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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
N4WVE Rating: 2006-12-12
Best amp on the market! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I recently purchased an Icom PW-1. I spent many hours researching different amps, weighing options, benefits and price. I looked at the Alpha, Tokyo High Power, Ameritron and many used amps. After much thought I decided to go with the Icom. It has a built in tuner, ALC control, remote head, auto band switching and puts out more than the stated 1kw. I installed a 240v outlet to get the full power available. Once all the setup is complete, all you do is turn the amp on and use it! With the included remote cables I was able to locate my amp 10 feet from my operating area and I don't even know it's there unless I glance at my Power Master power meter and see the whopping power output!
I did the 10 meter modification and, after speaking with Kevin at Icom, it was a snap. I powered on and had the same 1000 watts out at 28.400 as I did at 14.300! The audio signal with power is clean and crystal clear. In three weeks I have not talked to a DX station that I had to call more than once. If you want a rock solid, tuff as nails amp that even I can't break, this is the amp for you! Please feel free to email me with any questions.
K7PEH Rating: 2006-11-25
Keeps on working... Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I graduated from an Ameritron AL-572 to the Icom PW1 earlier this year and I have enjoyed every minute of operation. I sold the Ameritron and so there is no turning back.

I am sort of partial to Icom as my first rig of my return the ham radio was an Icom 756 and I liked that. I have upgraded to the Pro III which now feeds my PW1. Smooth as silk in the connection and setup and it operates without problems. I should note that I am also partial to Icom since their service shop at Icom America headquarters in Bellevue is just a 20 minute drive from my home but so far I have not needed their services.

I build a small platform for the base unit to rest on the floor and I keep the remote control head right in front of me. Some have said the fan noise is a bother but I think the key to that little problem (and, it is a little problem) is to put the base unit on the floor away from the operating position.

I have no complaints. Is this the last and best amplifier to own? No, I plan to also get something else in tube form just because tubes are cool. I will probably get a QRO this next year for a backup amp but I am not ditching the PW1 -- it is a keeper.
KH8AF Rating: 2006-11-18
GREAT Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Plugged it in 2 years ago and its been flawless and bulletproof...all bands (used with ProIII)..except...the auto tuner gets confused with very resonant antennas like SteppIR. It needs something to do and its bored !..... (best to disengage it)
PA7FA Rating: 2006-08-24
> 1kW on all bands Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This amp is though, bullet- and foolproof. Set and forget. I bought it from HamAV in the US, and after receiving it a few weeks ago i abused it with my 756 PROIII and 50 MHz monobander, and Titanex LP-5.
Without ALC, it does delivers 1500+ but i do not recommend it. Fix the ALC as decribed in the (poor) manual, and the AMP will serve you for years. Automatic internal antenna switching for 4 antenna's is a breeze the remote head is perfect. I plan to extend the cables to 100 feet (Remote head, Icom ACC, and CI-V) to be able to put this AMP in my gardenhouse under the tower. Advantage will be less losses, and less cables to the shack, and no fan noise at all.... I will keep you guys posted how this works out. If you want a bullet-fool proof 1Kw+, get this one. Sure it is expensive. But you get what you pay for!!!
WB6MYL Rating: 2005-11-28
Is this thing on?!? Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
First of all, "thanx and a hat tip" to Dale Piedfort of Ouachita Radio, who got me a great deal on a used PW-1 (his resources for used radios is incredible). Nonetheless,in the past, I knew when my amp was on-line, because I could hear the groan of the power supply in the TL922 or see the dimming of the meter bulbs in my SB200; The PW-1 just sits there and does its job; a wonderful amp when coupled with my 7800.
However, the negative comments on the manual are more than justified; I learned more about using the amp from the review section of eham than the manual itself; I had no access to an addenda or "errata" explaining how the amp and xcvr were supposed to "handshake" (thank you K6IOU for your review); the manual provides no further information for SSB operation, e.i. what one should expect or look for in meter indication and/or deflection; maybe for someone more technically versed, it is not needed, but I beleive it would have helped a lot of people who bought this amp; parenthetically, the manual for the 7800 is clear and complete and is the antithesis of the PW-1 manual. Nonetheless a great amp with a few technical writing pitfalls.
Thanx for the bandwidth, Phillip W.Harris PhD.P.C.
K6XG Rating: 2005-11-18
Smooth integration with IC7800 Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I've used the PW-1 for 3 mos and it has worked flawlessly. Most of all, I like how seamlessly it integrates with the IC7800. The auto tuner handles an inverted vee and a 20m delta loop (through 1:1 balun) just fine. I use a Palstar AT1500CV for a center fed zepp. The ability to separate the control head and the amp is a great benefit, and puts the amp on the floor, releasing valuable desk space (and keeping it quiet).

I tried to make the PW-1 interface with the IC7800 on CI-V through a CT-17. The manual does not recommend it but other hams had made this work with 756s. I finally gave up, connected the '7800 directly to the PW-1 and interfaced the computer to the RS232 port on the '7800. That works great.

I use a USB microHam CW keyer to add 5ms compensation when working full QSK on CW. The PW-1 tends to shorten dits a bit. But, then it does do an FB job of full QSK which is no small feat at 1KW.

I highly recommend it.
73 de K6XG Dave
K0EFM Rating: 2005-09-11
I Love it! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just fired up my new Icom PW1 and I plain LOVE it! It is a fantastic piece of hardware. It replaced an Ameritron 80-B and an old MFJ-982. The automation is sooooo much easier. While pricey I still think it is worth every penny. I particularly enjoy the remote head so you can put the main unit under the desk. Couldn't ask for a better match with my 756 ProIII.
Ed
K0EFM
K1ECW Rating: 2005-08-27
Worth The Price Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
It has automatic band switching, automatic tuning, automatic antenna switching, and it turns my ICOM 756ProIII into a full kilowatt transceiver! It's worth every penny it costs.

There is virtually no fan noise, it can be used remotely, and it looks good. It's idiot proof, too.

I've had it for about 3 months and it has performed flawlessly. I've contested for hours at a time and it doesn't even get warm.

Yes, it's pricey. But, you get what you pay for.
VA5SAM Rating: 2005-08-24
Very Good But Expensive Time Owned: more than 12 months.
My wife got me this amp last August for my birthday.Boy, am I glad she is a Ham too. This is one great amp.If you like plug & play this is the one to get. Very easy to set up with my 746 Pro and it gives an easy kilowatt out with very little drive.Band changing is quick and the tuner works very well. My only complaint is the darn thing went up in smoke the first week I had it. I shipped it off to ICOM in Washington and they did an excellent job of fixing it. Turn around time was very quick as well. The cost of shipping to them was very high,,about $175 Canadian which hurt. Thanks ICOM for your great service but it would have been nice if you would have reimbursed me for the shippng,,,thus the reason for only giving it a 4.
DL0USB Rating: 2005-01-23
AM works! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
There are 4 Push-Pull amps inside. They work in class AB, supplied 45 V nominally. If you like to do, you can setup higher idling currents than specified. This would increase linearity for medium power levels but also inverts behavior on maximum power.

Linearity is sufficient for AM up to 300 Watts carrier and 100% modulation (= 1200 W PEP)! Just try it.

If you have problems with automatic CI-V baudrate detection, please set it fixed on both sides. This works smooth even with two rigs connected.

User's Manual and Service Manual are available for a free download in an excellent PDF quality (e.g. www.mods.dk).