In our third installment of OnAllBands’ guide to amplifiers available at DX Engineering, we’re taking a look at the Icom IC-PW2 HF/50 MHz All-Band 1kW Linear Amplifier.
This high-performance, multi-function amplifier makes an excellent choice to take your DXing and contesting to the next level. The IC-PW2 is designed to seamlessly work with these Icom transceivers: IC-718, IC-7100, IC-7300 and IC-7300MK2, IC-7610, IC-7760, and IC-7851.
Before we get into the weeds on this powerful station upgrade, here’s what a few DX Engineering customers had to say after employing the IC-PW2 at their stations:
“I really like the way this amplifier interfaces well with my IC-7610 transceiver. I especially like the fact it allows usage of the antenna tuner in the amp without having to power up the amp. When the 7610 is powered up, the antenna tuner gets powered up (amp function still off).”
David, DX Engineering Customer
“I found this amp to be very well designed. Reasonably quiet, easy to set up and operate. I got 1,100 watts out of mine. But 1kW is way plenty. SO2R works great.”
Peter, DX Engineering Customer
“Fantastic quality and works out-of-the-box as advertised.”
Jeffrey, DX Engineering Customer
Reviewed in “QST” Magazine
The May 2026 issue of “QST” magazine featured a very positive review of the IC-PW2 by Mark, K1RO. He noted that after several months of activity– including major digital, SSB, and CW events–the “amplifier never broke a sweat.” The bottom line: The amplifier “shines when paired with Icom’s current-generation radios.” Read the full review here.
About the IC-PW2
Featuring high power and full duty cycle operation, the IC-PW2 uses new 65V LDMOS power transistors (MRFX1K80HR5) and a high-efficiency power supply to achieve a full 1kW output with a 200VAC input. The IC-PW2 instantly operates at full power once turned on. Experience linearity and clean transmission with Digital Pre-Distortion (DPD) Technology with the Icom IC-7610. This technology corrects the signal distortion from the IC-PW2 by applying inverse distortion to the output signal from the IC-7610 exciter in advance.
2×6 Automatic Antenna Selection: Two radio inputs and six SO-239 female antenna jacks (below) provide fully automatic antenna-switching capabilities. Each antenna can be independently selected when changing a band on either transceiver. You can operate it as if you had two linear amplifiers. When using dual independent receivers, which the IC-7610 and IC-7851 have, you can watch two bands at once by using two antennas.
Powerful SO2R (Single Operator, Two Radio) operation is possible with one IC-PW2. While you are making a call on one radio, you can watch another band on the second radio. The transmitter lockout function prevents simultaneous transmission of two radios during SO2R operation. Conventional linear amplifiers require two multiband bandpass filters (BPF) to prevent suppression of receive sensitivity by their own transmit signal when operating SO2R. However, the IC-PW2 automatically connects the multiband BPF to the receiving transceiver when you select either transceiver to transmit. This makes SO2R operation possible with just one multiband bandpass filter.
User-supplied bandpass filters, preamps, and attenuators can be connected to the [RX-ANT] connectors. When using two radios with the IC-PW2, one multiband bandpass filter can be shared with these radios by switching the receiving radio. Additionally, the band switching of multiband bandpass filters can be controlled from the band signal output connector.
Optional PC remote-control software provides remote-control operation through a local area network connection (LAN). Remote power ON/OFF from the PC and various operation of the radio is possible.
The antenna tuner uses mechanical relays to retune the operating band in two to three seconds. The IC-PW2 also reduces unnecessary emissions during tuning. The antenna tuner works even when the power amplifier function is not used.
The included 9.8-foot remote-control cable enables the amplifier to be mounted away from the transceivers for large station installations. The 4.3- inch color touchscreen display features a graphical user interface. Connected antennas are graphically shown on the display.
Other features include:
- High-efficiency and low-noise cooling system
- Various error detection circuits protect internal components
- An SDHC card slot on the front panel for firmware updates and saving settings (Uses up to a 32GB SDHC card)
- Remote AUX jack for controlling an automatic-tuning telescopic antenna
- Antenna quick select function connects to priority antenna with simple action
- Tuning Accuracy: SWR 1:1.5 or less
- Tuning Time: Average two to three seconds, maximum 15 seconds
- Dimensions: 16.73″ W × 5.87″ H × 17.52″ D
- Weight: 48.5 lbs.
Note: No AC plug installed: Requires user-supplied NEMA 6-15P plug installed.
The IC-PW2 comes with these accessories:
- OPC-104B ACC cable, 9.8 feet
- Controller cable, 9.8 feet
- OPC-125B coaxial cable, 9.8 feet
- OPC-718 remote-control cable, 9.8 feet
- Detachable controller unit
- Controller bracket stand
- Controller dummy panel (used when Control Unit is installed remotely)
- Ground lug
DX Engineering offers the most extensive lineup of amplifiers in the industry. In addition to the IC-PW2, choose amplifiers from these manufacturers:
-
- (Image/Icom)
-
- (Image/Icom)
-
- (Image/Icom)
-
- (Image/Icom)
Go to Source