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Is a RM KL-60 Any good?
- Thread starter T23
- Start date
The KL-60 is a ok amp. It puts out about 45 watts AM, 60 SSB. Good clean audio. But DO NOT OVER DRIVE IT! They only like about 1 1/2 - 2 watts input. Anymore and it may just die.
Not trying to steal your thread but I am considering one as well, a stock CB would be well matched to one of these? Like an out of the box radio with nothing done to it should be of suitable power for longevity of this amplifier?
It's fine man...No you do not need to modify the radio at all , it will take the radios factory 5 watts as input.(At least thats just what I was told , haven't tested)... I traded a "handie talkie " for mine from a local ham....Yes I agree don't overdrive this amp , the ham I got mine from had three more dead ones from that problem...
Havent really gotton a chance to fully test mine out though...
@ Robb I like my Palomer better anyways, especially the automatic SSB switching...
T23
Havent really gotton a chance to fully test mine out though...
@ Robb I like my Palomer better anyways, especially the automatic SSB switching...
T23
No way will a stock radio work. That radio will dead key three or four watts max. I don't recomend putting more than a 1-2 watt dead key into it, or you will burn it up fast. I am sure others will agree.
Alright, as I said I haven't done any testing with this amp...So I wouldn't know. It just seems like alot of work to pair the radio with this amp for just 50watts extra power if you ask me...
But you know whats weird... The box mine came in and the paper work I think also say "10 Meter Operation" not 11....
@Robb Mine doesn't have the flanges on the sides with mounting holes...
T23
But you know whats weird... The box mine came in and the paper work I think also say "10 Meter Operation" not 11....
@Robb Mine doesn't have the flanges on the sides with mounting holes...
T23
As mentioned previously, To use that amp in AM mode would require adjusting your radios output dead key power to 1 1/2 watts - so the amp won't be over-driven. If you don't know how to do that - don't bother - you can really screw it up if you don't know what you are doing. Adding a fan won't help that situation.
But mackmobile is right about adding a fan - simply because most amps need more cooling than the factory provides them when built. It's a smart move.
On SSB, I don't think the radio will over-drive that amp. So, if you stay on SSB and stay off AM with it - you should be OK. But a fan would still be the thing to do if you want to keep it working for a long time. Just get a 4 inch fan out an old computer that runs on 12-14v's and wire it into the power cord attaching it to the heat sink of the amp. A quiet fan is preferred. Same is true for your Palomar amp - two fans would be better for that one.
But mackmobile is right about adding a fan - simply because most amps need more cooling than the factory provides them when built. It's a smart move.
On SSB, I don't think the radio will over-drive that amp. So, if you stay on SSB and stay off AM with it - you should be OK. But a fan would still be the thing to do if you want to keep it working for a long time. Just get a 4 inch fan out an old computer that runs on 12-14v's and wire it into the power cord attaching it to the heat sink of the amp. A quiet fan is preferred. Same is true for your Palomar amp - two fans would be better for that one.
I ran a KL-60 with a Uniden 122xl years ago. Barefoot the radio would dead key 1.5 watts and swing 12. With the amp on I got a dead key of 14 watts swinging 45. On SSB it did just over 45 watts. A KL-203 is probably a better choice if you ever see one for sale.