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Reviews For: Icom IC-4KL

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

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Review Summary For : Icom IC-4KL
Reviews: 15MSRP: 6,700
Description:
1 kW solid state amp with integrated fully automatic antenna tuner. 160-12 meter bands, easy mod for 10 meter band. FULLY controlled by Icom tranceivers for seamless operation. Remote control head compliments and places next to tranceiver while main unit is out of the way on casters (wheels). This amp was made from aproximately 1990 to 1996-97.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.icomamerica.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00154.8
DK3TNA Rating: 2019-12-28
Really great amp Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Purchased the amp 2 years ago. I am using it with an IC-7700 and IC-7300. Works great on both radios with complete automatic control from the radios. It puts out a very clean signal even on high power.

Pros
- seamless operation with Icom radios
- easy 1200 watts (on 230v, much more than needed)
- very reliable
- nice remote controller
- fast internal ATU

Cons
- only one antenna connector
- noisy blowers
- no 6m Band

Only two things had be to fixed on the amp. On the tuner board was a relay malfunction, which caused the radio to be deaf on 10 meter rx when the tuner was switched on. Bought a new relay on eBay, replaced the old one and everything was fine.
Remote controller meter lamps where dead. So I replaced them with white LEDs.

With the IC-4KL I replaced my tube amps (ACOM 1000 and Yaesu FL-2100Z). Compared to a new solid state amp, the price for a used IC-4KL is surprisingly low.

If you plan to buy a solid state amp, try to get an IC-4KL. You will not be disapointed.


W2PH Rating: 2016-07-10
New IC-4KL Yahoo Group Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Recently purchased an IC-4KL that needed work. The power supply died when the squirrel cage fan froze with no warning. I rebuilt the amp using a Meanwell switching power supply. It was almost plug and play. Please check out the new Yahoo group called IC4KL for more information or to post any information. Manuals are available there for download. The IC-4KL is one of the best solid state amplifiers ever made. All parts are easy to access and not crammed together. It is very conservatively built with decent documentation. The auto band switching with my IC-7300 works great and the internal antenna tuner is fast without 200 clunking relays.
W8IDL Rating: 2016-01-16
Best Solid State Amplifier Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought my Icom IC-4KL amplifier new and have enjoyed using it with the IC-781 transceiver. It easily puts out 1100 watts and its seamless integration to the 781 makes it seem like an 1100 watt transceiver. The weak spot is the switching design, but there is a mod that replaces the original supply using a later design switcher from MeanWell that makes the amp bullet-proof! I keep the RF deck under the operating desk and it is very quiet. These were discontinued in favor of the Icom PW-1, though I sold the PW-1 I had purchased to replace the 4KL and have kept the IC-4KL. I even bought another 4KL I am using with an Icom IC-765 transceiver. It does't get any better than that for ease of use.
KK5DR Rating: 2014-10-11
Great HF amp Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I own serial number 001, the first unit sold in the US.
The OEM power supply died in it, so I designed the interface for a new commercial replacement. See details of my mod on my web site; www.qsl.net/kk5dr
I'm also the owner of the yahoo 4kl group.
There were only a few hundred of these units ever built. Many were used in US embassies along with the 781 in that era.
It's a great HF amp and easy capable of legal limit SSB with a new PSU in it.
It runs cool and quiet all day every day.
W6RS Rating: 2012-09-01
SOLID AMP Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I was lucky enough to come across one of these amps recently and am just thrilled with it. I have an Ameritron AL-1500 and a Ten Tec Titan 425 sitting on the desk also, but when it comes to quick band changes and ease of operation the 4KL can't be beat. It puts out a solid KW plus on all bands. Just a great amp, period. If you can lay your hands on one of these by all means grab it, you won't be sorry.
WX2CX Rating: 2011-03-20
Superb! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I consider my self one of the lucky owners of a 4kl amplifier.
Yes the cooling fan is a bit loud, but nothing major.
This is a real amplifier, rock solid 1KW plus+ and one if not the most beatuful designed amp specially when sitting right next to my ICOM 765, just a KW dream station!
Pure, clean RF power!
W4LTD Rating: 2008-09-07
Icom At It's Best! Amazing Amp! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just received my 4KL today and after a full day's use I am impressed. Having owned an ALS-600 and a current 2KL user, this amplifier is another fine example of Icom quality. I don't think I'll ever let it go but maybe it is time to pass on the 2KL to a worthy inheritor...
N1JMS Rating: 2008-04-10
Great Unit Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
For a Soild State unit it is great. The auto-tuner is good too.
N5YU Rating: 2008-02-26
SWEET !!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Absolutely the finest and easiest to use! If you can dial the memory knob on the radio, you can operate the AMP. Repeating what others have said; "It's like having a 1KW exciter. Plus, it is a perfect match to my IC-765 in my total vintage Icom station. If you can find one (??) you will not be disappointed. Good Luck!
SM5USK Rating: 2006-11-17
Very loud Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Rock solid design but veeeeeeeeeeery loud. I agree with the previous reviewer.

If you can place the amp remoutly then you do not need to suffer from the loud noise.

It is instantly in your service and AT works nicely. It is designed for commercial applications. You really feel the robustness.