Interfacing to the Icom PW-1 Amplifier

Starting with V4 firmware the BM-5 Bandmaster is capable of providing automatic band selection on the PW-1 amplifier when using radios other than Icom. This includes Kenwood, Yaesu, Elecraft, Flex and all other radios supported by our band decoder products. Setting up the PW-1 interface is a simple process. Turn off your radio and follow the instructions on this page.

Step 1 - Reset the PW-1

It is recommended to start by resetting the PW-1 to factory defaults. Do this by turning off the PW-1. Next press and hold the UP and DOWN buttons and then turn on the PW-1 while pressing the two buttons. The amp will now be set to factory defaults. Turn off the PW-1.

Step 2 - Enable the PW-1 Interface

Enter configuration mode on your BM-5 or SM-8 by pressing NEXT and PREV at the same time. Press NEXT until the PW-1 Control menu is displayed. Now press AUTO. Use NEXT or PREV to toggle between Enabled and Disabled. Set it to Enabled and then press AUTO again. The PW-1 interface is now enabled.

Step 3A - Pair the BM-5 or SM-8 with the PW-1 (1 radio)

If you wish to pair two radios to the PW-1 skip to the next step. Press NEXT to go to the Pair to PW-1 function. Now turn on the PW-1 while pressing the the INPUT button. The LED next to Input #1 should be blinking. If so, press AUTO on the BM-5 or SM-8 to begin the pairing process. Pairing is complete when the Input #1 LED stops blinking. Now turn off the PW-1. Press NEXT or PREV on the controller until you are out of the Pairing menu. Turn on the PW-1. It takes a few seconds for the PW-1 to establish communications. Now, assuming your controller is tracking the radio band, the PW-1 should also track the band on the radio.

Step 3B - Pair two Controllers with the PW-1

Be sure you have set the PW-1 to factory defaults as instructed in Step 1 and have enabled PW-1 Control on both units as instructed in Step 2. Now go to the Pair to PW-1 function on both controllers. Turn on the PW-1 while holding the INPUT button. The Input #1 LED will be flashing. Press UP and DOWN at the same time on the PW-1 until all BAND LEDs are on.  The Input #1 LED should still be flashing. If not, repeat the process. Press AUTO on the controller for Radio #1. The Input #1 LED should be on steady. In not, press AUTO again. Afer Input #1 LED becomes steady, press the INPUT button and Input #2 LED will flash. Now press AUTO on the controller for Radio #2. The Input #2 LED will turn steady when pairing is complete. Turn off the PW-1. Use NEXT or PREV on both controllers to exit the Pairing menu. Now turn on the PW-1. After a short delay while the PW-1 establishes communications the PW-1 should now track the band on the radio selected by the INPUT button.