RM ITALY 203p Tested, In stock, Output Test, Pre amp, Overview of Amp

[@Rattlinghope4]

Thank you buddy for a great vid! I’ve got a President George11 with a Thunderpole 5. I live deep in valley and I’m not getting a fat lot here. I’ve just ordered one bro. I hope I’ve done the right thing! Phil. Shropshire England

[@mikestone9129]

I have the 203P on my Uniden Washington. I can talk skip unbelievable distances. These little kickers are a game changer for anyone on a budget.

[@junglejoecvideogates9705]

Great vid. I have a few of those RM amps , have been running one in my truck for 3 years no problem. They work well

[@125southernnh2]

Appreciate the return sir. I heard ya'll talking about RM Italy and I had to chine in as I use one of the 503 high drivers with a stock 980 Uniden. Drives it just right. 73's to ya.

[@Rooster_Radio]

Have four of the 503 in stock at the moment. There's a video going up after lunch

[@125southernnh2]

@@Rooster_Radio I've got two. One original low drive and the harder-to-find high drive model. I like them both as long as I drive them right.

[@Rooster_Radio]

@@125southernnh2 that is the key not pushing them too hard and staying within the recommended parameters or not far off anyways.

[@cheesecracker3977]

Great little amp. I have had mine for 5 years now. I run it behind an old school Uniden Grant or Uniden 980. 3 watts dead key swing 10 watts. 10 watts on ssb. Got a small fan on it...runs cool. Have made hundreds of contacts with it on ssb and even on tough AM channels like channel 28.

[@thisnametooktolong]

What? I moded a 980. it TX/Rx from 20 to 30 Mhz. 3.5 watt dead key. The 203P runs at 96 watts AM 120 on SSB Flick a switch, and the 980 goes back to 11 meters.

[@cheesecracker3977]

@thisnametooktolong that is the watts I put into the rm 203. Probably gets about 100 watts. My 980 is boxed up due to the fading display. I run an old Cobra 148 in my truck now. I run the 203 behind the 147 and I get about 120 watts am or ssb. Those 980s are good little radios. Just wish the display didn't have issues.

[@puppykicker6701]

Sweet little amps. Really great for the money. Best bang for the buck!

[@BananaJSSI]

I have a few of them and they are great amps. Been running one in my truck for a few years now. I have one of those Superstar mics as well for a spare

[@ericzerkle5214]

Those Italians are nice including the schematics.

[@radionos8515]

I ran one of these on my galaxy 959 or 980SSB and a 108” whip and talked unbelievable amounts of Skip for almost a year. They run great. Put a small fan on it and solder it to the on/off switch and you’ll have almost unlimited talk time

[@Rooster_Radio]

Im impressed with them, and I think they're a great solution to the lower output, single final type radios

[@ericzerkle5214]

I run mine with a Cobra 148 gtl. Works great! 80 out swing to almost 200.

[@thekingsilverado8419]

Folks forget to mention the unit needs to be taken apart if U want to use if for regular 40 channel CB. This linear stock only works on SIDE BAND...

[@radionos8515]

@@thekingsilverado8419 no modification needed with the 2 I’ve had.

[@thegeneraljoe67]

No mods needed !

[@captdavec590]

My preamp indicator shows yellow/orange when "on". The panel writing says the light should be green. Any idea what's going on?

[@richpaul8132]

I have the 'little brother' of this one. It's a 35W CB/50W SSB connected to my Cobra NW. Frankly, I need to tune that CB because I know it can do better if I could get maybe 3 or 3.5 Watts out of it, (stock). I think I screwed it up a few years back when I soldered a talk-back/adjustable echo system into it. My eyesight wasn't what it used to be back when I drove OTR/48. Now I have a high-end magnification headset with interchangeable lenses and I can solder hairs to a fly's ass if I wanted to, (and it held still long enough for it LOL). Anyway, I see this video was posted over a year ago, so I know you don't have that radio anymore. However, when I drove, (from 1985 to about 1991), the best radios were the "Presidents". I went searching on line for one earlier today. I searched for a "President Lincoln" that I THOUGHT was supposed to be the top-end CB back in the late '80s as I remembered it. However, that radio was in Amazon as a HAM, 10-Meter rig, so I don't know what the model was that I saw in some of the trucks back then. The President MCKINLEY is a CB and looks good but so does that Galaxy DX-959. Would you know how those two compare? The Galaxy is about $25 more than the President McKinley, which surprised me. I never heard of a "Galaxy" and as a believer of the basic rule: "You get what you pay for", I suppose the Galaxy may be better... Would you know? Thanks for that video, BTW. I never ran an amp when I drove but I had a good Cobra 29 that was peaked and tuned in Terre Haute, IN one day when I was at the TA out there. I lost that radio in a divorce... Thanks, Rich

