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#1
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Attn : Frank Gilliland
I'm off to get me a new radio. I'm trading in the cobra 19 dx III for
a cobra 29 ltd classic. I'm hoping you have some tips for me when I return. I'm not saying I am going to mess with the inside cause i am still a little afraid to do that, but if there are some pots to turn that are foolprrof then i will appreciate any input. I'm so excited cause I really didn't want the 19 dx III to start with. I didn't have the money, but I just couldn't wait. I hope I'm making a good choice. I asked around and several said it was a good choice. Any info you can give me would be great about this radio |
#2
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On Wed, 06 Oct 2004 15:07:47 -0400, Alex
wrote in : I'm off to get me a new radio. I'm trading in the cobra 19 dx III for a cobra 29 ltd classic. I'm hoping you have some tips for me when I return. I'm not saying I am going to mess with the inside cause i am still a little afraid to do that, but if there are some pots to turn that are foolprrof then i will appreciate any input. I'm so excited cause I really didn't want the 19 dx III to start with. I didn't have the money, but I just couldn't wait. I hope I'm making a good choice. I asked around and several said it was a good choice. Any info you can give me would be great about this radio Here's the best advice I can give: If it works, don't **** with it! The 29 LTD is a very decent radio. Please keep it that way. Some will suggest tweaking VR-this or VR-that, but avoid the temptation. You may notice an improvement, but it's usually at the expense of something you don't notice. For example, if you tweak up the modulation pot, you will certainly increase your audio. But the pot is set at the factory for 90 to 97% modulation, which is just dandy. Turn it up and you run the risk of overmodulation, an effect you can hear when someone bleeds over onto adjacent channels. It can also cause interference to your neighbor's boob-tube. The frequent modification of "snipping the limiter" has the same effect. Another reason to avoid tweaks: People like to turn the power pot to get an extra couple watts. Now I already pointed out that a couple extra watts isn't going to make any noticable difference. But if you -do- tweak the power you must also tweak the modulation to match the new carrier or your modulation drops and your audio gets quieter instead of louder. And after that you must compensate for the increased power consumption by the radio, assuming the heat-sinks for the power transistors are capable of the increased power. If not, you could fry your driver or final and your radio goes to the shop. Another tweak is to the voltage regulator, but that can change the voltage regulation of the PLL (frequency circuit) and send your radio transmitting anywhere but where you want. Etc, etc. CB radio is a plug-n-play concept. If you want to start tweaking transmitters, look into getting a ham license. They are cheap, the test is unbelievably easy (you get to memorize the questions before the test!), and there are lots of hams that are more than willing to help you get started with the hobby. Anyway, back to your new radio. First, get an external speaker. Not a horn speaker, but one you can use inside the vehicle. Even an old car stereo speaker will work. There are two speaker jacks on the rear of the radio: PA and EXT. Use the EXT jack. You will notice a =-BIG-= improvement in sound quality over the cheap little speakers that usually come inside stock radios. Next, find a good place to mount it. Try to mount it on, or as close as possible to, the chassis or dash. Run the negative power lead to the closest point that contacts the chassis -- the closer the better, and cut the lead as short as possible. If you can mount it directly to the chassis (like the transmission hump or under the dash), run the negative lead to the mounting bracket. Or, as an alternative, run both power leads to your power source and run a third wire (again, as short as possible) from a screw on the back of the radio to the vehicle chassis/dash. Make sure all connections are good, clean and tight. Let me know when you get ready to install the antenna and coax. |
#3
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Frank Gilliland wrote:
