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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
W2KN Rating: 2003-08-18
Nice N Easy BUT LOUD Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've had the IC-4KL for a couple of months now. I love the ease of use with this Amp and the performance is excellent. I would definitely give it a 5 except for the very loud fan noise. Even in standby this baby is pretty loud. And it goes up a notch when you transmit!

I don't have a good way to make use of the remote capability in my shack. My ideal would be to have the amp part in the next room and the control head on the desk.

Thank God for the Headset! Makes it usable!

Steve
W2KN
K7IM Rating: 2002-05-29
Great Amp Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had this 4KL for several years now. Bought it used. Simply the best amp I have ever had the pleasure of using. No issues noted, it simply works great everytime I put it on the air. I will keep this amp as long as I continue with ham radio.
W7AX Rating: 2001-10-09
one of the best Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have been the owner of this fine amp for the last year now. I must say that it is the ultimate in performance and ease of operation. I use mine with the Icom 781 and it is a perfect matrix. I use several other amplifiers here and they all work well but for simplicity and quick QSY, the 4KL can't be beaten. Some folks don't like the fan noise but to me it is hardly noticeable. It is not as quiet as the Collins 30S1. Nothing is as quiet as the 30S1! I can give this Icom an easy '5' ....the engineering in this rig deserves no less.
W0HFG Rating: 2001-07-26
THE BEST I'VE OWNED Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I'VE HAD TWO OTHER SOLID STATE AMPS (ALS 600 AND IC2KL) BOTH WORKED VERY WELL, AND THREE OTHER TUBE AMPS FROM 500 WATTS TO 1.5KW, BUT THE 4KL IS IN A CLASS OF IT'S OWN.. STILL BRINGING $3500 ON THE USED MARKET MEANS IT IS A HIGH END AMP..
I CAN WATCH THE WEB CLUSTERS AND JUMP FROM BAND TO BAND WITHOUT EVER THROWING A CARRIER ON THE AIR,(OR INTO A DUMMY LOAD). THE ONLY DRAWBACK IS THAT IT ONLY WORKS WITH ICOM RIGS, (NOT A PROBLEM WITH ME AS I'M 100% ICOM ANYWAY). IF YOU WANT A FULL KW OUTPUT AND EASE OF OPERATION, GET ONE IF YOU GET THE OPPORTUNITY. THERE AREN'T TOO MANY OUT THERE FOR SALE.. I KNOW I'LL HAVE MINE A LONG TIME....
W4AWI Rating: 2001-07-25
Time Proven Tech Amp Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
This is a high-tech wonder. Got rid of old-tech tuning knobs and wasted time on amp and antenna tuners. Now I hop from band to band instantly. Some bands I need antenna matching, some I dont. It does not care. It even remembers what matching was needed last time on a particular band segment for even faster tuning. Output ranges from 900W at 10M to 1250W on 20M and lower bands. Ive run RTTY for hours without a hiccup at full output. The temp guage always in the green. I recently bought it after learning of this model from nearby DXers. Found it second hand as it is no longer being made. It seems a lot heavier-duty than the newer/cheaper PW-1. The only drawback are the multiple fans, one of which is quite a hummer, alarming during the first week, used to it now.