[@chromatesting]

Awesome! I have one, and I love it!

[@Rooster_Radio]

What are you driving yours with and how much are you seeing

[@1022videogates]

The mosfets inside are FPQ13N10 I run mine on a Stryker Sr 655hp. Dk 1.5 watts swinging 96 pep. 41 bird. It doesn't have a problem. People need to learn that swing watts don't mean shit. It's carrier and carrier only. Put a low dk and swing the piss out of it. The harder you swing the bat the farther the ball goes. At 14.5v with a 96 watt swing, it drives the amp to a little over 250 watts. Yes. 250. Don't be a wimp to these amps. Drive them. They are AB biased.

[@matthewsneed2983]

Is it still working for you now?

[@frankdiminnie]

I have the rf203kl with no pre amp and getting about 165 pek and 80 avg. With 4watt in good little amp. Going to order the 203p with pre amp next and put the old one in the mobile. Good videos thanks for all the information u put out.👍

[@popcorn913.]

Running one with my galaxy 959b over a year now

[@Rooster_Radio]

That's great to hear!

[@jcmo69]

Hey Rooster, love your channel. I just got a Cobra 29 LX. They CB shop guy "peaked and tuned" my radio, silly me being new but I think all he did was tiny adjustments to the modulation so mostly a waste of $30 for him to whistle at my radio for 2 minutes. I did buy the RM Italy 203p and it does have a great pre-amp, I can hear folks twice as far out when I couldn't hear them at all before. I did get a SW-114 SWR & Power meter and I was a little let down when I seen my really cool CB was only putting out 4 watts. I got a 100 ft of Amazon RG8x and this fiberglass 8-9' antenna I think it's a Pearce Simpson no ground plane antenna. I live up high and put it up on my deck. So in my truck, I do well without the amp. I am inside now and could be barely heard 2 miles down the road. So I got the amp, when it seemed only a few people could hear me, I got the amp. My poor little power meter only shows about 20 amps. Nothing like you are showing with that awesome Bird watt metter. I don't think I can get any peak watt readings from this little watt meter. So what I am getting at is.....your using competition modified radios to get those numbers? Also my cheap 100' of RG8X is mostly eating the power I am putting out with this amp even? I don't have an excuse for the antenna, I know no specs on it but it does pick up 50 miles away and skip all across north and central america. So umm any advice would be appreciated, I'd just like to get heard 20 or so miles out by the folks I hear loud and clear.

[@ZommBleed]

I would suggest hopping onto KZbin and checking out some basic ground plane antenna videos. That might be a solution. Also, if it's within your budget, try some better coax; like you you said, that might be eating your power or be a source of signal loss. (The cheaper coax has little-to-none shielding between the conductor and braid. I run two KL-203P amps on my two mobile radios. (One on each radio, not 2 amps on one radio, obviously.) I have just plain old stock radios, one Cobra 29 and one President McKinley, each with a 203P and each with a low-pass filter attached to the output from the amp to the antenna, as recommended by RM Italy. The 29 has a 108" SS whip on my work truck (Freightliner), while the McKinley has a 'lil Will (trunk lid mag mount on my car). I hope your rig works out for you. Post an update if you get any change in receive RX or TX.

