Cobra 29 LTD Classic

[superman 438]

Please help! I have a Cobra 29 LTD Classic [unfortunately made in China]. Transmits good but can not receive well ,even with noise blanker switch off and RF Gain all the way up. SWRs are 1 on a Lil Wil. Are there any adjustments or modifications that I can do? Thank you and 73's.

[TheCBDoctor]

Hi superman 438

When you say "not very well" do you mean it cuts in and out, or it just has a low receive sensitivity? The 3 circuits I would start out with is the 455 KHz ceramic filter, the VCO mixer circuit under the bee's wax, and the first RF transistor. These are usually what fail on any Cobra 29 LTD.

Try pressing on the circuit board and see if the receiver picks up; you may have a bad solder connection. This is also a common problem. The biggest problem with repairing the new radios are that they are not cost affect. I would never charge more than $45 because you can buy another Cobra 29 LTD, with a rebate, for $69 plus tax. Back when incomes where lower and the radio sold for $149 it was worth investing the Time and Money.

Today everything is disposable.....................sad isn't it? Unless, you enjoy working on the radio as a hobby or for the learning experience, I suggest buying another radio when they are on sale. The export market has killed the domestic legal radio market.

I enjoy Tag sales or Yard sales, as they say in some parts of the country, for my radios and parts. You can PM me at any time. If I can help I will try. Here are some links:

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Good luck

[superman 438]

I would say low receive sensitivity its hard to hear skip, its like the rf gain is tured down you dont hear anything until someone talks but if they are far away you cant hear them. I dont know alot about working on radios but i have done a lot of work on this one [ by the book] like blue lights,more ch. and turn it up a little it is my sons radio he loves it because it will get out there. Is there a way to turn up the ears. Thanks for all the help .

[Eskimo_Pie]

Please help! I have a Cobra 29 LTD Classic [unfortunately made in China]. Transmits good but can not receive well ,even with noise blanker switch off and RF Gain all the way up. SWRs are 1 on a Lil Wil. Are there any adjustments or modifications that I can do? Thank you and 73's.

Not to knock the Lil Will, I have one too, but do you have another larger antenna to try with the 29? Longer antennas tend to receive better. I have better receive on my Wilson 1000 than my Lil Wil. Or perhaps you have another radio to use with the Lil Wil and see if you're receiving better on a different radio than the 29?

Hope this helps.

[TheCBDoctor]

Hi superman 438

I have to agree on the Lil' Wil. I have one and have not used since I bought and tried it 15 years ago. I use the Wilson 1000 trunk mount, what a difference. Your receiver my be out of alignment. Without the proper equipment you can not align it. You need a steady tone at 1KHz at 30% modulation. You have to be able to inject a signal at .1 micro-volt to 1 volt to make sure everything works properly and the S-meter is adjusted correctly.

Respectfully,

[hilltop 439]

Better yet go with a stainless steel 102 inch whip it will surprise you how far you can hear and talk compared to even the Wilson 1000. Besides that they are much cheaper and more durable.

[maddogfletch]

Talking about antenna's, I love the 102" steel whips for my mobiles. It is the only antenna that I will use.

[superman 438]

Tried dif. ant. some thing,I just dont know..