CB Radio Guru

where you find the best CB radios and accessories

CB Amplifier Reviews 2019 : Top 3 CB Radio Linear Amplifier for Money

Are you upset because your CB radio produces frail and faint sound? Or perhaps, you want to amplify the output to test your CB radio’s capability.

Whichever may be the reason, you’ve got the solution! You need to boost up the power of your CB radio. Buying a CB radio Amplifier is what you need to do in this case. You might also have heard about linear amplifiers for CB radios. We will take you through this part too.

You need a CB amplifier to boost your sound output. However, if you have a CB linear amplifier, you don't need anything more than that

The three CB Amplifier which we CB Radio Guru recommends are:

    1. [easyazon_link identifier=”B00WNF227O” locale=”US” tag=”cbradioguru08-20″]MegaWatt® S-700-12 50[/easyazon_link] – Compactly designed Super Efficient Amp
    1. [easyazon_link identifier=”B01F9WW5II” locale=”US” tag=”cbradioguru08-20″]HYS TC-300N-[/easyazon_link]- Best for High Power need for Handheld CB Radios
  1. [easyazon_link identifier=”B0081S4V26″ locale=”US” tag=”cbradioguru08-20″]QJE[/easyazon_link]- Incredibly sound free High Power Amplifier

Amplifiers play a key role in every sound system. CB radios are no different. I have to tell you that most of the CB radios produce low quality sounds. One way to get better sound is by purchasing a CB external speaker or through an amplifier.

But first, we need to walk you through some of the things you need to know prior to Citizen Band amplifier purchase.

Key Things to consider before buying A CB Amplifier in 2019

Buying a power booster for CB radio requires having deep knowledge in this domain. You need to look 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. It amplifies the sound by increasing the power output. 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 illegalized 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 unclear, faint sound.

  • Can Your CB Antenna handle the power?

    Before parking your gleaming black jeep near Amplifiers’ store, 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, buy that amplifier with a power output that goes well with your antenna.

  • Can Your Car handle the current?

    One other thing you need to focus on is ‘current’ requirement.  Amplifiers use lots of current to produce their output. 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.

    Check if your CB radio is designed to handle amplifier or not. If former, you’re all set up to spend your fortune on amplifying your CB radio output.

  • Types of Amplifiers:

    When you go for CB radio booster shopping, know its types as well. There are mostly two types of CB amplifiers; one that is used for enhancing CB radio, and, the other one, for amplifying sound and power. Amplifiers can be classified as Linear, Valve Radio frequency amplifiers, and Common-Emitter amplifiers.

    CB Linear amplifier re-conditions the outgoing signal on a CB radio. Valve RF amplifiers are used for high-power transmitters. Common-emitter amplifiers are used in radio frequency circuits to amplify and enhance feeble signals captured by antennas.

    CB Radio linear amplifier is the best sought after power booster in the market. What’s the reason? They provide you the best performance and covers higher miles with the high power.

  • Know Your Target:

    Know your target before making up your mind for CB booster. Don’t buy just any expensive CB amplifier because you couldn’t hear your friend up on the hills over the radio. 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.

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. [easyazon_link identifier=”B00WNF227O” locale=”US” tag=”cbradioguru08-20″]MegaWatt® S-700-12 50[/easyazon_link]: Super efficient, Compact and Light Amp

    This is one of the best rated CB linear amplifier for sale available in the market. Get this CB amp and enjoy your CB experienceThe best part about this Megawatt’s CB radio power booster is that it’s designed to run in parallel with other S-700-12 power supplies. Which means you can obtain any amperage (50, 100, 120, 200) according to your desire. All you need to do is connecting them together. You can just run one too.

    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 dust proof Cooling Fans. This is suitable for 24 hours continuous use.

    One good quality about this product is that it is highly filtered and regulated, hence no RF noise in audio and radio equipment, also great for linear amplifiers. It has an auto short circuit and over voltage shut down protection.

    This MegaWatt® 12V DC 50 Amp continuous power supply can be used with any 12 Volt equipment that draws 50 amps or less. If your CB radio equipment and antenna come under this range, this one is for you.  Though it is a bit loud, it is very small and light with grounded power cord.
    If you’re interested in having a look at the product, you can click on the below link to go to the official dealer of the product.