[@TwistedFXgaming]

Why don't we see that kind of power from the ad203 stingerboards? I have a corbra 29 deadkeys 3 watts swings 15-17ish pep and I only see a peak of 70 watts on mine.... this is more than twice as the stingerboard

[@Rooster_Radio]

I see 100 peak out of the ad203 with a 25 watt radio

[@michaelkirkwood3316]

Where do I contact u to order and the price of course

[@terryshookster1466]

Hey Rooster, please help. I got a old superstar 158edx and I'm dying to run this in the old van but the guy said don't because of the swing from my radio. Can I bring the watts down to 2 watts but also the modulation down to run it. Would it be OK.

[@randallloveday6835]

I have a President Ronald about 45 watts can turn down my RF to 1.5 watts and use the amp?

[@djc7039]

I saw another video indicating that a standard radio will not work well with an amp. Issues with radio out put?

[@ChristiannTyler]

I turned the power down on my export radio into one of these an runnin it everyday for a few months an it’s going strong. Makes me wonder if it’s worth putting the 503 in

[@digitaldreamer5481]

Instead of the 203P, I have the BJ200, which looks exactly alike except my in painted red instead of blue. Ok, first button is the On/Off button and the last button is for either AM/SSB but what in the world is the middle button used for? I was thinking maybe a pre-amp switch but just not sure. I will be using this for my Xiegu G90 QRP(😢😮😮😮1-20 watts PEP) using one watt B going in and getting a better than 50% coming out, maybe about 70-90 watts instead of the 150 watts at full duty cycle. So my only question is what that middle button used for and how is it to be used? 🤙🏻

[@mlight6275]

left is pre / lin, mid is on/off

[@KM4ZMZ]

I have this RM Italy 203p for my mobile set up, It works great. I have the BJ300 for my Base station with the Antron 99. What part of Tennesse do you live in ? I also live in Tennessee, Im in Moristown Tn, Thanks

[@colingrecia269]

HI THEY GDMORNING JUST CHECKING ARE YOU WORKING ON CB,S?

[@cliffordbevis9161]

How would these work on Washington base cb

[@bart2903]

thnx for your testings with your #Bird @ This #Beautiful Amp!

[@michaelbrenegan4415]

Do you have any more of these?

[@kevinholzapfel6949]

Would this work with a Midland 1001 LWX a buddy and l just put those and a 4ft firestick antenna in our jeeps and we know nothing about cbs and we are only getting about 1/2 mile range and we tuned our antenna’s to about 1.3-1.4 any advice or help would be appreciated thx

[@idpagroup6525]

Do u still have 4 sale the "KL203P" ?

[@chrispierce2942]

Rooster how do I contact you about buying one for my radio

[@HNXMedia]

Solid video! One of the best reviews for this device!

[@MasterTechlvl2]

Dead key watts what should you run? Video is kind of all over the place on this 7 watts 1 wat carrier blah blah. The carrier on cb is set to 4 watts. Dead key is when you key the mic. What should it be set too?

[@Rooster_Radio]

2 watts max

[@richlittleman5142]

I love it works the nutts and they are cheep to buy

[@johne3439]

I have a stock President MCKINLEY, can I use this amp or will it blow up? I'm seeing 4 watts when I key up

[@wendellpage3328]

Do ya still sell those amps? Thinking of getting one of um to run with this Richard radio

[@ericthiel4053]

Question Mr. Rooster, I got a general Lee "peaked and tuned" I got from Walcott, I want to run this exact amp, do I need to get my radio "down tuned" first? It's God a RF power selector switch and I believe it's set pretty low on low. What would you do?

[@Rooster_Radio]

Depends on the output of your radio. Not sure what they do from Walcott

[@ericthiel4053]

@@Rooster_Radio Thanks for replying!! I just found the paperwork and it looks like on low it deadkeys at 1:5 so I'm thinking I'm good to run it on low power. Your. Videos are great for information and thanks again for the reply!! Subscribing!!

[@mjlmick]

What's it like on SSB?

[@blacklist6527]

How do u think it would do with a connex 3400

[@Iheartmyson]

I am new to amps. Just begon anyway with CB . Having two anytones. The Crt ss6900 export, and a Anytone AT-5555N 2 Both have variable power. If I put it on lowest power it gives about 2,5watts. Can I hook up this little amp? Without blowing it up? I have this amp. But I dont understand what "swing" is. If its on 5 watt and I talk into the mike will the " swing" blow up this Kl203p?

