Cobra 29LX - RF Power Output Fail

Hi all,

I'm hoping someone on here might have run into this one and might be able to help me.

I've got a Cobra 29LX with a Firestik 4' NGP antenna. I just installed it into my truck today with the extended wire / remote faceplate modification I saw on here.

I adjusted my SWR to well below 1.5 on Channels 1, 20, and 40. The weather stations come in quite strong and I can hear lots of chatter quite clearly on different channels, especially Channel 19.

The problem is after I did my SWR adjustment using the in-unit SWR meter I ran the self tests. I passed the first test which was battery voltage. I failed the second test which was RF Power Output and I passed the third test which was Antenna.

I read online that if you fail the RF Power Output test you should check the PA system and I was able to use the PA feature of the radio. I have not tried to transmit although the few times I said test into the mic I didn't hear anything back from anyone.

I don't know if it's possible to fail the RF Power Output test and still have a radio that actually does work.

 

I would not rely on any built in SWR meter. Get yourself an external meter and test it that way.

 

x2........... and ditch the NGP antenna for a grounded one.

edit: these guys have real good info http://www.rightchannelradios.com/tuning-cb-antenna-adjusting-swr

 

Ended up taking the radio back apart and determining that I had actually clipped a wire that i never reattached.

I was able to talk to my uncle about 1/2 mile away and he came in crystal clear and he said I was coming in quite well. My RF transmit power was a bit weak (a little over 3W) but that's probably about par for the course given how long I extended the wires over relatively thin gauge wires.

I'm quite pleased with where I'm at right now. I was convinced I was going to need to buy a new console and a new radio.