Cobra 29wxnwst I know I shouldn't

[stang]

But I thought I might put a swing kit my my cobra. I can't resist tinkering around with things. And hey the kit was 6.50 free delivery. That's a lot less than the gas would have cost to drive to Radioshack.

To tell the truth I've never tried working on a radio before. This looks like a simple parts swapping job though. I'm probably wrong about that but I hope not.

If any of you have any pointers now would be a nice time to share them.


Stang

[stang]

Forgot to mention the kit is actually for a 29LTD my radio is a 29wxnwst. From what I have read they are the same parts though. Anybody know if thats right or wrong?

Thanks
Stang

[Tallman]

The best advice I can give is be gentle with the circuit boards when de-soldering the parts you take out. Pressing harder with the soldering iron will not make work any faster. Have a sponge next to the iron damp with water, drag the iron tip across the sponge lightly and rotate it a bit so it cleans all the way around. Then put a little new solder(Tinning) on the tip so you have good heat transfer to the joint you are working on. Solder suckers work okay but sometimes you still need de-soldering braid to clear the solder away. Watch some videos on Youtube and you should get a good idea. Double check your work and be careful not to leave any solder debris inside the radio.

[stang]

Thanks Tallman

I just can't resist modifying things. Don't know why, just the way I am I guess. Of course I also like learning new things.

This 29 works pretty well for a dead stock radio. Was talking to my neighbor 2 miles away he said I was putting 7-8 on the scale. Now that's in VA timberland and the foothills. About 60 ft down the back side of the hills from him. Mobile to mobile, he has a galaxy 55. He's not a CB regular he mainly uses it during hunting season. Doesn't seem to be many people around here on the radio. So I need to get up and strong to get out and talk.

Now I need to find a good base antenna. I need a vertical since it going way up and I can't build a tower right now. Looking at one of these http://www.hyelectronics.com/new-bas...fo/GAINMASTER/ Kinda pricey. It's between that and a Imax 2000 unless I find something that looks better. But as I need a minimum of 60' of guyed mast pole to get through the trees. I've got a 11'x14'TV and cell ant. both on guyed masts both over 40 ft up. The tv is 20 ft over my roof though the cell is a true 40' pole.

Thanks
Stang

[stang]

Since I made up my mind to play with this cobra 29 while I get my money together to setup a base station. I figured why stop with just a swing kit and also ordered this http://www.ebay.com/itm/IRF-520-MOSF...item3a755ce121

I've built everything else I own might as well try building a radio too. If I blow it all I'm out is 16.50 for both kits and an old radio I had forgotten I had. If it works I might just get that old cobra talking LOUD AND PROUD... lol

Stang

[stang]

Well this little project has gotten a bit more costly! I went ahead and ordered a receive kit also. Then I got to thinking that I would need a solder sucker and a small iron since all I have is a 150w gun. Then I realized I would have to have at least a couple meters. So I can see what's changing as I go. So now all that's ordered too. I don't really mind the cost of tools I'm sure they will come in handy for years to come. The basic radio parts cost about the same as a meal at a fast food joint.

Now they need to hurry up and get here! Then maybe you guys will be able to hear me shoutin out!

Wonder what kind of power I can expect from all this?

Slowly going stir crazy sitting inside, will this miserable winter ever end? My girls now have about a month of makeup snow days. Wonder if they will have any summer break?

Stang

[Gordon Gekko]

Wonder what kind of power I can expect from all this?

Don't get your hopes up.

[stang]

I don't have any idea what to expect. Gut feeling is better than 15 watts. Which is about 5 times the 3+- it's doing now.

Does that seem unlikely?

Stang

[Tallman]

Wonder what kind of power I can expect from all this?

Stang

If your radio is a fet output transistor you will see some increase. If it is a 2sc1969 Bipolar transistor output you might not see any gain.

[stang]

If your radio is a fet output transistor you will see some increase. If it is a 2sc1969 Bipolar transistor output you might not see any gain.

Thanks Tallman
From what I read the 2sc1969 was the fist step up and the 520 mosfet was the second more powerful. But who knows, I sure don't.

Stang