• You can now help support WorldwideDX when you shop on Amazon at no additional cost to you! Simply follow this Shop on Amazon link first and a portion of any purchase is sent to WorldwideDX to help with site costs.
  • Click here to find out how to win free radios from Retevis!

NEW RM Italy BLA 703 Base Amplifier

AK #5

Well-Known Member
Oct 31, 2014
228
166
53
Murray KY.
The new RM Italy BLA 703 amplifier has been released.
RM Italy claims that it's a true "linear" amplifier.
You can purchase it here.
Eric Klein @ Klein Communications has extensive information regarding this unit on his Facebook page.

bla703.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Shadetree Mechanic

The problem I see is the manufacturer won't mention how many transistors are being used to reach this power level or, what type they are. The price indicates they must be the cheapest switch mode transistors that will work. Advertising the part number might complicate marketing the amplifier as being "True linear" or "rugged".

RM does make an FCC approved 500 watt "True Linear" with a real linear rated RF transistor. To build that, it cost $2,000 more than this amplifier, for good parts to be placed where they matter. When RM is not completely embarrassed about the transistors they use in their amplifiers, they specifically advertise the real part number.

Now that I've picked on this amplifier, I will point out some possible good things. It claims to have protection against overdrive and high reflected power. This could give unreliable transistors, a decent chance at having a reliable life. Its price, is this extremely low. If it proves to be at all reliable, it may fill a niche in the market.
 
Last edited:
I have the full set of schematics (7 pages) and the PCB layouts (2 pages), and should be available upon request., though I will need to first make a phone-call to OK it with the lead engineer and the owner of RM...

Regards / 73
Eric Klein
Klein Communications

Also as KY8E
 
The problem I see is the manufacturer won't mention how many transistors are being used to reach this power level or, what type they are. The price indicates they must be the cheapest switch mode transistors that will work. Advertising the part number might complicate marketing the amplifier as being "True linear" or "rugged".

RM does make an FCC approved 500 watt "True Linear" with a real linear rated RF transistor. To build that, it cost $2,000 more than this amplifier, for good parts to be placed where they matter. When RM is not completely embarrassed about the transistors they use in their amplifiers, they specifically advertise the real part number.

Now that I've picked on this amplifier, I will point out some possible good things. It claims to have protection against overdrive and high reflected power. This could give unreliable transistors, a decent chance at having a reliable life. Its price, is this extremely low. If it proves to be at all reliable, it may fill a niche in the market.
Even though the BLA-703 is in fact an "FCC-Approved" linear-amplifier (ie: went through 10s of thousands of $$$$ and many months of time for FCC approval)., it is NOT "full-HF" in its capabilities (ie: 1.8 Mhz / 160M to 54 Mhz / 6M) as their other Ham / Amateur units are.

One MUST remember., that the reason why ALL of the full-HF range amplifiers (regardless of brand-name), and even just the 1.8 Mhz / 160M to 30 Mhz / 10M amplifiers are SO much more expensive., is caused by the complexity of the many input and output tuning networks required to cover so many HF bands, AND to keep all those bands BOTH linear AND "clean" enough in their input to output specifications, in order for the American FCC to "approve" them...

The BLA-703 base-station amplifier has an "RF-deck" that is "based" on their KL-703 mobile-amplifier., but as can be CLEARLY seen by its internal photos AND the owner's manual (posted in other articles on the FaceBook, RM "page"), virtually the only thing they have in common, is the use of sixteen (16) of their "proprietary" RM-3 MOSFETs, as do all their KL-xx3 units.

The RM3s they incorporate are VERY different in their internal specifications (specifically their Vgs/th and their Gm ratings) from ALL other such TO-220 case-style MOSFETs used in ALL of those "semi-fake" 10-meter / CB radios which have become SO popular on-the-market for the last decade.!

While their KL-505 and KL-805 (10/11 meter units) and ALL their mobile, multi-band HF., VHF., UHF units do in fact incorporate true "RF-devices".!

