CB Radio Amplifiers

lostatsea346 · 11-07-2006, 10:31 AM

ive heard of amplifiers, which boost your cb radios power, so you can reach people farther away....is this true or is it a myth???? has anyone had any experience with these, and if so, where can i get one

thanks

**jneal** · 11-07-2006, 10:32 AM

its true but illeagal.

lostatsea346 · 11-07-2006, 10:35 AM

where can i get one???

vader7071 · 11-07-2006, 10:48 AM

Before I answer the where, I will say this:

It is VERY illegal. We are talking fines into the thousands of dollars and jail time. The FCC does not play around. If you have an amateur radio call sign (like me and a few others here on the board KD4SYK) the FCC will REALLY crawl up your a$$ becuase you should know better.

Now, having said that. This is just what I have heard. Try any truck-stop that has CB repair or flea markets. You could try a search on ebay or the net, but again, I stress how much the FCC does not like linears on CB.

**Bgeddes** · 11-07-2006, 11:05 AM

If you could give us a specific situation where you would need to get in contact with someon more than 3 or 4 miles away, maybe we can help find you a legal solution.

vader7071 · 11-07-2006, 11:14 AM

On thing I forgot to mention in my last post. You can get a "virtual" boost of power from your cb. and this is 100% totally legal.

All antennas have what is called a gain factor. the higher this number, the more "effective" power is output. Granted there is alot more involved that just that simple explanation, but the effect is there.

What you can do is look for an antenna that has a high gain value. it will be listed as a number and a dB. ex: a 9 db gain antenna. The standard 1/4 steel whip that most everyone uses has no gain. They make some antennas designed for ham radio use that do, however, have some descent gain. what you will need to look for there is a 10, 11 or 12 meter antenna. 11 is dead on for CB. 10 is a little long and 12 is a little short. You can tune them to where you need them though. When you have your SWR set right, a descent gain antenna, and everything in tune, you should have no problem getting out.

**Jerry Bransford** · 11-07-2006, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vader7071

They make some antennas designed for ham radio use that do, however, have some descent gain. what you will need to look for there is a 10, 11 or 12 meter antenna. 11 is dead on for CB. 10 is a little long and 12 is a little short.

Good suggestion but it's the opposite on which would be too long or too short for use on the CB band. A 10m antenna would be a bit too short for use on the CB band and a 12m antenna would be a bit too long.

**Scrambler82** · 11-07-2006, 11:28 AM

Another thing to consider is a "Power Microphone", not too expensive, legal and usually allows you to talk further; now hearing is another thing.

Astatic RD104E Road Devil Power & Noise Cancelling Microphone is the one I use and it work well, not too much; it's adjustable too.

http://www.walcottcb.com/astatic-rd104e-road-devil-power-noise-cancelling-microphone-p-429.html

There are others and different looks on the Walcott Site.

vader7071 · 11-07-2006, 11:29 AM

actually I never remember which way it is still I start tuning.

vader7071 · 11-07-2006, 11:37 AM

Lost @ Sea you have started a fun one...lol

Another thing you can do (I know, I will shut up here soon) is get someone with a modulation meter and a power meter to go over your rig. Most cb's shipped from the factory are set at between 50-75% modualtion (at least that is where my few cobras and unidens were set). Plus CB is allowed 5 W transmission power. Make sure the finals inside the rig are set correctly. My last 2 rigs were at 4W and 3.5W. I adjusted the modulation to around 90-95% so I wouldn't over drive and set my power out to 5W. The big thing in radios is not how much brute force can you make, but how well does your power do the job. If you modulation is only at 50% and you are at 4W, by tuning to 90% mod and 5W you will see a noticable difference in how far people can hear you.

Granted all this discussion is ONLY on getting your transmissions farther. So far the only suggestion that will help you on hearing from farther away is the antenna upgrade. If you can transmit 200 miles, it does you no good if the person hearing you can only transmit 10 miles. You will never hear them.

**Jerry Bransford** · 11-07-2006, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vader7071

Plus CB is allowed 5 W transmission power

Max legal U.S. CB output power is 4 watts.

vader7071 · 11-07-2006, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

Max legal U.S. CB output power is 4 watts.

Is it only 4? For the longest time I would have sworn it was 5. I know they keep hand held hams below 7w for health reasons.

Well then I guess I am in trouble. My cb rig now runs at 5w. Just don't get caught.

