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Cobra 29 HELP PLEASE

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by RonPaul2012, Oct 15, 2011.

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  1. Oct 15, 2011 #1
    RonPaul2012

    RonPaul2012 Medium Load Member

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    I bought a Cobra 29 WX NW ST recently from 007 Radio Shop, Exit 163 off I40, it's located in the same facility as the Ponderosa Truck Stop. It's used of course and P&T by the shop. He explained when I hook up the Antenna, I needed to calibrate the SWR, he gave me instruction and I downloaded the manual for my radio model from Cobra, the instructions matched, so I followed them. Any way, I'm getting ready to run west and I'm not going to be around for awhile, nor will I be able to route myself by his shop, so the forum is all I got.

    Problem:
    When I attempt to calibrate, the needle moves ever so slightly with mic keyed while turning SWR knob. Basically, I cannot get it to move over to the CAL arrow and the instructions say.

    The photo shows where the needle sits. As I said, it moves very slightly when mic is keyed.

    I get decent range in/out, but I'd like to figure out what is going on with the calibration.

    If you can help, it would be appreciated.
     

    Attached Files:

    RonPaul2012, Oct 15, 2011
    RonPaul2012, Oct 15, 2011
    #1
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  3. Oct 15, 2011 #2
    kalh7

    kalh7 Light Load Member

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    cant see the top left switch in the picture but do you have it switched down to the cal to set the cal knob?
     
    kalh7, Oct 15, 2011
    kalh7, Oct 15, 2011
    #2
  4. Oct 15, 2011 #3
    gummy bear

    gummy bear Light Load Member

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    There's probably some sort of swing mod done to the radio that needs fixing. I've had a radio, or two, like that...
     
    gummy bear, Oct 15, 2011
    gummy bear, Oct 15, 2011
    #3
    RonPaul2012 Thanks this.
  5. Oct 15, 2011 #4
    RonPaul2012

    RonPaul2012 Medium Load Member

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    Yeah, put the knob in CAL position, tuned radio to channel 20 keyed mic and rotated knob, nothing but maybe a 1/16 inch movement.
     
    RonPaul2012, Oct 15, 2011
    RonPaul2012, Oct 15, 2011
    #4
  7. Oct 15, 2011 #5
    kajidono

    kajidono Road Train Member

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    Hook up an external meter an see what happens. The built in one isn't terribly accurate.
     
    kajidono, Oct 15, 2011
    kajidono, Oct 15, 2011
    #5
    RonPaul2012 Thanks this.
  8. Oct 15, 2011 #6
    RonPaul2012

    RonPaul2012 Medium Load Member

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    How is the external meter connected to the radio?

    What type of meter would I buy?

    Where?

    Thanks.
     
    RonPaul2012, Oct 15, 2011
    RonPaul2012, Oct 15, 2011
    #6
  9. Oct 15, 2011 #7
    Eaton18

    Eaton18 Road Train Member

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    Eaton18, Oct 15, 2011
    Eaton18, Oct 15, 2011
    #7
    RonPaul2012 Thanks this.
  10. Oct 15, 2011 #8
    WA4GCH

    WA4GCH Road Train Member

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    Another good one ... NOT cheap but you will not outgrow it.
     

    Attached Files:

    WA4GCH, Oct 15, 2011
    WA4GCH, Oct 15, 2011
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    RonPaul2012 Thanks this.
  11. Oct 16, 2011 #9
    RonPaul2012

    RonPaul2012 Medium Load Member

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    Are the box instruction good enough, or is there a better way to use the meter once connected?

    I won't have any issues with the radio having one built in?

    Thanks for your input
     
    RonPaul2012, Oct 16, 2011
    RonPaul2012, Oct 16, 2011
    #9
  12. Oct 16, 2011 #10
    Rat

    Rat Road Train Member

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    If you are still close to the shop then ask them to come over and check your SWR for you.


    Some truck stops sell meters that are not too expensive. Get a 3 foot jumper coax. Hook it between the radio and the meter. Hook the antenna coax tot he back of the meter.

    Put radio on channel 20.

    Switch meter to calibrate.

    key mic and rotate calibrate knob till the needle is in the cal position on the far right side of the meter.

    Switch meter to SWR

    Key the mic and note the position of the needle in the meter.

    1 is perfect

    1.5 ish is also great.

    2 will get you by without much issues

    3 or higher is an issue and your antenna setup needs to be looked at.

    Once you are fine with the SWR readings.

    Remove the meter and jumper coax

    Reattach the antenna coax to the back of the radio

    Start truck and head down the road. LOL
     
    Rat, Oct 16, 2011
    Rat, Oct 16, 2011
    #10
    RonPaul2012 Thanks this.
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