Question???

[1RebSoldier]

This is my first post here, but have been reading here a little while, and really think this is a great forum. My question might sound silly to yall, but can you use a stereo power head amp to supply power to a base station?

[hank_612]

No. No way no how

[1RebSoldier]

No. No way no how

Thanks hank, I'm a greenhorn and trying to get my head wrapped around all this stuff. I've got an old cobra 25 ltd that I'm gonna hook up in my truch, and also try to use it as a base radio in the house until I can come up with some money to buy something a little better. I really think that bad times are coming, and I want to be to know what's going around me and my family. The tech that I had check it out said it is a good little radio, and nothing is wrong except it doesn't have all the bell's and whistle's.
Anyway thanks for your answere....

[Skipper 169]

Do you mean to power the mobile radio with 12v power? Does it put out 12v or less than 13.8v of DC power? Then why not? It may not put out enough amps for the radio though. It might take 5 or 6 amps to run that rig.

What will work, is an old Power Supply from a computer. Got one of those stashed around somewhere? Take the PS out, read the name on it and look it up on Google to find the specs and which leads to use for 12v. Also search Google for how to use it as a stand alone power supply. You will have to cross two of the leads on the big strip to make it work. It's easier than it appears and they give a very stable 12v and usually 15 to 17 amps.

[MDYoungblood]

Hi 1RebSoldier,
Welcome to the forum. I really don't know what a amp head is but if you post the brand name and model I'm sure I can look it up on the internet and then be able to say if it will work or not. Since hank says "No" he must know what it is.

3's

Greg

[silvereagle1]

Welcome 1rebsoldier from East Tennessee.

[1RebSoldier]

Thanks guy's for the warm welcome, and I think I will use the deep cycle battery that I have for the power supply. It's a little bare foot cobra 25 ltd that has been stored for 100 years.. lol. I need to get a mic for it, and antenna for the roof.
I'm just trying to get some type of communication in case shtf so to speak.
I'm on a very limited income [disabled] but I'll be trying to up grade as time goes on. I'm real excited about all this, it will be lot's of fun and an asset to the community. I may even study for my tech and general license. Anyway thanks guys for your help....

[Skipper 169]

A battery will work. Keep it ventilated and full of water though, and get a trickle charger for it and it will do fine. I have used them a number of times.

[gunner57]

If you are strapped for cash, get your hands on an old PC tower. You can use that for a power supply. There is a transformer to convert 110V AC to 12V DC. Do some digging to find the procedure. You may even find a youtube video to show you how. I haven't done it personally, but I have heard of several people doing it. And old PC towers are very easy to acquire for cheap or free. That Cobra 25 probably only requires a 3A draw unless it has been turned up a bit. Even if the wattage has been turned up, it wouldn't take more than 5A. Pull the fuse in the power cord and see what it is rated for. Your current draw will be less unless the fuse is burnt.