Antenna Warning, COBRA 50th Aniv

what kinda truck

 

Has it been raining? I had an old antenna mount that would short out when wet. Caused the warning light to come on. Replaced the mount and all works well now.

 

More than likely it is an antenna issue and not a problem with the radio.

 

poorly "tweaked" radio's often do this,I would start with checking the impedance on the coax.One end or the other could be bad and need replaced.
Then check the mount and make sure the nylon washer isn't crushed at the stud.
If you dont need 18' to run from the back porch to the front I would have the coax cut
down to 12' or at the very least consider it when purchasing your next one

 

Agree it is likely the antenna is not working right.

 

The self-diagnostic features on the new Cobra are pretty cool. I found them fairly accurate when put into perspective. Obviously, the digtal bars are giving you an accurate wattage or an accuaret SWR, but they give you a good general idea. I ran those self tests each morning with my pre-trip, just became part of the routine for me.

 

Nothing like limiting suprizes ...

 

If your radio has been "Peaked & Tuned" as they say, the SWR/ANT warning light has to be removed from the circuit. Radios that have has power mods done, or clipped, or anything that changes the factory alignment for RF Power output will set off the ANT light, this is a major issue in the Cobra 29 radios (all of them).

You can solve this issue by adjusting VR6 full off until the ANT light does not come on, there's no harm in the radio, once you've modified the radio, the need for the internal SWR meter is shot to hell and useless anyway at this point.

Once you change the circuitry of the radio you have make other adjustment to compensate for the modifications, the ANT warning light is one of those things some techs out here fail to correct, and this is also the number one reason to own an external SWR meter, the internal meters can not be trusted.

Good Luck,
Dodgem250 at the CB workbench around Southern Maryland

 

trusting the internal meter is foolish,it only "zero's" the radio
It does nothing to "adjust" SWR