The law is 4watts. Outside this, operation would be illegal.

Just for discussion purposes...

Normally someone who wanted to increase the power of their unit might use a power microphone.

How about someone who had the C75WXST COBRA as this unit has all the controls on the microphone itself so you could not swap this for a power mic. so how would one increase the output of this model cb?

Just for discussion you understand!

Cheers
Mark

 

Why not just get an amateur radio license, and a 50 watt 2m radio?

That will be cheaper than installing a linear amplifier for the cb, provide better sound quality, and it will be legal.

 

Adding a power mic does nothing for power output. Adding a better mic will increase the "modulation", that is, the percentage of the signal that is occupied by your voice, but other than some "swing" from running higher modulation, the power output remains in the same ballpark.

To increase power, you must open the radio and dial up the "finals", that is, the amplifier that controls the amount of radiated power or add an additional amplifier after the radio.

There are three solutions that will get you more power out of one of those "one hander" units;

1. Sell it and get a "real" radio.
2. Have a CB shop "tune" the radio, but it won't get you much from one of those.
3. Add an amplifier between the radio and the antenna.

 

EXACTLY what he said. And with #3 make sure you use a quality antenna not some cheap cellphone look alike or something.

 

the easyest is a ampilifier that sites between the output of the cb and the antena

i THINK CB is the 29 mhz range well below 144mhz of a standard 2m mobile rig.

Most guys that have 10m mobile basicly incroperates the same frequency that CB occupies and you can get a muliti channel mobile with frequences that include both CB and 2m

KC0TXH

 

Hello all! I personally would try to stay away from Radio Shack. Cobra, Uniden, Galaxy, and Superstar radios are my favorites. Yes, linear amps are illegal to use on the CB frequency. BUT! You will not be able to believe how many people use them!!! Getting a amateur radio operators license (HAM license) is a good idea. But not all people want to get their license. Handsdown, CB is a good thing. If you like I can suggest, I repeat- SUGGEST-some things. It all depends on what you want and what you can afford. Send me a PM if you have any questions or concerns.
Before I go, I would like to leave a few sites that you can check out.

CB Radio Forum Powered by 1 Stop Electronics Forums
(www.cbradioforum.com)

RadioActive Radios

Pacific CB Radio Sales

I could go on for days just listing sites. These were just a few. Have a good day and drive safe!

Mike

 

i also have the 75, and wouldnt mind alittle power increase. how do you route the amp inline with respect to the antenna cable being coax...?

 

A "linear" takes the normal antenna output from the CB as an input. Be careful... You can EASILY find a linear that will literally FRY (as in sparks and fire) a standard CB antenna.

btw, by the word of the FCC, this is pretty illegal. If you're looking for more specific info on kicking the power of a CB, I think that a Google Search would help more than chattering here.

There're a couple of vendors of amps on the first page of that search.

 

Before jumping to the conclusion that you need more power first take your current setup to new levels with:
a good antenna, and a good mic ie: Telex Turner RoadKing, or Astatic Noise Cancling mic. Make sure you have a good antenna, NO rat shacks, or off brands here: go w/ k40, Wilson,a 102"whip etc etc. Steel Antennas traditionally modulate slightly better than fiberglass. Get your radio "super tuned". A super tune at most shops consists of adding different finals in your radio to get more output wattage than stock. Typically with a dual final radio you may get up to 40+watts peak power. Once you've done the tune and the antenna and the mic, you will be blown away by the difference between your old "radio check" and your new ones.

ANyhow on to your situation. What scares you about using a linear? I've ran 400 watts of light dim'n power ever since I bought my first truck. If you are responsible, and use common sense, there is no danger in running a little power into your cb. However, as I stated above, a properly tuned and setup cb w/out a linear is much lower profile and just as useful on the interstates.
Just some things to think about.