On Wed, 06 Oct 2004 15:07:47 -0400, Alex wrote in : I'm off to get me a new radio. I'm trading in the cobra 19 dx III for a cobra 29 ltd classic. I'm hoping you have some tips for me when I return. I'm not saying I am going to mess with the inside cause i am still a little afraid to do that, but if there are some pots to turn that are foolprrof then i will appreciate any input. I'm so excited cause I really didn't want the 19 dx III to start with. I didn't have the money, but I just couldn't wait. I hope I'm making a good choice. I asked around and several said it was a good choice. Any info you can give me would be great about this radio Here's the best advice I can give: If it works, don't **** with it! The 29 LTD is a very decent radio. Please keep it that way. Some will suggest tweaking VR-this or VR-that, but avoid the temptation. You may notice an improvement, but it's usually at the expense of something you don't notice. For example, if you tweak up the modulation pot, you will certainly increase your audio. But the pot is set at the factory for 90 to 97% modulation, which is just dandy. Turn it up and you run the risk of overmodulation, an effect you can hear when someone bleeds over onto adjacent channels. It can also cause interference to your neighbor's boob-tube. The frequent modification of "snipping the limiter" has the same effect. Another reason to avoid tweaks: People like to turn the power pot to get an extra couple watts. Now I already pointed out that a couple extra watts isn't going to make any noticable difference. But if you -do- tweak the power you must also tweak the modulation to match the new carrier or your modulation drops and your audio gets quieter instead of louder. And after that you must compensate for the increased power consumption by the radio, assuming the heat-sinks for the power transistors are capable of the increased power. If not, you could fry your driver or final and your radio goes to the shop. Another tweak is to the voltage regulator, but that can change the voltage regulation of the PLL (frequency circuit) and send your radio transmitting anywhere but where you want. Etc, etc. CB radio is a plug-n-play concept. If you want to start tweaking transmitters, look into getting a ham license. They are cheap, the test is unbelievably easy (you get to memorize the questions before the test!), and there are lots of hams that are more than willing to help you get started with the hobby. Anyway, back to your new radio. First, get an external speaker. Not a horn speaker, but one you can use inside the vehicle. Even an old car stereo speaker will work. There are two speaker jacks on the rear of the radio: PA and EXT. Use the EXT jack. You will notice a =-BIG-= improvement in sound quality over the cheap little speakers that usually come inside stock radios. Next, find a good place to mount it. Try to mount it on, or as close as possible to, the chassis or dash. Run the negative power lead to the closest point that contacts the chassis -- the closer the better, and cut the lead as short as possible. If you can mount it directly to the chassis (like the transmission hump or under the dash), run the negative lead to the mounting bracket. Or, as an alternative, run both power leads to your power source and run a third wire (again, as short as possible) from a screw on the back of the radio to the vehicle chassis/dash. Make sure all connections are good, clean and tight. Let me know when you get ready to install the antenna and coax. excellant post frank. |
#4
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On Wed, 06 Oct 2004 17:55:10 -0700, Frank Gilliland
wrote: On Wed, 06 Oct 2004 15:07:47 -0400, Alex wrote in : I'm off to get me a new radio. I'm trading in the cobra 19 dx III for a cobra 29 ltd classic. I'm hoping you have some tips for me when I return. I'm not saying I am going to mess with the inside cause i am still a little afraid to do that, but if there are some pots to turn that are foolprrof then i will appreciate any input. I'm so excited cause I really didn't want the 19 dx III to start with. I didn't have the money, but I just couldn't wait. I hope I'm making a good choice. I asked around and several said it was a good choice. Any info you can give me would be great about this radio Here's the best advice I can give: If it works, don't **** with it! The 29 LTD is a very decent radio. Please keep it that way. Thanks for that. I do get tempted though, but am not gonna touch it. Some will suggest tweaking VR-this or VR-that, but avoid the temptation. You may notice an improvement, but it's usually at the expense of something you don't notice. For example, if you tweak up the modulation pot, you will certainly increase your audio. But the pot is set at the factory for 90 to 97% modulation, which is just dandy. Turn it up and you run the risk of overmodulation, an effect you can hear when someone bleeds over onto adjacent channels. It can also cause interference to your neighbor's boob-tube. The frequent modification of "snipping the limiter" has the same effect. Another reason to avoid tweaks: People like to turn the power pot to get an extra couple watts. Now I already pointed out that a couple extra watts isn't going to make any noticable difference. But if you -do- tweak the power you must