Radio Check...........

personally i think it would be a good idea for you to get a different mic for the cb radio. the mics that come in the box with the cb are pretty cheap and unreliable. a good mic will help alot to be heard and you really do not have to spend alot of money for one. i have not priced them lately but they are not priced bad. as for the radio check you will get more response will at a truck stop or if your on the highway and pass a truck stop ask then.

 

No checks, cash only! Now that I have that bit of insanity out of the way . . .

Get a female friend to ride with you in the passenger seat, pass a few trucks, and you'll get a chance to find out if your radio works! That, or get her to say something on the CB. NOTHING gets responses back quicker than a female voice on the radio! That selective hearing that was mentioned earlier picks up on a female voice faster than anything, especially if it is a sexy female voice. I know, I'm a chick, and I never had any problem getting a response on the CB whether I was in a big truck or my car.

 

Let's say it real slow for the slow minded folks now RRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAADDDDDDIIIIIIOOOOO SSSSSHHHHHOOOOOPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!

 

Had a guy at a radio shop tell me I should get a noise cancelling mic. He didn't specify a brand name. Just noise cancelling.
Instead of asking for radio check, just ask for the next truck stop going east. Or, ask if anybody knows where a certain business is (one that you know is close by). You should get some responses, a lot of drivers are more than eager to tell you where the next Flying J, or TA is. And, give you directions to the business that you asked about. While you have their attention (after their response) ask them if your radio sounds ok.
Most drivers I know, including myself, are tired of hearing people calling for a 'radio check'. I never ask for a radio check. But, if I'm wondering if my radio is still working since I last used it an hour ago, I'll just ask where the next truck stop is.

 

Your cobra has a mic gain knob turn it all the way to the right, it also has a rf gain turn it all the way to the right, you get better transmit and receive that way and more than likely be heard more and farther away especialy with good antenas, if your in a 4 wheeler you really only need one good antenna.

 

the swr has nothing to do with the radio. when you move the antenna you will have to do an swr check.