    Get the Latest Price of MegaWatt® S-700-12 50from Amazon

  2. [easyazon_link identifier=”B01F9WW5II” locale=”US” tag=”cbradioguru08-20″]HYS TC-300N-[/easyazon_link] A Compact High power All Mode Amplifier

    A great CB booster for the money, buy it and let us know how do you feel about this CB AmpHYS TC-300N is HF Amplifier having best effect Frequency range between 20-30mhz.It works on 15 meters, 12 meters, and 10 meters. The CB booster has an operating voltage around 13.8Vcc with input current 14-20 Amp.

    Proper connection of antenna is extremely vital for low-frequency product since antenna can directly affect HF amplifier. It also has “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?

    Again, you can check the best price, customer reviews of this nice amplifier from Official Authorized dealer from below:

    Get the Latest Price of HYS TC-300N from Amazon

  3. [easyazon_link identifier=”B0081S4V26″ locale=”US” tag=”cbradioguru08-20″]QJE[/easyazon_link] – Incredibly Quiet High Power CB Amp

    A compact CB radio amplifier for better performance

    It is fully regulated 30 Ampere power supply with amazing compact Size. Considered as one of the best-rated CB amps in the market, this is perfect for high-power Amateur and Two-Way Radios. It has Heavy Duty Back 30 Ampere Red or Black Output Terminals. The Front has 10A accessory socket along with volt-amp meter.

    With noise offset control, this amplifier is incredibly quiet. You don’t need to avoid amplifiers anymore because of annoying noise. The fan included in it keeps it cool without producing any sound. Though you certainly wouldn’t be damaging your ears with any clatter, still, this high-quality product has a knob for noise reduction.

    It also comes with short circuit and current limiting protection. It has 20 Ampere constant and 30 Ampere peak output.

    You need to plug it on with an Input voltage of about 110-125V AC. Output DC Voltage will be 13.8V. It comes with an AC Power cord.

    Get the Latest Price of QJE 30 Amp Amplifier from Amazon

    There is one better option available for people who are looking for a higher regulated power amplifier. This is a 50 Amp sleek CB Amp from QJE. You can also have a quick look at this 50 Amp QJE Power amplifier. I will tell you, it’s worth having a look at it. You will love the features and reading the customer reviews of the product.

    Here is the link to the official dealer of [easyazon_link identifier=”B007WMOM4O” locale=”US” tag=”cbradioguru08-20″]50 Amp QJE CB Amplifier[/easyazon_link].

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.

Best Short CB Antenna Reviews 2019 : Guide to Small CB Antennas

There are many antennas in local stores or online stores that guarantee great range and perfect reception. However, due to limited space for antenna setup, some of you may not be able to buy the ones you think shows great performance.

If that is the case, you do not need to worry. Many top branded antenna manufacturing companies like Firestik produce short antennas to cater to this issue. They apply impressive tricks and techniques to make sure your CB antenna remains on your car, working smoothly.

Buying short CB antenna requires extensive research. Here is an in depth article on the topic

Why Buying Short CB Antenna Is a Good Choice?

Before jumping to the best short antennas for a top performing CB Radio experience, let’s discuss why choosing short antennas will be good for you. Some of us need a proper push or a person to convince that whatever we’re buying is the best one. That product may range from a new smartphone or black and white striped shoulder bag to the short CB antennas.

We’ve jotted down a few reasons that tell you buying the short CB Radio antenna is a good choice.

    • Shorter but good Performance

      Since we are already familiar that the longer the antenna is, the better the range it provides. However, you need not fall into the trap in thinking that short CB antennas would provide you poor range.

      The short antennas intelligently have loading coils installed in them, either on base or in the middle. This makes the antenna electrically longer but physically shorter, providing you with appropriate range.

  • No More Getting Beaten by the Roof

    With the smaller physical structure, you’re able to park your cars under the roofs. Best thing is, your CB antenna will not strike against the garage roof or any shade.

    A good small CB Antenna is an asset you can use for your trips

Best CB Small Antennas to Buy in 2019

The main part of going to antenna shopping is knowing what we need to buy. If you’re stuck in circular thought about which small antennas are best ones to buy, you’ve just Reached the right station. We’ve highlighted some of the best small CB antennas.

Firestik FS-4RD (4ft)

FS-4R is our top pick under small sized CB antennas. The authorized and believable CB shops say its best in performance and features. The top ratings it receives from the users talk volume about its quality.
This is a stylish CB Antenna from the famous Firestik brand Click here for Reviews &Latest Price of from Amazon

Firestik antennas are the highly prestigious brand in this world of CB. Not only Firestik antennas of greater height work well, but Firestik short antennas as well. This FS series Firestik 4ft antenna is perfect for people having space constraints and want to go for shorter antennas for their vehicle.

