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Mikefromms
Intermediate Member
Username: Mikefromms

Post Number: 111
Registered: 6-2003
Posted on Wednesday, March 03, 2004 - 6:09 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

While I'm still waiting on my Wilson 1000 antenna, I decided to turn the watts down to 1/2 on the Lincoln and try the Kl-300p again. First key up going down the road and bam, the gages light up and the transmission quits. I pull over and kill the engine and restart it and everything resets. I guess that magnetic mount doesn't ground at all? Has anybody ever had such a problem? I mean the amp was on low? Frustrated and concerned the new antenna might not solve the problem. This is not a joke. This is really happening.

mikefromms
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Buck
Advanced Member
Username: Buck

Post Number: 799
Registered: 3-2002
Posted on Wednesday, March 03, 2004 - 7:12 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Magnetic mounts arent the best for running power...I would hard mount an antenna and make sure tha amp is WELL grounded. How many watts did you drive the amp with...1/2 watt or with the Lincoln at 1/2 power??? If it was at 1/2 power that is way too much drive for that amp...it needs to be about 2 to 2 1/2 watts
Buck
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Mikefromms
Intermediate Member
Username: Mikefromms

Post Number: 113
Registered: 6-2003
Posted on Thursday, March 04, 2004 - 6:50 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I got my Wilson trunk mount antenna in late yesterday; so, I'll get it on this afternoon and give it a try. If this doesn't work the amp is coming out. Oh, I meant to say I turned the watts down to 1-1/2 watts on the Lincoln to drive the 300P. The amp is grounded.

mikefromms
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Leonard
Junior Member
Username: Leonard

Post Number: 44
Registered: 12-2002
Posted on Thursday, March 04, 2004 - 9:30 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hey mike forumms I put a palomar 250 in my chev corsica with a 2950 dx.
When I put it on the first it was ok and the same with the second but when I put it on the high my car just out of control.
Alt light came on on it just started temp gauge went way up and it was just weird.
Took the amp out the next day and sold it.
I run a wilson 1000 trunk mount and the amp was wired up just the way I was told on the forum.
Good luck I am not much for amps I like to see if I can make the contact with what the radio has.
73' cef #189 Len
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Buck
Advanced Member
Username: Buck

Post Number: 805
Registered: 3-2002
Posted on Thursday, March 04, 2004 - 5:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Ground that trunk lid also Mike....Amp hot wire to the battery, Ground wire to the shortest possible ground. Hopefully it will take care of your problem
Buck
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Bigbob
Senior Member
Username: Bigbob

Post Number: 1691
Registered: 12-2001
Posted on Thursday, March 04, 2004 - 7:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Metal will stop RF if it is several pieces all tied together or one piece GROUNDED,GLASS WILL NOT STOP RF UNLESS IT HAS A METAL GRID LAMINATED IN IT AND GROUNDED,MAN,you put a trunk mount on your car and inject 250 watts of rf into your passenger compartment,heaven forbid if you use a rear facing kiddy carrier,not to mention all the exposed electrical and electronic wiring,I've mentioned this before and no-one pays attention to a word,keep the antenna above the glass,period and fully ground it one way or another,if you can't poke holes increase the number of magnets,I use four,5 inchers with a 250 palomar,no problem at all,with more magnets you can use more power because you've increased the coupling between the antenna and the ground(roof),order more magnets and fabricate a new bracket from aluminum,and you can use still more power,of course the thing could start to look ugly after awhile,but it WILL WORK,I just can't believe what people expect from ONE magnet.Bigbob
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Mikefromms
Intermediate Member
Username: Mikefromms

Post Number: 115
Registered: 6-2003
Posted on Thursday, March 04, 2004 - 11:09 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I didn't know about the one magnet. I just expected it to take 100 watts. Anyway, got my Wilson 1000 trunk mount installed to today. Got 1 s-unit more on a guy on a base across town. Checked with the helper on and so far no dashboard lights. I'll keep my fingers crossed. At this time, everything is pointing to the magnet mount as my weak link in the former system. I hope this is solved indeed. That Wilson 1000 sure looks good on my trunk. I still like the A-1700 and recommend it if you can mount it with a good ground.

mikefromms
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Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808

Post Number: 1680
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Friday, March 05, 2004 - 12:02 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Mike,

If I might make a Helpful Suggestion.

#1 ~ Place Trunk Lip mount on trunk and tighten Set Screws tight so you can see in the paint where they will be.

#2 ~ Remove Trunk Lip Mount from trunk.

