Best CB Amplifiers: Linear CB Amps to Boost Your Antenna Power

Last Updated on January 4, 2020 by Wayne

I have seen most CB users getting upset because of the frail and faint sound their CB radio produces. This often happens if you don’t buy a quality CB radio.

If this applies to you too, it’s time to boost up the power of your CB radio.

But, how do you do this?

You need to get the best CB amplifier in the market.

But the problem is that there are not many great CB amps available in the market.

This is precisely what has forced us to write this article.

Without much further ado, here are the top 3 CB amplifiers available on the market:

1. MegaWatt® S-400 CB Amp(Check the latest Price in Amazon): Best in the Market
2. MFJ 260C CB Amplifier: Check the latest Price in Amazon): Compactly designed and Super Efficient Amp
3. HYS TC-300 (not available in the market now): Incredibly sound free High Power Amplifier

Top 3 CB Radio Amplifiers to Buy

If you’re looking for the best amplifiers to buy, you’re on the right track.

Following is the list we’ve compiled of top amplifiers to look for in the market.

#1.MegaWatt® S-400: Best in the Market

Check the Latest Price of HYS TC-300N on Amazon

If you are looking for a high-quality CB in the market, this is it. MegaWatt S 400 will give you noise-free communication may it be HAM or CB radio.

What we found most appealing about the product is its capacity to eliminate RF noise in radio and audio equipment.

The output voltage is adjustable, from 10.5 to 14 volts DC with output current being 50 Amp. The input is 120 and 240 volts AC. Comes with Double Ball Bearing 60,000 hours dustproof Cooling Fans. This is suitable for 24 hours of continuous use.

Coming to the safety aspects, this amplifier is one step ahead compared to its competitors. It has an auto short circuit and over-voltage shut down protection to ensure the safe operation of the device and your CB radio.

The amplifier comes with double ball bearing 60k hour dustproof cooling fans. What more you want in a normal CB amp?

#2. MFJ 260C: Super efficient, Compact and Light Amp

Check the Latest Price of HYS TC-300N on Amazon

The second one in our list of best CB amps comes from none other than MFJ. MFJ-260C is a 300 Watt dummy load. Readers need to understand that this is not an actual CB radio. But we believe this is still a very good device to tune your CB radio. That is why we have added MFJ 260 C on this list.

The best thing about this amp is that it has shielded metal covering. This is an air-cooled non-inductive dry dummy load and is perforated in a metal housing. You can connect any cable with PL-259 connector with this device. Thanks to the SO-239 connector input.

I am sure that you will find the design aspect of MFJ 260 is very commanding. It’s very small in size and compact. You will never find any issue in using the device.

In toto, MFJ 260 is a great device you can invest your money in.

#3. HYS TC-300N- A Compact High power All-Mode Amplifier

HYS TC-300N is HF Amplifier having a best effect Frequency range between 20-30mhz. It works on 15 meters, 12 meters, and 10 meters. The CB booster has an operating voltage of around 13.8Vcc with input current 14-20 Amp.

Proper connection of antenna is extremely vital for low-frequency products since antenna can directly affect HF amplifier. It also has a “High Rotation Speed” fan which is crafted for better heat dissipation.

For FM, AM, OR CW, input power is around 3-5 Watt. For SSB however, input power is about 2-10 Watt. It is a compact high power all mode amplifier with automatic TX/Rx switch and ON/OFF switches.

Since this is a low-drive amplifier, running it with 2 Amp for AM works efficiently without any disturbance or overheating.

This amplifier will be one of your best choices if you buy it. Wouldn’t it be so cool to listen to your CB radio with clear, top-notch sound crawling out of your car’s window?

CB Amplifier Buying Tips

I don’t want to leave you here. Yeah, it’s alright that we have seen some of the best CB amps in the market.

But, you should also be able to find and buy a compatible CB radio amplifier you own.

That’s why I have penned this buying guide.

Buying a power booster for CB radio requires having deep knowledge in this domain. You need to look at many factors to make sure you buy the best compatible product. We’ve outlined some of these factors for you.

• Don’t Forget the LAW

Before buying the amplifier, the very first thing you need considering is law. In the United States, having an amplifier for CB radios is considered illegal.

The legal power output is however 4 watts output (AM) or 12 watts output (SSB) which is measured at the antenna cable at the back of the radio.

However, it is not illegal everywhere. If your country hasn’t banned it, or, if your CB radio produces very low sound output, you need to go for it.

This, however, is an extremely cool accessory for your CB radio which guarantees ‘no more frowning’ over the unclear, faint sound.

• Can Your CB Antenna handle the power?

Before parking your gleaming black jeep near Amplifiers’ store, you should know if your set up is ready to handle that much amount of electrical power output.

You need to keep antennas’ maximum wattage ratings in your mind.

Different antennas have different maximum wattage rating that may differ from what has been told in their product description.

Due to this reason, you should buy only that power amplifier with a power output that goes well with your antenna.

• Think about Your Vehicle

Another great thing you need to focus on is the ‘current’ requirement of your vehicle.

Amplifiers use lots of current to produce their output. You need to understand the specification of your car’s alternator and the amount of current your amplifier is going to draw.

If it is much lower, we haven’t got any problem yet.

Another thing is to check if your CB radio is designed to handle amplifier or not.

If it is the former case, you’re all set up to spend your fortune on amplifying your CB radio output.

• Which Type to Buy?

Knowing the CB amp type you need will make your purchase very easy.

If you still don’t know the different types of CB amplifiers, here is a brief overview:

There are mostly two types of CB amplifiers;

• The first kind is used for enhancing CB radio
• The second type is used for amplifying sound and power.

Now coming to the classification, you can classify amplifiers into:

1. Linear CB radio amps: They re-conditions the outgoing signal on a CB radio.
2. Valve Radio frequency amplifiers: are used for high-power transmitters
3. Common-Emitter amplifiers.: reused in radio frequency circuits to amplify and enhance feeble signals captured by antennas.

• Why do you need a CB Amp?

You should assess whether you really need an amplifier for your CB or not.

Don’t buy just any expensive CB amplifier because you couldn’t hear your friend up on the hills over the radio.

Another thing to focus on is to understand how much power you may require based on the talking distance you want.

Of course, with more power output, you get more distance. However, we’ve already discussed, you would need to look at other factors too like your antenna’s maximum wattage.

That’s that!

I hope you might have made up your mind about buying a top-quality linear amplifier for your CB radio. Now you can watch a video of the installation of CB radio amps below.

Conclusion:

Though these amplifiers or CB radio boosters are an excellent accessory for your CB radio, it is illegal in a few countries.

But before buying the CB amp, you need to look at different factors to make sure it works efficiently being compatible with your antenna and radio.