Requested by a viewer how to set amplifier dead key

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  • Опубліковано 26 гру 2024

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  • @kingjames8283
    @kingjames8283 Рік тому +4

    Finally, the explanation I've been waiting for. In about 2005, I bought a Connex CX-4300HP and a Texas Star DX667V which I still have them both today but I never hooked up the amp because I didn't know how to set dead-key. The Connex radio I used shortly but due to vibrations in truck, it began to squeal when transmitting so I sent radio to factory tech in Erie PA for repairs. I placed back in truck and didn't notice any improvements so I pulled it and put on shelf with the Texas Star and they've been there ever since. I do not possess the testing equipment and meters to check and set up properly so in 2023/24 I have an interest to place both in service but not without first having both checked and verified. The Connex is a single SC2290 PLL, the Texas Star has four SC2879 PLL's. I'm in the process now of trying to locate a radio shop around Middle Tennessee who can check both due to age, make any necessary repairs or upgrades, and pair these two together so I can put them in my Kenworth. Also being a fan of Astatic mic's, not entirely sure which model mic would work good with this radio in a noisy truck. This video has given me renewed interest in placing both pieces of equipment into service. I'm currently running paired Wilson 2000 whips adjusted to 1.3 SWR across all 40 on a Uniden PC78 radio with poor receive.

    • @FartyMcNuggets
      @FartyMcNuggets 9 місяців тому

      Rooster CB might be close to ya, I know his shop is in Tennessee, he’s good. He’s also got a UA-cam channel too, hope this helps.
      👍🏻

  • @Tinman386wisconsin
    @Tinman386wisconsin 3 роки тому +10

    I have noticed when it comes to radio drive that coax and antenna tune can make a difference.
    Good informative video for those who needed to know this.
    So many guys over drive them trying to squeeze every last watt out.

    • @vegasfordguy
      @vegasfordguy  3 роки тому +2

      Yep, any differences in equipment can definitely cause the carrier to change. I've learned that when you run the carrier too high it just causes the amp to run hotter and your audio becomes less loud and pinched sounding. Now I'm all.for the loudest audio I can get and I don't mind running a radio that's a bit over modulated, however IMO raising the deal key or carrier just causes problems all around. The 1 to 4 rule just doesn't work in the real world for loud CB audio. My opinion anyways.

    • @Tinman386wisconsin
      @Tinman386wisconsin 3 роки тому +3

      @@vegasfordguy i completely agree.
      I run a 2 pill into an 8 pill and my radio needs 1.5 watts to have a 200 watt dead key out of the 8 pill and i get roughly 1750 peak out of it. Definitely more than a 4 to 1 ratio.
      On ssb it will do 1800 wide open but i run an icom 7300 into the 8 pill with out the driver and get around 1200. For ssb that's more than enough. No need to run it so hard on ssb. Most builders don't show how to run amp drive on ssb. I wish they would cover ssb more. But most don't even show ssb on there performance videos.
      The other thing that i haven't seen anyone cover is how to run/drive an amp on fm. I haven't even keyed my amp on fm out of fear that i will burn it up by mistake. I would be very interested to watch a video on how to drive fm and one on ssb wouldn't hurt either.

    • @vegasfordguy
      @vegasfordguy  3 роки тому +1

      @@Tinman386wisconsin Don't run a driver on FM or you'll have full output! No modulation of FM, just carrier. Jim of 307 amps and Morgan of 350 radio did a very good video about how to run an amp on FM.

    • @Tinman386wisconsin
      @Tinman386wisconsin 3 роки тому

      @@vegasfordguy thank you for the info.
      I will go look for the videos now and check them out.

    • @BackwoodsPickers
      @BackwoodsPickers 2 роки тому +1

      @@vegasfordguy Where's that video? I would like to watch it!

  • @jdisellitboy815
    @jdisellitboy815 3 місяці тому +3

    Couldn’t thank you enough exactly what I was looking for

  • @jdelaney9325
    @jdelaney9325 3 роки тому +8

    Very informative. Cleared up some questions I had regarding dead key. Still don’t fully grasp but it’s clearer. Keep the videos coming!

