Cobra 2000 variable power kit

[bigdaddycrawfish]

Was told that a cobra 2000 will only dead key between 2-10 watts & swing 15 at most, so it would do no good to install a variable power kit.My amp takes 4-5 watts max,should i have a kit installed or just have the dead key checked and set at 4-5. My meter now shows 20 dk and swinging to 30.Has had a swing kit installed.
Thanks

[Sandbagger]

Dec 21, 2012 10:39:51 GMT -5 bigdaddycrawfish said:

Was told that a cobra 2000 will only dead key between 2-10 watts & swing 15 at most, so it would do no good to install a variable power kit.My amp takes 4-5 watts max,should i have a kit installed or just have the dead key checked and set at 4-5. My meter now shows 20 dk and swinging to 30.Has had a swing kit installed.
Thanks

Most modern solid-state amplifiers can be driven to the proper rated output with 2 watts of drive. Any more than that and you risk driving the amp into compression, with the resultant pinched fuzzy audio and backswing on RMS reading meters. I usually set my radios to deliver between 2 and 3 watts of carrier, and allow for an extended positive peak, while trying not to clip the negative. Resist the temptation to drive the dead key power higher. You can't push the peak power above the max that the amp is capable of, and your peak power needs to be 4 times the carrier power to achieve 100% modulation.

[BBB]

Here's an interesting set of mods for the 2000 GTL that are well documented with "how to" photos. I have not yet preformed these mods so I can't say how well they work.

For information purposes only:

www.silicon212.org/CB/c2000.htm

[Sandbagger]

Dec 27, 2012 11:18:06 GMT -5 BBB said:

Here's an interesting set of mods for the 2000 GTL that are well documented with "how to" photos. I have not yet preformed these mods so I can't say how well they work.

For information purposes only:

www.silicon212.org/CB/c2000.htm

I tend to take a dim view of any audio mod that involves completely disabling the limiter. A properly set limiter keeps the peaks from flat topping, and makes for smoother sounding audio and less potential for splatter. I've also had some interesting increase in "swing" by just removing R228. But hey, experimenting is what it's all about....... But I still say that those people who key with a 1/2 watt and swing up to 40, 50 or 100 watts sound like crap anyway. If they want to sound like sideband, they should use sideband.. Like anything else, just because a little is good, it doesn't mean that a whole lot will be better...........

[cbrown]

I agree with disabling the audio limiter, I've never liked that mod.

[BBB]

Agreed. Haven't, Wouldn't & Don't (own any rigs that have been clipped) ;D