Truckers Report Jobs

Find Trucking Jobs

Company Driver Company Driver Dry Van Dry Van Flatbed Flatbed Refrigerated Refrigerated Specialized Specialized Owner Operator Owner Operator
More Trucking Job Searches ⌄ Fewer Trucking Job Searches
⌃

Amp not working?

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by Pool6710, Nov 8, 2015.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Nov 8, 2015 #1
    Pool6710

    Pool6710 Medium Load Member

    662
    258
    Aug 10, 2014
    Minnesnowta
    0
    I'm using a stock bc880 CB, should be about 4wtts.

    Trying to run a MS500 and it doesn't appear to be helping at receiving or reching out.

    Running a Wilson 5000 and my SWR is very close to 1

    Without a meter to check the watt output is there any way else to check to see if it's working?

    I might also not be supplying the amp with a quality power source. I have it connected to the + and - on the side of my dash for the CB.
     
    Pool6710, Nov 8, 2015
    Pool6710, Nov 8, 2015
    #1
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Nov 8, 2015 #2
    kor b

    kor b Light Load Member

    254
    103
    Dec 16, 2008
    0
    Your right about not feeding it enough power. A 500 watt amp should have at least 6 gauge fine stranded wire direct to the battery. I would use an external swr/watt meter to test it. 1.3 to 1 or better is ideal although 1.5 to 1 or better can work ok. The way I test for performance is I get on channel 19 around a lot of truck traffic and praise Obama, Obama Care, or Democratic polices in general, then set back and listen. Lol
     
    kor b, Nov 8, 2015
    kor b, Nov 8, 2015
    #2
    burnsey, Blaskowitz and Pool6710 Thank this.
  4. Nov 8, 2015 #3
    Pool6710

    Pool6710 Medium Load Member

    662
    258
    Aug 10, 2014
    Minnesnowta
    0
    Alright I'll wire it up tomorrow the correct way.
     
    Pool6710, Nov 8, 2015
    Pool6710, Nov 8, 2015
    #3
  5. Nov 10, 2015 #4
    rabbiporkchop

    rabbiporkchop Road Train Member

    9,681
    6,538
    Feb 9, 2012
    Wapwallopen, Pa
    0
    I'd hook it up on a bench tuned for 11 meters and see what it looks like on a scope.
     
    rabbiporkchop, Nov 10, 2015
    rabbiporkchop, Nov 10, 2015
    #4
  7. Nov 11, 2015 #5
    Pool6710

    Pool6710 Medium Load Member

    662
    258
    Aug 10, 2014
    Minnesnowta
    0
    Just tried it with the correct wires and the amp made my watts lower. The fan turns on and the lights work, but I think something is fried in it?
     
    Pool6710, Nov 11, 2015
    Pool6710, Nov 11, 2015
    #5
  8. Nov 11, 2015 #6
    burnsey

    burnsey Light Load Member

    81
    40
    Jan 24, 2014
    seacoast, NH
    0
    Why did I not think of THAT before ??? :laughing-guffaw:
     
    burnsey, Nov 11, 2015
    burnsey, Nov 11, 2015
    #6
  9. Nov 11, 2015 #7
    ShooterK2

    ShooterK2 Road Train Member

    5,533
    89,470
    Dec 14, 2012
    Oklahoma
    0
    Are you sure you have the coax connected the right way at the amp?
     
    ShooterK2, Nov 11, 2015
    ShooterK2, Nov 11, 2015
    #7
  10. Nov 11, 2015 #8
    Pool6710

    Pool6710 Medium Load Member

    662
    258
    Aug 10, 2014
    Minnesnowta
    0
    correct, I could hear people too, couldn't reach them though.

    Even turned on the pre amp and they almost didn't register because it lost watts with the amp on.
     
    Pool6710, Nov 11, 2015
    Pool6710, Nov 11, 2015
    #8
  11. Nov 11, 2015 #9
    RockinChair

    RockinChair Road Train Member

    5,268
    13,708
    Feb 19, 2012
    Lubbock, TX & thereabouts
    0
    How do you know you're getting less wattage? In your first post, you said you don't have a wattmeter.
     
    RockinChair, Nov 11, 2015
    RockinChair, Nov 11, 2015
    #9
    rabbiporkchop Thanks this.
  12. Nov 11, 2015 #10
    RockinChair

    RockinChair Road Train Member

    5,268
    13,708
    Feb 19, 2012
    Lubbock, TX & thereabouts
    0
    Dam.mit boy, that ain't right...
    :thumbup:
     
    RockinChair, Nov 11, 2015
    RockinChair, Nov 11, 2015
    #10
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

    • Page 1 of 2