    • @vegasfordguy
      @vegasfordguy  3 роки тому +2

      Just keep the dead key coming out of your amplifier low like I showed and you should be just fine. 25 watts per transistor output. 2 pill-50 watts, 4 pill-100 watts, etc. If you have a 1x2, 1x4, 2x6, 2x8, etc don't worry about the driver, just the final output transistors. What exactly don't you understand? I'll try to answer it.

  • @rogerhancock8732
    @rogerhancock8732 Місяць тому

    There was a time I ran a TNT 150 super modulator into a Texas Star 350 with awesome results. Radio was a Cobra 148GTL less than a half watt key, antenna was a predator 10 K 27. Ran the system trouble free for years in a Dodge Shadow. Sold the car to another CB'er along with the system as installed. Within a week he was messing with the settings and blew both amps and OfCourse blamed me. He put iun a new 667 and blew it within a couple months had it fixed and stopped tampering with the key and the system lasted till one day a few years later he lost the car and system to a fire. BTW that was the last amp I owned and have run bare foot since I learned I liked the challenge of seeing how far I can get out with low watts. I have actually talked skip to England on a watt of power with an old Uniden PC66. I will be honest I have radios I can output up to 60 watts but they aren't CB radios, still the challenge to me is low power. Would I ever own another amp? Nope, but then I don't need one either I'm not the asshole I use to be on the radio

  • @PrairieDog21
    @PrairieDog21 2 роки тому +5

    Very enlightening , I didnt know any of this ! Well taught too !

  • @Fox250R
    @Fox250R Рік тому

    I power my 500v with my 955 at around 2 watts and I get a 60w dk and swings to over 500. Figure I can talk like this all day long and should be just fine. Thanks for the video

  • @Bens359pete
    @Bens359pete 11 місяців тому +1

    Got my 307 amp 2 pill c-box 2 years ago now. Damn fine built amp. Love it still

    • @vegasfordguy
      @vegasfordguy  11 місяців тому

      I sent my 2x8 box to 307 after 2 other builders couldn't get it right. 307 took care of it and here it is 3 plus years later and it's still working great! Jim is the best!

  • @Dallas-Rife-UDX-347-Tennessee
    @Dallas-Rife-UDX-347-Tennessee 3 роки тому +6

    Good video , good rule of thumb .. I knew this but I forgot . I just stored it to memory 👍

  • @JohnMackay-kn3rl
    @JohnMackay-kn3rl 2 місяці тому +2

    Very informative. Thanks

  • @MrAdvan86
    @MrAdvan86 2 роки тому +1

    Good video, Im a newbie also, I just got a older Pride 150 amp (unsure of how many pill it is) and will take the following steps to get it working correctly

  • @williamanthony5021
    @williamanthony5021 2 роки тому +2

    Hi , watched older video of Nathan Jones . Thank you for sharing . BTW am curious about your mature friend who bought comp Cobra 25 LTD Chrome . It sounded great on the videogame . 307 sounds like a maybe for me. Like your common sense in the hobby . Thank you ,Bill

  • @Maine307
    @Maine307 10 місяців тому

    dear god , on behalf of us rookies, THANK YOU ! Maine307 waiving!

  • @franciscolopez3229
    @franciscolopez3229 3 роки тому +4

    I agree, good video, very educational. May I ask, how much does the first amp cost and what's the appropriate power supply rating? Thanks very much.

    • @vegasfordguy
      @vegasfordguy  3 роки тому

      I'm not sure what the Texas Star 500's are selling for now as they seem to be sold out everywhere. People usually say 100 amps to run a 4 pill amp, however I've never seen one pull that much. It's always better to have more power supply than you need though. A 75 amp power supply should be plenty. I probably wouldn't go any lower.

    • @northnottinghamparanormali3562
      @northnottinghamparanormali3562 Рік тому

      I run a Rm 703 always on highest output it takes 50 amps to run it.

