Skeleton 150

[ghostof309]

Hello all! Brand new to the forum and somewhat of a newb with CB radios but have been toying around for several years with them. I recently came intot possession of a Skeleton 150. My question is, my current radio is a Cobra 29 (1990, Philippines era) with 1969 finals, talkback, echo board. It dead keys around 8w and peaks at about 28w. Do i need to lower my dead key to use this amp or can I run it as-is. If I do have to lower the dead key, can you tell me what the easiest way is to do this without affecting performance. My SWR's are currently about 1.1 without the amp. When I hookup the amp, do i just run a 3' jumper from the cb to the amp?
Any and all imput would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[MDYoungblood]

Hello ghostof309,
Welcome to the forum. There are a bunch of old amplifiers out there and that Skeleton (original Texas Star) is one of them. Yep that Cobra is way too hot for the amp, wouldn't be long before you toasted it. Instead of detuning the radio you have I'd go after another radio to run it or sell it and get an amp that can handle the radio, JMO.
As a new member here could you post an intro in the "Welcome to the Forum" topic, http://www.cbradiotalk.com/viewforum.php?f=89 , so others here can say "Hi", thanks.

3's

Greg

[ghostof309]

Thanks for the reply. I kind of thought that may be the case but wasn't sure. I do have another Cobra 29 that's pretty much stock but again is DK 8w and peaks at about 15 I think. Do I have to do a swing kit mod to get the DK lower or is there an adjustment that I can make? Again, thanks in advance for any advice.

[ Post made via iPhone ]

[ghostof309]

Thanks for the reply. I do have another unit that's more or less stock but still DK at 8. What would be your recommendation on a DK setting for use with this amp and how would you recommend obtaining it?

[ Post made via iPhone ]

[ghostof309]

Or, what amp would you recommend for my current setup?

[ Post made via iPhone ]

[ghostof309]

I apologize if there are multiple replies with the same material but my phone has been glitchy. I do have a tuned, stock 29 ltd that I could use but again it DK at 8w with a peak at about 17w. What the best way to lower the DK? Do I need to install a swing kit or are there adjustments that I can make to the VR4 or other components?
If I decide to stay with my current radio, what amp would you recommend for the power its puting out currently?
Thanks again for the help.

[MDYoungblood]

I think even if you lower the DK to around 2w the swing is going to be too much for the amp. Back when they were made radios did 4W DK but most would only peak about 7 to 10w. What will happen is the swing of your Cobra at the peaks will overdrive the amp and it will sound crappie. Too me restoring the Cobra back to almost original to use the amp just isn't worth the effort, again JMO.

3's

Greg

[TrblShooter]

What kind of pills are in the skeleton amp? Toshiba 2290's, MRF 455's? What 2 pills are in the amp? 28 watts peak is definetly to much drive for that amp.. I would say see if you can get it to do 1 - 1/2 watts dead key and swing to 10-12 watts peak max so you do not over drive it and distort your signal. You want to eliminate hash and trash.. Let us know how you make out..

[443 Arizona]

a walkie talkie has a low power setting, with a good mic they usually have a clean output, my radioshack 216 does anyway.
welcome to the forum.

[ghostof309]

What kind of pills are in the skeleton amp? Toshiba 2290's, MRF 455's? What 2 pills are in the amp? 28 watts peak is definetly to much drive for that amp.. I would say see if you can get it to do 1 - 1/2 watts dead key and swing to 10-12 watts peak max so you do not over drive it and distort your signal. You want to eliminate hash and trash.. Let us know how you make out..

They are Toshiba 2290's. I just installed a swing kit but had to order a lower ohm resistor. The 100 ohm took me way too low.

[ Post made via iPhone ]

[MDYoungblood]

What kind of pills are in the skeleton amp? Toshiba 2290's, MRF 455's? What 2 pills are in the amp? 28 watts peak is definetly to much drive for that amp.. I would say see if you can get it to do 1 - 1/2 watts dead key and swing to 10-12 watts peak max so you do not over drive it and distort your signal. You want to eliminate hash and trash.. Let us know how you make out..

They are Toshiba 2290's. I just installed a swing kit but had to order a lower ohm resistor. The 100 ohm took me way too low.

[ Post made via iPhone ]

Using 2290's must be one of the last bunch made, the original transistors were a Motorola SRF2727.

3's

Greg