I'll add -- you usually don't need to wildly turn the knobs, notice that he is moving it slowly and in small increments. I've seen some people turning em like crazy. If it's a new amp to me, I'll tune with low power or a carrier first to get it close before I tune with modulation. At least then I know it's relatively close before I go for "maximum smoke".
That's a good amp. They had a good input tune circuit with low vswr to the rig. When you shut the amp off I saw the meter on the amp. Its like an old firebird meter that was in firebird amps. It seemed smaller in size too. I wonder if your amp is one of the early ones made. That would put that around 1985 of 86, maybe 87. My point being, its super shape for the age. I have a tbolt 305 and a rangemaster 500. Same basic amp. I wish my 305 was in that kind of shape. Very easy to tune. As you stated most sweep tube amps tune the best for max pep with a low carrier. Those amps there are the last of the decent built sweep type amps before the iffy klv stuff. Both my amps have larger meters in them. I would guess they would be mid or later production. Cool amp 73.
I love that your teaching us . I have some cb radio stuff and love learning more about it . Thanks for sharing the knowledge it truly means a lot . Much love.
love the thunderbolt amps .tubes should last many many years. i have a few (pieces of eq thats 8 to 10 years old with same factory tubes. it took me a few years before i learned to tune a amp correct. Best thing with tube amps in me opinion is what the factory says period..maybe see ya in Greenville SC 73
I do wish everyone would watch this vid my friend. Ive been a ham for many years, with amplifiers, I learned how to tune and maintain tube type amps at the beginning of my 11 Meter adventures. That helped me with my ham amps. It takes less than fifteen seconds to tune up any amp, and also, if you have a guage or guide on the face of the amp, with setting marks, you can write them down, and instantly go to that with no problems. You have given good advice here about the amps. Tubes are quite expensive, and they can last the lifetime of the amp if used properly, not over driven, neutralized, and properly used with clean modulation. I got a Heathkit SB-220 that has the original tubes in it. It has never failed to perform as it should. I'm sure that you know that a kilowatt is about all anyone needs on any band. Any more than that, gives you splatter, distorted audio, and damages your tubes, sometime beyond repair, and can gas up a tube, rendering it dangerous to use due to arcing in the tubes. Got to say pard, I do wish that everyone that wants an amp would watch this vid. Could save them a lot of headaches. Keep up the good work
Great video rooster. It’s the way it should be done don’t stress the tubes! Nice and slow! Like white label Southern Comfort! JohnBoyUtah KJ7TBR, you are the Man🇺🇸😎📡🎙
At 4:35... Hallelujah, explained perfectly. I hear that on the radio often, meter says ONLY 1.5 watts dead key, then they speak, the radio peaks 50 watts and they wonder why they sound crunchy.
Yeah my grandpa was into CB radios and he left me some amplifiers 100 watt tube amp a more modern 100 watt transistor amp KL 203 and also some 500 watt modulator big modulator can't remember the name they all work but the tube amp scares me I've always been afraid to run it cuz I don't know if I can get tubes for it I can't find any info on it it's ancient LOL great video
I enjoyed the video , I've always wondered what all the knobs were for . I've never owned a tube amp or even seen one in use in person . I'm not scared of owning one , it just seems to be a nightmare trying to find anyone that works on them in my experience with friends that own them . I'd like to own one someday though
I’ve been into CB’s for years, but I’m new to a tube linear , this video was a BIG help to me thank you. I have a question, I have a tube linear it’s 150 watts it has Load and Tune I got that part understood I think lol but on the back is a little knob marked Grid what does that do? I have not touched that Grid knob because I just don’t know what it’s for please help
This is why i buy solid state amplifiers, even though the tube amps are superior, and last longer, i just get confused about loading and tuning. The biggest drawbacks with the solid state ones, don't last as long, and less quality of signal. But they do not have a load and tune.
i ve been in the cbs now for a yr i love it ...i have Elkin 4 tuber a d an a 4 by 4 which i love have a t 600 d n a 10 tuber amp also a carl built ct 400012 base amp ony one yrs ready to talk with a a99 an my base just went out but i have a video of my stuff on my page thanks for your videos
It's hard to find tubes anymore. 6LQ6 6MJ6 6JE6 all hard to find and if you do they are anywhere from 100 bucks or more a tube. Wish we had just 1 manufacturer to begin making tubes again for these sweep tube Amplifiers
I am brining back to life my Thunderbolt 101. I need a service manual or just a schematic. The 305 is all over the web but cant find any info on the101. Can any one help?