  • @Harleyskeeter21
    @Harleyskeeter21 4 місяці тому

    Very well done. Great information : subscribed

  • @markr9895
    @markr9895 Рік тому

    Great video. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

  • @chuckcee9068
    @chuckcee9068 Рік тому +2

    Great video, very informative! I appreciate the work and time you put into this.
    I have a Stryker 955 that’s tuned and peaked. What amp do you recommend if I’m looking for about 500 watts. I run it as a base station and I use a three element yagi.

    • @vegasfordguy
      @vegasfordguy  Рік тому +1

      Thank you, for an off the shelf amp I'd probably look at a Texas star 500v high drive amp. If you're looking to have a custom amp built then a straight 4 pill should work well behind that 955. You definitely want a straight 4 pill, nothing with a driver in it since a tuned Stryker is probably doing in the neighborhood of 80-100 watts give or take. You can always use the Strykers RF power to dial the amp in where it needs to be.

    • @1NONLY27
      @1NONLY27 Рік тому

      What about a 2 pill Amp?

  • @HenryCalderonJr
    @HenryCalderonJr Рік тому

    Great 👍🏼 information

  • @OddBall1958
    @OddBall1958 Рік тому

    On my Cobra 29 I run a 2W DK swinging to 35W @ 14.5V into my 1 x 2 gives me better than 350W almost 400W. But I run it at 300W into my 8 Pill and get around 2000W out. Works great. Now I'm looking for a tech to work on my 148 GTL ST.

  • @BananaJSSI
    @BananaJSSI 3 роки тому +3

    Great video. Thank you

  • @gixerags750
    @gixerags750 7 місяців тому

    Nice video , just wondering with all the SWR/POWER meters you have , why not put one before AND another after the AMP ?
    😊

  • @128MrRon
    @128MrRon 2 роки тому +1

    Thanks for making this video cause I was going to put 6 watts dead key into a Texas Star Dx 500… I’m a newbie….I also have a question about power …Should I run the Texas Star at 12v or should I buy a power supply that puts out 13.8 or even higher? Like14.5 volts? How many amps do I need to run my Texas star dx 500

    • @joemcmahon8103
      @joemcmahon8103 Рік тому

      Count on at least 10amps of supply for every 100W. Then add in some breathing room. 75amp supply would probably suffice but if you can squeeze out a 100amp supply then go for it, especially if you're running a Texas Star with Toshiba pills....they can be thirsty. For example, my TS 667 (same as the 500 but with a one pill driver) has Toshiba pills and pulls 91 amps at full tilt. For voltage somewhere in the 13.5V - 15.5V range. I run everything in my station on 14.8V. Good luck!

  • @gregmacklin9758
    @gregmacklin9758 6 місяців тому

    I bought a Texas Star 250 without the variable nob.
    When i keyed up it would make the blinker in my car speed up.

    • @vegasfordguy
      @vegasfordguy  6 місяців тому

      That's RFI. If your system is correctly set up then it shouldn't do that, but it's still possible.

  • @miker8379
    @miker8379 8 місяців тому +1

    Wow, someone that doesn’t drive the piss out of it.

    • @vegasfordguy
      @vegasfordguy  8 місяців тому

      No way! I'm very easy on all of my CB amps. If you're easy on them, they will last forever. I increase the audio from the radio to it's maximum level without getting too obnoxious and always start with a low dead key and allow it to swing up. This keeps the heat to a minimum and it will actually increase your audio. There's a reason that some guys burn up their equipment on a weekly basis.

  • @jberry1982
    @jberry1982 Рік тому +1

    I wouldn't say the pre amp or receiving amp is useless cuz I've used em on my Pallmars and XForce amps and they really increased my ears at longer ranges by far huge difference I think on SSB modes it was great to have

    • @vegasfordguy
      @vegasfordguy  Рік тому

      Yeah, but they also amplify all the static as well. I can see a pre amp working at a remote location without much interference, otherwise they are pretty much worthless IMO.