[@Rooster_Radio]

Depends on how much power it does when you speak into the microphone

[@earvinjones7070]

Do you have any more of these amps im looking for me one? Thanks

[@CheckitMedia]

Are there base tube amps like with low driver max 8/10 watt and max power? like a 400 watt.

[@Rooster_Radio]

A single 4x150 or 4cx250b will do that much on low. Those are about the smallest low drive steel tube amps

[@CheckitMedia]

@@Rooster_Radio Here in the Netherlands we had alot off klv 400/1000 series those did 250 to 600 watts. But here we dont have the 4x150 of 4cx250b. Will check those maybe i can buy one in the future thnx

[@Dennis-qb1fs]

Question? In my P/U I did it right, but... The wife is fussy about me drilling holes and running permanent wiring, etc. in her car. Is the amperage low enough on the RM KL 203-P to use a cigarette lighter plug-in; without worrying about burning her car down? I realize using 10-12 ga. wiring to the battery is optimal, but I don't have the option. Be nice to talk man talk on our road trips, her yapper never stops.

[@ZommBleed]

Here's my experience on that. Yes, you can run a cigarette lighter plug no problem. What I did notice when I used the same circuit for both the radio AND the amp is that it will pull down the power when you transmit and you'll see the lights dim on the radio. I would suggest running them on different circuits or at least a dedicated circuit that can handle the current draw. This is MY experience with it. YMMV

[@kuumomi08]

I'm definitely gonna get one of these. Perfect size 👌🏽

[@thekingsilverado8419]

Don't bother it does not work on 27mhz

[@tonynorris1250]

I have one in Red that I'm going to hook up to my Stryker. I've been told I can't use a Stryker? I'm just a po boy looking for answers...Thanks

[@Rooster_Radio]

Do not use a stryker with one of these

[@geraldscott4302]

So can you run a stock radio into one of these, or does the dead key need to be lowered? My Uniden Washington is 100% stock. I don't know what the dead key is exactly, my $15 Radio Shack meter shows just under 4 watts, but obviously it is not going to be over 4 watts AM, and probably is actually a bit less. Would I need to modify the radio to lower the dead key a bit more?

[@Rooster_Radio]

Id recommend 2 watts

[@geraldscott4302]

@@Rooster_Radio Thank you

[@misbehaving2057]

How would this do on Stryker 955 hp

[@Rooster_Radio]

Not a good idea to use a 100 watt radio with a 150 watt amplifier

[@misbehaving2057]

@@Rooster_Radio I talked to you about the Carl built 400. Im very interested in it.

[@johnnywood8082]

I need one of these for my base. 148GTL that has been volted, NPC mod w/variable power.

[@Rooster_Radio]

Should have more in this week. I have a few 300p available, probably be a little better suited for what you're running

[@johnnywood8082]

Rooster CB Radio Connection $?

[@johnnywood8082]

Oh I see it on your eBay store.

[@Rattlinghope4]

Do I need another patch lead?

[@pete5085]

Hey Rooster! Where do you sell these at?

[@bayoutrapper]

How much for one of those l'il jewels, Rooster? 690 Arkansas Po'boy, God bless and 73' s.

[@foghorn_boghorn5262]

Do you have a online store ?

[@flaboysventures2697]

Rooster, are you still selling these 203p rm Italy amps?

[@Rooster_Radio]

Yes

[@bamagregv]

When is a good time to call

[@Braco308]

I bought a bj200 and ehh took it to my buddy that deals high with cbs and tested all good he made it work like a dream just the needle on the swr will go up then when u talk it goes down like bounces down and the amp will sound crackling and sounds like somthing lose lol unless I’m not getting enough power I’m using a 70watt converter I just ordered a 270watt but can someone help me and btw I’m on a cobra 29 classic

[@MARIOKC1]

So if I am running a mobile as a base how or can I power that amp ? If I can power it I would like to order.

[@puppykicker6701]

Just use a power supply. The paperwork will tell you the requirements for volts and amps.

