, 7700, a Yasue 920 and a 756PRO3 all worked as they should with the PW-1 very well! I like to build and work on antennas and compare antennas and the PW-1 is the very best for doing A/B/C/D tests, so you can have a reference antenna then compare to it to see what you have in less than a second and that neat. using the 7700 the PW-1 put out 1200 watts when set up correctly an clean as could be. Sometime the fans (4 of them) can make some noise when there all on but they keep the temp where it should be an all is always well! The best compliment I get is when I turn it on or off other station will say nothing except if there looking at there meter went it goes up from an S9 to 30 over S9 it does not change the audio at all except on the other stations meter. Now that good engineering!........KB6HRT


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Earlier 5-star review posted by KB6HRT on 2007-02-15

The PW-1 replaced a AL-600 which gave me very good service. The PW-1 has a lot of safety features and a tuner that gives me more flexablity. When I first received the PW-1 I used it on 120 volts and the output was 500 watts and it worked swell, then installed 220 volts in the shack and am getting 1K out of it now, but most all of the contacts I have made tell me it sounds excellent on the air and it gives my signel a nice boost. The internal tuner will tune most bands on my 20-40-75 meter W9INN antenna. It took me around an hour to set up the PW-1 and move the readout from the PW-1 to a stand alone readout. I am very happy with this product soi far.......KB6HRT
IZ2OBY Rating: 2010-12-11
Very well Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
PW-1 and IC-7700: simply fantastic pair !!
WF2S Rating: 2010-11-14
Disappointment Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I replaced a Ten Tec Titan with over 25 years of daily CW and RTTY use without failures.. I can not say that about Icom ! I wanted to embrace newer solid state technology- mistake #1. I interfaced it with my IC7700 and resonant beams with no problem. In a short rtty contact, the high speed fan roars..In less than 6 months, when I attempted to use it on 40 meters, the amp protect light came on and the amp shuts down. No other bands did this.. The antenna was checked and feedline , all were OK. I called Icom USA and the service dept. identified it as possible a component failure in the 40 meter bandpass tuning circuit.. They suggested a closer repair center in Michigan. After spending $127 to ship it back ( under warranty) I enjoy dxing barefoot.
I am pleased with Icom USA for their support and attentiveness. I am dissatisfied with Icom JA for the product failure. I honestly did not need a new amp nor do I need an auto tune for 3:1 swr.
It is still under warranty and I will part with it gladly after it is fully certified 100% good order by Icom. contact me if you are interested. $3900+ shipping.....

I have owned a TL922A, Ten tec 425and started with an old Dentron. None broke down except Icom !
W1EBM Rating: 2010-08-28
Plug-and-play: A Great product Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
After 50 years operating QRP, I bought a Pro3 a couple years ago, and have been having a lot of fun with its 100 watts. A month ago, I purchased the PW1 and am now in "ham heaven" operating QRO with this excellent amplifier.

The Pro3/PW1 configuration works flawlessly, and is a joy to operate. High-speed CW QSK works great !

My congratulations to ICOM for developing a top-notch product, and building it to the highest quality standards, clearly superior to the other manufacturers I considered.
KB1NXE Rating: 2010-07-09
Absolutely Wonderful Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've had my PW-1 for about 1 month now. I have it attached to my IC-756 PIII. Connection from the PIII is to a CT-17 Level Converter. I also connected the PW-1 to the CT-17. I also used the ACC2 cable from the PIII to the PW-1. I did this so I can continue to use HRD to control the rig.

To say the least, this amp performs flawlessly. The only issue I had setting up were made by myself (while doing the 10M mod, I disconnected the white ribbon cable from the rear panel connector board. One must reconnect cables so things work as designed!). Once I resolved the man made error, setup was simple.

With the memory antenna switching and the way I have my shack automated with HRD, the 756, a WN-2 and a home built computer controlled antenna switch, the PW-1 just made the whole station work! Now, QSY to a new band with HRD, the 756 changes, the PW-1 changes and the antenna switch all select the proper antenna/band combination. How cool is that!

The PW-1 just gives you a 1 KW solid state rig (when used with an Icom exciter). Mine is mounted under the table on the floor. Noise is not an issue. The Wavenode WN-2 provides the ability to monitor your signal both on spectrum and modulation. This amp is as clean as the exciter. No odd spurs or unwanted harmonics. Modulation is full and clean.

An added benefit is the 756 runs cooler and therefore quieter, as the drive level for the PW-1 is lower. The internal fan in the 756 doesn't come on during long conversations.

Before I made the purchase, I had looked at the ARCOM 1000 as I wanted a 6 meter capable amp. While the ARCOM seems to be a great amp with an easy tuning method, it lacked a tuner and the automatic band changing of the Icom. The ARCOM was also cheaper. So, why did I go for the Icom, well the two reasons I mentioned and the solid state finals were the big factors. Tubes are getting more expensive, less reliable and more sensitive. The cost difference was - to me - worth it.
JQ1BVI Rating: 2010-06-07
Too high repair charge money Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I used pw1 for three years. Meanwhile, it often operated. Afterwards, FET that stepped up the voltage when the RTTY mode operated it exploded. This FET can be bought with DIGIKEY for two dollars. However, they exchange the power supply units for the repair. And, 1500 dollars are demanded. It causes because dust attached to the filter. Irrational content. I cannot recommend PW1 for a too high repair charge.
W7KPQ Rating: 2010-05-28
Great Solid State Amp with built in Tuner Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The PW-1 is a great solid-state amp. I’ve had a Drake L4B, an Ameritron AL80B, and an Icom IC-2KL. While the 2KL was, also a good solid-state amp it causes harmonics in modern day transceivers like the Icom IC-756 Pro III. The PW-1 follows the Pro III effortlessly when changing bands. With 50 watts of drive, it’ll easily put out 1000 watts on CW and SSB. The auto tuner is quick and performs flawlessly. While not cheap as the saying goes – you get what you pay for. I have removed it from the desktop opting to use the remote head. The fans can be rather loud but when it’s off the desk, it’s much quieter. I also enabled 10m/12m and it’ll easily put out 1000 watts on the higher bands. I can’t see purchasing another amp as this one is all that I’ll ever need.