    • @jberry1982
      @jberry1982 Рік тому

      @@vegasfordguy well with a good noise blanker on and squelched out just right I'd leave mine on all day and night and especially at night when it was calm and quiet I'd get people in my radio from 30+ miles away easily which I'd squelch mine just enough to clear the white noise out and man it really boosted there audio coming in and on SSB mode it really helped me tune in people that was way out there

    • @jberry1982
      @jberry1982 Рік тому

      Which I do live out in the sticks in north west Alabama

  • @miker8379
    @miker8379 8 місяців тому

    Is that spec sheet watt rating specified as dead key and not peak?

  • @travisrasmussen9878
    @travisrasmussen9878 10 місяців тому

    Can you do a video on the 667 please , would really appreciate a lesson on that amp

  • @zukispur5493
    @zukispur5493 2 роки тому

    Top work mate. 73 London.

  • @danrash8535
    @danrash8535 2 роки тому +1

    Tell us about the radio and amp does before

  • @brennonhoag5832
    @brennonhoag5832 7 місяців тому

    I wish I could like this video twice lol

  • @ChristiannTyler
    @ChristiannTyler 7 місяців тому

    The recommended dead key is always in peak power?

  • @flaggism
    @flaggism 2 роки тому +1

    I have a galaxy base and a 200 watt comet and dont want to spend more cash on a supply when i have a 16 amp,,will that work?Im scared to try it.

  • @miker8379
    @miker8379 8 місяців тому

    What makes it hi drive? Transistors?
    Circuitry?

    • @vegasfordguy
      @vegasfordguy  8 місяців тому

      Usually a "high drive" amp won't have a driver section built in. Not always though. There can also be added padding to allow more drive. Usually, but not always a high drive won't have a driver transistor(s)

  • @trondyne3513
    @trondyne3513 11 місяців тому

    What is the advantage of having a lower dead key or lower average power vs having a higher dead key and higher average power? Aside from using less actual power and less stress on the amp??

  • @vondewey8201
    @vondewey8201 2 роки тому +1

    Very well done.

  • @2WR01
    @2WR01 Рік тому

    Presuming the radio is correctly set to maximum AM audio and minimum acceptable carrier (~.5w - 1w) then you simply set the output to maximum with audio (saying, "Ahhhhhhh") and at maximum minus maybe 3% - 5% under the peak, you're done.
    You never want the carrier to be more than 25% of the total modulated AM output - but that's for only 100% modulation. -For a real radio with Negative Peak Compression (NPC) allowing up to a clean 141% - you should set it as I originally mentioned; Max it, back it off 3% - 5% and lock it there.

  • @albertlebron1496
    @albertlebron1496 Рік тому

    Great video learned from it

  • @jdisellitboy815
    @jdisellitboy815 3 місяці тому

    Thank you so much

  • @michaelallen1714
    @michaelallen1714 11 днів тому

    I'm looking for a killer bee 250 or 350 high drive I've been in radio is a long time I want to put it in my big truck they're very stable and very good luck with them they just seem to work very well with these connexes and 955s but if you could recommend anything I'd like something with a big swing big power

  • @miguelsalami
    @miguelsalami 2 роки тому

    G👀D Stuff Nice Work 👍👍

  • @jeremyshiver6055
    @jeremyshiver6055 2 роки тому +1

    I like that 667

  • @williambowman7244
    @williambowman7244 2 роки тому +1

    Question I have is my amp is 45 year old digital sports 2 transistor can't read the values and can't find the model just brand on line have used as low as .5+ dead key and as high as 10 + in at 10+ in distorts notebly at under 5watt some distortion but only as cold and as near end of verbal stopps

  • @RandyMan696
    @RandyMan696 Рік тому

    EXCELLENT THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!

  • @stelthcamo357
    @stelthcamo357 2 місяці тому

    Is 3 watt dead key to much for the 667v

    • @vegasfordguy
      @vegasfordguy  2 місяці тому

      @@stelthcamo357 In my experience yes it is. Hook up your radio to the amp and either into a dummy load or a properly tuned antenna. See what the amp dead keys at 3 watts. You'll want a 667 to key around 100 watts dead key at the most. That's 25 watts per final transistor. Any more and you'll just heat up the amp since it doesn't come with forced air cooling. Be easy on it and it will last.

