Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes
Reviews Home

Reviews For: Cubic/Swan/Astro 103

Category: Transceivers: HF Amateur HF+6M+VHF+UHF models - non QRP <5W

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : Cubic/Swan/Astro 103
Reviews: 6MSRP:
Description:
Modern HF transceiver w/WARC coverage, dual VFOs, full break - in CW (selectable), beautiful construction
Product is not in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0064.8
SM5HUA Rating: 2023-09-23
Excellent rig! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Got my Astro 103BX from US a few days ago and must say I am *VERY IMPRESSED* by this old radio from the early 80'ies. The rig has a excellent receiver and is very quiet and clean. This despite being single conversion. Same with the transmitter, good sounding and also has a effective clipper.

My example will be maintained soon and having the PTO's repaired due to age. Also gonna add HP pin-diodes around the bandpass filters to increase the strong signal handling. Else just keep it running and having phun :)

If you find one of these rigs around, go for it. Defently one of the very best radios made in that era. Still going strong! Some pictures of mine at http://www.sm5hua.se/swan.html

73's de Peter / SM5HUA

Update 20230923.
Have now had my Cubic Astro 103BX for 15 years and still as impressed by it. I have had most hf rigs around and some very expensive and highly modified. But the 103BX is in a class of itself I must say. Excellent components all Motorola and did modify mine with the HP diodes around the bandpass filters. Truly a dream rig tio have and so lucky I got mine from US back in 2008. Hard to describe it all but if you ever see one for sale, go get it right away. Its my main HF rig nowdays and still have my old boatanchors the HRO Sr and Harvey 80T.
K5LRS Rating: 2017-01-25
Great old radio. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Even with my newer radios right in front of me, I still tend to move down the table and use my old Cubic Astro 103. I have had it for many years and it works as good as any of my other radios. I also use it for QSO's as it gets fantastic audio reports.

It is a early 80's radio, but sounds as good as my Yaesu FT1000MP. Gets used every day.





PA0PGA Rating: 2013-09-12
Amazing receiver Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
The Cubic Astro 103 is difficult to find overhere and not many exist in PA land. Got one for restoring a couple months ago, a major job because it was in several hands already.
After it was brought back to life again, I am very impressed with the excellent receiver and the quality of the audio. No high hiss, but quit, super audio, a joy to listen on the crowded 80 and 40 m band. The audio can be taylored to your choice with the RF,IF and LF controls, the bandwith control and the notch filter, that removes really the cumbersome carrier is excellent. You can listen for hours without fatigue.

Stability is very good after a short warmup and is much improved by reposition of the 7805 stabilizer to the backplate of the transceiver. Tuning of the 2 PTO's is very smooth and precise.
Generally speaking: this transceiver can hold itself easely against most modern transceivers and it will not leave my shack again.

If you find one, dont hesitate to grab it, you will be pleased.

73, Wim PA0PGA
W7CPA Rating: 2012-05-12
Amazing 1980 Geezer Wireless Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just restored one of these amazing transceivers. Two analog PTOs, very stable, pass band tuning and a discrete transistor design so repair is possible. Very few UNOBTANIUM parts. This was the last of the line and holds its head high when compared to my KWM2-A and Flex 5000. Speech processor is awesome given it is not the RF flavor. It has unique feaures like continuously variable AGC decay and IF gain to go along with typcical RF gain.

Rock on olde fella!
N4TSV Rating: 2012-04-03
Good rig but showing age Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had this for a number of years and yes I'll agree that it is good for it's age. I must admit I have had nothing but difficulty keeping it running. The PIN diodes in the BP switching circuits are a bear and I've replaced output transistors once for no explainable reason than just went bad. Some of the IC's in the receiver are obsolete. I do remember a QST "hints and kinks" about replacing a receive mixer, but that IC too is obsolete. I'd like information from other owners or web site that might be around for keeping the old girl running.
W3KC Rating: 2008-02-12
One fine radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
These radios seem to be off most radar screens, but they sure are nice rigs. Great build quality, wonderful adjustable passband IF filter, seperate IF gain control, super qsk, dual vfo's, and warc bands. The manual is the best I've seen in its description of the circuitry. No fancy memories or dsp, just excellent quality and performance.