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Reviews For: ICOM 2K

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

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Review Summary For : ICOM 2K
Reviews: 44MSRP: 1,300 (used)
Description:
Icom 2 KL HF Amp 10-160/ AT500 Tunner
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.icomamerica.com/amateur/index2.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00445
K7XOR Rating: 2009-08-31
Why did they stop making this amp? Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This amp and tuner works flawlessly with my 756-ProII setup. Auto-band switching, auto-tuning and 500 true watts of power from 120v. Nobody I work has a problem hearing me when I have this unit turned on. The fan can cause a little noise when you are running it hard, but with headphones on it won't bother you.

This amp and tuner plugs directly into most Icom full size rigs with a simple cable that daisy chains between the radio, tuner and amp. This will allow it to control band switching and ALC for full circuit protection. It is a no-brainer to setup and since it auto-tunes when you switch bands it is ready to go in seconds with no need to fumble around with a bunch of knobs.

For the life of me I don't know why Icom stopped producing this amp (or at least a newer amp in this 500W range). This amp and tuner is a great piece of equipment. If I can hear the station I can work them with this amp. I've not found a reason yet to go with any higher power with this setup.

Icom I hope you read these reviews and bring back an amp/tuner combo in this power range. The IC-2KL and AT-500 combo is just fantastic.
6Y5TR Rating: 2009-05-10
VERY GOOD 500 WATTS Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
THIS IS A GREAT AMPLIFIER A SOLID PERFORMER IT WILL DO 500 WATTS ALL DAY LONG, ALWAYS CONNECT THE ALC LINE WHEN OPPERATING AS THIS WILL ENABLE THE PROCTION OF THE AMPLIFIER. I USED IT WITH A ICOM 775DX2 AND A YAESU FT 2000 WITH VERY GOOD RESULT. MY IC 2KL WILL DO 500 WATTS WITH 40 WATTS OF DRIVE ON ALL BAND MESURED WITH A BIRD 43, I NEVER DRIVE IT ABOVE 500 WATT. ICOM SHOULD START MAKING THESE AMPLIFIER AGAIN . 6Y5TR
I2BGQ Rating: 2008-12-15
A real work horse Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have got one on the used market with the AT500 autotuner. It's the complementary tool for my Icom Pro III in dxing, a real plus in my shak.
I am very satisfied with my IC2KL in particular when I use it with my new SteppIR 3 elements antenna. I guess they will work together for many yars. So long.
W9JH Rating: 2008-11-12
Still a Great Amp – Bang for the Buck! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I had a 2KL back in the 80’s shortly after they came out and regretfully sold it and the matching AT-500 about 10 years later. I now have another 2KL and it works great! Basically hands-free operation since it follows the Icom transceiver from band-to-band while easily providing 500-600 watts at reduced drive levels. I run mine off 120V with no problem.

I would rather run this power level vs. going to a full 1KW amp for only 3db gain and the additional cost and hassles involved regarding the need for 220V and potential TVI complaints. JMHO

If you want a smooth operating setup you won’t be disappointed with a 2KL & AT-500 combo. Or if you have resonant antennas just the 2KL will do the trick.

Jack
W9JH
KC4EO Rating: 2008-01-14
Great Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
After much thought about purchasing an amplifier for my Icom IC-746PRO, I decided to get something that would auto change and not have to be tuned for easy band switching. I found a like new IC-2KL amplifier and AT-500 tuner that had just been gone though by Burghardt Radio. I wanted something that was 120 volt supply and produce at least 500 watts of output, so this seemed to be the answer. The amp puts out about 550 watts with 70 watts drive on the radio. I have been very pleased with this equipment and would highly recommend this setup. If you have an IC-2KL, check out W2ENY website for cables that are no longer available and will make your connections to ICOM radios very simple
N6BIZ Rating: 2007-05-05
SLICK Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
picked the 2 kl and the at 500 real slick operation between the two SILENT operation push a button on the pro 2 a couple of blinks of the eyes and your set to go i hear these pieces are indestrutible and i bet u they are
WH6OR Rating: 2007-04-26
Simply great Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I own two of these. One wired for 220; the other, for 110. Frankly, I can't detect much difference between the two output wise. Great signal reports are the norm while in use, with about a 1.5-2 S unit gain reported compared to barefoot. The units are very sensitive to ALC adjustment, and power out, of course, will vary with that setup. These things are bullet proof, coupled with the at500 antenna tuner, band switching and tuneup occur in seconds. A previous reviewer rhetorically questioned why Icom quit making these...I do too. I use it with a rather inefficient multi-band inverted-V ( at only 40' center point) on 10 thru 80 and never have a tune up issue. I drive it with an Icom 775DSP at about 45w. and see anywhere from 500-750w. output, depending on which band I'm on. Although you can use it with other brand rigs, you won't take advantage of the auto band switch function...to me, that's the beauty of it - and why you might consider something else with brands other than Icom. I also have an SGC Smartcube, Amp Supply 500ZA and QRO 2500dx (latter two legal limit)...and I use the IC-2KL more often than the other three put together. Enough said, I'll stop right there.
KG2CQ Rating: 2007-01-15
Can't say enough Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This amplifier is unreal. It works great and I so far have never had a problem with it. I have the amp and matching power supply along with the AT-500. The IC-2KL was one of my best buys for this hobby. I run around 250 and everyone hears me. I don't even need to run 500 or 600watts. Great amp that is all I can say. Mark KG2CQ
OE1SOW Rating: 2006-08-29
Great ! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Everything is said here at the reviews...
I enjoy using this solid state PA incl. tuner !
Have had a YAESU FL-2100Z but this tuning and tuning,...was getting boring !
Now it is stress-free ! hi...

I'm only missing an antenna switch...
VA3UP Rating: 2006-05-23
Clean signal, dead reliable, and easy to use. Time Owned: N.A.
I recently found one on the used market after a long search. Although it has a serial # around 1000, which I think is relatively old, it works to perfection with crisp 600 to 700 watt signals on all bands including 10m. My force 12 and wire dipoles are resonant on all bands so no tuner needed. Switching from band to band is automatic on my Pro so all I have to do is turn it on.

The fan is noisy if you put it on the desk near the mike. I put it on the floor beside the desk and that really solves the problem. Too bad thiy didn't put a 2 speed fan in originally, one to run silently all the time. You do get quite a few minutes of tx time before the fan kicks in but on a ragchew it runs all the time.

Why was this discontinued? Mine is probably over 15 years old and still perfect. I can't go back to tubes now.