  • @trondyne3513
    @trondyne3513 11 місяців тому

    What about MOSFETS? I have 8 and 1 I think...

  • @clydeb8865
    @clydeb8865 3 роки тому

    What cable length do you run between your radio and amp? Just curious.

    • @vegasfordguy
      @vegasfordguy  3 роки тому +1

      Honestly, whatever size I need to reach it, usually in 3 ft increments. There are so many different opinions on coax length, I've tried the velocity factor method and all the others. To be honest I've never seen a dramatic difference so I just stick with the 3 foot rule whether it's correct or not.

    • @clydeb8865
      @clydeb8865 3 роки тому +1

      @@vegasfordguy thanks..

    • @vegasfordguy
      @vegasfordguy  3 роки тому +1

      @@clydeb8865 I'm not saying it's the best method, so I'd do what works best for you. Sometimes an amplifier may need a longer piece of coax do to the tuning of the amp itself. There are a couple of videos showing this.on UA-cam, I'm not sure, but think that Donkey stomper and bbi may have shown this at some point in a video.

    • @BackwoodsPickers
      @BackwoodsPickers 2 роки тому

      @@vegasfordguy Donkey Stomper has a good video about the coax jumpers. He is correct in my opinion that the coax should be zeroed out so your equipment doesn't see it. Less reflect if any at all. :)

  • @goatsinker347
    @goatsinker347 2 роки тому +3

    The right way to set your radio’s deadkey is with an RMS reading watt meter. You set the deadkey so that the RMS meter is not swinging backwards. That than is the perfect setting for your system.

    • @vegasfordguy
      @vegasfordguy  2 роки тому +5

      RMS or PEP is identical at dead key. Makes no difference.

    • @mikehawkins913
      @mikehawkins913 10 місяців тому

      Great video
      Thanks

  • @jerrykelley3922
    @jerrykelley3922 Рік тому

    What do u think a dead key would be on a cheap 203p rm italy amp from cobra 29 thanks

    • @nightlife7231
      @nightlife7231 11 місяців тому

      ​@@ianpereira3119lol about 1and a half

    • @nightlife7231
      @nightlife7231 11 місяців тому +1

      1 and a half

  • @todmcdonald4189
    @todmcdonald4189 2 роки тому +2

    Agreed 100%

  • @adamshinta2379
    @adamshinta2379 2 роки тому

    Do you happen to know what the setting would be for a dx 400 with 4 Toshiba 2290's ?

    • @goatsinker347
      @goatsinker347 2 роки тому +1

      Use an rf meter that can read RMS watts (average watts,) With the meter on RMS you want to set your deadkey so that when you talk into the microphone, the needle is not swinging backwards. If it is, lower the deadkey until the meter is not swinging backwards anymore. And that is the perfect setting for that set up.

  • @BananaJSSI
    @BananaJSSI 3 роки тому +2

    I wonder if it would be worth it for me to send you my Texas Star 350 to repair. I could ship to you and pay for the repair and then pay for the cost to ship back

    • @vegasfordguy
      @vegasfordguy  3 роки тому +2

      No sir, I'm not the one for repairs. I'd recommend Jim at 307 amps. He's in Wyoming. Not sure what part of the country you're in as there might be someone closer to you. Donkey stomper is in Tennessee I believe he's a stand up guy and good amp builder as well.

    • @BananaJSSI
      @BananaJSSI 3 роки тому

      @@vegasfordguy I live on a small island in the North pacific off of the south west coast of Canada

    • @vegasfordguy
      @vegasfordguy  3 роки тому +1

      @@BananaJSSI Gotcha, kinda far out there.

