An Magnum OF/S45 radio has too much output for the Texas Star amp. Danger Will Robinson - you might blow up the amp! You will have to turn the RF Output knob all of the way down. You will also need to turn off the 'TopGun' feature too. Adjust the output of the radio DOWN until you see no more than 20 watts output at peak for best results.
Texas Star Export Feature Chart
Do you have a watt meter and know how to use it?
If not; then I can already smell smoke - and trouble.
If yo don't know what you are doing, either ask more questions or drive your setup to a CB shop that can dial everything together correctly.
Do you have a ground wire (a braided copper wire - in particular) from the vehicle chassis to the amp? That is a standard procedure when using an amp - and you made no mention of this important factor! Are you using #6 or #8 gauge wire from the battery to the amp? You must do that too. You've got all this equipment - yet you don't know how do hook it up right. Shouldn't get ahead of yourself - IMO. Take your time and do each step correctly.
It may be far easier for you to get the antenna part of your project right by just getting a Wilson 5000 magnet mount and put it on the top/center of your cab. The Wilson 5000 will handle all of the power you want to throw at it. Mounting this antenna on the roof of your cab will ensure that it will radiate evenly. Mounting an antenna on the bed - regardless of the fact that you want to use a Predator antenna on it - will NOT have an even radiation pattern when transmitting.
Don't even consider getting a 'sweet sixteen' amp - until you can afford a replacement higher amperage alternator and perhaps another battery too.
Hi just to thro in some tid bits for everyones further review..
I do (only) run the radio at 1 1/2-2W deadkey, and turn mic gain down to about 35-40W pep,TOP GUN MODULATOR OFF, TS say the 2879's will operate with 6W (10w max), so, times four equals 24-40w, if thats right,
So i am seeing 120w deadkey and 490 pep, 1 to 4 ratio?
I have an 06 dodge ram 2500 4x4 quad cab cummins diesel,
(say that 3 times fast), so already have 2 batts.
130 amp alt, @14.5V using #6 stranded wire from batt to amp,50amp fuse at the batt
(i think the amp has#8 pigtails, hot and ground)
#8 wire from amp to seat bracket, Bout 1ft long,
#8 wire up to ant bracket from the frame,
Roadtech (pilot) open coil 1000w, 6, in length, about 8-10 inch behind cab.
Coax,all is RG8X, from radio to the amp is 9', coax from amp to meter is
3'(when inline Dosy TC-4001) and,from the meter to the antenna is 12'
Hope this helps
