Cobra 29 Upgrades.

[KooK]

I'm looking at buying a Cobra 29 and I'm unsure if I should buy any of the upgrades the shop sells. You'll notice at the bottom they offer either a tuneup or a High wattage modification. I know at very least I would get the tuneup, would a high wattage mod be something that would be worth the extra money or is it a gimmick? Also, would an RK56 mic be decent to go with or is there something that would work better? This is actually going in an old Baja Bug that's decently noisy inside.

Thanks!

Edit: Wont let me post links yet so I'll just copy what they're saying.

Tuneup:
A Performance tune up increases the output of the CB by approximately 50%. The receiver gain is typically 30-40% over stock specs.
This modification includes the following changes in order to enhance the radio's performance.
- Turning up the Transmitter's wattage
- Adjusting the modulation for maximum output without distortion.
- Modifying the mike amp circuit for more gain when necessary.
- Aligning the receiver for optimum signal to noise ratio.
- Adjusting the squelch range
- Calibrate the transmit and receive meter settings.
- Frequency adjustment to zero tolerance.
- Perform a complete check of all functions.
- Perform a visual of the circuit board for cold joints and flaws.


High wattage upgrade:
This modification increases a CB radio's output significantly. With gain of approximately 100% more output wattage over the basic Peak and Tune. It involves an in depth redesign of the CB's transmitter strip including replacing the transmit final with a larger more powerful transmit final. In addition this modification includes all of the following:
- Redesign the transmitter strip.
- Replace standard transmit final with higher wattage transmit final.
- Adjusting the modulation for maximum output without distortion.
- Modifying the mike amp circuit for more gain when necessary.
- Aligning the receiver for optimum signal to noise ratio.
- Adjusting the squelch range
- Calibrate the transmit and receive meter settings.
- Frequency adjustment to zero tolerance.
- Perform a complete check of all functions.
- Perform a visual of the circuit board for cold joints and flaws.

[Rat]

Well if the shop charges for the "Tuneup" then find another shop such as Custom CB radios.

This sounds an awful lot like a Radio Active Radios advertisment and if it is then steer clear unless you don't care if you are bleeding over 5 channels above and below the channel you were transmitting on.

If you are looking for a good cobra then look at Custom CB radios Stealth 2 series.

[FriedTater]

Again you attempt to slam RAR with pathetic BS !
There is no way that is RAR,they (and read this very carefully) REFUSE TO EVEN TALK ABOUT A COBRA RADIO !!!(much less sell or work on one)

They are 10 meter Specialists and have no stake in low budget yack boxs for freight haulers.
Cant afford,nor have the need for a Top Class Rig dont be slamming.

As for the OP,I run a super tuned Cobra 25 and a 108" whip on my Jeep for offroad duties. Tuned to the 108" whip it SPLATTERS 4 channels out on either side.
Hot little Cobra no doubt, wasnt tuned a Custom Radios thats why it rocks the key when we rock the dunes.

Originally Posted by Rat

Well if the shop charges for the "Tuneup" then find another shop such as Custom CB radios.

This sounds an awful lot like a Radio Active Radios advertisment and if it is then steer clear unless you don't care if you are bleeding over 5 channels above and below the channel you were transmitting on.

If you are looking for a good cobra then look at Custom CB radios Stealth 2 series.

[Rat]

Originally Posted by FriedTater

Again you attempt to slam RAR with pathetic BS !
There is no way that is RAR,they (and read this very carefully) REFUSE TO EVEN TALK ABOUT A COBRA RADIO !!!(much less sell or work on one)

They are 10 meter Specialists and have no stake in low budget yack boxs for freight haulers.
Cant afford,nor have the need for a Top Class Rig dont be slamming.

As for the OP,I run a super tuned Cobra 25 and a 108" whip on my Jeep for offroad duties. Tuned to the 108" whip it SPLATTERS 4 channels out on either side.
Hot little Cobra no doubt, wasnt tuned a Custom Radios thats why it rocks the key when we rock the dunes.

I am glad you are a RAR follower. Many people are dropping them for better techs that actually know how to tune a radio that does not splatter across the band and actually puts ALL of its power on the channel they are transmitting on.

What good is having alot of power when 25% of it or more is bleeding 4 up and 4 below the channel?