    • @BananaJSSI
      @BananaJSSI 3 роки тому

      @@vegasfordguy Yes and that is why no techs here, lol. When I lived near Vancouver moons ago I had a tech I would take my radios too. Here we have to get a ferry off of the island and it is a long ay to Vancouver. We are tucked up against the southern end of Vancouver Island so I need to find a tech guy there in Victoria

  • @matthewyoung1056
    @matthewyoung1056 2 роки тому +1

    Do you want to sell that Silver Eagle 350 ?

    • @vegasfordguy
      @vegasfordguy  2 роки тому

      Yeah, I'd sell it for $275 shipped.

    • @matthewyoung1056
      @matthewyoung1056 2 роки тому +1

      Merry Christmas ! Do you have a video on this amp ? And how do I purchase it ?

    • @vegasfordguy
      @vegasfordguy  2 роки тому

      @@matthewyoung1056 I'll have a video, just look through my CB radio playlist. Email me at vegasfordguy@gmail.com.

  • @ef9sir90
    @ef9sir90 3 роки тому

    How would you do it for a tube amp? Let say a 1 driving 3... 6lq6's

    • @vegasfordguy
      @vegasfordguy  3 роки тому +1

      I honestly don't know anything about tube amps. Sorry.

    • @cheechFLHTK
      @cheechFLHTK Рік тому

      Most tube amps are low drive. 1-2watt dk from the radio.

  • @robbierussell9536
    @robbierussell9536 2 роки тому

    Good info 302

  • @ironhead320
    @ironhead320 Рік тому

    So what if you got a 1 driving 4 1446

  • @manvan8288
    @manvan8288 10 місяців тому

    I have a dx 250. ?

  • @brianpayne-ns8il
    @brianpayne-ns8il Рік тому

    Good cb don't need no amp I had one it got stolen

    • @vegasfordguy
      @vegasfordguy  Рік тому +1

      LOL, if you wanna talk then you definitely need an amp! Otherwise you're just a mud duck!

  • @sfradiorick
    @sfradiorick Рік тому

    How about SSB?

  • @patrickbooth2329
    @patrickbooth2329 Рік тому

    I had a dx667 Texas star that was a nasty kicker i could talk though pa systems car phones car stereos i pissed off a lot of people lol

    • @vegasfordguy
      @vegasfordguy  Рік тому +1

      What goes into an amp is what comes out. Texas Star amps are actually very clean amps.

  • @markgipson9165
    @markgipson9165 Рік тому

    Looking for a 300 power supply

  • @geranwilson8813
    @geranwilson8813 9 місяців тому

    Half a white day a key and let the thanks swing it will last forever

  • @TheFlyingSquerill
    @TheFlyingSquerill Рік тому

    thanks

  • @adonikam1
    @adonikam1 2 роки тому +1

    I set mine to RMS NOT PEP. PEP is feel good watts.

    • @vegasfordguy
      @vegasfordguy  2 роки тому +1

      No sir, both RMS and PEP have their place and are both extremely useful.

  • @williamanthony5021
    @williamanthony5021 2 роки тому

    P.S. I meant 29 sorry.

  • @markgipson9165
    @markgipson9165 Рік тому

    We are looking for a 300 power supply

  • @user-vw6ej7ib5c
    @user-vw6ej7ib5c 2 місяці тому

    I have been looking at this stuff for some time now. I have watched UA-cam and read to the point that I am just overwhelmed and ready to give up. Naturally, I want the best for the money spent and frankly, money's not the issue. I do not know what radio to buy. I do not know what amp if any to buy. I do not know what antenna to buy. I am 75 years old, overwhelmed, I'm ready to give up before I even get started. Dead key bipol duct tape antenna. How high? I wanted to just have some fun. This is not fun. It's confusing to the Max. Open the box up, put different transistors in it.

  • @cheechFLHTK
    @cheechFLHTK Рік тому

    Shouldn’t a HD amps have 4-5 watt dk into it to drive it?
    Rule of thumb was dk into low drive was 1/2-2 watt dk max pep to 20-25 watts
    Hd 2 1/2-5 watt DK pep swing to 35
    At least that is what I was told back in the 90’s

  • @malikmorganmm
    @malikmorganmm 5 місяців тому

    Do yu hav a email