Bearcat 980 w/ AD-203

[Spidermonkey]

OK...little update. The 980 is in...and ran a few tests barefoot. Seems that its "OK" for local transmission. I'm not in a great area to test with other CB'ers. Next trip on the trans canada I can give it a test. I did manage to get out and chat with a few folks in Ohio on 38lsb..I'm in south central MB. Obviously DX..but running barefoot on an out of the box setup seemed pretty good.
Update to the update...got my RM505 hooked up. Its specs indicate 1-15w input on AM and 2-30w on SB...so I think running the 980 stock into it should be OK. I have tested it and on setting 3 (6 output settings) I was able to chat on SB about 30 miles out. Kept an eye on heat of the amp and seemed fine. Been getting out on DX pretty easy on 38 LSB also. I may still try some steel mesh under the cap setup... But more urgently I seem to be getting a lot of noise into the radio when the truck is running. Both the amp and radio have direct feeds to the battery...both pos&neg. Just wondering what I can do to fix this...there is a big difference between truck running and not running. I'm wondering if I can add caps to the power inputs on the amp and radio to try and filter out noise...

 

[Spidermonkey]

I should mention..I checked SWR after hooking up the amp. Both on and off I get an SWR of near zero.....is that correct? I kinda assumed the swr would go up adding the amp....

 

[9C1Driver]

Overview of the bracket.

A Wilson 1000 or 5000 mag mount in the center of the roof will perform way way better then that corner install you have there. Wow that's a bad spot for sure.

 

[Handy Andy]

Not necessarily - adding any amp should not affect SWR - as from the standpoint of a simple system.

I'm sure someone may ask some questions on why you have a low SWR - but if you feel comfortable with how it's functioning (good DX contacts) run with it.

You kept the radio stock, nothing added - simple insert amp here and go.

Keep your stuff; tuned up, clean and run a good solid connection to all parts involved and you'll be fine.

:+> Andy <+:

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

I should mention..I checked SWR after hooking up the amp. Both on and off I get an SWR of near zero.....is that correct? I kinda assumed the swr would go up adding the amp....

Check it on ch1 and then on ch40. I assume you are using an external meter after the amp. If its real low with and without the amp then I would say you are good to go. It also would be good to check the SWR between the radio and the amp if you haven't already.
Chris

 

[Spidermonkey]

Yep..with and without real low on 1 and 40...external meter barely reads past 1. Awesome.

 

[Spidermonkey]

Managed to hit some folks in Florida and Georgia yesterday..DX was coming in nice. Also in Spokane Washington.

 

[Squints]

My brand new ad203 only does 15 watts

 

[whiteastro]

I should also mention I'm still on the fence between the stinger board and a KL-203P...opinions?

My first radio back into CB that I made my first SSB contacts with was a 980 teamed up with a KL-200P. I still have that radio hooked up in a room next to my radio room hooked up to a Tram magnet mount antenna hanging from the ceiling. I use it to test another radios sound quality because it is rock solid on frequency. I'll never let it go. But the display leave something to be desired in a mobile set up if you have bright sun. Enjoy