The main reason for the use of their specialty MOSFETs in their KL-xx3 series of amplifiers, is to simply "accommodate" the Folks out there, which are only interested in the 10/11 meter band, AND are NOT willing to spend the extra $$ to purchase the VERY high-quality KL-xx5 series of 10/11 meter-band amplifiers.! :-(

Below is a web-link to a detailed article I had written, to address the issue of why Folks who abuse their amps (causing MOSFET failure) can NOT just simply use some generic / popular TO-220 case-style MOSFETs as proper replacements when making their own repairs to the KL-xx3 series of RM amplifiers...

Please read:
"Regarding the best MOSFETs to use for repairing any of the KL-xx3 series of amplifiers"



*Below (at the bottom) is a web-link to the 1st page (of 7 pages) of products and accessories that RM Italy produces.

FYI: be sure to "click" on the English language "button" (shown as a British "Union-Jack" flag in the upper right corner), that is, if the page "defaults" to Italian.

There's a total of about 75 products., which includes about a dozen or so, of individual RF, mechanical, and accessory type parts.

*However., that list does NOT include the "specialty" RF-units they design, produce and sell to larger, "high-end" companies to be incorporated into those other company's "finished-products".!!

Also., most all RM units / equipment have a "PDF download link" for a user / operator manual, with a number of them also containing some sort of schematic diagram (and / or PCB layout) therein.! :)


Regards / 73
Eric Klein
Klein Communications
Also as KY8E
 
Isn't there a modification to be able to utilize this unit on 11 meter?
I like the fact that it's near impossible to kill this unit. :)
 
Isn't there a modification to be able to utilize this unit on 11 meter?
I like the fact that it's near impossible to kill this unit. :)
Yep., there sure is (though it's internal)., along with a "selectable-firmware" change (done externally) for those Folks who may have a "driving" radio that is not as "RF-clean" as it should be, so as to help in minimizing the "tripping" of the #4 safety shut-down parameter (ie: out-of-band / harmonics detection).

Conversion of the RM of Italy, BLA-703, base-station, linear-amplifier, to operate for the 10 and 11-meter bands.

 
  • Like
Reactions: AK #5
Even though the BLA-703 is in fact an "FCC-Approved" linear-amplifier (ie: went through 10s of thousands of $$$$ and many months of time for FCC approval)., it is NOT "full-HF" in its capabilities (ie: 1.8 Mhz / 160M to 54 Mhz / 6M) as their other Ham / Amateur units are.

One MUST remember., that the reason why ALL of the full-HF range amplifiers (regardless of brand-name), and even just the 1.8 Mhz / 160M to 30 Mhz / 10M amplifiers are SO much more expensive., is caused by the complexity of the many input and output tuning networks required to cover so many HF bands, AND to keep all those bands BOTH linear AND "clean" enough in their input to output specifications, in order for the American FCC to "approve" them...

The BLA-703 base-station amplifier has an "RF-deck" that is "based" on their KL-703 mobile-amplifier., but as can be CLEARLY seen by its internal photos AND the owner's manual (posted in other articles on the FaceBook, RM "page"), virtually the only thing they have in common, is the use of sixteen (16) of their "proprietary" RM-3 MOSFETs, as do all their KL-xx3 units.

The RM3s they incorporate are VERY different in their internal specifications (specifically their Vgs/th and their Gm ratings) from ALL other such TO-220 case-style MOSFETs used in ALL of those "semi-fake" 10-meter / CB radios which have become SO popular on-the-market for the last decade.!

While their KL-505 and KL-805 (10/11 meter units) and ALL their mobile, multi-band HF., VHF., UHF units do in fact incorporate true "RF-devices".!

The main reason for the use of their specialty MOSFETs in their KL-xx3 series of amplifiers, is to simply "accommodate" the Folks out there, which are only interested in the 10/11 meter band, AND are NOT willing to spend the extra $$ to purchase the VERY high-quality KL-xx5 series of 10/11 meter-band amplifiers.! :-(

Below is a web-link to a detailed article I had written, to address the issue of why Folks who abuse their amps (causing MOSFET failure) can NOT just simply use some generic / popular TO-220 case-style MOSFETs as proper replacements when making their own repairs to the KL-xx3 series of RM amplifiers...