Hey Rooster I have a k 500 kicker and I have a good swr before I turn the amp on but when I turn the amp on it goes way up on my swr meter. Is there a way to adjust that on these amps?
May be a stupid question, but with a tube amp hat has variable like that one, should you tune with variable all the way down, then re check with variable all the way up, or just start out full tilt?
Hello Rooster. 380 Way out West. I own a Thunderbolt 305. I bought the amp brand new in the 80's. I could be wrong. Instructions read this order. Drive, Tune, & Load. Let me know what you think about it. Also, Im getting ready to put the 305 in line with an Cobra 2000, Setting the Variable Drive @ 2 Watts , Dead key. But, I think the tubes are flat though. I need a good watt meter. I'd like to purchase an Bird #43. Thank you Rooster...70'3;s 380. Back in the Bushes.
Rooster I have a thunderbolt 500 I bought new I don’t know what happened I had a light show over the 3 power tubes. It did not loose power but lost some audio I drive it with about 3.5 watts from a golden eagle... Thanks
I guess the same method would apply when you have a tube amp driver running a bigger tube amp box? You just tune the driver first then your big box? Great info though. Thanks. Trouble Man in Buckeye.
In a perfect world the answer is yes. However, when you tune an amp you are tuning it to a specific swr/impedance etc. The swr and impedance that your driver amp "sees" can change once your big amp is keyed depending on how it is built because of the bypass tune, input tune etc
Lol. Can u do a video an show me how to build one? Then show me how to run power from fuse panel to wall plug? Also I need u to show me how to tune it with multiple different radios. Also last but not least. I'm ready to fire back I'm back watching the mail
Thanks rooster 🐓 that's how the old man showed me and I think you remember him I'm the son of GUN-Slinger 196. he called me MAD-MAN 197 thanks buddy we gone.
I tune every amp the same whether it's a 4 tube 6lq6 or 40,000 watt steel tube. Only difference is tuning for average power because I don't run a peak kit on the station
You should be able to switch to AM and just key the mike. That is way I tune my Ameritron 811H, amateur radio amplifier. AM is constantly sending out on ,unlike SSB.
Wats around anymore I can buy a tube type linear I used to play a tram D300 into a jb 150 driving a 1000 Varment with a Moonraker 6 at 112ft to the center it was fun cause if i could hear someone i could talk to them the only bad part you should know was that ole varment was NASTY to my neighbors id blead tv,s organs guitars anything with a tube around me so wats similar but cleaner
I'll add -- you usually don't need to wildly turn the knobs, notice that he is moving it slowly and in small increments. I've seen some people turning em like crazy.
If it's a new amp to me, I'll tune with low power or a carrier first to get it close before I tune with modulation. At least then I know it's relatively close before I go for "maximum smoke".
Definitely A+ on getting close with carrier
That's a good amp. They had a good input tune circuit with low vswr to the rig. When you shut the amp off I saw the meter on the amp. Its like an old firebird meter that was in firebird amps. It seemed smaller in size too. I wonder if your amp is one of the early ones made. That would put that around 1985 of 86, maybe 87. My point being, its super shape for the age. I have a tbolt 305 and a rangemaster 500. Same basic amp. I wish my 305 was in that kind of shape. Very easy to tune. As you stated most sweep tube amps tune the best for max pep with a low carrier. Those amps there are the last of the decent built sweep type amps before the iffy klv stuff. Both my amps have larger meters in them. I would guess they would be mid or later production. Cool amp 73.
I love that your teaching us . I have some cb radio stuff and love learning more about it . Thanks for sharing the knowledge it truly means a lot . Much love.
thanks for your video just got into cbs a yr ago
Thanks, Rooster, for sharing your knowledge and experience. It's much appreciated.
love the thunderbolt amps .tubes should last many many years. i have a few (pieces of eq thats 8 to 10 years old with same factory tubes. it took me a few years before i learned to tune a amp correct. Best thing with tube amps in me opinion is what the factory says period..maybe see ya in Greenville SC 73
Great video Rooster CB,Never used a tube linear amplifier.
