Cobra 29LTD rx/tx light red

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by JReding, Nov 19, 2015.

  1. JReding

    JReding Road Train Member

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    Hey folks, a little problem here, I'm guessing. Keep in mind I'm a radio novice. I just had to replace the radio in my truck. My manager had previously purchased Midland 5001z's, which worked fine for me, but I got picky and took mine to the only known repair shop in our area for a burnt out meter lamp. It took the guy three weeks and multiple calls from me to get him on it. My manager decided to leave that radio alone and buy me a classic 29 ltd.
    I've got it hooked up, and did the calibration, and I can sorta receive transmissions, but I don't think I'm transmitting. When I key up, the rx/tx light goes red the antenna light remains dark). Answers?
     
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  3. kelgar50

    kelgar50 Medium Load Member

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    You do not want the ant light to come on. That is a warning light meaning your
    antenna swr reading is higher than is safe to operate.
     
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  4. JReding

    JReding Road Train Member

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    Okay, thanks. The manual wasn't exactly loaded with information. Any idea what might be the problem? My old Midland worked great...
     
  5. Neverready

    Neverready Medium Load Member

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    If it is the rx/tx light going from green to red when you key up it simply means you are transmitting. As long as the antenna light is dark the radio is seeing a swr in the safe range. It does not mean it is correct just that's what the radio sees according to it's internal adjustments.
     
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  6. JReding

    JReding Road Train Member

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    Okay. So, I guess I'll find out tonight when my coworker is there at the same time..? I'll test to see if he can hear me, and I'm coming through clear.
    I know it's probably a stupid question, but I disliked the stock Cobra mic, so I swapped it out for the mic that came with my Midland, which has a much better look and feel to it. A four-pin is a four-pin, isn't it?
     
  7. burnsey

    burnsey Light Load Member

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    seacoast, NH
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    Well 99% of the time, yes. Your Midland mic SHOULD work with your Cobra radio, trial and error will tell. Just be aware that if they don't work together it may be a simple plug wiring discrepancy, not necessarily a bad mic or radio.

    According to the Wolcott Radio website, https://www.walcottradio.com/microphone_wiring.php
    your four pin Cobra and four pin Uniden are the same wiring scheme (top left corner of diagram) so it SHOULD work.

    After all, it is on the INTERNET so it MUST be true, right?? ;)
     
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  8. JReding

    JReding Road Train Member

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    Well, I did a test this morning before leaving work. The Midland mic obviously wasn't working, so I grabbed the one off my Cobra that I have in my car: still nothing, even though they were the same brand. I put the mic on that came with the radio, and it worked perfectly. My coworker and friend offered his Astatic mic for me to try: I'll try it in the morning. For now, I'm back to square one with a mic I don't really care for. What I really want to do is order a Cobra 70 series noise cancelling mic.
     
  9. roadway

    roadway Bobtail Member

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    Mar 20, 2015
    Tyson,.Al
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    W


    was your radio peaked and tuned? If so the Antenna Warning pot needs,to be adjusted. Also some Cobra 29s are adjusted to touchy and borderline. To fx this,,remove the 4 screws that hold the bottom cover on. Remove your antenna lead. At the back right corner area inside the radio is an adjustable potentiometer, commonly called a pot. There is a number on the circuit board by the pot. The pot number is V6. You will need a small flat top screw diver that fits in the slot of the pot. Lacking a screwdriver you can flatten a piece of coat hanfer and file itvto resemble a screwdriver or steal on of your wifes screwdrivers from her sewing machine. lol. Now key your mike. Your warning light will come on. Insert screwdriver in pot, and turn it clockwise while holding mic key gown. Turn it very slow, until liht goes,out. Release mic key and then key mic again and yurn pot vounter ####wise just unil lihjt comes back on. Then release moc key and agsn yurn very slowly clockwise until light goes,out. Thats it. Youhave just adjusted your antenna warning sydtem. Reinstall 4 cover screws, hook up your antenna coax . Any time thev29 series gets tuned evenslightly you eed to readjust thevantenna warning pot. Make sure uour SWR is 2.0 or below. Oreferably between 1.0 and 1.5 is the majic atea. I wuld buyba test SW meter at a CB store or truckstop and a 3 foot coax jumper and use it to adjust your SWR and no the radios meter.
     
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  10. roadway

    roadway Bobtail Member

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    ^^^^^sorry about fat finger spelling.
     
    JReding Thanks this.
  11. JReding

    JReding Road Train Member

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