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michaeldterry
09-06-2009, 10:36 AM
Mounted on the driver side wall next to my left foot is a piece of electronic equipment that I cannot figure out what it is, its function, or how it operates (see first picture below). It appears to be an amplifier of some sort, but I do not know what it amplifies! There is a Cobra 75 WXST handheld CB radio mounted nearby on the left windshield pillar (second picture), so I can only surmise that it is somehow "connected" to the CB, but since the CB currently only seems to receive static, no matter which channel I select, I am unable to ascertain how this thing works or what its purpose is.

I've "Googled" for information on the "LA 225" without success and there is no manufacturer name or other markings I can find on the unit. (The way/location it's mounted does not allow me to actually see the rear of the unit where the connections are made.)

Does anyone recognize this piece of equipment or can you hazard an educated guess as to its purpose and operation? I'm going to also ask Featherlite, but so far they have not been able to help me with questions regarding my specific coach (they've been very helpful with general questions and seem to "want" to help as much as possible, so maybe someone there will recognize this thing if I come up empty with the POG braintrust.)

As far as the CB not receiving transmissions, I can only guess that the antenna has gotten knocked off or loose at some point in the past prior to my acquiring this coach. Is there anything else that an idiot like me can check?

The final part of the mystery is the power source for the LA 225. While trying to figure it out, i messed with the three toggle switches on the front until i got all three lights to illuminate. When I shut the bus down for the day, I powered down the genset, turned off all switches on the master electrical panel (including the main 12V switch) and verified that the bus was "dark" with nothing still on. As I exited the bus, I noticed that the lights on the LA 225 were still lit. I proceeded to the rear of the bus and turned of both main switches. I went back to the front and the LA 225 lights were still on! i reentered the bus and turned them off via the toggle switches on the unit, but I can't figure out how there was still power to the unit when I had everything turned off, including the master disconnect switches! What am I missing? (Besides part of my brain....)

While this is unimportant in the grand scheme of things, it's driving me crazy (okay - craziER) that I can't figure this thing out. I'm not a CB talker, but would enjoy having the radio functional for emergency and informational purposes. This model also includes a weather band feature that allows you to get NOAA weather updates and warnings real-time.

Any help figuring this out would be most appreciated!

The mysterious LA 225:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaeldterry/3890746631/" title="IMG_0013 by michael_terry@comcast.net, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2554/3890746631_376f0dfb0c.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_0013" /></a>

The Cobra 75 WXST:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaeldterry/3891538102/" title="IMG_0008 by michael_terry@comcast.net, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3474/3891538102_0ef0a10694.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0008" /></a>

garyde
09-06-2009, 10:44 AM
Hi Michael. It is your amplifier for the Cobra. It is connected directly to the batterys with an in-line fuse. If it is not working correctly, check your antenna.

michaeldterry
09-06-2009, 11:18 AM
Thank you, Gary! That's what I thought, but it's nice to have it confirmed by someone "in the know"!

Petervs
09-06-2009, 12:47 PM
Hi Michael,

No, sorry to report Gary is incorrect. This LA225 is a Featherlite option to crank up the bling so as to compete with Liberty.

If you see a Liberty near by, then you flip the switches until you outbling them! The rest of the time you keep the bling muted so as not to awaken the senior citizens in the RV park all the time.

michaeldterry
09-06-2009, 12:53 PM
Peter - thanks for the "clarification"! I certainly would not want to be guilty of excessive 'blinging'!:p

Pete
09-06-2009, 02:02 PM
Michael, I think that is a "Linear Amplifier" for your CB radio. They are a great tool to extend the range of your radio. (they are also illegal) so if you don't want it I will take it. If you will try to talk on your radio with the amplifier on you will see a big difference. They will also disconnect your cruise control when you key the mic.

truk4u
09-06-2009, 09:18 PM
I'm with Pete, betcha it's a Linear...