Good information and a point in the right direction. Cheers 73
I do wish everyone would watch this vid my friend. Ive been a ham for many years, with amplifiers, I learned how to tune and maintain tube type amps at the beginning of my 11 Meter adventures. That helped me with my ham amps. It takes less than fifteen seconds to tune up any amp, and also, if you have a guage or guide on the face of the amp, with setting marks, you can write them down, and instantly go to that with no problems. You have given good advice here about the amps. Tubes are quite expensive, and they can last the lifetime of the amp if used properly, not over driven, neutralized, and properly used with clean modulation. I got a Heathkit SB-220 that has the original tubes in it. It has never failed to perform as it should. I'm sure that you know that a kilowatt is about all anyone needs on any band. Any more than that, gives you splatter, distorted audio, and damages your tubes, sometime beyond repair, and can gas up a tube, rendering it dangerous to use due to arcing in the tubes. Got to say pard, I do wish that everyone that wants an amp would watch this vid. Could save them a lot of headaches. Keep up the good work
Thanks Rooster ,enjoy your informative videos.
Thank you Rooster! I really appreciate these educational videos.
Definitely learned me something today.
Nice job Rooster! Thanks for your videos.
Thanks for the good information.
Great video rooster. It’s the way it should be done don’t stress the tubes! Nice and slow! Like white label Southern Comfort! JohnBoyUtah KJ7TBR, you are the Man🇺🇸😎📡🎙
At 4:35... Hallelujah, explained perfectly. I hear that on the radio often, meter says ONLY 1.5 watts dead key, then they speak, the radio peaks 50 watts and they wonder why they sound crunchy.
Yeah my grandpa was into CB radios and he left me some amplifiers 100 watt tube amp a more modern 100 watt transistor amp KL 203 and also some 500 watt modulator big modulator can't remember the name they all work but the tube amp scares me I've always been afraid to run it cuz I don't know if I can get tubes for it I can't find any info on it it's ancient LOL great video
Before cable TV these types of amps were known to destroy TV reception for blocks. I love them !!
Good job rooster! That’s the way I tune mine.
Do ever do a follow up to this video showing input tune?
I enjoyed the video , I've always wondered what all the knobs were for . I've never owned a tube amp or even seen one in use in person . I'm not scared of owning one , it just seems to be a nightmare trying to find anyone that works on them in my experience with friends that own them . I'd like to own one someday though
I have the same thunderbolt 305 tube amp and I love it..And I have a heath kit sb 200 and it's a grate tube amplifier...
Hey rooster I just bought one like that works but the recieve amp don’t work and the meter don’t could you fix that.?
I’ve been into CB’s for years, but I’m new to a tube linear , this video was a BIG help to me thank you. I have a question, I have a tube linear it’s 150 watts it has Load and Tune I got that part understood I think lol but on the back is a little knob marked Grid what does that do? I have not touched that Grid knob because I just don’t know what it’s for please help
THATS HOW I WAS TAUGHT ROOSTER JUST LIKE YOU.. and my old amps i ran lasted me..
Thank you sir this helped out a lot
Nice,the right way.good job
So what do you do with a Stryker 955? Turn the power all the way down on the radio before tuning?
This is why i buy solid state amplifiers, even though the tube amps are superior, and last longer, i just get confused about loading and tuning. The biggest drawbacks with the solid state ones, don't last as long, and less quality of signal. But they do not have a load and tune.
i ve been in the cbs now for a yr i love it ...i have Elkin 4 tuber a d an a 4 by 4 which i love have a t 600 d n a 10 tuber amp also a carl built ct 400012 base amp ony one yrs ready to talk with a a99 an my base just went out but i have a video of my stuff on my page thanks for your videos
How hard is it to find tubes anymore, good old heated up preheated tubes
It's hard to find tubes anymore. 6LQ6 6MJ6 6JE6 all hard to find and if you do they are anywhere from 100 bucks or more a tube. Wish we had just 1 manufacturer to begin making tubes again for these sweep tube Amplifiers
I am brining back to life my Thunderbolt 101. I need a service manual or just a schematic. The 305 is all over the web but cant find any info on the101. Can any one help?
