I bought both the Thunderbolt 305 and Thunderbolt 101 back in 1985, new in the box. The dealer told me these were made in Youngstown, Ohio. Best tube base amps I have ever owned in my CB career. I'm also very sorry I sold them in 1991.
I bought mine back in early 07. The only thing I've had to repair was the power switch. Bought some extra tubes but never actually had a tube fail or any issues whatsoever. These are some really clean sounding amps when driven and tuned correctly. Not to mention it makes a sweet driver for an SB-220! 😎
@@tractorman1990 My 220 has been refurbished by an electronic mastermind and had a few upgraded parts for longevity but only does what it's rated at with the 500-z's. Roster knows this guy but for his privacy he'll remain nameless here. And no my 305 doesn't overdrive it at all. To me it's a perfect combo (at least for me) and I never plan to acquire more power. Now my focus is on a good beam antenna.
Hello Rooster. I own a TUNDERBOLT 305. (Original owner). I recently turned amp on. Using a Cobra 2k. Dead key around 4 watts swinging to 200w using Bird meter on avg. I few days ago the amp just shut off. No noise. No smoke. nothing. Is there a fuse inside that could have blown. Thank you. 380. Way out west.
I've got the exact same one. But something went wrong. Do you know anyone that works on this amp in or near powhatan va. I was using my cobra 2000 to drive it. Love this thing
The Thunderbolt is a low drive amp sir. I'm not sure how much tech knowledge you have but 30-35 watts PEP is about the max you want to drive into one. I use a Galaxy 2547 (same board as a 959) that tops out around 25 PEP. That'll push my amp to 550-600 so be careful of your input drive.
I bought both the Thunderbolt 305 and Thunderbolt 101 back in 1985, new in the box. The dealer told me these were made in Youngstown, Ohio. Best tube base amps I have ever owned in my CB career. I'm also very sorry I sold them in 1991.
I bought mine back in early 07. The only thing I've had to repair was the power switch. Bought some extra tubes but never actually had a tube fail or any issues whatsoever. These are some really clean sounding amps when driven and tuned correctly. Not to mention it makes a sweet driver for an SB-220! 😎
It don’t drive your sb 220 too hard? Is your sb 220 stock?
@@tractorman1990 My 220 has been refurbished by an electronic mastermind and had a few upgraded parts for longevity but only does what it's rated at with the 500-z's. Roster knows this guy but for his privacy he'll remain nameless here. And no my 305 doesn't overdrive it at all. To me it's a perfect combo (at least for me) and I never plan to acquire more power. Now my focus is on a good beam antenna.
@@PhoenixRising251 awesome man that helps me out 👍
@@tractorman1990 I'll only speak of my experience in radios and amps over the decades but I'll never pretend to know what I don't. Glad to help out.
Awesome I’d love to have one… I have a local that ran a thunderbolt 305 and he always had just a booming sound regardless of the radio he ran
I love my Thunderbolt 305 and I love my heathkit sb 200 that is what I started with...Very nice rooster....
Hello Rooster. I own a TUNDERBOLT 305. (Original owner). I recently turned amp on. Using a Cobra 2k. Dead key around 4 watts swinging to 200w using Bird meter on avg. I few days ago the amp just shut off. No noise. No smoke. nothing. Is there a fuse inside that could have blown. Thank you. 380. Way out west.
Awesome amp
Nailed it Rooster!
i had one. it was great.
I've got the exact same one. But something went wrong. Do you know anyone that works on this amp in or near powhatan va. I was using my cobra 2000 to drive it. Love this thing
Never had a thunderbolt. What's the biggest they ever made?
This one
Was that 35w deadkey or pep from the radio? I want to use my Stryker 955 with this.
Peak
The Thunderbolt is a low drive amp sir. I'm not sure how much tech knowledge you have but 30-35 watts PEP is about the max you want to drive into one. I use a Galaxy 2547 (same board as a 959) that tops out around 25 PEP. That'll push my amp to 550-600 so be careful of your input drive.
Im in the market hope your sealing
I sure do miss me Henry 1K
Where you live we need a good redeo guy
How much $$$$
Rooster would you work on one for me
I don't work on them
I got 2 of them..😊
my thunderbolt 101 walks thr dog with my jb12 driving it
I'd have to disagree best sweep tube amp ever made was the Kenwood TL-911
Know of them but have never seen one in operation. 5 6lq6.
They were no where close to the best sweep tube amp. The golden eagle 1k or 750 were better. The Kodiak was good too.
Are there still CB communities where people talk over to CB with handles?
Plenty