question for cobra 148 owners

[Crankshaft]

Ok I finally went and got one. Of course I eagerely hooked it right up to check it out. First thing I noticed, upon calibrating the swr, its reading a lil over 2 units, almost 2.5, compared to barely 1 on my cobra 200. Next thing is, this one has talk back enabled already. It was new in box

[tfisher63]

Was that swr reading on the built in radio meter or a separate swr meter?

[Crankshaft]

Going solely off the meter on the radio, it was swinging almost to the red, looked about 2.5 to 3, but cant say for sure. Either case, not real far from the redzone. I took it by a cb shop in west memphis, and they hooked a 3 meter box inline and checked it. Young guy says its around 1.5. Bout 5 min later he was talking how its too cold outside to work, hes from florida etc. Im not 100% sure he really put much effort into it. Granted I know you cant trust the built in meters on radios, but am suspicious. May try another shop when I get home in Tulsa, see what that guy says. Running 9ft of coax, clear truckstop brand into a wilson 5000 mounted on the mirror tube of a century class. Wasnt impressed at how well it got out at all. I could recieve decent but couldnt get to alot of people I could hear, unlike my 200gtl.

[tfisher63]

Hmm, I would get it rechecked too. I have switched radios several times always on the same antenna and usually the swr remains very close to the same on each radio. I got tired of having to get someone else to check mine, and I found an older Midland swr only (no wattmeter) on ebay for about 15 bucks. It was a great investment for me, I never had to guess again. I havent seen a new 148, How do yo activate the talkback?

[Crankshaft]

Dunno, hooked it up and talkback was working. Bought new in box btw. Isnt too annoying, however I dunno how its sounding on the other end, other then weak. Anyone else get a new 148 and had talkback working when you opened it up?

[tfisher63]

As far as I can find out, the 148 doesnt come with talkback, it must have been added. I cant find one anywhere that has it stock. If someone has been inside it, maybe the low output was caused by a "peak and tune" job.

[Crankshaft]

Bought new at the pilot, may try and return it. Doesnt have a swing kit in it. Has epoxy or some kind of resin on some of the adjustment pots, etc. Guessing thats to verify it hasnt been tampered with? Wierd.

[tfisher63]

I dont know enough about it, but could the talkback youre hearing actually be some kind of feedback? or do you think someone hads been into it?

[Crankshaft]

Could be feedback. I dont think its been touched, everything in the box was still sealed. I didnt dig out the mic, and instead used my stock cobra mic off my cobra 200gtl. Would think they are the same wiring.

[tfisher63]

Yes, I believe they are the same. Might be something wrong with it. Maybe someone with more knowledge/experience than me will chime in.