Low power and poor sensitivity right out of the box new Cobra 29 Nightwatch

Here's a good example of a brand new CB radio from Cobra with low output power and poor sensitivity.
If you buy a radio from your favorite shop or tech, have them do an initial test to make sure the radio is working up to spec and not underperforming. It's usually a small fee or sometimes free, depending on the shop.
If you buy a radio from me, it's a service that's included with the price of the radio. If you purchase it new and want me to do a performance check and adjustment there is a fee, but worth it.
Many new radios no longer allow for adjustment, but many of the new classics still do. Just ask your favorite shop or tech and they should know what should be inspected and adjusted and what can't.
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[@dennisschnobrich9288]

I have been into to cb radios since the 1970's and I have owned countless radios since then and they ALL put out 3.5 to 3.8 watts. I used to tweak them up to 8 watts, this is a simple solution you should recommend.

[@pulsarcb]

No need to stress the radio for 1/2 S unit on the meter. The legal 4 watt carrier doubled to 8 watts would only yield 3 dB gain wich is 1/2 of an S unit. 8 watt carriers on most finals are not great and reduce the life of the transistor for almost no tx gain. I never set my radios to 8 watts. If you want noticeable tx power, run a linear or a black box 10 meter converted radio. 73s

[@dennisschnobrich9288]

@@pulsarcb If that's true then tweaking from 3.5w to 4w would make no difference at all so why bother? I never had any trouble with my 8w radios either.

[@jerrywilcox9890]

​@pulsarcb you fix radios for subs.

[@pulsarcb]

@jerrywilcox9890 I fix radios for anyone. I have customers from all over, even other countries.

[@jerrywilcox9890]

@@pulsarcb hardly anyone fixes them over the road anymore.my cobra 29 I just bought for my truck sounds and works like crap.

[@currentresident41061]

I had to move my PlayStation off the wall socket my TV etc was on, try getting it off a high usage outlet.

[@Wtfinc]

My cobra19 pro mini suuuk as far as TX goes. They need amps baaad. I need an amp baaaaaaaaad. Lol. I quit until i can find or make one. Can’t even make it down the road before its junk.

[@pulsarcb]

The 19s are not known for mind blowing performance. Mostely used now in offroad communications like overlanding. Used to be big in construction sites, scrap yards, transfer stations. More local type situations. A 29 in any version would be a big step up.

[@bobdillashaw4360]

Stick with a president radio, if you need a radio as small as the cobra mini, the president Bill 2 will serve you well

[@Wtfinc]

@@bobdillashaw4360 I only got the mini because of the price. Free 99. They need amps. Idk why amps are so expensive. To hell with the kits too. Junk. They sent me one with a bad and used fet, the other didn’t have switching, neither had a filter which tbh, idk if it would have helped. Wish them chips weren’t so damn expensive.

[@BOB12349307]

try adding a 5 foot francis whip with a ball mount or mirror mount you will be shocked

[@Wtfinc]

@@BOB12349307 i have that. I cant get past 3 miles. I wonder if i can mod it. I have three lol. I also made a dipole for it. Quarter wave each side. Its pretty huge. I get great reception with it. Best swr of any antenna I’ve ever used. Location not great but ya know. Its wild tho, such expensive radios and they don’t even match a 20 dollar baofeng. Or however it’s spelled. I bought two 100 watt amp kits. Both had used broken fets. Then i bought two new fets and they were fake. Now im scared to buy those cheap 100 watt amps they look like red power inverters. Maybe I could justify it by doing a detailed review. I thought about making my own but the fets are damn expensive so im trying to find the cheapest chip at 50mhz. I wont need all 50 but itd be nice. 50-100volts, i can use my 48 volt battery charger lol. I noticed something strange tho the other day. I touched a neon indicator lamp to the antenna of my cb and it lit right up like what? There isnt high voltage on that antenna is there? And I’ve always wondered if its better to transmit with high voltage. Like, is it better to step up the voltage before modulation or just modulate the 5volts? I hope I remember this, would make an awesome video

[@deweydoesit7165]

I don't feel 3 1/2 w is bad. 4 w is the legal limit.

[@BOB12349307]

i just dont understand why people are still buying these junk radios when they could spend a little more and get an anytone 5555 and get a much better radio