Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: ICOM PW-1

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

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
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
N1DZ Rating: 2007-11-11
Very Good Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is the Cadillac of amplifiers. It replaces a Acom 1000. The Acom 1000 is a great amplifier but the PW1 is better.

Pros:
-Flawless no-tune instant bandswitching and antenna selection with my IC756proIII.
-Solid 1Kw 160-6m.
-No warm up.
-Automatic tuner can tune my 80m antenna on 40 and 30m. >3:1 SWR!
-4 port antenna switch.
-2 radios can be connected.
-Remote head is small and unobtrusive. No need for big amp on the desk.

Negative:
-Some might say the blower is noisy. In stand-by it is louder than the Acom 1000 but less than a Commander II amp , Lunar-Link LA-22 or Ten-Tec Centaur (even after modifying the TT blower). The amp will throtle up when it gets warmer and becomes noisier. I placed the main PA unit away from my operating position and do not notice the amplifier noise. The noise in the remote position >7feet away is comparable to a computer.
-Poorly written manual. It is not difficult to set up the PW1 but you can seriously screw up the amp due to the poorly written manual. Get information on-line and you will be fine .
-Conversion for 10m operation requires removal of surface mount diode. Not easy as this part is <.5mm. I needed loops and it was at the limit of my eye sight.
-Not well suited for portable operation.

The negatives are relatively minor.
What you get for your money is an instant on HF+6m amplifier with a remote antenna switch, and automatic 1Kw antenna tuner. Just do the math and the price of this amplifier is really good. At least here in the US.
F5NBU Rating: 2007-08-30
Very noisy and bad service Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
afther 6 month of use problem.
return to Icom for repair to your expenses!
the power supply unit is dead.
as the parts was not available I have to await 3 months the return of the amplifier.
amplifier functions very well since but the fan are really too noisy and you must use a Audio Headsets.
I sold it and I work now with a acom 2000a it is really other thing.
the service icom is to be re-examined it is not normal to wait 3 months for a repair under warranty
WA7SCH Rating: 2007-08-15
Primo Addition Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I just stepped up from an Ameritron ALS 600 to the PW-1. After going through the setup procedures and getting it synched up with my Pro III I am really impressed. This is so nice. One button on and I'm off and running.

Can't talk about protection circuits becuase most of my antenna system works pretty well. This only my third amp in this hobby and while I have liked each one, I like this best of all. Hopefully I'll have it for many years. In short, I love it!
KK9H Rating: 2007-04-27
No problem with mine Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I own one of the earlier PW1's. It has been running reliably for well over 6 years with no issues beyond having one of the meter lights burn out. It was easily replaced. This is a great amp with one of the best automatic antenna tuners I have ever used.

----------------------
Earlier 5-star review posted by KK9H on 2007-03-02

I have had my PW1 for 6 years and not had one problem with it. It has been completely reliable and has been used without issue with each of the following rigs: Elecraft K2/100, Icom IC-756ProII, Icom IC-7800, Kenwood TS-850S and Yaesu FT-1000MP. I think the PW1 is an excellent linear and I highly recommend it, especially if you have an Icom rig.
W1SWR Rating: 2007-04-27
Older PW-1's Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I read W1VR's message on the problem with the PW-1
Power supply. I thank him for the pictures he sent on the problem but it give me some concern so i called Icom Tech department.
They sent my request to Icom tech support
and i got a reply from Mike Hilton - Technical Support Rep
and in the message i got in return they stated that there was no problem with the newer PW-1's
and that they did have some issues from time to time with the power supply on the older ones.

Thanks to W1VR posting that brought some concern to me because i have a 2 month old PW-1
and i think it's a great amp when used along with Icom HF radios. Flawlessly puts out 1200
pep with 35 watts drive from my IC-756pro III .

Thank you W4VR Ronald for the posting and the pictures you sent.
73
Steve W1SWR

N2EAC Rating: 2007-04-01
OUTSTANDING AMP !! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Ok, I'll admit it up front that I am a true blue Icom guy. So getting that out of the way, I recently upgraded my station to add an IC-756proIII and a PW-1 amp. All I can say is WOW, it's great to have a 1000w exciter !!!!! It is a clean sounding amp.

