Peak & Tune?

It's like this.
You know those $20 gizmos on ebay that are supposed to give you 10% HP gain or 10% fuel increase? Did you know they are BS?
The stock final in these radios can produce 20-25w with a simple tune that allows the radio to retain it's class A properties and audio limiting to prevent distortion.
CB shops (including me) make VERY GOOD MONEY generally doing these upgrades. For some that is their main bread and butter as it's nearly all profit. That goes for the rfx75 as well.
You hear it all the time... "come on in drivers for the galaxy finals" "come on in and get your *big radio* finals". The real world gain is $30-80 less in your wallet and a measly 10-15% gain on a meter, a gain that never actually makes it in most cases out to the airwaves on the frequency you want it on.

I prefer a basic tune letting the radio perform the best it can while retaining those properties as much as possible. If you want more power, the little KL60 and KL203 from RM Italy are class AB amps that draw little current, come in a little package and work VERY well. I've used and sold these since the late 90s or thereabout when they came out and RARELY had a return.

Cobra 29 with simple tune, carrier suppressed to 1.75w along with a KL60 = 15w carrier, 55-60w pep in class AB. Most shops will charge $30-35 to set the radio, $50 or so for the amp and a 3' coax $10 and it all can run off the truck wiring or a cig lighter. The KL203 is only about $30-40 more and produces a clean 120-130w.

IMHO, much smarter money spent.
For those not allowed to *run amplifiers in our trucks*... these amps are just a little bigger than a pack of smokes. You can hide them anywhere.

**Dismount soap box**

 

Very well said RR! I first run a KL-203 after having being told about it. And running with some co-workers running Galaxies 48-T's. I got better reports using my little Cobra & 203. Not bad for $39 in 2000. And yes they still work today!

 

thank you for the explanation, in your professional opinion, that is all I wanted in the 1st place for those that didnt know, not just a "dont waste your money" statement. I understand this, I will however in my own experiences disagree with your statement on the finals, as I have had good modualtion/audio results with the irf 520 mosfets in my radio with excellent results and clarity. for the most part most shops that advertise big finals are out there just to take drivers money, not actually provide a good service. not trying to start an argument/soapbox, etc just wanted your opinion on the matter as to why. Thank You.

 

If you're happy with what you have, that's what's important.

 

Sigh .....

We are now on our 3rd model of ICOM ...

YEP ... 1500 ICOMS that we got in here not one came untuned ..... a few dead but no one needing to be tweeked .....

Must just be a better radio ...... Maybe the CB makers need to get their act together.

 

If the words "WHACK-PACK MOD" are mentioned by your so-called tech, grab your radio and run away as fast as you can...

 

AND .....

Lets not forget Cutting coax ....

 

GASP

If you go from a 4 foot wip 5 feet of the ground to stacked 5 elm beams up 100 foot you might get a 400% gain .....