also tweak the modulation to match the new carrier or your modulation drops and your audio gets quieter instead of louder. And after that you must compensate for the increased power consumption by the radio, assuming the heat-sinks for the power transistors are capable of the increased power. If not, you could fry your driver or final and your radio goes to the shop. Another tweak is to the voltage regulator, but that can change the voltage regulation of the PLL (frequency circuit) and send your radio transmitting anywhere but where you want. Etc, etc. Okay, for a newbie not much of that makes sense, but I get where your coming from. CB radio is a plug-n-play concept. If you want to start tweaking transmitters, look into getting a ham license. They are cheap, the test is unbelievably easy (you get to memorize the questions before the test!), and there are lots of hams that are more than willing to help you get started with the hobby. Gotcha. Anyway, back to your new radio. First, get an external speaker. Not a horn speaker, but one you can use inside the vehicle. Even an old car stereo speaker will work. There are two speaker jacks on the rear of the radio: PA and EXT. Use the EXT jack. You will notice a =-BIG-= improvement in sound quality over the cheap little speakers that usually come inside stock radios. Next, find a good place to mount it. Try to mount it on, or as close as possible to, the chassis or dash. Run the negative power lead to the closest point that contacts the chassis -- the closer the better, and cut the lead as short as possible. If you can mount it directly to the chassis (like the transmission hump or under the dash), run the negative lead to the mounting bracket. Or, as an alternative, run both power leads to your power source and run a third wire (again, as short as possible) from a screw on the back of the radio to the vehicle chassis/dash. Make sure all connections are good, clean and tight. Let me know when you get ready to install the antenna and coax. I have an antenna now, magnet mount 36" base loaded. I've adjusted the SWR with a external meter. With this antenna the best i could get was 2 SWR. I'm sure most of my problems are from the antenna. It's a $20 antenna from the truckstop. and I have dont all I can do with it. It's mounted in the center, but some advised put it about 6-12inches from the windshield. By problems I mean I'm not getting anything coming in clearly, all kinds of static. I had the Gain to max, so that might have been just a distant signal (like I said I'm still playing with the controls) I'm a newbie who feels that i should be able to hear everyone at all times. ( right now I am just enjoying listening) When I set the gain lower I hear nothing ( could be just noone around ) It's not like I live in a town where alot of action goes on, so I think that is just my paranoia thinking that my radio is not working right. I know how to operate squelch, but on my other radio cobra 19 dxIII thats all I had to worry about . Now, with the squelch all the way down I don't even get the hissing sound unless I turn up the gain a pretty good bit, and then thats when I get those weak signals coming in. When someone is transmitting on the meter bottom line is signal, it stays between 1-3, more towards 1.5- 2 lots of static, but as soon as someone comes in clear it jumps up 3 or further ( I'm assuming they are closer ) which I like so much. *LOL* So my theory, as a newbie, My radio is fine, and I'm not gonna open the case. I'm just getting over anxious, and my antenna is not one of the best, and just hoping that with a better antenna those weak signals that i am hearing will come in much better with a better antenna. Because of everything I have read the one thing thats keep sticking out in my mind is that the cheapest of radios can be all that you need as long as you dont go cheap on the antenna. I'm broke right now, and just hoping when I get the wilson 1000 magnet mount it will get better. I'd like to go for the little will, because it's not so dang long but not sure if it will get out as good as the 1000. The reason is the radio is on my van, and with the 62" wilson 1000 I want even be able to pull under my carpot without it scraping the ceiling. I wish I knew how to install one that wasn't a magnet mount, and maybe I could put it on the back side of the van, and drop it down a little, and I hate to have to pay someone to install a antenna. I'm just kind of bummed out right now. |
#5
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On Wed, 06 Oct 2004 17:55:10 -0700, Frank Gilliland
