Cobra 29 LX...LCD screen model

Antenna,coax is bad hope you didn't burn out the final cause of it

 

Having same issues in my 09 kw t660, put in a brand new 29lx lcd and set everything as per manual and then did the radio check on it and came up with antenna fail so I took it out until i can get new antennas and put it under my bunk and put my cheap uniden back on for now and it works fine.

Read a couple places that with the 29lx lcd need to have base load or center load antenna. My question is do I need to get 2 of them? Or can I just get 1? Looking at the k40 3500w series, or is there a different center load I could get with less watts?

 

You don't need to get a base loaded or center loaded antenna just for the 29lx.

If the truck is setup for two antennas then you must buy two antennas. You can't just get one antenna and install it and leave the other side open. You will get the antenna fail and the SWR would be bad enough that you could hurt the radio.

If you want to run a single antenna, then you must also replace the coax with a single phased coax designed for a single antenna.

Just because you get an antenna fail, it does not mean that the antenna itself is bad. Bad coax will give you a fail or anything that would show a high SWR reading. Such as bad grounding of the antenna mounts, Coax that has been cracked or broken inside or even corroded inside.

I once replaced coax on a truck were the ground braided section had actually turned black and was brittle to the touch.

 

That is a problem in its own. I have never tore into a cascadia but I have read many times that they have more junction blocks then you can throw a stick at, in the coax setup. Not to mention that the body is also composed of composite that is glued together rather then some type of metal. Both these would create issues in getting a proper RF ground for the antenna which is why the SWR would be real high.

What I have been reading is that drivers are going with an alternative mount such as a grab rail and running a ground strap from the grab rail to a proper ground. They are then purchasing or building mounts so that they can get the antenna high enough and out in the open so that it will work properly.

Since our company ordered in a bunch of cascadias and they are starting to come in now, I am sure some of the drivers will be cornering me for help.

 

I would check the coax and antenna first......but my Cobra 29 still wouldn't receive......the local CB shop found about 6 cold solder joints on the board.Fixed.