All kidding aside, setting up amp/radio takes no time at all and the amp is bullet proof. So, the amp does not put out 1,500w, but it is full duty cycle at 1000w for CW and that is certainly nice. The tuner in the amp works great too. So if you have an Icom rig, get the PW-1. You are missing out otherwise.

Ed
N2EAC
WA2SEI Rating: 2007-03-07
WHEN YOU BUY SOMETHING YOU EXPECT IT TO WORK NOT FOR TEN DAYS Time Owned: N.A.
I USED TO HAVE ONE ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO AND IT WORKED FINE I JUST BROUGHT ONE AT THE ORLANDO HAMFEST USED IT ABOUT TEN DAYS AND IT BLEW UP IT POPED UP LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE AND WHAT MAKES ME MAD IS THAT IT COST $108.00 TO SHIP IT TO WASHINGTON AND I HAVE TO WAIT ABOUT THREE TO FOUR WEEKS BEFOR I CAN USE IT I HAD AN AMERITRON AND IT WAS ABUSED AND IT STILL WORKED AND NO PROBLEMS IF I KNEW WHAT I KNOW NOW I WOULD HAVE NEVER SPENT THE MONEY FOR THAT AMP I WOULD HAVE BROUGHT A COMANDER FOR SIX AND AN AMERITRON FOR HF I USE A 756 PRO3 AS THE EXCITER USED A 746 PRO BEFORE ITHE 756 I BEEN AN ICOM USERS FOR MANY MANY YEARS I AM TOTALY DISOPOINTED AND WILL SELL OT WHEN IT COMES BACK ON EBAY AND BUY A GOOD AMP AND GET RID OF ALL MY ICOM STUFF AND BUY KENWOOD I AM ON DISABILITY AN THE SHIPPING COST KILLED ME AND REALLY PISSED ME OFF ICOM SHOULD HAVE COVERED THE COST OF SHIPPING
HB9AZT Rating: 2007-02-25
Keep hands off that linear... Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Bought mine used - a disaster! After two expensive repairs it works now thanks to the execellent support and engagement of the local icom-dealer lixnet in switzerland and the icom branch in duesseldorf - they really did all possible to bring that piece of junk back to life!

cons:

- do not use this amplifier with non icom exciters (missing protection circuitry)

-protection circuits are not reliable, my 20 year hercules kicks load off when blowing in a bad swr, the PW1 dies when this happens.

-protection circuits base mainly on a working alc to reduce the exciter input in case of problems, other linears are diverting input power in a resistor array and switch of the power modules. So never ever use this linear without working and checked ALC and follow the ALC-adjusting-procedure in the manual.

- not a good linear for remote operations, no feedback of operation parameters via RS232, automatic band switching only via CI-V, in case of power failures and power recovery, this amp needs manual "reboot", so you have to bridge the power switch with an external relay.

- seems to be very sensitive for power line transients, external line filter is mandatory

- manual not a masterpiece, not very clear, important information is missing, so get the service manual for additional infos.

pro's:

- built in automatic tuner is very fast and has a broad tuning range, but tunes always with full power.

- good rfi-design: all built in a compact case, no radiation in the shack

- Operation together with newer kenwood equipment is possible, ALC characteristics match.

- if not under repair, stable and steady output of 1kw, gives a clear and punchy signal, very clean spectrum


So if you have the choice, buy an acom and enjoy a real standalone amplifier without troubles!
WA8EBM Rating: 2007-02-20
Doesn't get any better Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Amen to the last review. Pro3, SteppIR and PW-1 and you have it all 20 to 6 meters. Total no tune KW hamming. Lots of protection built in the amp. Antenna tuner has wide range to tweak the antennas. A KW on 6 if you ever need it. No problems at all and everytime I make a mistake it shuts down with no ill effects. I put it under the desk and the blowers are relatively quiet-you gotta have air on the finals. My QRO-2500 is sitting unused unless I fire up the other transceivers. An expensive but very fine piece of engineering. Would buy it again in a heartbeat.
KE4WY Rating: 2006-12-25
Excellent Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Works as advertised. Very satisfied.