When you say calibrate your radio, usually it means you are trying to re align the channels. However I do not believe that is the question you are trying to ask.
I think you are trying to ask is, "How to I tune my antenna?"
You cannot actually tune the radio. What you are probably talking about is your SWR. If so, Here is how to do it.
First make sure you are in an open parking lot. Structures like building, trees and other cars near by can give you a false reading.
Next with the radio on, turn to channel 20.
Make sure all the doors and windows are shut.
Flip the switch that is all the way to the left to CAL.
Key the mic and hold it. Then turn the knob all the way to the right marked SWR CAL up until the needle on the meter is all the way to the right at the little red triangle marked CAL. While still holding the mic key, flip the switch to SWR. The needle should swing back and will give you the SWR reading for that channel.
** try not to make any noise because if its picked up by the mic it will give you a false reading. Try turning the dynamic all the way down so it will not pick up sound."**
now if its 1.5 or lower your in good shape. You could always do better. If its 2 or higher your antenna is not matched. Here is how to tune it.
Use the same steps above to take a reading on channel 1 and 40.
You need to recalibrate each time you take a reading.
Now if the reading on channel 40 is higher then on 1 the antenna is too long. You need to make the antenna shorter. your antenna should have instructions on how to do this.
If it is higher on 1 then 40 its to short, it needs to be longer.
Follow the antenna instructions on how to adjust length.
Now if you really did mean, how do you align your radio, meaning tuning the channels, then you need an oscilloscope and a couple of other meters like a DMM and watt meter etc, and some specialized tools. Its also an involved process. I would suggest taking the radio to a radio shop. You can usually find them at truck stops.
Is it the swr meter function that you're wanting to know how to calibrate?
SOURCE: cobra 29 ltd classic antenna calibration ??
Wow. That's not at all a solution to what this guy is asking. And why all the caps??
The one point jm77437 has that is correct is that you do not set the radio, you set the antenna. The rest is blah blah.
Here is how you tune your antenna for you radio. First off it depends on what kind of antenna you have. most fiberglass antennas have a tunable tip to adjust the height of the antenna. Metal whips either have a collar at the base that the whip will either slide up or down in to adjust the height. The other type of metal whip's you have to physically clip to shorten the antenna, you must be careful with this type because once its clipped, that's it. You cannot add what you cut off.
I am going to give this example using a metal whip with an adjustable collar.
First after your radio is hooked up in the vehicle, drive to an open lot. Buildings and other structures can cause extra reflection. turn to channel 1. Flip the meter to CAL. Key the mic without talking. Now turn the CAL knob up until the needle reaches the little upside down triangle all the way to the right marked CAL. Now you have just celebrated your radio for your setup to measure you SWR. Now while still holding the key, flip the meter switch to SWR. The needle will move, and where it stops is your SWR reading. The lower the better. Anything under 1.5 is considered really good. But still, the lower the better.
Make note of what your SWR was on ch 1.
Now flip to channel 40. Repeat the SWR process. You must recalabrate each time you take a reading.
Now like jm77437 said. If your SWR reading is higher on 40 then 1, then your antenna is too long, and you must make it shorter. Loosen the collar and lower the antenna in the collar 1/4 inch at a time. check the swr each time you adjust the antenna.
If your SWR reading is higher on channel 1, then your antenna is too short. You must make your antenna longer. Do this by loossening the collar and pulling the antenna upward in the collar 1/4 inch at a time, again checking the swr each time you adjust the antenna.
What you want to achieve is having the same SWR reading on channel 1 and 40. then you have the best match you are going to get with that antenna.
If your swr is under 1.5 on all channels, you don't need to fuss unless you are a perfectionist. then by all means go ahead.
If your reading is higher then 3, or your ant light comes on, something is really wrong. Make sure your antenna is connected all the way, and the coax is not damaged.
Its important to have an appropriate SWR because if you do not, you are reflecting too much signal back into the radio, and eventually you will burn out your final transistor, and your radio will be toast.
Some tips: make sure you check the swr with the doors and windows shut. Make sure you are in an open lot. Remember to calabrate ecah time you take a reading. If you have had your radio peaked by a radio shop, and they have lowered your dead key, or have done a swing modification, then the meter in your radio will not work when taking an SWR reading and you will have to use an external meter.
SOURCE: cobra 29 ltd classic antenna calibration ??
You should not calibrate the antenna before you install it on the car!! the antenna needs to be calibrated on the vehicle that it is going to be on. Type of vehicle, different mounts, and many other variables can change the amount of reflection you will get.
j0hn9999 did a much better job but left some info out.
Take your SWR readings on channel 1, then on channel 40.... NOW, if your SWR is higher on ch 40 then ch 1, then your antenna is too long and it needs to be shortened. Refer to the antenna instructions on how to shorten the antenna.
If your SWR is higher on ch 1 then on ch 40 then your antenna is too short. You must lengthen the antenna. Again refer to your antenna instructions on how to lengthen your antenna.
You must calibrate each time you take a reading.
Make sure your doors and windows are shut when taking a reading
Make sure you are in an open lot when taking a reading as buildings, trees and other structures can cause reflection and give you an inaccurate reading.
If you adjust the length of your antenna on another vehicle and then put it on yours, the SWR will be off. It will need to be tuned again.
An external meter is better then the one in the radio, but will need to be hooked up in the vehicle you have the antenna on.
If you are not running any kind of power, or do not have a swing kit installed, and the radio is stock, the meter in the radio is more then enough to get a correct SWR reading.
SOURCE: Calibrate LTD 29Cobra classic
The misconception is that you can calibrate a radio. You do not calibrate the radio. You tune the antenna. The calibrate knob on the radio is to calibrate the meter in it so you can check the SWR.
This article will tell you everything you need to know.
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Exactly what do you mean by calibrate ?
Just hooked it up and want to tune it in
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