[@tf7274]

Run 2x the power supply you need...I run two pyramid 52kx...40 amp contant 2x...for this amp one 30 amp should be okay.

[@mayoman8565]

Love your video buddy.

[@jesseteague2975]

Can someone please help me with this I have a cobra 29 peaked and tuned it makes about 25 or 27 watts can I used this Amp on this radio or do I need to turn my CB back down to 5to7 watts

[@Rooster_Radio]

Keep your deadkey 2 watts or less and you'll be fine

[@jesseteague2975]

@@Rooster_Radio thanks

[@markmoorman]

Hi, I'm wondering if these can be used on 4 Watt FM CB's? & if so... which mode would you use it on? SSB?

[@Rooster_Radio]

SSB or AM would be modes of choice

[@andycampbell5416]

excellent test, cheers

[@jimkelly3174]

Once I solve that problem I'm in the market for side band radio and amp!

[@waynedoomad2573]

I just saw your vido im intrested

[@jimkelly3174]

I have a motorhome with strange side mirrors! I f send you a picture can you help me get or make mounts?

[@jonathanhembree5890]

Do you have any rm Italy in

[@MaverickFlyBoy622]

Just stumbled on your channel. Good to find a CB repair/Mod guy that's still around! Im assuming the ones I've used in the past are all retired, dead, or part of a good ole boys club that only work on friends radios now. Subscribed and followed on Ebay! Will definitely be looking at a 203p for the truck and a 503p for the base in the future!

[@wilburbudz]

love it great video

[@sherryking5819]

Love to have one

[@kilroy205]

would my 20 amp power supply be ok?

[@Rooster_Radio]

Yes

[@bamagregv]

Awesome!.

[@JoeR203]

I have the older version (blue). Barely used it because I found a KL-503 for $150 on eBay.

[@dillkenny57]

Hey Rooster. Are you still getting and selling these? I’m interested in one.

[@Rooster_Radio]

Sold 7 last week,have one in stock

[@dillkenny57]

What’s the price out the door. Should I text you

[@Rooster_Radio]

@@dillkenny57 yes just message me

[@8thovertrucking]

Are you selling these??

[@bart2903]

I have one! :D i was looking for the black version like mine. in the netherlands we use FM seems to be do a great job. had a lot of QSO's over 1000-1500KM few months ago FMand AM with a 1/2e wave silver rot, only @ 4,8 Meters high in the garden. We have a National CB repeater in the netherlands.(WRLP cbrepeater.nl ) with 15W fm i cant make it. with this amp. i''m making S7 to it with low hight of my antenna ! Whats the RMS / Peek power on FM ? I dont have such a beautiful BIRD meter.. :(

[@Steemoney]

is it true some need to be converted for 11 meter?

[@thegeneraljoe67]

Not true

[@MrJaz8088]

Cheap good Amp for Vehicle's or Fields, but not at Home, that little thing is Dirty, No BiAS, No Filter's, It will knock out the TV, i had had a few, only kept one

[@BacktothewaterBaits]

Still available?

[@Rooster_Radio]

Yes

[@BacktothewaterBaits]

What do I need to do to order one sir?

[@Rooster_Radio]

@@BacktothewaterBaits message me, 423 299 3535

[@cindys1819]

Just a word of caution...want to run a linear right next to you? Think of your RF exposure. There ARE studios on the amount of leukemia in radio operators....check it out before you use your "foot warmer"......

[@Rooster_Radio]

I'm sure this 150 watt amp will have you sprouting extra limbs and glowing in the dark in no time 🙂

[@freepressright]

Forgive my ignorance here, as I've been out of the CB radio game for over 20 years, and never really got too acquainted with running power, but with the SSB switch engaged, you were swinging 190 watts? What was the maximum power output that you could get on AM? And if the SSB switch is thrown, does that mean that it will not work on AM? I might sound stupid, but it's better to ask questions and get answers than to assume and burn something up.

[@Rooster_Radio]

all ssb does is engage a delay. The peak forward power is the same on AM or SSB makes no difference.

