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Linears: Tell me what I need to know before I buy

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by Grumppy, Jul 17, 2016.

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  1. Jul 17, 2016 #1
    Grumppy

    Grumppy Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I've been wanting a small 100 watt linear for several years but just haven't made that jump.

    I started "CBing" back in the mid 70's. I've been in trucking, some local, some regional for about 28 years. For probably 20 years I ran Galaxy a Galaxy 33 &/or Galaxy 44, both of which were turned up. The 44 got stolen at work & the 33 finally just wore out. So, last year, I finally took it out & bought a Cobra 29 LTD. It's stock as I have never turned it up. Instead of turning it up, I want to put a small 100 watt box behind it.

    What does a linear noob need to know before I buy.
    Brands?
    Beware?
    Features?
    Etc....

    FYI, I'm in a 2015 Cascadia using the built in antenna. I am pretty sure its not ideal, but will it take a measly 100 watts until I can do better?
     
    Grumppy, Jul 17, 2016
    Grumppy, Jul 17, 2016
    #1
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  3. Jul 17, 2016 #2
    rabbiporkchop

    rabbiporkchop Road Train Member

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    Sounds like a waste going so small. I would recommend something class a/b biased with 2 2sc2879 transistors to closesly match the output of a cobra 29 or 4 of those transistors to match the output of something twice as big.
     
    rabbiporkchop, Jul 17, 2016
    rabbiporkchop, Jul 17, 2016
    #2
  4. Jul 17, 2016 #3
    Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    A bit of sage advice

    Don't bother with anything, especially a linear until you get a good antenna system in place, then you may not need one.
     
    Ridgeline, Jul 17, 2016
    Ridgeline, Jul 17, 2016
    #3
    Blaskowitz, Turbo-T, handlebar and 4 others Thank this.
  5. Jul 17, 2016 #4
    Grumppy

    Grumppy Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I appreciate your input & I'm pretty sure you know exactly what your talking about. However, I dont have a clue what your saying... LOL
    When I said "Noob", I am saying, if someone asked me to give the name brand of a linear... I wouldn't have a clue. Much less whats inside one.
     
    Grumppy, Jul 17, 2016
    Grumppy, Jul 17, 2016
    #4
  7. Jul 17, 2016 #5
    rabbiporkchop

    rabbiporkchop Road Train Member

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    Amps are a waste of time until you master antenna systems. Here are specs for the 2sc2879
    [​IMG]


    Maximum 10 watts pep drive per transistor
     
    rabbiporkchop, Jul 17, 2016
    rabbiporkchop, Jul 17, 2016
    #5
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  8. Jul 17, 2016 #6
    Ougigoug

    Ougigoug Heavy Load Member

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    I would take that road get yourself classic reliable radio well tuned with a good antenna system.

    Less troubles for about the same performance as 100W amps.

    I had big and small amps in the past, now barefoot radio well tuned and good antenna...to me the little that you will get out of a small amps doesn't worth the aggravations.

    Good luck!
     
    Ougigoug, Jul 17, 2016
    Ougigoug, Jul 17, 2016
    #6
    handlebar, rabbiporkchop and Grumppy Thank this.
  9. Jul 17, 2016 #7
    rabbiporkchop

    rabbiporkchop Road Train Member

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    Amps aren't exactly plug and play like car audio stuff.
     
    rabbiporkchop, Jul 17, 2016
    rabbiporkchop, Jul 17, 2016
    #7
  10. Jul 17, 2016 #8
    Grumppy

    Grumppy Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Which is why I asked for info/advice. Twice I have admitted to being a complete noob on linear's. Just looking for advice on basic/noob/layman terms that I can understand so I wont just "plug & play" & expect it to work correctly. Technical terms isn't something I will understand being uneducated on electronic components.
     
    Grumppy, Jul 17, 2016
    Grumppy, Jul 17, 2016
    #8
    Blaskowitz, DRAGON64 and Ougigoug Thank this.
  11. Jul 17, 2016 #9
    bored silly

    bored silly Road Train Member

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    bored silly, Jul 17, 2016
    bored silly, Jul 17, 2016
    #9
  12. Jul 17, 2016 #10
    bored silly

    bored silly Road Train Member

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    a irf 520 mosfet is good for 25 to 28 watts pep. theres 8 of them in a galaxy 98 vhp turn that radio up past 225 watts and your asking for trouble.. the galaxy people will tell you that. a 2879 pill is good for 100 watts rms per pill. therefore a 4 pill amp is good for 400 watts rms and 800 watts peak on a bird meter. 8 pill is is good for 800 watts rms and peaks at 1600 watts on a bird meter, they consider peak as the same as pep ............
     
    bored silly, Jul 17, 2016
    bored silly, Jul 17, 2016
    #10
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