amps in trucks

DOT doesn't give that stuff a second look...

I used to run amps all the time and they were always in plain sight and I was never bothered by anyone.
I don't run an amp anymore because they don't really do much for truck to truck communication anyway, Just get a good radio and a good antenna and call it a day!

 

All the ones I've ever been in do have a cutout overhead for your cb but the 959 should fit no problem since it's a stock cb radio.

BTW the 3 digit galaxy's are not the good ones, the 2 digit are but they are 10 meter radios converted to cb band.

 

I dont get it why people run amps anymore..

great you can get out 10+miles but the closest truck is 8 miles away and can hear you but he can only get out 5 miles..

I was happy with my corba 29 with the 55watt final and a wilson 2000 or 5000 cant recall since Ive taken some time away from the truck and sold the gear to another driver. Big radios are a thing of the past just like a nice pete all decked out, Looks awsome but does it really get you to the dock anyfaster and make you anymore money then the fright shaker or volvo mack with the same spec output HP speed,ect. Dont get me wrong I love the look of a well keept O/O pete ken fright an such all done up and this is nromaly there home 90% of the time so I see why they do it but I myself will put more of the money in my pocket and skip the goodies for the front rear and side of my truck .


ok back to topic ...

 

3 reasons that come to mind...

1. It's a compensation for running a short antenna. A sort of "band aid" fix if you will

2. They were "told" by someone (who was rather unknowledgable on CB radios) "hey you need one of these if you want to get out any further".

3. They want to be the biggest dog in the truck stop parking lot.

Invest in a good antenna and tune it and you really don't need an amp.

 

Some drivers run amps, because they are hobbyists. Either for "shoot-outs" or shooting skip. Sometimes to break-up the monotony, I'm still a DX Junkie and will occassionally pull over in choice spots and shoot skip

 

Its not illegal to have one its illegal to transmitt on certian freq. with them(all cb's) and dot dont regulate them thats the FCC job

 

With the newer electronic engines and systems, running big power, especially dirty big power, can create all sorts of electrical and electronic havoc. Most guys are saying not to go over 200 amps for fear of messing truck engine systems up.

 

Yet another common myth so it seems.

When skip rolls in, believe it or not you can work skip on a standard 40 channel barefoot radio. Working skip has nothing to do with power. It has everything to do with where mother nature puts your signal at.

Yours truly has talked from Missouri to Pennsylvania and West Virginia on nothing more than an unmodified 32 year old Cobra 21 (basic 40 channel radio, no SSB) with a Wilson 1000 magnet mount antenna.