#3 ~ Then find a drill bit slightly larger than the set screw mark's and drill just enough to get thru Paint and Primer to metal.

#4 ~ Then re-attach Trunk Lip Mount.


It is very hard to get a good ground thru the Paint and Primer.

Also as Buck suggested GROUND your trunk lid to the frame.

Hope this help's.

Lon
Tech808
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Leonard
Junior Member
Username: Leonard

Post Number: 45
Registered: 12-2002
Posted on Friday, March 05, 2004 - 12:57 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hey guys thats ok I did hook it up as stated from an earier post.
A while back and the way Lon and Buck said in this post but it still did not work.
But thats ok I am not much for amps for the simple reason I am proud of my radios and they do just fine with out the amps.
If the good Lord is willing and the conditions are right.
But Thank you for this feed back 73"s.
Len cef#189
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Mikefromms
Intermediate Member
Username: Mikefromms

Post Number: 116
Registered: 6-2003
Posted on Friday, March 05, 2004 - 6:04 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks, lon, the system is working great right now. I did scratch off enough paint to touch metal. So far the amp is working fine. Since it is working now, do you think it would be safe to turn the am power up to 3 watts like the tech who did the review on the 300P or would that be too much for the mobile?

mikefromms
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Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808

Post Number: 1699
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Saturday, March 06, 2004 - 12:23 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Mike,

As most all Watt meter's can register a little different, I would suggest that you try 2 1/2 watts and see what that gives you.

You may find that is enough to suit your needs.

It is far better to error on the SAFE side than the SORRY side if your Watt meter is off.

Hope this help's.

Lon
Tech808
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Mikefromms
Intermediate Member
Username: Mikefromms

Post Number: 117
Registered: 6-2003
Posted on Sunday, March 07, 2004 - 8:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Good point, err on the side of caution. That's what my Nursing Excecutive says all the time.

Thanks,

mikefromms
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Butcher 318 (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Posted on Monday, March 08, 2004 - 9:16 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I am glad you got it working. I have run about a dozen different amps all on a Mag mount on the roof, the biggest being a Texas Star 667. I never had the first problem what so ever. A Mag mount is fine up to about 600-800 watts. A good installation is very important, this includes proper fuses, grounds, quality jumpers and coax,proper gage wire, a radio that is tuned properly, just to name afew. By the way, the antenna was a Wilson 5000 ( one magnet ) take care all.
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Mikefromms
Intermediate Member
Username: Mikefromms

Post Number: 119
Registered: 6-2003
Posted on Monday, March 08, 2004 - 10:07 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Mine was a radio shack magnet. Evidently, it could not handle much over 50 watts.

mikefromms
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Bigbob
Senior Member
Username: Bigbob

Post Number: 1713
Registered: 12-2001
Posted on Tuesday, March 09, 2004 - 5:36 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

By using a tapped inductor wilson can get away with this,the old r. shack mags were all tapped inductors,most of the present ones are not,I had a 20 year old super mag mount could put 250 through it,no problem,the new one melts,that's why so many people say they ought to change their name.
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Mikefromms
Intermediate Member
Username: Mikefromms

Post Number: 122
Registered: 6-2003
Posted on Thursday, March 11, 2004 - 1:40 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Radio Shack is should be renamed cell-phone or direct-TV shack. CB and ham seem to be on the bottom shelf. But I guess there really isn't as much interest in cb and ham as there is in cell-phones and direct tv. Still, quality should always increase not decrease. Man, I've gotten a lot of junk lately, at least for my purposes. My advice is to stick with copper on all of your shack needs. I know I will.

mikefromms
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Bullet215
New member
Username: Bullet215

Post Number: 9
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Friday, March 12, 2004 - 3:31 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Mike,
I have a KLV 300p and a RCI 2950 with a Hustler trunk mount antenna mobile-(Chevy Cavalier). I had my doubt's about this setup at first. Once I hooked everything up and checked SWR's....let me tell you that the KLV 300P is a nice amp! No electrical glitches or dimming lights. This set up is going good for my mobile about 3 1/2 years now...and I continue to get nothing but compliments in DX land. They are very clean sounding amps...when you run them with 1 or 2 watts drive. Hope you get it worked out. The wilson 1000 roof or trunk mount would be another great antenna to use....Keep us posted on your setup! Hope to hear ya around DX Land!
~215 Maryland
73's to ya!
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Mikefromms
Intermediate Member
Username: Mikefromms

Post Number: 124
Registered: 6-2003
Posted on Friday, March 12, 2004 - 9:47 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks for the information Bullit215, I have a 1996 model cavalier. So far the Wilson 1000 trunk mount has solved my problem. I stick kind of flinch when I key down the amp because of the many times my gage lights came on before. Maybe I will get over the key shyness soon. Do you ever run yours on high? How many watt are you driving the amp for SSB? Is 12 watts too much? Anyway, maybe I will catch you in DX land sometime.