Hey Rooster I have a k 500 kicker and I have a good swr before I turn the amp on but when I turn the amp on it goes way up on my swr meter. Is there a way to adjust that on these amps?
May be a stupid question, but with a tube amp hat has variable like that one, should you tune with variable all the way down, then re check with variable all the way up, or just start out full tilt?
Full Output
Hello Rooster. 380 Way out West. I own a Thunderbolt 305. I bought the amp brand new in the 80's. I could be wrong. Instructions read this order. Drive, Tune, & Load. Let me know what you think about it. Also, Im getting ready to put the 305 in line with an Cobra 2000, Setting the Variable Drive @ 2 Watts , Dead key. But, I think the tubes are flat though. I need a good watt meter. I'd like to purchase an Bird #43. Thank you Rooster...70'3;s 380. Back in the Bushes.
Rooster I have a thunderbolt 500 I bought new I don’t know what happened I had a light show over the 3 power tubes. It did not loose power but lost some audio I drive it with about 3.5 watts from a golden eagle... Thanks
I use the 1kz tone. Personal preference because it's a steady tone with less key-down time.
Good info mr rooster good evening sir and to you too mr gump yall have agood un hillbilly waving
Waving right back sir
nice box
How much are you selling the little Italy apps 200p for
Do you do the maverick 250 the same way if it has 4 tuning nobs
Yes
I guess the same method would apply when you have a tube amp driver running a bigger tube amp box? You just tune the driver first then your big box? Great info though. Thanks. Trouble Man in Buckeye.
In a perfect world the answer is yes. However, when you tune an amp you are tuning it to a specific swr/impedance etc. The swr and impedance that your driver amp "sees" can change once your big amp is keyed depending on how it is built because of the bypass tune, input tune etc
Roster I wish some one had showed me how I might of still had my skipper 300. A I smpoked it
Nice amp
Interesting ,I was taught to tune maximum deadkey,guess it works either way
Lol. Can u do a video an show me how to build one? Then show me how to run power from fuse panel to wall plug? Also I need u to show me how to tune it with multiple different radios. Also last but not least. I'm ready to fire back I'm back watching the mail
These are all things I leave to the experts. Luckily I know a guy 😂😂
When the man that built it ain't worthy enough to run ur electrical for u properly then that's when I quit answering questions.
I thought hard drive was the only one running 80k watts lol. You mean everybody is doing it now ? I better step up my game !!!!!
Thanks rooster 🐓 that's how the old man showed me and I think you remember him I'm the son of GUN-Slinger 196. he called me MAD-MAN 197 thanks buddy we gone.
My Palomar 300A is easy to tune too.
great video now next time show them how to tune a ceramic tube amp
I tune every amp the same whether it's a 4 tube 6lq6 or 40,000 watt steel tube. Only difference is tuning for average power because I don't run a peak kit on the station
You should be able to switch to AM and just key the mike. That is way I tune my Ameritron 811H, amateur radio amplifier. AM is constantly sending out on ,unlike SSB.
That’s Frankenstein Tuning his Mike
Wats around anymore I can buy a tube type linear I used to play a tram D300 into a jb 150 driving a 1000 Varment with a Moonraker 6 at 112ft to the center it was fun cause if i could hear someone i could talk to them the only bad part you should know was that ole varment was NASTY to my neighbors id blead tv,s organs guitars anything with a tube around me so wats similar but cleaner
EXCELLENT EXCELLENT EXCELLENT EXCELLENT EXCELLENT EXCELLENT VIDEO!!!!
Can you help me out
Seeker meter for my modulator wawasee 8417 tube. Couple of other things, but, one at a time. Mr. rainmaker Hudson valley ny standing by.
That's what happened too my 300 A. Destroyed a perfectly good Amp I burned it down
Lol lol lol audio tell the tubes are flight...lol ha ha ha hs
Some people will do that lol
Thats why i became a FCC Lic. Operator .Dont have to listen to that crap anymore.
Bye