Please read:
"Regarding the best MOSFETs to use for repairing any of the KL-xx3 series of amplifiers"



*Below (at the bottom) is a web-link to the 1st page (of 7 pages) of products and accessories that RM Italy produces.

FYI: be sure to "click" on the English language "button" (shown as a British "Union-Jack" flag in the upper right corner), that is, if the page "defaults" to Italian.

There's a total of about 75 products., which includes about a dozen or so, of individual RF, mechanical, and accessory type parts.

*However., that list does NOT include the "specialty" RF-units they design, produce and sell to larger, "high-end" companies to be incorporated into those other company's "finished-products".!!

Also., most all RM units / equipment have a "PDF download link" for a user / operator manual, with a number of them also containing some sort of schematic diagram (and / or PCB layout) therein.! :)



Regards / 73
Eric Klein
Klein Communications
Also as KY8E

The BLA-703 does not have an FCC ID number affixed to its back like the BLA-600... Meeting FCC specifications for second and third harmonics while locking out 11 meters, does not imply FCC type approved equipment.

Broadband solid state amplifiers do not typically require individual input circuits for each band. All band HF output filters are available, already assembled for around $130.

The RM-3 is not a real transistor number. It's a fabricated number used to hide the datasheet, which would expose why it takes sixteen 31.25 watt transistors to produce 500 watts. Literally the only reason to use lots of "RM-3" transistors is because they cost pennies rather than tens of dollars.

The drawback here is extremely inexpensive transistors. However, that's also the advantage of being able to hit a $750 price target. Adding a 30 MHz low pass filter, gives it a very clean output. Adding overdrive and SWR protection has a chance of making inexpensive transistors operate reliably.

Time will tell if it's reliable. Claiming that it's FCC type accepted requires publishing the FCC ID number. Claiming that it uses real linear RF transistors requires publishing a part number, that has a data sheet attached to it.

PS: I'm sorry if I sound too critical on this amp Eric. I believe it's a lot of watts and features for the money. Even though it uses inexpensive transistors, only asking each one to produce 31.25 watts, may be the saving grace.

RM makes a wide range of equipment. The fact that they can even produce a 500 watt base amplifier in this price range today, is somewhat astonishing. The fact that it has some nice features, makes it attractive. I think you'll sell lots of them.
 
Last edited:
Not being useable on 11 meters would be a plus but that normally means that 10 is blocked as well.
Please just take take the time to read the VERY detailed and well-explained, user / owner manual., which is attached below as a PDF file...

Regards / 73
Eric Klein
Klein Communications
 

Attachments

  • BLA-703 (full user manual).pdf
    1.2 MB · Views: 18
  • Like
Reactions: AK #5
Not being useable on 11 meters would be a plus but that normally means that 10 is blocked as well.
This amplifier detects and blocks out of band operation electronically. It does not use filtering to achieve this. Therefore, it can sharply cut the amplifier off just below 28 mhz.
 
The BLA-703 does not have an FCC ID number affixed to its back like the BLA-600... Meeting FCC specifications for second and third harmonics while locking out 11 meters, does not imply FCC type approved equipment.
The original "batch" which was released back around February of this year, and was only sold to European and other countries AND continents where (of course) FCC approval is NOT required.

The latest "batch" which just arrived in America on November 1st, is in fact, FCC approved., and required many months and many $$$$ to make it so...

I've been friends with, and telephoned with (on MANY occasions since 2010) both the lead-engineer (who is British) and the owner (Italian of course) of the RM Italy facility (founded by his father)., and if you had taken the time to even lightly peruse / read the article-links provided in this thread so far., you would have seen that I was just at their facility for the "complete tour"., last month on October 23rd :)

The amplifier that I display in my articles, was sent directly to me by the RM facility (about 4 months ago) and was (of course) part of their 1st batch for the European / world-wide market, and therefore (of course) does NOT display an FCC number on its back-side.

