Copper Talk » Open Forum » Archived Messages » 2002 » 09/01/2002 to 09/30/2002 » Looking for the best amp for my application « Previous Next »

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The_Grand_Pooh
Posted on Saturday, August 31, 2002 - 11:05 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I have a Cobra 148 with a Wilson 5000 on my vehicle. I also have a NDS TA-27 Pre-Amp. Now I want an amp to help get out and talk some distance. Im thinking around 250 watts. I would also like to use the SSB feature on my radio. I have been around the net looking and there are too many different amps to figure out which ones are well built and which ones are junk. Can you help guide me to a well built amp that will work good with my radio.

Thanks
The Grand Pooh-Bah
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Biged
Posted on Sunday, September 01, 2002 - 12:01 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I would recomend a Palomar 225. I have been using one for quite some time now and have had no problems with it what so ever. It will do about 160 watts with the right set up. And the best part...$100
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The_Grand_Pooh
Posted on Sunday, September 01, 2002 - 10:18 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I am looking for something in the 250 watt range. From the research I have done it appears that there are many different transistors advertised with the Amps. Is one better then another?
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Karatebutcher
Posted on Sunday, September 01, 2002 - 10:55 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

grand pooh I then would say a Palomar 250, I have one in my car, they are very clean, and also I use mine a lot on SSB, I alwaws take my car to the tech to have it installed and checked when I install power. just my thought
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Taz
Posted on Sunday, September 01, 2002 - 1:55 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Well if you truly want 250+ watts, at a reasonable price go for the palomar 450 or the boomer 400.

They both run 4 SD-1446 Transistors and you will see an output of about 350 watts on high if tuned correctly to your radio.

Boomer 400: 219.00 + shipping
Palomar 450: 200.00 + shipping


Now remember, there is always the palomar 600!
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Highlander
Posted on Sunday, September 01, 2002 - 2:25 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

KLV-400 mobile is a nice choice, but its really about a 160-170 watt amp. I have the mod351p that it replaced (and is similar to) and I run it with a President Lincoln and wilson 1000 magmount, and I am very pleased with it.
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fatback
Posted on Sunday, September 01, 2002 - 5:29 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

x-force x-200 great amp 200-400 watts
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The_Grand_Pooh
Posted on Sunday, September 01, 2002 - 7:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I have noticed that some of these amps have a switch to go from AM to SSB and others don't. Regarding the ones that don't have the switch, are they automatically recognizing the difference when you transmit?

Can you give me your opinions on units like the Cobra XL450, Twister, Messenger and Galaxy 350HD

Thanks
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Alsworld
Posted on Sunday, September 01, 2002 - 8:55 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Amps such as the KL series have switches between AM and SSB, others such as the Palamar series are automatic. I am not familiar with the others you mentioned. Be cautioned though, many amps on the internet may advertise a bunch of watts but sound like garbage on sideband due to their classification and biasing. Less watts but a clear signal may be what you want. For most of the amps you see advertised, you see something like "150/300 PEP". What they are telling you is 150 watts max AM, 300 sideband peak envelope power (PEP) usually. Just because it can put out 300 watts on sideband does not mean it sounds clean. Sideband is wonderful but if you sound like garbage, no one will talk to you. Keep doing your homework and asking questions and you will be able to form a good opinion on what will work best for you and your setup.

If you choose to shop from Copper's, you will be happy with the results. The amps they sell are all nice!

Alsworld
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The_Grand_Pooh
Posted on Sunday, September 01, 2002 - 10:49 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I have read that some are C class some are B class and others are AB class. Which is best? I read somewhere that the Texas Star is rated AB but the way it is put together it is not really an AB class Amp. I don't understand what all this means yet.
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Bigbob
Posted on Sunday, September 01, 2002 - 10:52 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

YOU BETCHA!!!!
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The_Grand_Pooh
Posted on Sunday, September 01, 2002 - 11:04 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I have read that some are C class some are B class and others are AB class. Which is best? I read somewhere that the Texas Star is rated AB but the way it is put together it is not really an AB class Amp. I don't understand what all this means yet.
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Taz
Posted on Sunday, September 01, 2002 - 11:20 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I like class ab-1 condition.
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Megahurts
Posted on Monday, September 02, 2002 - 12:57 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Anyone know what class amp the KLV1000p is?
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Taz
Posted on Monday, September 02, 2002 - 1:20 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I beleive its a class c or a class b
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the hobo
Posted on Monday, September 02, 2002 - 9:25 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

say hey megahurts, i believe that all klv amps are ab1?? this was my impression from looking at the same ??s on other web sites, and my own opinion, because thats why i bought the klv big amps that i use now!! lol
the hobo
2tx1000
274150 am
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The_Grand_Pooh
Posted on Monday, September 02, 2002 - 11:25 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

So are the KL series a true AB-1 amp? If not can someone recommend a true AB-1 amp that will not require modifing my electrical system.
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bruce
Posted on Monday, September 02, 2002 - 12:25 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

This in not a iron clad rule but for the most part

Class C is only good on FM or CW but if you drive them lightly they will work on AM or SSB

Class b's are best for most modes

Class A is the least used but has the lowest distortion not a good choice for RF.

Since i run FM my amp is class C only and with 400 watts input i get 325 out... not bad.
Bruce
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Taz
Posted on Monday, September 02, 2002 - 1:48 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I like ab1 condition. It runs cleanest!

A friend of mine runs his 12k amp in ab-1 condition.
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Bigbob
Posted on Monday, September 02, 2002 - 2:59 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

ab-1 best for ssb,least touchy to bias.
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The_Grand_Pooh
Posted on Monday, September 02, 2002 - 3:50 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

What class is the x-force x-200? I have read here on this forum that it is a B class and will work good with SSB and I have read on another forum that it is a C class

Makes it hard for a newbie when forums make conflicting statements. Ive still got to figure out who has the brains and who just flaps their lips on the keep board.
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Scrapiron63
Posted on Monday, September 02, 2002 - 4:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

That's a heck of an amp Bruce, 400 watts in, 325 out. ha,ha. I know some guys that need one like that.
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bruce
Posted on Monday, September 02, 2002 - 5:36 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

its CLASS C FM only with 5 watts drive it runs 285-325 out on a bird meter pulling 38 amps at 12.6 volts it will not run SSB or AM at all but works great on 29.6 fm which is what i had in mind when i built it.... " borrowed " the plans form some old motorola stuff.... parts from rf parts and dosnt look like much just a box with a heat sink that is fan cooled.
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Tech671
Posted on Monday, September 02, 2002 - 6:28 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The XForce amps are available with class B biasing, just ask. The Magna Force amps come already biased class B.

The class C XForce works very well in AM mode. A lot more to them than just "thrown" together.
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snowman
Posted on Monday, September 02, 2002 - 6:37 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

got the palomar 400 and it swing to 350 in my pickup.
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bruce
Posted on Monday, September 02, 2002 - 8:44 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

CLASS C ON AM ? novel like i said if you drive them soft they will work i ran a class C amp on 2 meter SSB for years my home made transverter only put out 200 millawatts and the amp was rated 10 - 160 so it got about 40 out with .2 watts of drive and sounded good still for a AM/SSB radio stick to B.
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Taz
Posted on Monday, September 02, 2002 - 8:46 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

he runs his 12k on am with ab-1 bias