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

Easy,get a good antenna system first not stock freightliner garbage then buy a Texas star 250 or 350.

 

A CLASS A/B AMP USES MOSFETS-AKA TEXAS STAR PALOMAR ETC. A CLASS C AMP USES TOSHIBA 2879 PILLS OR DEI PILLS...........

 

My advice. You need to learn more, or have someone who knows more set it up for you. As has been mentioned, a very good, not just adequate, antenna system is a must. Without that, you'll probably smoke the amp and maybe the radio in short order. Amps not only magnify your signal, they magnify your problems too.
There are a couple of good threads on here about how to get a decent antenna on a Cascadia. One started by yours truly, and I'm partial to my findings, but you may like what some of the others came up with. But that is the place you need to start, i.e. a good antenna set-up.

 

TEXAS STAR-PALOMAR ARE 2 CLASS A/B AMPS... FATBOY DAVEMADE WORLDWIDE AND LIPZIPPER ARE CLASS C AMPS.. NOW YOU KNOW THE NAME OF SOME OF THE AMPS OUT THERE. I WOULD GO WITH A CLASS A/B AMP LIKE RABBI SAID A TEXAS STAR..GET TOO MUCH POWER WATTS WISE AND YOU'LL BURN UP THE ECM IN YOUR TRUCK IF ITS NOT PROFESSIONALLY INSTALLED. BETTER GET A REAL ANTENNA LIKE AT LEAST 2 PEOPLE HAVE TOLD YOU FIRST. THE FACTORY JUNK IS TOTAL GARBAGE.....MOST PEOPLE RUN A PREDATOR OR BROWNING ON A CRAPCADIA..THESE GUYS WILL TELL YOU THE BEST WHIP ANTENNA OUT THERE .................................................

 

RM ITALY MAKES THE EXACT LITTLE KICKER YOU ARE LOOKING FOR. IT HAS 4 MOSFETS IN IT I BELIEVE....IT COSTS ABOUT $125 RIGHT AROUND THERE. AND DOES THE 100 WATTS YOUR LOOKING FOR... OR SO THEY SAY..........................

 

I never run an amp at it's highest capability. It's like driving your car with your foot on the floor all the time. I have a 300 watt RM Italy. I run it on low. It swings to about 150 watts or so when I talk. It doesn't do as good as my Texas Star 500 used to do obviously, but it works well and I leave it on all the time. I've ran it that way for years without any issue whatsoever. I say all that to say if you want to put out about 100 watts, I'd consider buying bigger and running it like I do if you want it to last.

 

You have been given the best advice you can use already. Master the antenna system. When you are talking 10 to 20 miles with your stock radio, you may question the need for any amp.

 

I too don't believe in squeezing every watts out of a chassis.

 

WHY ARE YOU YELLING?

Honestly there are a couple things you all need to know.

Most of these amps are junk. They are all the same design, that was created over 45 years ago.

ECM won't fry with an amp.

 

But an improperly set up and grounded amp will fry an ECM.

I swear I know nothing about a Sweet 16 on jumper cables killing a 2016 Evo with 1500 miles on it.