Broadband solid state amplifiers do not typically require individual input circuits for each band. All band HF output filters are available, already assembled for around $130.
Now you've switched the subject to comparing a factory-manufactured, "turn-key", automatic band-switching, 1.4 Mhz to 54 Mhz, all-mode linear amplifier (ie: the BLA-600)., with that of something which would be part factory and part hobby-craft...


The RM-3 is not a real transistor number. It's a fabricated number used to hide the datasheet, which would expose why it takes sixteen 31.25 watt transistors to produce 500 watts. Literally the only reason to use lots of "RM-3" transistors is because they cost pennies rather than tens of dollars.
I never said the RM-3 was a part number, and actually went out-of-my-way (again, if you would have taken the short time to peruse / read the attached / linked articles I had written)., and would have seen where I explained that the RM-3 MOSFETs are "scrubbed" of their actual part number AND as to why they are :(

I also explained as to why just a few of their amplifiers (less than 10%) utilize the MUCH less expensive, TO-220 case-style MOSFETs instead of VERY expensive / actual RF-devices., which ARE utilized in the other 90% of their amplifiers.


The drawback here is extremely inexpensive transistors. However, that's also the advantage of being able to hit a $750 price target. Adding a 30 MHz low pass filter, gives it a very clean output. Adding overdrive and SWR protection has a chance of making inexpensive transistors operate reliably.

Time will tell if it's reliable. Claiming that it's FCC type accepted requires publishing the FCC ID number. Claiming that it uses real linear RF transistors requires publishing a part number, that has a data sheet attached to it.
Again., this new 2nd batch, which just arrived in America on November 1st., is in fact FCC type-accepted, and do in fact have the appropriate "FCC ID number" affixed to them.

One must just have the time and patience to read AND humility to investigate a matter-of-concern BEFORE passing judgement...

BTW: Did ya even take the time to peruse / read the attached PDF file of the owner's manual, which supplies at least three illustrations (of which most other commercially built amplifiers do not) and covers the subjects concerning the following:

1: Linearity (power in versus power out) on page #8
2: Frequency versus input to output gain also on page #8
(and its frequency restrictions, unless modified)
3: The harmonic output graph on page #9
(which displays a basic / average "delta" of 70dB.!!

Hell., even on page #10, it explains how to interpret the front-panel bar-graphs, which displays both PEP power and SWR., and both in "real-time".! :)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

As my "profile-signature" states...

One of my biggest 'pet-peeves' in life., are those folks with an attitude that's basically saying...
"Hey look man, I've already got my mind made-up, so PLEASE don't confuse me with the facts".!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Regards / 73
Eric Klein
Klein Communications
Also as KY8E


PS: I'm sorry if I sound too critical on this amp Eric. I believe it's a lot of watts and features for the money. Even though it uses inexpensive transistors, only asking each one to produce 31.25 watts, may be the saving grace.

RM makes a wide range of equipment. The fact that they can even produce a 500 watt base amplifier in this price range today, is somewhat astonishing. The fact that it has some nice features, makes it attractive. I think you'll sell lots of them.
PS: I do NOT sell them (RM amplifiers) or Sirio antennas (which I also spent half-a-day at their facilities the next day) or radios, or even microphones. Ever since 1980, when I started my Motorola-only, commercial 2-way radio communications, one-man-show business (over 200 customers and over 3,000 radios), it has always been about absorbing electronics knowledge, schematics, trouble-shooting, repairing, etc., and then doing my absolute best to explain / educate such things in "layman-terms", whether complex or mundane to others, with the goal of keeping other Folks from spending their hard-earned $$$ on "urban-legends" and / or "slick salesman" :-(
 
  • Like
Reactions: AK #5

dxChat
Help Users
  • No one is chatting at the moment.