I'm looking for a good system...I know the old way is to buy a horn and a CB Radio, but most CB Radios only put out about 5w max...is that enough to drive a horn to be loud enough for people to hear? I had the COGA PA System and it was a complete waste of cash, pitiful system, barely audible and the microphone was a joke. Any ideas? Links? Etc?
Best PA system?
F.E.A.R.
21 - 37 of 37 Posts
Joined
·
357 Posts
Well, than perhaps you should have stated your original post as such: "I want a louder PA for my CB. Any suggestions?", not "Best PA System".
The fact that you said you wanted a loud PA for your truck lead most of us to the assumption that the 5 watt PA amp in your CB wasn't doing the trick. To overcome that limitation you would need a professional grade vehicle PA driver amp and a 100 watt speaker designed for vehicle use.
If you insist on using your CB as a PA, know that it's a weak, low powered substitution for a real Public Address solution.
Having said that, I really have no idea why you need a PA in your truck... so what the hell. Do what makes you happy.
Also, as a side note, check the local laws where you are. In some locals it's illegal to have a PA system installed in a vehicle.
Joined
·
2,513 Posts
This was exactly what i was going to say. radiorobwalker is exactly correct. If you want the best, you need to get the best. I build Police/fire vehicles for a living, and using systems designed for emergency and these products meantioned are some of the best in the industry, and are aviable for a reosonable cost.
I bought the whelen sytem listed above for around $140. It is both a PA, and air horn system. To be honest, i don't really need the air horn. Its just a bonus for for the PA for me. I'll still wire it up though, and tap in line of my horn switch so when the system is on, my factory horn will activate the air horn. (without turning on the factory horn).
I aslo have an old federal signal smart siren, but since it has the acctual siren tones, i don't want to take a chance. If i can find software for it, i might still use it. Could use it to controll all my lights as well, as well as the radio rebroadcast feature could be nice
Ging to order my CB next week, along with a bearcat scanner. Going to install everyting at once, so i'll post up some pics of siren speaker, mic clips etc.
Could care less about the laws. My vehicle is already extremely illegal in every state with the hush hush modifcations that I've done. I'll look into the FULL PA Systems that you have mentioned, but it would be...well...I have no idea where I'd put a full PA system AND a CB (since I also want a CB Radio) I think it would just be far easier and smarter to buy a CB, and a 100w speaker, then add an inline amplifier to the speaker...
Joined
·
1,494 Posts
I had that one few months ago. I think I also payed $4.99 for it, but forgot to see if they had a sale on batteries too. I ended up paying about $7-8 for batteries. It lasted a week, but I don't know exactly how it broke. I let my brother borrow it one night, then when I went to get it out of his car a couple days later, it didn't work anymore. I think he blew the speaker or something because it was buzzing really loud when it was on. Maybe if it was taken care of, it might of lasted, just maybe.I've been wanting a PA system myself. I found that Harbor Freight now has a handheld bullhorn/megaphone for $4.99. It's 10W and takes 4 C batteries. I bought it today and will test it tomorrow and give a report.
![Image]()
Can't wait to see it. The Whelen isn't a bad price, because if I bought that I'd just need to wire that up and get a 100w speaker and that's it...
radiorobwalker, can you post a picture of where you mounted your PA system and the horn? And can you possibly do a video like lay the camera say 5-10 yards away and talk through it so I can see how loud it is? I'm wondering where I'd mount the horn you recommended.
After doing my research I believe this is the best bang for your buck out there, and I hear it is one of the loudest. Any comments?
Galls® Speaker/Siren Combo - SK147 : Galls
Save some $ buying it as a bundle, the speaker included alone is 150$ separate
Galls® Speaker/Siren Combo - SK147 : Galls
Save some $ buying it as a bundle, the speaker included alone is 150$ separate
Joined
·
19,414 Posts
I had the chance to use it today. The unit is very compact, but surprisingly loud. It has alarm, music, and voice. Alarm sounds like siren and music sounds more like an alarm. Sound quality is fair. I tried it in open space and you can still hear clearly 200 yards away. It's not shockingly loud, but it's surprisingly loud for it's price. I don't know what happened to yours Wesley. I suppose it could've been either cheap or mishandled. I hope it's the latter.![Image]()
I had that one few months ago. I think I also payed $4.99 for it, but forgot to see if they had a sale on batteries too. I ended up paying about $7-8 for batteries. It lasted a week, but I don't know exactly how it broke. I let my brother borrow it one night, then when I went to get it out of his car a couple days later, it didn't work anymore. I think he blew the speaker or something because it was buzzing really loud when it was on. Maybe if it was taken care of, it might of lasted, just maybe.
Joined
·
9,483 Posts
I bought the COGA max setup from fjollie and love it, it has 80 programmable sounds, a 50 wat bullhorn speaker and a 40 watt amp. the amp has rca jacks so you can plug it into your Ipod or cb out or whatever and the amp has another output for a second speaker so you can do true surround sound.
Here's the site.
COGA PA COGApa Musical Car Horn Public Address For Sale Ordering
the max power is a bit pricey but definitly worth it IMO.