It is perfectly compatible even with jeeps or trucks. However, it requires a ground plane. That means you need to mount it on a metal surface, typically flat surfaces.

 It comes in four colors, red, black, blue and white. It can sustain wattage about 900watts. Can be used in a dual setup. The great part about this product is that it comes with tunable tip along with the cover.

Pros:

  • Though it is a small antenna, it still has great reception. Even without tuning, you can easily talk to person 3 miles away since it already comes tuned. It can even present great reception in woods and have a listening range about 20-25 miles.
  • It is also good when it comes to durability. You can drive in woods, enjoying a great reception and intercept bushes and trees, your antenna would still stand tall.
  • Tunable tip makes this low profile CB antenna great. It does not only help in getting great SWR, it is very easy to install and offers great versatility. You can remove or mount it easily on different vehicles.

Cons:

  • It does not come with studs. It is recommended to use it with spring.

Click here for Latest Price of Firestik FS-4RD from Amazon

Firestik FL3-B (3ft)

Perfect for small heights, this is the most bought small CB antenna in the market. Top class performance just like our first pick is guaranteed.
Firestik FL3-B is one of the best small cb Antennas to buy in 2018

Click here for Reviews and Latest Price from Amazon

Firestik FL3-B is a 3ft tall antenna. Perfect if you’re looking for small height in the antennas. You can adjust it to your vehicles that travel a lot through compact places.

This antenna is crafted with fiberglass tube which aids in the flexibility of this antenna. Along with it, the coil is designed to portray high performance. It is a light-weight product.

This also comes with a tunable tip which is easy-tunable and user-friendly. You can even adjust it bare handed. For this antenna, you need to provide a ground plane, that is, you need to mount it on metal surfaces.

Pros:

  • This small CB antenna offers great quality reception. You can even stand out from the rest after listening to the conversations what others driving close by cannot hear.
  • It offers durability as well.
  • The CB Antenna provides you easy tuning with SWR meter and offers good SWR reading.
  • It is slightly thinner than other antennas but does not compromise on performance. This little antenna buddy has a good height and does not demand to crash against the roof.

Cons:

  • Finnish is done well, however, tiny CB antenna may still be bendable for some users. You need to attach spring to it to avoid further risks.

Click here for Latest Price of Firestik FL3-B from Amazon

Conclusion

If your vehicle is a bit crampy or you have space issues, go for short CB antennas without keeping doubts. But remember; Getting short top branded CB antennas are certainly better than buying expensive and longer antennas that may snap in half after bashing against low roofs.

CB Coax Cable 2019: Top 4 CB Radio Cable Reviews and Buying Tips

There are a number of CB radio coax cable manufacturers who produce good quality cables. Picking one from these cables may be difficult for you. However, with deep knowledge in this area, you’ll be able to pick the right one.

CB Antenna cable or Coax cable, which establishes the path for signal transmission, plays an important role in the performance of CB radio. If you involuntarily make a poor choice, not only your cable will suffer, your CB radio won’t operate. Some poor-quality cables can fry up your radio as well. This is why it is very very important for you to get the best in quality Coax cable for your CB radio/antenna.

Are you looking for cb radio antenna cable? Here are the best cb coax cable you can buy

Let’s look at the things you need to keep in your focus before buying the cable.

Things to Consider Before buying CB Coax Cable

There are many things to consider when you are looking for good CB radio cable. We’ve noted down some of these for you.

    • RF Power Loss

      One thing about CB radio coax is that it loses signal power for every meter. When you are buying CB coaxial cable, you need to thoroughly check the product description. Look for CB cable wires that provide lesser and acceptable amount of loss per meter.

      This feature can help you a lot in distinguishing between cables. You can easily detect which cables can stand tough when exposed to damage and which cables can lose their worth.

    • Material

      It is very important that CB radio antenna coax cable is manufactured from highest quality materials under highest standards. Materials comprised of copper, aluminum, and polyethylene. Cheap CB antenna wires are made with low-quality materials or are not manufactured under high standards like high voltage test. This is why the materials are more susceptible to rust and corrosion in case of exposure to water.

    • Quality over Quantity

      This quality vs quantity debate may be centuries old, but, for CB coax cable, it’s worthy enough to make us ponder over it. If you buy cheap CB antenna cable, you would have to buy again only after a few months. Invest your money in this valuable asset without which your CB radio is unable to operate.

    • Length and Compatibility

      Before buying CB radio coax cables, check if it’s compatible with the radio in your car. Other things to look for after the purchase is the cable length. No, you don’t need to keep that heavy twisted thick wire under your coffee-stained seat. Cut this thing according to your need!