[@freepressright]

@@Rooster_Radio thank you

[@879raccoonradio]

themins are fun 73

[@watchmanmichael2023]

😊👍

[@cdlthelion6034]

I don't believe it. I have one and only does 140 wts pep. With four watts going into the kicker. You don't want to put any more than that. The instruction says you can run 10 watts into it. But cautions you that you can burn it up. So they advise you to run three or four watts into it to be on the safe side.

[@Rooster_Radio]

Anything else you'd like to share?

[@cdlthelion6034]

@@Rooster_Radio Sure! if you put a kicker in line you can change the SWR on your radio. Unless you know how to get the SWR down on your radio with the linear in line. I know how, do you? I run 102 inch stainless steel whip and there is a certain way to bring your SWR down on your radio with a kicker in line. When I turn on my kicker I have a flat match. And the radio and leaner run at full capacity without any stress to the radio or the kicker.

[@Rooster_Radio]

@@cdlthelion6034 your mother must be proud. Do you even know what antenna analyzer is? Reflected power? You're probably out there hooking up your dosy, telling yourself just because it doesn't move much, you have flat match 😂. Probably running 40 ohms and a 1:5

[@cdlthelion6034]

@@Rooster_Radio My mom and my dad are proud of me. I don't have to have anybody hook up my radio or my leaner or my antenna and match all 3 together. I've been installing my own equipment for over 50 years. I can even hook up a maco 4 element beam. And get a flat match on that! There's more than just to hook up equipment. There's also a certain length of coax that you must have also depending on what type of coax you use also. There's also a forward swing and a pep read out. Which means there is a dead key and there is a pep power watts read out. What you don't want is a backward swing.

[@Rooster_Radio]

@@cdlthelion6034 your leaner? You mean linear? I don't argue with fools, because from a distance people can't tell who is who. Obviously dodged the question about an antenna analyzer and reflected, because you're clueless on either. Have a nice evening, smart guy 😂.

[@terryshrives8322]

It works better if you only run about a watt into them

[@pistolgripp127]

👊👍👌✌️

[@ericzerkle5214]

When they first came out they were questionable. Now they aren't bad at all

[@ginkos7993]

real max power is 40-55 watt ? Poor ... :( Thanks

[@thekingsilverado8419]

JUST SO FOLKS KNOW FEB 18 2022 THERE IS FB TWITTER MEDIA BLACK OUT...

[@shaneshane-ko8zz]

I love them more 203p you can use and abuse them and slap them and throw them away I haven't killed one yet LOL

[@ronaldshepherd8647]

i have both 203 and 203p u turn watts from 2-3 wats get around 100 watts am and 190 ssb u put 10 watts in these amps will overdrive do not listen to him on 10 watts i use to work on cb's and trust me when i say DO NOT put 10 watts into these amps yes they are great amps but not with no 10 watts in them

[@Rooster_Radio]

You realize 190 watts pep is 190 watts pep whether on ssb or on AM, which is the exact output I showed the amplifier doing, and I did not go over 100 watts carrier. If you do 100 watts carrier that is only 50% forward modulation and will sound like absolute garbage. No one ever said to put 10 AM Carrier into this amp.

[@Rooster_Radio]

@@bigdEnergy666 plenty of locals using them trouble free and I've probably sold 50 or better all over the country. Paperwork says 200 watts. Send them an email if you have an issue instead of whining to someone , who is running the amp how the manufacturer intended :)

[@lisaayers1975]

@@bigdEnergy666 I agree with you.I watched another video were a guy had a deadkey of 3 watts swinging to 10 on his radio.He was getting about 70 to 75 watts on it.I don't trust those pep swing kits people add to the bird watt meters.

[@lisaayers1975]

@@Rooster_Radio RM Italy is well known for exaggerating how many watts there linears put out.Math don't lie 12 amp fuse times 14 volts divided by 2 is about what your wattage is.

[@kcstafford2784]

You don't open it you don't show the spectrum your old school watt meter is confusing.... basically your selling junk and making it look like a diamond

[@Rooster_Radio]

Basically if you don't like how I do business and/or videos, take your goofy ass on down the block. Clown 🤡🤡🤡