wrote: Anyway, back to your new radio. First, get an external speaker. Not a horn speaker, but one you can use inside the vehicle. Even an old car stereo speaker will work. There are two speaker jacks on the rear of the radio: PA and EXT. Use the EXT jack. You will notice a =-BIG-= improvement in sound quality over the cheap little speakers that usually come inside stock radios. I have a extra speaker that hooks up to my little mini stereo that I never use. I figured I would try it out just to see. Remember now I am a newbie, and messing with all these wires and stuff makes me a bit nervous. On the back of the Cobra 29 LTD Classic is the place for it just like you said EXT, but it's a round hole. One the back of the speaker I have is two wires, one red, one black. There must be some type of a adapter I can purchase. I hate to buy a new external speaker if this speaker here will work. What do i need? Thanks so much for all the help you have given me. |
#6
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On Wed, 06 Oct 2004 17:55:10 -0700, Frank Gilliland
wrote: Anyway, back to your new radio. First, get an external speaker. Not a horn speaker, but one you can use inside the vehicle. Even an old car stereo speaker will work. There are two speaker jacks on the rear of the radio: PA and EXT. Use the EXT jack. You will notice a =-BIG-= improvement in sound quality over the cheap little speakers that usually come inside stock radios. I have a extra speaker that hooks up to my little mini stereo that I never use. I figured I would try it out just to see. Remember now I am a newbie, and messing with all these wires and stuff makes me a bit nervous. On the back of the Cobra 29 LTD Classic is the place for it just like you said EXT, but it's a round hole. One the back of the speaker I have is two wires, one red, one black. There must be some type of a adapter I can purchase. I hate to buy a new external speaker if this speaker here will work. What do i need? Thanks so much for all the help you have given me. Not sure if this helps but it says 4 ohm on the back of the speaker |
#7
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On Thu, 07 Oct 2004 01:34:42 -0400, Alex
wrote in : snip I have an antenna now, magnet mount 36" base loaded. I've adjusted the SWR with a external meter. With this antenna the best i could get was 2 SWR. I'm sure most of my problems are from the antenna. It's a $20 antenna from the truckstop. and I have dont all I can do with it. It's mounted in the center, but some advised put it about 6-12inches from the windshield. An SWR of 2:1 isn't bad, but 36" just doesn't cut the mustard. Save the mag-mount for emergencies and see below. By problems I mean I'm not getting anything coming in clearly, all kinds of static. I had the Gain to max, so that might have been just a distant signal (like I said I'm still playing with the controls) I'm a newbie who feels that i should be able to hear everyone at all times. ( right now I am just enjoying listening) When I set the gain lower I hear nothing ( could be just noone around ) It's not like I live in a town where alot of action goes on, so I think that is just my paranoia thinking that my radio is not working right. I know how to operate squelch, but on my other radio cobra 19 dxIII thats all I had to worry about . Now, with the squelch all the way down I don't even get the hissing sound unless I turn up the gain a pretty good bit, and then thats when I get those weak signals coming in. When someone is transmitting on the meter bottom line is signal, it stays between 1-3, more towards 1.5- 2 lots of static, but as soon as someone comes in clear it jumps up 3 or further ( I'm assuming they are closer ) which I like so much. *LOL* Welcome to the wonderful world of radio communications. So my theory, as a newbie, My radio is fine, and I'm not gonna open the case. I'm just getting over anxious, and my antenna is not one of the best, and just hoping that with a better antenna those weak signals that i am hearing will come in much better with a better antenna. Because of everything I have read the one thing thats keep sticking out in my mind is that the cheapest of radios can be all that you need as long as you dont go cheap on the antenna. It sticks in your mind because it's mostly true. I say "mostly" because there are some radios out there with less-than-ideal performance (the TRC-435 comes to mind), but generally they all do pretty much the same job -- the only major differences are in the bells and whistles. And just remember that no matter what radio or antenna you are using, you will -always- have weak signals. I'm broke right now, and just hoping when I get the wilson 1000 magnet mount it will get better. I'd like to go for the little will, because it's not so dang long but not sure if it will get out as good as the 1000. The reason is the radio is on my van, and with the 62" wilson 1000 I want even be able to pull under my carpot without it scraping the ceiling. I wish I knew how to install one that wasn't a magnet mount, and maybe I could put it on the back side of the