getting an amp, good idea?

Your asking for trouble if you do. I recommend to go to a reliable cb shop and have them tune it.

 

IF it is you will cook most amps

 

There are 3 ways to measure CB POWER ...

REAL WATTS ( LIKE ON HAM RADIOS ) .... 4 watts

SHOP METERS WATTS WHAT THE GUY TELLS YOU .... 40 watts

WHAT YOU TELL US ..... 400 watts

 

Some people will dare to add another zero.

 

If you want to add a Amp to that radio, you can have the radio P&T, thats fine...Just have the Low switch set for 2w's to run your Amp....The General Lee will swing to about 40w's out of the box, which is just fine for most Amps.

I have a General Lee I run with a Davemade 2x6 and it will swing 1200w's peak...I can also talk up to 30 miles locally with it. (provided who ever I'm talking to also has a strong radio so I can hear them...)

With a General Lee, you can run a 2-pill, 4-pill, 1x4, 2x4, or whatever, without worrying about frying the Amp as long as you keep the radio set on LOW. (2w DK)

Just starting out I would recommend something like a Texas Star 350 up to the 500V. Palomar 450's are also decent, but IMO the Texas Star box's are built a little better...Davemades, Fatboys, XForce box's will all give you a little more output, but are also not as forgiving as the others are if you don't have your system just perfect.

By the way...with the New General Lee's that have the mosfet finals in them, 62w's maybe about right. (I think 50-55 would be closer tho) The older General Lees did around 40-45w.

 

Pretty much what JJD told ya is on. A low dead key is the key to amp survival. Some radios like Galaxys have an RF power knob to adjust power. I believe the Gen Lee has a hi and low output switch.

Yep...I have a Cobra 18WX that will put out 40,000 watts barefoot! I can key up and say "aaaauuudddiiiooo" and blow out the street lights!