73's

mikefromms
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Bullet215
Junior Member
Username: Bullet215

Post Number: 10
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Saturday, March 13, 2004 - 9:48 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Mike,
I use SSB about half the time and the RCI 2950 is set around 8-10 watts "swing" on SSB into the KLV 300p. I must say it gets warm quickly though on "Hi" setting! I might have to play around and lower VR inside radio someday...or a fan kit ontop the KLV300P. I use an astatic 575 mic. with the mic gain back down on the 2950 radio & mic. while talking SSB, for better transmit then on AM modulation. I don't know the true wattage that I'm seeing from KLV 300P...'cause I don't have good RELIABLE meter yet only a Radio shack meter. I plan to get the Dosy 3 face meter w/freq. counter soon from COPPER...then I'll post and let you know what I'm seeing from the amp. I'm guessing around 135-160 watts range with the wattage input... I seen the review on it and it claimed 185 watts. Anyway at least THE KLV 300P sounds clean and loud.
73's to ya!
~215 Maryland(BULLET215)
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Mikefromms
Intermediate Member
Username: Mikefromms

Post Number: 125
Registered: 6-2003
Posted on Saturday, March 13, 2004 - 9:29 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I guess I need to lower my watts on ssb or at least turn down my mic and not overdrive it. I think I'm doing 10 or 12 watts. I talked on am side on high for a few minutes today and the KL-300p got hot! That's the hottest I've seen it, but they say it is tough and can stand it.

I was wondering....if a mobile amp burns up will it catch the car on fire?

Mikefromms
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Bigbob
Senior Member
Username: Bigbob

Post Number: 1748
Registered: 12-2001
Posted on Saturday, March 13, 2004 - 11:27 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

MIKE,I mean no disrespect,but you can solve the heat problem,the kl500 is a 4-pill amp with no driver and is "made" for radios like the 2950 with dual finals(2312c) you can run them full open on high and the amp gets warm that's all,I got a boomer400(4-pill) on my dx2517 and run wideopen on ssb only,2 watts dk on am swing is 470 on both am and ssb,the wilson 1000 will take it,and yes,if you have an unfused power wire going to amp you can lose your car,put fuse as close to supply as possible.Bigbob
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Mikefromms
Intermediate Member
Username: Mikefromms

Post Number: 126
Registered: 6-2003
Posted on Sunday, March 14, 2004 - 5:46 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Mine are double-fused. I'll have to check out the boomer 400.

mikefromms
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Mikefromms
Advanced Member
Username: Mikefromms

Post Number: 726
Registered: 6-2003
Posted on Wednesday, August 24, 2005 - 11:25 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Update, solved flashing lights and electronic problems in car by placing Wilson 1000 on the roof. I got it away from the rear window defroster. I'm pretty sure the strong rf was getting into the electrical system at that point.

mikefromms
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Hollowpoint445
Advanced Member
Username: Hollowpoint445

Post Number: 704
Registered: 6-2004
Posted on Wednesday, August 24, 2005 - 6:44 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

It was probably just radiating through the glass, into the passenger compartment, through your body, and into the dash wiring.
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Wolverine
Intermediate Member
Username: Wolverine

Post Number: 453
Registered: 2-2003
Posted on Thursday, August 25, 2005 - 4:14 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Funny what RF can do to your eyeballs, hair, gonads, and the like. Did you know that that the average cber running 5000 watts DC, or 10000 watts AC in a mobile on a regular/daily basis, shortens their life by 7 to 10 years?.
Wolverine.
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Al_lafon
Intermediate Member
Username: Al_lafon

Post Number: 128
Registered: 3-2005
Posted on Sunday, January 01, 2006 - 6:03 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Here you go put the meter from Bat.GND to Block
and got 4.5 ohms think i got a good RF GND here?
Also got .04 at firewall to Bat.GND well thats
more like it. But wait i got a Open on all the
doors no they are not opened just no GND at all.
Lets open the trunk with the car running bam
all this winning from the fuel pump well forget
using the radio with the trunk open. Please give
me a good old 1960s car all you had to do was
add plugs and plug wires .

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