      You may have seen people advising, “always keep that hair short!” when zombie apocalypse shatters in the city. Just like that, we advise you to keep the cable length as short as possible, just how much you need. The more the twists and lengthy CB wire is, the more power loss it encounters, resulting in low-quality signal transmission.

    • Connectors

      Connectors play an important role in the proper and high-quality transmission of the signal. Prior to coax cable purchase, make sure these can perfectly connect with antenna and CB radio.

      If you happen to purchase coax cable with low-quality connectors, there are chances for the water to enter through those cheap cables. This is responsible for corrosion and rusting of cable material. Corroded and rusted cable interferes with a quality signal transmission.

  • Stranded Center

    One other feature to look for in your CB antenna wire is stranded center. Many coax cables provide solid center wire which, if damaged, loses its ability for transmission. The cable becomes useless and cannot carry any signal.

    The stranded core has many wires smaller in size which are used as backups. If anyone of it damages or breaks, you won’t be throwing the cable in your garage. Those undamaged smaller carrier wires will be sufficient for the signal to pass through.

Top CB Antenna Cables to Buy in 2019

With so many brands to choose from, we don’t want you to become indecisive. That is why we’ve arranged some of the top CB coax cables to buy for your antenna-radio connection.

1. Truckspec’s RG-58A/U

Truckspec’s RG-58A U CB coaxial cable is one of the most bought product in the market. Its the best thing you can get for your CB radioTruckSpec has a high reputation when it comes to CB accessories and assets exclusively designed for truck drivers. This 18’ product, RG-58A/U coaxial cable, has molded PL-259 connectors for protection against moisture.

It’s for using with single CB antenna SO-239 stud mounts. This coax cable has about 95 percent shielding coverage for the protection of RF leaks and interference. Stranded center conductor for flexibility, perfect for CB, Amateur and Two-Way Radio Applications.

This cable is perfect in its length, works absolutely great and well enjoyed by the majority of the customers. However, some may find the diameter of the coaxial smaller. Has quality connectors, if not damaged in shipment, and works great even in a tough environment.

Click here to get the Latest Price of Truckspec’s RG-58A/U from Amazon

2. Workman’s CX-3-PL-PL

Workman’s CX-3-PL-PL CB Coax wire is a top performing CB coaxial cable you should get for your CB radioThis product is RG58/AU cable with a stranded center, protecting against signal loss. It is 3ft long and has soldered PL-259 connectors on both ends. Absolutely great for CB, Amateur Ham Radio and 2 Way Radio Hookups.

Also, a great product for two-meter use. This is 50 Ohm coax cable with SWR in an acceptable range.

Click here to get the Latest Price of CX-3-PL-PL from Amazon

3. Roadpro’s RG-58A/U

Roadpro’s RG-58A is a great CB Cable you can buyThis is massive 18 foot CB & Amateur radio Antenna Coax Cable having PL-259 Connectors. The coax cable is best suitable for connecting your CB Radio through your truck, RV, or tractor trailer.

The connectors are designed to help against moisture. For use with single CB antenna SO-239 stud mounts. This product has good strain relief at ends and has superb reception. When it comes to dual antenna lookup, the SWR can be adjusted or tuned to much lower value.

However, you have to be careful when you’re tightening it. Connectors can be broken while attaching it to antenna side if not handled carefully.  On the safe side, keep a backup with you.

Click here to get the Latest Price of Roadpro’s RG-58A/U from Amazon

4. FireStik’s RG-58 A/U

FireStik’s RG-58 A/U is one of the top rated CB coaxial cable you can buy for your CB RadioMade in the USA, this RG-58 A/U Fire-Flex is 18 feet fire-ring coax with a stud. The Stud mount and hardware is stainless steel for protection against rust. It has low-profile fire ring connector.

The good part about this product is that it is easy to use and durable. This is an extremely good coax cable for trucks or cars that have very small amount of space under their antenna mount. It is flexible, versatile and perfect for running in the car/truck.

This 18′ wire helps you in maintaining the SWR. If you join/couple it with a 4′ FireStik’s cable, you may be to attain around 1.1/1.2 to 1 SWR for all 40 channels.

Click here to get the Latest Price of FireStik’s RG-58 A/U from Amazon

Conclusion

Choosing right CB radio antenna cable is critical for proper signal transmission. This makes it necessary for you to look for good coax cable judging on features like RF power loss per meter, material quality, or stranded center. This way, you can enjoy great reception quality driving in your car, communicating over your beloved CB radio.