Need more power

SOURCE: CB transmission

Hello 64driver,

Make sure the radio is grounded properly and that the SWR is around 1.2:1, 1.3:1 is good but try to get it to 1.2:1. Also take a power output reading while keying the mic. To do this with your power meter put it in-line with the CB and your antenna and key the mic you should get about 4 to 5 watts PEP. If this is the case your unit is putting out the proper power level, if not have the power amplifier checked by a qualified repair shop.

I hope this helps

Shuttle83

SOURCE: high SWR

the problem is in the antenna cable. the lenth of a antenna cable must be divisable by 3. try replaceing cable with a 18 foot cable that should fix the problem.

SOURCE: i set the swr on my antenna and it keeps moving i

1) if you are talking, your SWR will most likely move. You must take the reading while not modulating, (talking into the mic)

2) Window mount antenna's are GARBAGE. they are worthless. BAD BAD BAD. You wasted your money. Get a mag mount.

3) if you are not in an open lot, your SWR's will be different due to structures reflecting signal back. Always take your SWR reading in an open lot.

4) You could be experiencing Common mode currents. Normally the signal travels on the inside of the coax ground. Common mode current is when the signal is traveling back down the coax on the outside of the ground in the coax. (The biggest cause of this would be the window mount antenna). If you want to keep that garbage antenna, then you can make an RF choke in the coax. The best solution is get a better antenna. Here is how to make the choke. As close to the antenna as you can, take 6 ft of coax and loop it uniformly laying each coil next to the other. use electrical tape to hold it in place. You want 6-8 wraps. You want a nice uniform coil.


Just get a better antenna. Window mounts are the worst. You get horrible receive and horrible transmit. Get a wilson 500 mag mount. It will work so much better for you.

SOURCE: Cobra 19 DX IV out of frequency

I would definitely take it back for a re check. If the radio took a good bump perhaps it can cause it to drift off frequency. Turning the channel while holding his mic keyed does nothing but just throws a dead carrier. No value what soever. RF Gain is just to improve his reception by either lowering or raising the sensitivity of the receiver of the radio. Squelch is to silence the hissing sound you hear when no one is talking. Care must be taken to not to adjust too much or you wont hear anybody. It wont help his transmit audio at all. Recommend you get another Radio Check from someone else. He could be pulling your leg saying you don't sound good. Best regards and hope this helps some......................John.

SOURCE: how to set up the cobra 19 DX IV CB Radio

first keep the manualhandy for the radio and antenna you are using. start by finding a good mounting point for the radio. install the bracket and cheeck the fit with the radio. next run the included power cord from the back of the radio to the fuse box. don't plug it into the radio yet. take the black wire and ground it to metal. try to find a screw goofyinto the metalof the car and loosen it, wrap the wire o. it and tighten it. next find thefuse for the stereo. pull it out and press I back inwith the red wire getting pushed into the fuse socket with the fuse. now you can plug in the radio. IMPORTANT! do not plug it in backwards. if you do you will blow out a diode in the radio and it will not turn on until repaired. turn the key on and then the radio. make sure it powers up BUT DO NOT KEY THE RADIO YET or you will damage it. the radio must never be keyed withough an antenna connected. mount the antenna as close to center of the car as possible le and according to theantennas instructions. run the coax to the radio and connect it tightly. now you need to tune the antenna for best SWR. there is a section in the radios manual and the antenna.manual that explains how to do this. rather then me type it all out you should have detailed I.structins already. if not let.me know and I will ppart it. after the swr is tuned for lowest you are ready to talk on the radio. enjoy.