van, and drop it down a little, and I hate to have to pay someone to install a antenna. I'm just kind of bummed out right now. If you can drill a hole, you can install an antenna. And you may not even have to drill a hole...... I've seen two really good places to mount an antenna on a van. The first is a side- or rear-mounted ball near the roof. If you are short on funds you can probably find one of those for a couple bucks at your local pick-&-pull wrecking yard. And you can figure out how to install it by uninstalling it from another vehicle (slick, huh?). Another option is a mirror-mount antenna. The advantage is that the mount clamps to the mirror bracket and you don't have to drill any holes. But these are a little tricky because your mirror bracket must be grounded to the door which must be grounded to the vehicle, and you must route the coax through the door in a way that doesn't pinch or repeatedly bend the coax. Personally, I don't have any problems with drilling holes in my vehicles. But if you do, think about making a mounting bracket. It's just a piece of sheet metal that can be bolted under the hood or to the inside of a door frame, and the antenna mount bolts to the bracket. Works fine. Just don't forget to file down the corners and sharp edges (that's a blood-loss thing, not an RF thing). Most important is that your mount should have a 3/8-24 stud. This is the standard mount and will allow you to use the widest variety of antennas, from a 9' whip to a 6" stubby (which will give you about as much range as your headlights). And you can change them as fast as you can unscrew one and screw on another. Longer antennas can be mounted with a spring which, as I think you can obviously see, is better than stopping to put the mag-mount antenna back on the roof every time it gets knocked off. You have an advantage with a van because you could keep a nice collection of antennas in there without a problem. Another issue is coax. Despite what others may claim, the standard RG-58 is fine. But DON'T use foam coax -- it's not for outdoor use and can cause problems in a very short time. You can buy the coax new, but you can get it much cheaper if you know where to look -- computer shops and recycling yards. A lot of LANs used high-quality RG-58, and now that people are going wireless there is lots of this used coax available, much of it in excellent condition because it was installed indoors. Many LANs use RG-59, but don't use that. It has different characteristics and will not work as well as RG-58. And don't use crimp-on or twist-on connectors. This is one thing you might want to pay someone to do. Or, get a soldering gun and a few old connectors and practice it yourself (which is the way the rest of us learned). Then people will pay -you- to make -their- cables. When you run the coax, don't crimp it against anything or make sharp bends. If you have extra cable and don't want to cut and solder a new connector, coil the extra into a figure 8 and tuck it somewhere safe. I'm sure someone will question the reasons for the figure 8, but just trust me on that one -- I haven't steered you wrong yet, have I? Anyway, after you get everything installed, hook it up and check your SWR. And by "check" I mean just make sure it's below about 3:1. The SWR meter is frequently used to tune antennas and that's fine, but don't obsess about getting it down to 1:1 because the SWR meter is not the best meter to tune an antenna. However, it -is- a good meter to tell if you have a major malfunction like a shorted coax or dirty antenna stud, and that's when you will get an SWR of 3:1 or worse. And I still recommend finding a good book on the subject. You said you are broke, but public libraries are free (and they are a great place to waste time and meet brainy chicks). There have been several books written about CB radio. Probably the most common is Radio Shack's "All About CB Two-Way Radio", which would serve well as the definitive CB Radio FAQ. It even has a pictoral description on how to install a ball-mount. Take your time. Do what you think would be a professional job and you shouldn't have any problems. Then start talking and enjoy the chaos of CB radio. |
#8
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On Thu, 07 Oct 2004 04:25:35 -0400, Alex
