Getting more range from CB

[RW'07]

I have never heard of anyone causing any permanent damage to their vehicle's electrical system from just using a CB amplifier. I mean obviously you will want to run the wires directly from your car's battery for this type of thing. A 300 watt amplifier will draw between 20 and 22 amps. You also want to make sure to use the proper gauge wiring. I usually use 10 gauge, even though the wiring coming out of my linear amplifier is only 12 gauge. Someday I may get a bigger amp, right? Hehe. On to the amusing part: Using the amplifier will more than likely interfere with the electronics in your car. For example, I drive a 1994 Cavalier and I run a 200 watt linear. If I key up when the car is dinging shortly after putting the key in, the dings will sound all scracthy and goofed up. Also, anytime I key up, the light for the rear defrost will very faintly light up and it will actually get a little brighter when I yell into the microphone. Finally, OF COURSE, you will more than likely hear yourself coming out of your car's speakers when you talk. OH! I also managed to set the laser alert off on my RX-65! This is just my experiences. My cousin had a 300 watt linear in his car and I don't remember any of those things happening, except for maybe faintly hearing himself through his car speakers. It all depends on your situation. Thank you for reading.

Thank you very much for your very useful insight
I've already spoken with the CB shop, a very knowledgeable person (technician in the same time, he is gonna do the entire job) asked me lots of questions about my current equipment and my vehicle, he then told me exactly what he is going to do, exactly what YOU just said before, wiring directly from the battery, finding the right wires for this Galaxy 225 amplifier, as soon as I gave him the green light for the "Operation CB Freedom ", I will call him back on Wednesday to confirm the job for next Saturday, he will prepare all cables/wires in advance so he will cut on the labor rate, he said it's about 1 hr of work, $50 for labor and $200 for the amplifier, I will pay cash so no tax :wink: maybe I will get $10-$20 off, all together I think I'm gonna do it, why not?

One more question to you please: so far I've got the STI professionally hardwired to the fuse box, also the XM sat radio, anything to affect the normal operation of this 2 devices?
Thanks a lot

[DeadReb245]

I think I'm gonna do it, why not?

One more question to you please: so far I've got the STI professionally hardwired to the fuse box, also the XM sat radio, anything to affect the normal operation of this 2 devices?
Thanks a lot

You're quite welcome. Yeah, hell go for it, why not? That's the way I look at it. You just need to make sure that your radio drives this amp with enough power but not too much. I don't know anything about this Galaxy amplifier but I'm sure your radio guy knows what he's talking about. In regards to the STI and the satellite radio: There just are no guarantees when talking about this kind of stuff. It varies from setup to setup but I'd almost bank on some minor adverse affects. I wouldn't be shocked if you came back after having it installed and complained about the STI falsing on laser or the XM losing signal whenever you key up for more than 5 seconds at a time or at all. On the other hand, I wouldn't be shocked if it didn't cause you a problem at all. You just can't say. I'm interested in the outcome so keep me posted.

[o2bad455]

For driving in Canada, please make sure that your XM radio is not one of the ones that sets off Spectre RDDs. If it did, then that might give them probable cause to legally search your equipment and discover your otherwise undetectable STi.

[RW'07]

I think I'm gonna do it, why not?

One more question to you please: so far I've got the STI professionally hardwired to the fuse box, also the XM sat radio, anything to affect the normal operation of this 2 devices?
Thanks a lot

You're quite welcome. Yeah, hell go for it, why not? That's the way I look at it. You just need to make sure that your radio drives this amp with enough power but not too much. I don't know anything about this Galaxy amplifier but I'm sure your radio guy knows what he's talking about. In regards to the STI and the satellite radio: There just are no guarantees when talking about this kind of stuff. It varies from setup to setup but I'd almost bank on some minor adverse affects. I wouldn't be shocked if you came back after having it installed and complained about the STI falsing on laser or the XM losing signal whenever you key up for more than 5 seconds at a time or at all. On the other hand, I wouldn't be shocked if it didn't cause you a problem at all. You just can't say. I'm interested in the outcome so keep me posted.

10-4, as soon as I'm doing it I will post back the first results... and thank you again for the very helpful insight

[RW'07]

For driving in Canada, please make sure that your XM radio is not one of the ones that sets off Spectre RDDs. If it did, then that might give them probable cause to legally search your equipment and discover your otherwise undetectable STi.

Far from me to be disrespectful, but do you have any PROOF that XM sat radio sets off the RDD? Any test posted somewhere so to understand that's a real matter of concern? So far I've been driving with the XM Roady XT for 2 years and no such issue, unless I see a professional and impartial test with some crystal clear results I will just take it as an urban myth, just my personal opinion, maybe others have some insight, pro or against...