Mine looks good in the front, and the bezel is in pretty good shape. The covers on the other hand are pretty scratched up. And it's next to impossible to find new covers for these.
I bought one of these amps a couple of years ago it looked new but did not work and the seller was asking $20 for it and a 2 meter amp that did not work either. I checked it out and discovered that the preamp transistor was installed wrong and had blown I replaced it with the closest one I could find and installed it to the proper pin out and everything worked great. I do recommend running a TVI filter with those brand of amps though.
SSB delay switch operation: BTW / FYI: (though I'm sure most folks already know.!) Is that the only thing the SSB switch does, is to connect a small value of electrolytic capacitor (in the case of the 203, it's 33mf) to the "RF-sniffer" circuit, in order to add a bit of "hang-time" delay (about 200ms) to the RF-sniffer, so as to not have the key-up relay "chatter" in SSB mode, which would otherwise happen if it was not turned-on, as we all know that there is zero (0) watts going into the amplifier in between your spoken words, for the sensing-circuit to key-up the amplifier. Also as another FYI., if the hang-time delay is not long enough for your particular speech-pattern, the delay can be easily lengthen, by adding a 25mf capacitor across the existing 33mf, by simply soldering the positive end of the 25mf capacitor to R1 (it's a 2.2k resistor, color-coded as red, red, red, gold) and connect it to the end of the resistor, which is closer to the rear fuse-holder, and the negative end of the capacitor to any "handy" / easily accessible component ground wire (like the Anode end / non-banded end of the large, polarity reversal protection diode, D7), which is next the right end of the fuse holder. By doing this, there will always be a little bit of "hang-time" (even in AM mode) because of the always-connected 25mf cap., but when the SSB switch is turned-on, your delay-time will increase to at least 400ms (because of the then combined capacitors), which can be of a benefit in some SSB conditions, and will of course, cause NO harm to the amplifier. :-) Regards / 73, Eric Klein Klein Communications Also as KY8E
I purchased one and my neighbor purchased one relatively about the same time maybe within a week apart. He always ran his at 14.5 volts I ran mine at 13.8 volts. Within one year his head and mine is still going strong. They are a very nice amp for the price. Definitely not a Powerhouse but will get you over the hump. Also highly recommend if your long-winded put your small fan on top of it
I've been using and selling the 203 since they became available around early 2000s. Extremely rare to see a failure with am carrier input 1.5 and pep less than 30. Maybe the newest batch are different design, I rarely saw oscillation issues either.
Yet another comment in terms of the magnet Mount antenna. I found out that if you use a try Mount antenna for a magnet Mount that will usually correct the problem I've used one of those with the striker antenna and my issue went away
Probably because of more capacitive ground to the equipment. I used to use a tri magnet with a 102-in whip on an older car of mine. I always felt like if you're going to use a magnet on the roof of a vehicle why not use one that's really strong because you've already decided that that point that you don't care about scratching the paint or the finish on the roof by using a magnet in the first place.
Hi. I have one of this with a magnetic antenna, when i use the amplifier ros become a little bit high, you think it can be the guilty? I am not very expert of cb but i think ros depends on the last part of tx, antenna, cable, ground. What do you think about? Best regards.
I am looking for an amp for a couple of old cobra 148 gtl dx radios one with a 12w output and one with 15w what kl amp would you recomend .I have always thought i would be overdriving it a bit with the kl203 .
You're probably all right with the KL 203 or 203P. As long as it doesn't have the limiter removed or the ALC is cranked wide open. 10 watts is normally enough. Depending on what type of meter you have makes a difference on your power measurements.
Thanks for the info Mike.I have had issues with my McKinley and 203p with a K-PO mic.Sometimes when I key up the amp seems to stick and I have to press ptt or shut off amp to regain signal on ssb.I am using a Stryker A-10 mag mount.Sounds like an antenna issue from what you said.I doesn’t happen with amp off.Also,should there be an audible “click” noise on ssb from the amp?My base set up is a cobra 148 gtl with the same amp and when I key up on that I hear a click noise,which I do t hear in my mobile 203 amp?Any input would be greatly appreciated,73
The click noise is the relay. On SSB if you stop talking for a few seconds past the delay threshold to think of something during mid conversation it will click and then click again when you begin to speak again. On AM the click should only be once. The SRA-10/Wilson 1000/5000 are common antennas to have that happen.
@@Hillclimber-730VT not necessarily because if you're having problems with the relay sticking then you technically won't hear it click when it shuts off. I would pull out the mobile and try it on the base and see how it works. Another way would be to put a hundred plus watt dummy load on the output of the amp in your mobile and try it like that.
Nice amps for the money
And a beautiful Grant XL
I have one bone stock as well and almost that mint looking !!
Mine looks good in the front, and the bezel is in pretty good shape.
The covers on the other hand are pretty scratched up.
And it's next to impossible to find new covers for these.
I bought one of these amps a couple of years ago it looked new but did not work and the seller was asking $20 for it and a 2 meter amp that did not work either. I checked it out and discovered that the preamp transistor was installed wrong and had blown I replaced it with the closest one I could find and installed it to the proper pin out and everything worked great. I do recommend running a TVI filter with those brand of amps though.
