GM300 PA voltage ?

[RadioSouth]

I just picked up a GM300 type radio (M10) that's showing 1 Watt output (it's a 10-25 watt version). Looking under the hood I find what i think is the B+ to the power amp had been cut, (it's a red/black wire that runs seperate from the 6 conductor wire). This red/black wire connection is labeled as BATT on the PA PCB The radio also has been modified with front mount LED's to show power and Tx . Does the exciter on these produce a full watt and I'm not finding where the PA B+ was tapped from ?

[Bigred]

The B+ power for the PA comes straight from rear connector and is soldered right to the PA pcb. Methinks this is an added power wire take-off for something else. Where does it go?

My experience with a GM300 is if you lose B+ to the PA it will barely tickle the wattmeter. Do you have B+ on the final collectors?

Sounds like you've acquired an abortion.

[RadioSouth]

Haven't probed yet but I think you hit it mentioning the red/black wires are an add-on. Thinking back I swapped out a few similar Maxtrac PA's (10 + yrs. ago) and there were no add on wires, just the 5 conductor cable running from the PA to inside the chassis. I thought a full watt for an exciter alone was unusual. Appreciate the reply, considering the mods that have been made to this frankenradio I'll just put it on the side for a receive radio next time I cobble a repeater together.

[RadioSouth]

Just before closing it all back up I did verify it was a B+ takeoff as you had suggested. Unswitched.

[Bigred]

Maybe the transmit power was cranked down in RSS? Did you check?

[RadioSouth]

I did, was able to increase from 1 to 2.5 W prior to getting a high current warning. An extra couple of resistors seem to be in the mix.