| Author |
Message |
    
Keithej2
New member
Username: Keithej2
Post Number: 2
Registered: 5-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - 10:36 pm: | 
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I recently installed this amp and it works great. I haven't used it a lot but got very good reports when I've turned it on. My radio is a stock (from Walmart) Cobra 29 LTD Classic and I didn't have to have anything adjusted. Antenna is a 5 foot Firestik in a middle stake hole mount. I had to do some serious cabling and grounding (RF bonding) but the 2006 F150 doesn't make much noise now with this configuration. I did a lot of reading here, thanks for the info Copper forum members! |
Dale
Senior Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 1132
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 5:17 am: |
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sounds like ya did a good job
dale/a.k.a.hotrod
cef426
cvc#64
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Kabar
Junior Member
Username: Kabar
Post Number: 47
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 6:43 pm: |
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Have the deadkey on your radio set at 2 watts.
The KL203 probably won`t last long putting the factory 4 watts into it and it run very hot using a 4 watt deadkey. |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 2405
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, September 15, 2007 - 12:02 pm: |
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Kabar is correct. An easy wattage adjustment and the amp will work even better!
KEEP IT REAL!
Kenny
cef491(27.115lsb)
2sf491(27.555usb)
Indiana
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Keithej2
New member
Username: Keithej2
Post Number: 3
Registered: 5-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, September 27, 2007 - 10:49 pm: |
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I picked the KL203 because it's AM input spec is 10W max verses 4W or 5W for many of the other amps. So far, it's only been slightly warm; I can reach it from the drivers seat. I'm not a motor mouth anyway so I doubt it'll ever get hot. It's a great small amp for my needs. But, heavy users may need a lower dead key. |
2ir473
Intermediate Member
Username: 2ir473
Post Number: 123
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Friday, September 28, 2007 - 9:15 pm: |
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I see where RM Italy lists the 0.5-10 watt input for the KL-203 on their web site, but I think that is a mistake. All their other amps are listed at 0.5-5 watts input for AM.
I would recommend that the other suggestions for limiting input to 2 watts be followed so you don't damage the amp. I have owned about 7 different RM Italy amps over the years, and while they work well, you really do have to limit the input power. Placing a 12v cooling fan on the amp really helps too.
Paul
2IR473
CEF-218/ham #107
CDX8412
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Tech858
Moderator
Username: Tech858
Post Number: 14
Registered: 10-2007
| | Posted on Friday, October 19, 2007 - 7:39 pm: |
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The KL203 is rated 10 watts MAX AM and 20 watts MAX on SSB giving 100watts and 200watts MAX output respectively and according to RM Italy it WILL work from 20 mtrs to 10 mtrs with no problems , I have tested this as I have 2 of them and their info is correct , as for dead key I work both mine and have done for more than a year on 10 watts input on FM ( Yes it is designed to work on FM !! )which is a full duty cycle mode ( No swing just the steady 10 watts on FM ) with no problems although I would recommend fixing a fan to the heatsink to keep it cool as in my opinion the heatsink is not adequate for the job using FM, so I would think that with 5 watts input it would last well and do its job with no probs on FM. I have never regretted buying the ones I have and think that they are overall an excellent little amp for mobile installs especially in the more modern vehicles which don't seem to have much space for radios etc .
Tech858/Jim
MM0TXO
CEF#858
HAM#230
CVC#116
Wavin' a hand at ya' fae Scotland 
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Sitm
Intermediate Member
Username: Sitm
Post Number: 229
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2009 - 11:05 am: |
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Could you guys give an update on this amp? How has it worked for you and has it held up. I have three vehicles that I am considering putting them in. I like the 10 watt max on input. Please update. |
808xyl
Senior Member
Username: 808xyl
Post Number: 1354
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2009 - 9:14 am: |
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Well my KL203 has worked GREAT for over 2 year's now connected to my Cobra 75WXST with a 2-1/2 watt AM input and NO PROBLEM's.
For SSB KL suggest's 1-10 watts but I would suggest NO MORE than 6-8 watts MAX INPUT to be safe as if your meter is wrong they can go POOF! 
Shirley
808xyl/1st Sargant
CEF#0164
CVC#0003
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Ak3383
Junior Member
Username: Ak3383
Post Number: 39
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2009 - 3:39 pm: |
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I run a kl-203 I got from copper 3 months ago. I use it in my car with a realistic trc-465 and I get out great. I have talked 20+ miles to a base and 30+ on ssb. The best part is I have the amp and radio powered together from my cigarette lighter. |
Ak3383
Junior Member
Username: Ak3383
Post Number: 40
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2009 - 3:41 pm: |
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forgot to say from my radio I feed the amp a stock 4-watts am and about 10 ssb with no overheating or swr increase. It's a best buy for a little amp that really puts out alot of clean watts. |
Unit199
Advanced Member
Username: Unit199
Post Number: 652
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, January 17, 2009 - 12:17 am: |
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I have had a KL203 for around two months now. I have only used it in the house, because I wanted to make sure it was going to work okay. I ran it with a dead-key everywhere up to 10 watts on am and I found that it got pretty hot. When I dropped it down to a watt to a watt and a half it only got warm and performed great. On ssb I found it ran cooler at about six watts. It performs very well and I have had nothing but good comments on my audio.
But they are a great little amp for the bucks. Would I buy another one, u betcha!!!
Oh, by the way I cannot forget to say I bought it at Copper Electronics!!!
HARVE
UNIT199
CEF0210/CVC#018/HAM#010
Midwest 10 Meter Net Controller
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Ak3383
Junior Member
Username: Ak3383
Post Number: 48
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Friday, May 29, 2009 - 12:49 pm: |
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Recently I've noticed the kl-203 isn't listed for sale at several places that did carry them. I wonder if the company is phasing out some of their amps like the tube amps once offered and now are gone? |