I have a 10 meter (connex 4300HP) it is wonderful and will not be giving it up. It stomps when I want it to. Also have a Cobra that stomps even some 10 meter radios that have been done up by places like GI Joes, Radio Active Radios and other so called shops. People can't believe it is a cobra 29 LTD and call me a lier.

I don't run a foot warmer and never plan on it. Don't need to when you have a radio that swings over 45 watts of CLEAN unbleeding power and yes my cobra does just that, well actually it is closer to 50 watts but this is just splitting hairs.

I hate bleeding radios. You can be sitting somewere trying to have a convo with someone and all you here is a bunch of noise in air that kind of sounds like a voice. You end up playing with your squelch to get rid of it which takes away from your long range ears. Then you go playing with the channel selector and find the offending radio about 4 channels above the channel you were on. The guy with the splattering radio sounds no louder or better then the guy he is talking to that is not splattering across the band.

The thing is that many shops out there such as Doug at Custom CB radios and even Al at Sparkies CB shack, will do the same tune up, as the OP asked about, for free. Actually it is part of the package as none of their radios leave the shop without going across the bench and making sure they perform as they should. If you are looking for big barefoot power then just ask them and they will set you up.

[birddog1]

Originally Posted by KooK

I'm looking at buying a Cobra 29 and I'm unsure if I should buy any of the upgrades the shop sells. You'll notice at the bottom they offer either a tuneup or a High wattage modification. I know at very least I would get the tuneup, would a high wattage mod be something that would be worth the extra money or is it a gimmick? Also, would an RK56 mic be decent to go with or is there something that would work better? This is actually going in an old Baja Bug that's decently noisy inside.

Thanks!

Edit: Wont let me post links yet so I'll just copy what they're saying.

Tuneup:
A Performance tune up increases the output of the CB by approximately 50%. The receiver gain is typically 30-40% over stock specs.
This modification includes the following changes in order to enhance the radio's performance.
- Turning up the Transmitter's wattage
- Adjusting the modulation for maximum output without distortion.
- Modifying the mike amp circuit for more gain when necessary.
- Aligning the receiver for optimum signal to noise ratio.
- Adjusting the squelch range
- Calibrate the transmit and receive meter settings.
- Frequency adjustment to zero tolerance.
- Perform a complete check of all functions.
- Perform a visual of the circuit board for cold joints and flaws.


High wattage upgrade:
This modification increases a CB radio's output significantly. With gain of approximately 100% more output wattage over the basic Peak and Tune. It involves an in depth redesign of the CB's transmitter strip including replacing the transmit final with a larger more powerful transmit final. In addition this modification includes all of the following:
- Redesign the transmitter strip.
- Replace standard transmit final with higher wattage transmit final.
- Adjusting the modulation for maximum output without distortion.
- Modifying the mike amp circuit for more gain when necessary.
- Aligning the receiver for optimum signal to noise ratio.
- Adjusting the squelch range
- Calibrate the transmit and receive meter settings.
- Frequency adjustment to zero tolerance.
- Perform a complete check of all functions.
- Perform a visual of the circuit board for cold joints and flaws.

I believe the above quote is from Clay's Radio Shop. Most of his work is top shelf but I believe his son does the work now and I've heard that it is not as good. I have a friend that has a galaxy 44 set up by Clay himself and it is a talker for sure. I've never had a SWP so I can't comment but Doug at Custom CB Radios set up my connex and he did a super job on it. My advice is to find someone you trust and stick with them, most of the so called radio shops are snip and clip and not properly tuned and set up. Good luck.

[FriedTater]

You could only dream of such BS.
I have radios older then you,you only get that RAMBO BS out till an RAR radio warps your needle.
I have a Connex from Custom Radio,Sparky's an Clays
they have all been properly tested without the high definition advertising BS from their respective hacks.

Again,
I have several radios from your prized vendors and they dont come near what you claim when tested on a "TRUE UNBIASED TEST"

You just keep believing you dont splatter channels above 40 "true"watts on 11 Meter bands.

You can only "assume" you walk on RAR units.
Its to late to say ......... I had a buddy key off on my XXX while my other buddy was on his RAR XXX

Again ...... TO LATE to explain HOW YOU KNOW.