wrote in : On Wed, 06 Oct 2004 17:55:10 -0700, Frank Gilliland wrote: Anyway, back to your new radio. First, get an external speaker. Not a horn speaker, but one you can use inside the vehicle. Even an old car stereo speaker will work. There are two speaker jacks on the rear of the radio: PA and EXT. Use the EXT jack. You will notice a =-BIG-= improvement in sound quality over the cheap little speakers that usually come inside stock radios. I have a extra speaker that hooks up to my little mini stereo that I never use. I figured I would try it out just to see. Remember now I am a newbie, and messing with all these wires and stuff makes me a bit nervous. On the back of the Cobra 29 LTD Classic is the place for it just like you said EXT, but it's a round hole. One the back of the speaker I have is two wires, one red, one black. There must be some type of a adapter I can purchase. I hate to buy a new external speaker if this speaker here will work. What do i need? Thanks so much for all the help you have given me. Not sure if this helps but it says 4 ohm on the back of the speaker You just need a plug, 1/8" mono. Rat Shack has them, part #274-286. If you can't solder, they might have one with screw terminals, or you might find an old plug with the wires still on it and splice them together. The wire colors are to match the phase of two stereo speakers and shouldn't matter when using just one speaker. 4 ohms is fine, just don't crank it up like a sub-woofer. |
#9
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On Thu, 07 Oct 2004 02:01:54 -0700, Frank Gilliland
wrote: You just need a plug, 1/8" mono. Rat Shack has them, part #274-286. If you can't solder, they might have one with screw terminals, or you might find an old plug with the wires still on it and splice them together. The wire colors are to match the phase of two stereo speakers and shouldn't matter when using just one speaker. 4 ohms is fine, just don't crank it up like a sub-woofer. Thanks so much for all your adivce man. I really appreciate it. I also checked my spare bedroom, and found 2 10 watt 8ohm speakers as well. You've gotten me wanting to try the antenna mount deal now. I hear people talking about the 9' whip in almost every forum I go. Where do I get it, and I also hear it is pretty cheap compared to other antennas, and what i have read people seem to like that antenna. I have a magnet mount that i purchased with my police scanner. It comes in parts http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...ct%5Fid=20-032 or Catalog #: 20-032 if the link doesn't work. I was thinking that maybe I could take it apart, and add it to my antenna that i am using for my cb. In order to do that I would have to use one of the little black connectors that you see in the photo, not sure what they are called. I just don't know if those little black thingies would cause interference or what. I did check and my cb antenna would fit perfectly in that connector. that would make it almost 50", not sure what i difference it would make |
#10
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On Thu, 07 Oct 2004 05:15:53 -0400, Alex
wrote in : On Thu, 07 Oct 2004 02:01:54 -0700, Frank Gilliland wrote: You just need a plug, 1/8" mono. Rat Shack has them, part #274-286. If you can't solder, they might have one with screw terminals, or you might find an old plug with the wires still on it and splice them together. The wire colors are to match the phase of two stereo speakers and shouldn't matter when using just one speaker. 4 ohms is fine, just don't crank it up like a sub-woofer. Thanks so much for all your adivce man. I really appreciate it. I also checked my spare bedroom, and found 2 10 watt 8ohm speakers as well. You've gotten me wanting to try the antenna mount deal now. I hear people talking about the 9' whip in almost every forum I go. Where do I get it, and I also hear it is pretty cheap compared to other antennas, and what i have read people seem to like that antenna. 9' whips are cheap because they are just a whip -- no loading coil, no magnets, no matching networks, no nothing. It is the fundamental 1/4-wave vertical and is the most efficient mobile antenna you can get for CB radio. I have a magnet mount that i purchased with my police scanner. It comes in parts http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...ct%5Fid=20-032 or Catalog #: 20-032 if the link doesn't work. I was thinking that maybe I could take it apart, and add it to my antenna that i am using for my cb. In order to do that I would have to use one of the little black connectors that you see in the photo, not sure what they are called. I just don't know if those little black thingies would cause interference or what. I did check and my cb antenna would fit perfectly in that connector. that would make it almost 50", not sure what i difference it would make This will NOT work. You need a primer in antennas. Basically, they have a specific length for the frequency to be used. CB radio uses frequencies around 27 MHz, which translates into a 1/4-wave vertical of about 9'. Lower frequencies require longer antennas; higher frequencies require shorter antennas. Scanners cover a very wide range of frequencies, and therefore require a very special antenna. Maybe Jay or some other antenna guru can explain this better or point you to a good page. |
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