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BlackHawk86
06-24-2015, 09:10 PM
Hey everyone. I am on the hunt for an amp I can get for my little 4-wheeler. I would like to be able to park somewhere and catch skip and throw the hammer down with but at the same time be able to use it while in traffic talking as well. My radio is currently an peaked mod cobra 25ltd classic, and i am sadly using an lil will antenna. I am also open to suggestions for the antenna i should run as well.

I am not current on the new stuff that is out now. I was big into radios before the NAVY and am now wanting to get back into again. I used to have an Connex 3300hp zx that i Loved with an 550watt linear and an wilson 1000 antenna. i was able to talk a good bit with it and wanted to make my setup even better then but I had my stuff yanked out of my vehicle and was not until now able to afford to start replacing everything.

Thanks again for the help and insite to come from this community.

jadocs
06-25-2015, 02:26 PM
Willsons good. I had a 1000 that I had no issues with. If it were me, I would probably change the "lil Will" to a Wilson 5000 if you are looking to buy locally. I'm running a Sirio 5000 Performer with a TNT-350HD that has been tuned and thermally regulated. My SWRs are flat 1:1 both on input and output (this is due to the amp tuning). Depending on what kind of amp you get you will most likely need to get your radio retuned to produce the proper dead key so you don't overdrive and fry the amp.

Here is my setup:

Sirio antenna:
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/06/25/6d2cc989cf549e92c86ce259adccbada.jpg
TNT-350HD (by X-Force) mounted in center console:
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/06/25/9b1df4c6bd8bdc9ea4045a1ee939c5a3.jpg
MFJ-822 inline so I can set the dead key before using the amp. My radio has variable power which allows me to run wide open when using it barefoot, or set the dead key when using the Amp.
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/06/25/454c551456e43d4d842242e4d5eda8ec.jpg

BlackHawk86
06-25-2015, 03:14 PM
Thanks for the input. Just picked up a little 100watt box this morning and paid for a Wilson 5000 that will be here next Friday. Got a steal deal on the antenna. The shop even tuned the cobra 29ltd classic for running the amp. So now I just have to wire up the amp and get stomping lol.

jadocs
06-25-2015, 03:29 PM
What is your dead key? Do you know?

BlackHawk86
06-25-2015, 08:47 PM
The radio I'm going to run the amp on was just set to like 1 watt I think he said.


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jadocs
06-25-2015, 09:05 PM
Gotcha, so next week when your antenna gets in you'll be set. Post up some pics when you get her setup! And congrats.

BlackHawk86
06-25-2015, 09:11 PM
Oh I will indeed. I am having a customer of mine do the wiring for dirt cheap. Doing at least 10gauge from the battery to the main cabin into a box with fuses for each line so the radio and amp will both be straight battery. If I am correct in thought this will also help to reduce the amount of feedback from the trucks alternator and other electronics.


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jadocs
06-25-2015, 09:20 PM
My radio and amp go directly to the battery as well.

BlackHawk86
06-25-2015, 09:28 PM
Do you find that it reduces noise?


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jadocs
06-25-2015, 09:43 PM
I don't have any feedback at all from the truck.

I have a 11,250 lumen LED light bar that gives me a little feedback through my antenna when I turn it on, but it's minimal and unrelated to the radio and amp wiring.

BlackHawk86
06-25-2015, 09:45 PM
Cool. I have 2 6" led bars for my fogs and a 22" bar between the headlights hope they don't mess with mine.


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jadocs
06-25-2015, 10:01 PM
Yep you will get some feedback from them when they are on. Nothing you can do about it. I'm running a 20" rigid bar between my tow hooks wired to my second battery (radio and amp wired to first battery so they are separate). The only thing it affects on mine is the receive on distant (I'm talking really far out) transmissions that fade in and out to begin with. The minimal RF noise will mask those really weak signals. No issues with receive and transmit to stations in range. Again this is only with the LED bar turned on. No feedback at all from any electronics or satellite radio in truck.

BlackHawk86
06-25-2015, 11:16 PM
Thanks again. And I will post up pics as soon as it is up and tx'ing.


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BlackHawk86
07-03-2015, 09:19 AM
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/03/dad3a665e481789594efc47ca5426433.jpghttp://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/03/721bb114544abb37a80a98f7c12ae97f.jpghttp://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/03/6e48f42cd3279afac8510053748db130.jpghttp://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/03/7b9ab468cc2ebdba16867f122f580389.jpg

Looking good so far.


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jadocs
07-03-2015, 10:05 AM
Awesome! How do you like it?

BlackHawk86
07-03-2015, 10:07 AM
I was talking to Alabama on Sunday night for a minute. Then last night I confirmed talking to Detroit.

During the day I am lucky to reach 10 miles I am already thinking about getting my hands on a lot bigger amp.


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jadocs
07-03-2015, 04:12 PM
You've got the bug now. I see a radio with SSB in your future :)

BlackHawk86
07-03-2015, 04:17 PM
For sure. I am on the lookout now for a SSB radio now for cheap.


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