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Message |
    
Ericsm34
New member
Username: Ericsm34
Post Number: 5
Registered: 4-2015
| | Posted on Friday, May 08, 2015 - 5:48 am: | 
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I just bought a KL 203P and was wondering which radio would be better to run with it so I dont ruin the amp quickly, I have a Cobra 29LX peeked and tuned with a swing kit installed, dead keying at 2 watts and swinging to 15 watts, or a stock Uniden 78 Elite that has never been opened up and nothing has been done to it. |
Charliebrown
Intermediate Member
Username: Charliebrown
Post Number: 442
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Friday, May 08, 2015 - 3:20 pm: |
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Go with the cobra 29LX. Two watt dead key is perfect with the swing to 15 watt's. Look at it like this. The way you have it on am, is the almost the same as SSB is set up. The only difference is SSB has no dead key. You see AMP'S take SSB very well and so should yours. The only difference between an amp that has a SSB switch and one that does not is the key up circuit. The key up circuit on SSB has a capacitor in the key up circuit so it will hold the relay in while you are talking so it will not drop out. Without the capacitor you can here the relay chatter. Even if your does not have a SSB switch the two watt dead key is enough to hold the relay in. In fact when an amp has a two watt dead key and swings to fifteen like SSB, the amp will run a little cooler. This has been my experience. To each his own and this is the way I run my equipment I hope the information will help you to make your choice. |
Ericsm34
New member
Username: Ericsm34
Post Number: 6
Registered: 4-2015
| | Posted on Friday, May 08, 2015 - 9:09 pm: |
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That does help me alot, thank you. The Cobra 29 it is. I never ran an amp before and when reading the spects saying 1-4 watts i wasnt sure if that meant total or dead key so just wanted to make sure the 15 watt swing would not hurt it. |
Charliebrown
Intermediate Member
Username: Charliebrown
Post Number: 443
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, May 09, 2015 - 3:12 pm: |
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There is one thing I want to add. Do not be long winded when you use any kind of amp. The design of the amp's were designed for about a 45 second key down at the most. I know there will be plenty to say different but the amp will get hot on along key over a period of time. I have seen plenty of people hold the key down from minutes to an hour. Even with a fan it is hard on the amp. These people I am telling you of also have to spend a lot of money getting them repaired or replaced. If you want to really help the amp last a while be sure the SWR is as low a possible. A 1.1 is good but if it can be lower go for it. Last but not least make sure you do have a cooling fan to blow across the cooling fin's of the amp. The cooler you keep it the longer the life of the amp. Some amp's have cooling fan's in them from factory. That is alright but I like the fan to be on the outside on the fin's. Well, that is all I have to offer. Perhaps some one else can help as well. Have a great day. |
Dale
Senior Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 2213
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, May 09, 2015 - 9:50 pm: |
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i agree with c.b. also i have used even a 1 watt dead key even.for fans i perfer to have one that blows the hot air OUT of amp plus keep all the dust outta amp aswell.when not in use i keep everything covered with towels. in 25 years ive learned dust is a electronics killer
dale/a.k.a.hotrod
cef426
cvc#64
454 [dx numbers]
38lsb
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Ericsm34
New member
Username: Ericsm34
Post Number: 7
Registered: 4-2015
| | Posted on Monday, May 11, 2015 - 7:08 am: |
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Thank You C.B. and Dale, you both have helped me alot. I will surely take your advise Dale and keep it covered when not in use. I dont want it to get ruined over something as simple as dust lol, that is one thing most people probably dont even think about. |
Charliebrown
Intermediate Member
Username: Charliebrown
Post Number: 444
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Monday, May 11, 2015 - 1:24 pm: |
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Dale is right about the dust. Today's electronic is not as tough and forgiving as the old school electronics. The product's are made as cheap as they can be to get buy with. They know how long they will last and they are not made to last as long because they want you to either pay for a repair or buy a new one. That is why I urge everyone to add at their cost the fan's on the out side of the fin's. When placed on the outside of the fin's the dust does not get inside the amp unless the amp is not sealed. My Dad who got me started in the hobby would cover (WHEN NOT IN USE) all of his equipment with a towel then he had a plastic cover on top of it to keep the dust out. He even did this with his d-104 ( made in the early 70's) that I have to this day and still work's great. So do as Dale had said, keep the dust out. Keep the heat down as much as possible. Also disconnect the antenna during lightning storm's and put the end of the coax outside for safety. Copper us to sell a polyphaser to help protect against lightning. That would be placed at the base of your antenna. The best advice I can tell you is to read every article TECH 833 and other TECH'S have posted on here. |
Charliebrown
Intermediate Member
Username: Charliebrown
Post Number: 445
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 14, 2015 - 3:45 pm: |
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Ericsm 34, How is it working for you now that you have decided what to do? Are you getting good report's and good forward swing? I am sure other's would like to know as well. |
Ericsm34
New member
Username: Ericsm34
Post Number: 9
Registered: 4-2015
| | Posted on Friday, May 15, 2015 - 6:25 am: |
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I will let you know after today, I have not received the amp yet, tracking shows it will be delivered today. Once it does, I will get it hooked up and let everyone know how it is working  |
Ericsm34
Junior Member
Username: Ericsm34
Post Number: 10
Registered: 4-2015
| | Posted on Friday, May 15, 2015 - 4:02 pm: |
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Ok, I hooked it all up, ran 8 gauge wire to the battery and when tested with my Workman S201 meter, only showed about 25 watt deadkey and swing to 70 watts. Just to play around, I ran 6 gauge wire to the battery and a heavier in line fuse, now it shows 40 watt deadkey and swinging all the way up to 150 watts. That is running the Cobra 29LX with a deadkey of 1.5 watts, swinging to 15 watts. I am pleased with the results. Talk for a minute with a guy out on the highway which is 12 miles away and he said it sounds good. |
Dale
Senior Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 2217
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, May 16, 2015 - 10:19 pm: |
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1 mistake= NEVER increase inline fuse from what factory installed.also if your meter only reads
rms watts it wont show true watts.make sure your car is started when doing this .also make sure your swr is less than 1.5.1 on ch.20.lower the better
dale/a.k.a.hotrod
cef426
cvc#64
454 [dx numbers]
38lsb
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Jon666
Intermediate Member
Username: Jon666
Post Number: 494
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, May 17, 2015 - 4:33 pm: |
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i agree with dale changing the fuse to a higher one is bad idea. it will burn up the amp. instead of blowing the fuse
what don't kill you makes you stronger
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Ericsm34
Junior Member
Username: Ericsm34
Post Number: 11
Registered: 4-2015
| | Posted on Monday, May 18, 2015 - 5:57 am: |
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The unit does not come with an in line fuse, i dont see a fuse anywhere on it unless there is one internal, it shows the amp has a 10 amp draw, i put a 15 amp inline about 6 inches from the battery, what i meant by a heavier fuse... still 15 amp, just a little thicker terminal ends on it. |
Milkman21218
Advanced Member
Username: Milkman21218
Post Number: 627
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 - 1:08 am: |
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My KL-203 (old style)has a 12 amp internal fuse. A great little Amp. The best deal I ever made. Coppers sold it about 13 years ago for under $40. Still works like new. Just don't over drive them. And they will be good to you.
Izzy
CEF#502
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