Posted: 4/5/2015 9:25:22 PM EDT
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Got a cobra 19xs over the weekend at an estate sale. Came with a mag mount antenna. Seems to work except when the mic is keyed the meter doesn't peg at full power. Only comes up a third of the meter. That doesn't seem right. I tried a radio check with no response.
I did hear some traffic so it does receive. Magnet mount antenna mounted middle of truck roof. Checked resistance on the antenna and checked good. Besides the transmit problem I wanted to ask what inexpensive meter to check the antenna would you recommend? There is a radio shack around the corner. Ebay or Amazon recommendations would be appreciated. |
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Get an SWR meter and check the antenna. Also, just because you hear traffic, you may not get a response. Getting close to a major freeway or truck stop will better you chances of getting a radio check.
Rat Shak has this one that is if your Rat Shak isn't closed. 
Don't forget the coax jumper, although RS's coax is the suk. 
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You can pickup an inexpensive SWR/Power meter at your nearest truck stop. Most of them have CB radios and accessories.
Power meter should read in the lower portion of the scale when you are not talking into the radio since it's amplitude modulation. I would suggest checking the microphone and microphone connectors first once you verify that there is no audio in your transmitted signal. There may be a switch in a wrong position on the radio. Microphone gain may be turned all the way down. It's hard to tell without looking at it. |
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Quoted:
Put the switch on FWD and turn the knob to the set mark while keying the radio edit to clarify set mark on the scale Then put it on REF and see what it reads Not good. Setting that way it's over 3 on both 1 and 40. Crap. Thanks. Heard some close traffic today. Came in real strong. So it receives well. Need something better than this magnet mount. The power setting goes to 3 watts when keyed. Still no response when transmitting. Going to burn something up with the SWR that high. Will get a different antenna before trying again. A quick picture and thanks again for helping. 
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Mount like one of these http://www.rightchannelradios.com/collections/cb-antenna-mounts
Also coax and connectors. Then get a 9' whip from RS. |