question for cobra 148 owners

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

 

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.

 

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?

 

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.

 

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.