Definitely agree on the low pass filter
SSB delay switch operation:
BTW / FYI: (though I'm sure most folks already know.!) Is that the only thing the SSB switch does, is to connect a small value of electrolytic capacitor (in the case of the 203, it's 33mf) to the "RF-sniffer" circuit, in order to add a bit of "hang-time" delay (about 200ms) to the RF-sniffer, so as to not have the key-up relay "chatter" in SSB mode, which would otherwise happen if it was not turned-on, as we all know that there is zero (0) watts going into the amplifier in between your spoken words, for the sensing-circuit to key-up the amplifier.
Also as another FYI., if the hang-time delay is not long enough for your particular speech-pattern, the delay can be easily lengthen, by adding a 25mf capacitor across the existing 33mf, by simply soldering the positive end of the 25mf capacitor to R1 (it's a 2.2k resistor, color-coded as red, red, red, gold) and connect it to the end of the resistor, which is closer to the rear fuse-holder, and the negative end of the capacitor to any "handy" / easily accessible component ground wire (like the Anode end / non-banded end of the large, polarity reversal protection diode, D7), which is next the right end of the fuse holder.
By doing this, there will always be a little bit of "hang-time" (even in AM mode) because of the always-connected 25mf cap., but when the SSB switch is turned-on, your delay-time will increase to at least 400ms (because of the then combined capacitors), which can be of a benefit in some SSB conditions, and will of course, cause NO harm to the amplifier. :-)
Regards / 73,
Eric Klein
Klein Communications
Also as KY8E
Take care Eric!
@@ScottsRadios And you also.!!
I purchased one and my neighbor purchased one relatively about the same time maybe within a week apart. He always ran his at 14.5 volts I ran mine at 13.8 volts. Within one year his head and mine is still going strong. They are a very nice amp for the price. Definitely not a Powerhouse but will get you over the hump. Also highly recommend if your long-winded put your small fan on top of it
Good point
That's my pal, damn it!
I've been using and selling the 203 since they became available around early 2000s. Extremely rare to see a failure with am carrier input 1.5 and pep less than 30. Maybe the newest batch are different design, I rarely saw oscillation issues either.
30 Pep in?
10 watts Pep is definitely all that needed for the rated 100 watt Pep output.
Good little amps I've got three of them LOL got one I run on a Aries2 that I got from you got a lot of good comments on it
That's one of the best combinations
Beautiful grant
@@creekrunner2078 thanks. Very good performance, even against all the modern higher power models.
Yet another comment in terms of the magnet Mount antenna. I found out that if you use a try Mount antenna for a magnet Mount that will usually correct the problem I've used one of those with the striker antenna and my issue went away
Probably because of more capacitive ground to the equipment.
I used to use a tri magnet with a 102-in whip on an older car of mine.
I always felt like if you're going to use a magnet on the roof of a vehicle why not use one that's really strong because you've already decided that that point that you don't care about scratching the paint or the finish on the roof by using a magnet in the first place.
#27👍
Hi. I have one of this with a magnetic antenna, when i use the amplifier ros become a little bit high, you think it can be the guilty? I am not very expert of cb but i think ros depends on the last part of tx, antenna, cable, ground. What do you think about? Best regards.
I'm not sure what you mean when you say ros?
@@ScottsRadios Sorry, i am italian and we call them ros, i mean swr
I am looking for an amp for a couple of old cobra 148 gtl dx radios one with a 12w output and one with 15w what kl amp would you recomend .I have always thought i would be overdriving it a bit with the kl203 .
You're probably all right with the KL 203 or 203P.
As long as it doesn't have the limiter removed or the ALC is cranked wide open.
10 watts is normally enough.
Depending on what type of meter you have makes a difference on your power measurements.
Can anyone help..
Got a 203p which wont key up
No relay cluck or output.
It's possibly that it's burned up.
Thanks for the info Mike.I have had issues with my McKinley and 203p with a K-PO mic.Sometimes when I key up the amp seems to stick and I have to press ptt or shut off amp to regain signal on ssb.I am using a Stryker A-10 mag mount.Sounds like an antenna issue from what you said.I doesn’t happen with amp off.Also,should there be an audible “click” noise on ssb from the amp?My base set up is a cobra 148 gtl with the same amp and when I key up on that I hear a click noise,which I do t hear in my mobile 203 amp?Any input would be greatly appreciated,73
The click noise is the relay. On SSB if you stop talking for a few seconds past the delay threshold to think of something during mid conversation it will click and then click again when you begin to speak again.
On AM the click should only be once.
The SRA-10/Wilson 1000/5000 are common antennas to have that happen.
Ok,so if I’m not hearing a click at all is it probably shot?
@@Hillclimber-730VT not necessarily because if you're having problems with the relay sticking then you technically won't hear it click when it shuts off.
I would pull out the mobile and try it on the base and see how it works.
Another way would be to put a hundred plus watt dummy load on the output of the amp in your mobile and try it like that.
Ok,thanks for the info!
@@Hillclimber-730VT np
any chance you could test this On AM many Thanks
I did on the video you have to watch it all.
Also done it many other times in other videos.