Top DOGS always get the trolls so just keep trying to sell radios for your buddies and we will keep stomping those mudholes in their modulation.

Originally Posted by Rat

I am glad you are a RAR follower. Many people are dropping them for better techs that actually know how to tune a radio that does not splatter across the band and actually puts ALL of its power on the channel they are transmitting on.

What good is having alot of power when 25% of it or more is bleeding 4 up and 4 below the channel?

I have a 10 meter (connex 4300HP) it is wonderful and will not be giving it up. It stomps when I want it to. Also have a Cobra that stomps even some 10 meter radios that have been done up by places like GI Joes, Radio Active Radios and other so called shops. People can't believe it is a cobra 29 LTD and call me a lier.

I don't run a foot warmer and never plan on it. Don't need to when you have a radio that swings over 45 watts of CLEAN unbleeding power and yes my cobra does just that, well actually it is closer to 50 watts but this is just splitting hairs.

I hate bleeding radios. You can be sitting somewere trying to have a convo with someone and all you here is a bunch of noise in air that kind of sounds like a voice. You end up playing with your squelch to get rid of it which takes away from your long range ears. Then you go playing with the channel selector and find the offending radio about 4 channels above the channel you were on. The guy with the splattering radio sounds no louder or better then the guy he is talking to that is not splattering across the band.

The thing is that many shops out there such as Doug at Custom CB radios and even Al at Sparkies CB shack, will do the same tune up, as the OP asked about, for free. Actually it is part of the package as none of their radios leave the shop without going across the bench and making sure they perform as they should. If you are looking for big barefoot power then just ask them and they will set you up.

[Rat]

Originally Posted by FriedTater

You could only dream of such BS.
I have radios older then you,you only get that RAMBO BS out till an RAR radio warps your needle.
I have a Connex from Custom Radio,Sparky's an Clays
they have all been properly tested without the high definition advertising BS from their respective hacks.

Again,
I have several radios from your prized vendors and they dont come near what you claim when tested on a "TRUE UNBIASED TEST"

You just keep believing you dont splatter channels above 40 "true"watts on 11 Meter bands.

You can only "assume" you walk on RAR units.
Its to late to say ......... I had a buddy key off on my XXX while my other buddy was on his RAR XXX

Again ...... TO LATE to explain HOW YOU KNOW.


Top DOGS always get the trolls so just keep trying to sell radios for your buddies and we will keep stomping those mudholes in their modulation.

You have radios that were manufactured before 9/12/1967? That is great!!!! Would love to see some pictures of them.

You keep playing with them RAR radios while the masses keep getting them unhacked by COMPETENT radio techs.

Oh and my Stealth doesn't bleed and my connex doesn't bleed or can't be heard bleeding within the regular 40. Atleast that is what the other drivers in our company say.

[jeepskate99]

I love the "age" defense. I get that all the time being that I am only 30. I had a 60 something year old guy throw that one at me last week. I told him he has been having sex longer than I have been alive too, but I bet I am better at it. LOL I won't get into the exact wording since it would offend anyone that misses their wife.

[black_dog106]

Count me as one of the many who will never do business with RAR. I bought a 4600 from them with all the "bells and whistles". It was scratchy on transmit. I complained and they said send it back and i would be charged bench time...... I was p--s-d.
I contacted Clays, sent it to them to be fixed. I also requested that they install a switch so i could dim lights. The dimmer switch worked good, but it was still scratchy on transmit....
I then sent it to Bobs CB. I have done business with him before and always been happy, but i fell for all the big advertising of RAR etc. He sent it back with a note that he had to "debutcher talkback". The radio has been a great radio ever since.
So that is my experience with RAR, etc... david

[Rat]

Originally Posted by jeepskate99

I love the "age" defense. I get that all the time being that I am only 30. I had a 60 something year old guy throw that one at me last week. I told him he has been having sex longer than I have been alive too, but I bet I am better at it. LOL I won't get into the exact wording since it would offend anyone that misses their wife.

I am waiting for him to post one of the Vintage radios up that he has.

I know the most vintage radio that I own is a Pearce-Simpson Cougar 23B. It still works great also. My grandfather had it from back when he owned the local Chrysler Dealership. He had it in the wrecker. I also have an old Hygain that is in peices.