**Jerry Bransford** · 11-07-2006, 01:25 PM

Yep it used to be limited to 5 watts "input" power to the final amplifier. Not sure when it was changed but it's now 4 watts max output power. That certainly made it easier to measure for compliance. I agree, there's not enough difference in 4 and 5 watts output power to really worry about.

**jneal** · 11-07-2006, 01:52 PM

we could only have 4 until those movies in the 70's and we started bootlegging more into ga.....

wait we're talking watts here arent we.

TJ_with_Tusks · 11-07-2006, 02:14 PM

I've got a pretty neat setup in my jeep when it comes to talking over super-long distances. It's called a cellular telephone (google it) I got it from a company called verizon, but i'm pretty sure there are a few companies that make them.

11-07-2006, 11:05 AM	#5
Bgeddes Ridin' with the King Join Date: May 2005 Location: NEPA Posts: 1,204 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	If you could give us a specific situation where you would need to get in contact with someon more than 3 or 4 miles away, maybe we can help find you a legal solution. __________________ '05 KJ CRD and '00 XJ Classic > Stock DDs '88 YJ Sahara > Weberized, HEI, Shackle Lift, Herculiner, more on the way

11-07-2006, 02:14 PM	#15
TJ_with_Tusks Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Medford, MA Posts: 539 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I've got a pretty neat setup in my jeep when it comes to talking over super-long distances. It's called a cellular telephone (google it) I got it from a company called verizon, but i'm pretty sure there are a few companies that make them. __________________ 04' Columbia TJ 33" BFG AT's, OME HD lift, front airbag suspension, teralow 4:1 kit & supershort shaft kit, TW CV shaft, 4.10 gears, JKS body lift, track bars and quicker disconects, Warn 9.5ti, warn front bumper, garvin wilderness rack, and solid cast aluminum tusks,

11-07-2006, 10:48 AM	#4
vader7071 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Dothan, AL Posts: 57 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Before I answer the where, I will say this: It is *VERY* illegal. We are talking fines into the thousands of dollars and jail time. The FCC does not play around. If you have an amateur radio call sign (like me and a few others here on the board KD4SYK) the FCC will REALLY crawl up your a$$ becuase you should know better. Now, having said that. This is just what I have heard. Try any truck-stop that has CB repair or flea markets. You could try a search on ebay or the net, but again, I stress how much the FCC does not like linears on CB.

11-07-2006, 11:14 AM	#6
vader7071 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Dothan, AL Posts: 57 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	On thing I forgot to mention in my last post. You can get a "virtual" boost of power from your cb. and this is 100% totally legal. All antennas have what is called a gain factor. the higher this number, the more "effective" power is output. Granted there is alot more involved that just that simple explanation, but the effect is there. What you can do is look for an antenna that has a high gain value. it will be listed as a number and a dB. ex: a 9 db gain antenna. The standard 1/4 steel whip that most everyone uses has no gain. They make some antennas designed for ham radio use that do, however, have some descent gain. what you will need to look for there is a 10, 11 or 12 meter antenna. 11 is dead on for CB. 10 is a little long and 12 is a little short. You can tune them to where you need them though. When you have your SWR set right, a descent gain antenna, and everything in tune, you should have no problem getting out.

11-07-2006, 11:29 AM	#9
vader7071 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Dothan, AL Posts: 57 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	actually I never remember which way it is still I start tuning.

11-07-2006, 11:37 AM	#10
vader7071 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Dothan, AL Posts: 57 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Lost @ Sea you have started a fun one...lol Another thing you can do (I know, I will shut up here soon) is get someone with a modulation meter and a power meter to go over your rig. Most cb's shipped from the factory are set at between 50-75% modualtion (at least that is where my few cobras and unidens were set). Plus CB is allowed 5 W transmission power. Make sure the finals inside the rig are set correctly. My last 2 rigs were at 4W and 3.5W. I adjusted the modulation to around 90-95% so I wouldn't over drive and set my power out to 5W. The big thing in radios is not how much brute force can you make, but how well does your power do the job. If you modulation is only at 50% and you are at 4W, by tuning to 90% mod and 5W you will see a noticable difference in how far people can hear you. Granted all this discussion is ONLY on getting your transmissions farther. So far the only suggestion that will help you on hearing from farther away is the antenna upgrade. If you can transmit 200 miles, it does you no good if the person hearing you can only transmit 10 miles. You will never hear them.