When looking for an amplifier to ramp up your station’s DXing and contesting capabilities, there’s no better place to start (and end) your search than DX Engineering. DX Engineering carries more amplifiers from leading manufacturers than anyone. Click here for the full lineup.
Choose from amplifiers in a range of prices and features to meet your goals and budget—from UHF, VHF, and UHF/VHF models to legal-limit game-changers that’ll help you bust through pileups and capture that rare DX.
It’s imp0rtant to note that when you upgrade to a more powerful amplifier, there are other parts of your station that may need upgrading as well. Talk with one of the experts at DX Engineering for assistance.
We’re beginning our amateur radio amplifier guide with ACOM—a company that has been manufacturing high-performance, battleship-quality-built vacuum tube and solid-state amplifiers since 1998. Innovations from the company include the development of fully automated tuning, sophisticated protection circuits, LDMOS solid-state technology, remote operation via web interface, and others.
Watch this tour of the ACOM booth at Dayton Hamvention® 2025:
All ACOM amplifiers from DX Engineering come with pre-wired plug (240VAC or either 120VAC/240VAC depending on model). Plugs are expertly installed and tested at DX Engineering before the amplifier is shipped to your door.
Let’s start with two of ACOM’s latest models. Please check DXEngineering.com for current availability.
ACOM 1003 1,000W HF+6 Linear Amplifier
With less than 80W input, the ACOM 1003 delivers 1,000W PEP output or 900W continuous carrier using a single ceramic/metal power triode (3CX800A7). The model features two new front panel relay switches—one to select from three antenna outputs and another to quickly engage and disengage an input attenuator for rapid tuning without transceiver adjustment. Among its many advanced features is a True Resistance Indicator bar scale meter that simplifies accurate adjustment of plate-load impedance controls. Size: 16.6“ W x 7.6” H x 15.6“ D; Weight: 46.3 lbs.
ACOM 1400S Solid-State 160-6M Linear Amplifier
The 1400S Remote Control Unit’s (RCU) edge-to-edge color touchscreen provides an information display and amplifier operation on the desktop. Designed for simplified operation, the 1400S’s RCU menus are intuitive and easy to follow, and no special skill is required when changing frequency bands. When connected to a transceiver with CAT capability, the amplifier tracks the operating frequency and changes bands automatically. Even when not interfaced to CAT, the amplifier monitors the input signal frequency through the built-in frequency counter and automatically switches bands. The ACOM 1400S-240 version achieves 1,200W output power, PEP, or continuous carrier. The 1400S-120 version for 120VAC operation achieves 600W. Size: 14.7“ W x 6.7” H x 16.5“ D; Weight: 32.2 lbs.
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Choose from these other ACOM linear power amplifier models at DX Engineering:
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- Among its many features, the ACOM 1003 Linear Amplifier has a front-panel input attenuator that instantly reduces input power when tuning, eliminating the need for transceiver power adjustments. (Image/ACOM)
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- The ACOM 1400S features a rugged 65V LDMOS transistor for heavy-duty reliability, broadband input with SWR below 1.2 across the entire range, and plug-and-play compatibility with any transceiver. (Image/ACOM)
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- The lightweight and compact ACOM 500S is perfect for DXpeditions and field operations. The built-in switching-mode power supply operates with an extended mains voltage range of 100-240VAC, with no internal switch over. The consumed current is purely sinusoidal, Power Factor Corrected, and in-rush limited, making operation of the 500S with unstable mains and generators easy and trouble-free. Size: 11.4″ W x 6.1″ H x 10.6″ D; Weight: 17.2 lbs. (Image/ACOM)
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