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Cobra 148GTL Problem

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by 305-Hillbilly, Oct 19, 2013.

  1. Oct 19, 2013 #1
    305-Hillbilly

    305-Hillbilly Bobtail Member

    28
    1
    May 30, 2013
    Ontario, Canada
    0
    I have a brand new Cobra 148 that I got from a local radio shop. Love the radio, looks good but more importantly it sounds good.

    Problem:
    I'm still using the current antenna setup as previously mentioned in my other posts, got the SWR's down to about 1.5(ish):1 but it swings to the 3.5 on the RF meter and it squeals when I key up until I release the key. Never had that problem with my previous radio that was hooked up to the same antenna (Uniden 78XL that was peaked and tuned by a previous owner).

    Any thoughts/suggestions? Constructive ones only please, I don't want to hear garbage about the 148's, I have the radio because I wanted a reliable SSB that didn't break the bank.
     
    305-Hillbilly, Oct 19, 2013
    305-Hillbilly, Oct 19, 2013
    #1
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  3. Oct 19, 2013 #2
    Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

    22,217
    114,178
    Dec 18, 2011
    Michigan
    0
    OK here is some garbage - it is a good radio if just not messed with.

    That out of the way, I am thinking don't worry about the "swing" if you are using an external meter to check the swr. if you got it down to 1.5 or so on a dead key, then that's alright because it shouldn't change at all with modulation ==> that indicates a problem with the meter, not with the swr. Now the one thing that I do not like is these internal meters and antenna warning lights, they seem to use a generic circuit that is a relative indicator, not all that accurate and shouldn't be.
     
    Ridgeline, Oct 19, 2013
    Ridgeline, Oct 19, 2013
    #2
  4. Oct 19, 2013 #3
    muleshoe

    muleshoe Light Load Member

    67
    28
    Jul 4, 2013
    0
    PHP:
    Could the squealing be caused by keying the mike too close to the speaker? Mike gain too high?
     
    muleshoe, Oct 19, 2013
    muleshoe, Oct 19, 2013
    #3
  5. Oct 19, 2013 #4
    juanveldez

    juanveldez Light Load Member

    152
    44
    Apr 24, 2007
    Iron Mountian MI
    0
    I had that problem when I had the talk back turned up to high on my radio.
     
    juanveldez, Oct 19, 2013
    juanveldez, Oct 19, 2013
    #4
  7. Oct 20, 2013 #5
    305-Hillbilly

    305-Hillbilly Bobtail Member

    28
    1
    May 30, 2013
    Ontario, Canada
    0
    I have a power mic set halfway, the mic gain set 2/3-3/4 and about 18' of mic cable (standard 9' coiled mic cable with a 9' coiled extension cord). Even when I stand several feet away it still squeals.
     
    305-Hillbilly, Oct 20, 2013
    305-Hillbilly, Oct 20, 2013
    #5
  8. Oct 20, 2013 #6
    Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

    22,217
    114,178
    Dec 18, 2011
    Michigan
    0
    The squealing is most likely caused by a mis-wired mic. Depending on the mic, there is a chance that it is feeding back to the radio a voltage that powers some of the receive circuit and causing the a feedback of sorts. One reason why I love radios with relay switching is the simplicity to use different mics without the hassle of 'right' wiring layout.
     
    Ridgeline, Oct 20, 2013
    Ridgeline, Oct 20, 2013
    #6
  9. Oct 25, 2013 #7
    305-Hillbilly

    305-Hillbilly Bobtail Member

    28
    1
    May 30, 2013
    Ontario, Canada
    0
    Squealing problem is fixed now. I plugged in the stock mic that came with the radio and there was no squeal when I keyed up. Then I plugged the power mic back in and it would squeal like crazy again. Unhooked the mic extension cord and plugged the power mic straight in and it stopped, so something is wrong with the extension cord. I've also got 2 new antennas rigged up and they seem to work better. Something must be wrong with the Wilson coax because I couldn't receive or transmit anything with it since I bought the new radio.

    Here are updated pictures of my rig, I've moved it indoors now because of the approaching "4 letter word season".
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Oct 25, 2013
    305-Hillbilly, Oct 25, 2013
    305-Hillbilly, Oct 25, 2013
    #7
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