Here's the site.
COGA PA COGApa Musical Car Horn Public Address For Sale Ordering
the max power is a bit pricey but definitly worth it IMO.
Joined
·
10,734 Posts
Sorry i missed this.. But i just wired up a connector for the 12v plug-in.
Joined
·
2,821 Posts
F.E.A.R., That galls system is nice. Galls is a bit on the low end side of things. Nothing wrong with that though. They tend to have more problems than others. Also Galls will not out right sell that one to you through their web site. You need to be in Law Enforcent or a city agancy that would buy that for they police and fire cars to be installed in. The guy who owns the Galls stores here in california will not even sell me a siren with the welp, yail, hi/lo siren tones. He is a client of mine and we know each other on a first names basis. I would keep looking on eBay, that is gonna be the best way to get the better stuff at a used price. Good Luck. :wave:
Joined
·
2,513 Posts
I'm not a huge fan of galls when it comes to siren/light controlers. Quality isn't up to par to Code 3, Whelen or federal signal.After doing my research I believe this is the best bang for your buck out there, and I hear it is one of the loudest. Any comments?
Galls® Speaker/Siren Combo - SK147 : Galls
Save some $ buying it as a bundle, the speaker included alone is 150$ separate
F.E.A.R., this is the whelen unit i'm using.
Whelen PAP112 Power Airhorn plus Amplifier with Public Address--Vehicle Lighting Solutions, Inc.
The main advantage this one has over the galls unit your looking at is that its a remote mounted unit that can be mounted under the seat, or in the cargo compartment, as were the galls unit needs to be placed somwhere that the driver can accses it. It is a rather big unit, so mounting it somwhere that is not only clean, but accesable may be challenging. Aslo the galls unit has emergency siren tones so if you get pulled over if an oficer knows what he's looking at,(whitch he should) it might raise an eye brow. (although you did meation you didn't care about local laws, but be carfull either way)
If you just want a good PA, then i think the whelen will fit your needs the best. Its compact, can be mounted in a remote location and the mic can be placed nearly anywhere, and hiden when not in use. Giving you plenty of room for a full size CB radio.
Edit: Just saw that acetechno beat me to the quality of the galls unit. But considering you won't use it on a day to day basis, it should suite your needs just fine.
What are you talking about? Try checking out, it lets you order it w\o a problem..? And 5150, I'll be checking into that unit, I just wish they had a bundle
. Either way I'll more than likely be mounting it in the center console. I noticed that the Whelen sirens come with free mounting brackets...alas there isn't one specific to our vehicle, guess I'll just have to fab one up. I kinda wanted the thunder tones and police sounds and what not for when me and my buddies are just messing around lol
Joined
·
2,821 Posts
Ya it looks like they chaged how you can order stuff. It was 3 years ago that I added a siren to my truck. Now all this talk makes wanna put one back in. :rofl: Maybe some strobes would be cool also. Well looks like I'm gonna have to spend more money that I don't have,:lol:What are you talking about? Try checking out, it lets you order it w\o a problem..? And 5150, I'll be checking into that unit, I just wish they had a bundle
Well waddya say? Should I get the Wherelen one or the Galls? The galls has far more features, but I hear the Whelen one is a better more reliable unit? What would YOU do?
Joined
·
707 Posts
I have never needed any PA system over a CB/PA.
I use a Uniden Grant XL, with amp for radio. FCC hates it, but I just about never use it on full power (about 1 KW).
I just don't have more room in the FJ for a new PA system. I could see adding an amp for the CB-PA under the hood. It would be a much lower price (ya do get what ya pay for)...
Strobes would be way nice for hazard lamps. You would see em way better. I like this idea. I don't think the law would have a problem with them, as long as the color is the same as stock. Do the strobes use a lot more power?
I use a Uniden Grant XL, with amp for radio. FCC hates it, but I just about never use it on full power (about 1 KW).
I just don't have more room in the FJ for a new PA system. I could see adding an amp for the CB-PA under the hood. It would be a much lower price (ya do get what ya pay for)...
Strobes would be way nice for hazard lamps. You would see em way better. I like this idea. I don't think the law would have a problem with them, as long as the color is the same as stock. Do the strobes use a lot more power?
Joined
·
2,513 Posts
The strobe power supply is preety much the exact same size as the whelen PA/air horn, so mounting it will be no more difficult or take up any more space than a strobe power supply. Just need to find a place to mount the mic.
As far was stobes go in the FJ, i don't know what state your in, but CA. is trying to get ride of stobes all toeghter, including emergency vehicles. Highway patrol is starting to get strict on it to. My shop still installs them if the agencie insist, but we let them know the laws before we do.
As far as mounting them, your going to be hard pressed to fit them in the front and rear sidemarkers of the FJC. Not enough room. You might be able to fit them in the turn signal housing of the rear tail light assembly, but even if you can, the heat from the stobes will probbly melt the lens if left on long enough.
If you do decide to do it, and find a sutable spot, then make sure there the amber color.
21 - 37 of 37 Posts
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
