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XLAXX
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 03, 2002 - 6:53 pm: | 
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I have a few questions about the Cobra 148 GTL. I bought one used that has 1991 stamped on the back, made in the Philippines. It has the Uniden board in it. I paid $105 for it and it came with a Black Astatic M6 Handheld mic. The radio works and surprising has very few scatches. Cosmetically it's a 9. The radio has extra channels via the Brt/Dim and Hi/Lo tone switches and variable power via the swr knob. It dk'ed nothing swinging to 10-12w maybe.
1) Ideally what can this rig swing to if done correctly? What should I expect?
2) It is a single final, right?
3) Should I switch the channels to a rotary knob?
4) Should I eliminate the variable power knob as I have heard it's hard on the radio.
5) The LCD, where the channels are displayed, flickers a bit and I would like to fix this; do I need to replace the channel selector and knob? Where can I find one?
This radio seems to perform well but I don't know enough about it. I bought it on a hunch and have read previous posts about it being indestructable but would like to know more about it from others who own one. My friend said the 148 GTL's were great radios and to not run it as a mobile.
Appreciate the comments and this forum.
XLAXX |
XLAXX
| | Posted on Thursday, December 05, 2002 - 11:08 pm: |
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OK, now this radio seems to want to surge my Pyramid power supply KS-26. I turned the radio on and the alarm on my power supply started chirping... what's going on with this radio? Wires to power supply are right.
XLAXX |
307
| | Posted on Thursday, December 05, 2002 - 11:40 pm: |
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1)About 20 watts peak is max power.
2)Single Final.
3)Definately not.
4)It is NOT hard in any way..Actually it is better.
5)Honestly , to reduce flicker , remove the knob and place the shaft in the chuck of a drill , tighten the chuck a little and let her rip for about 150 turns. The flicker will be cured. Replace the channel selector knob.
307 |
XLAXX
| | Posted on Monday, December 09, 2002 - 11:37 am: |
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What could be causing this radio to trip my Pyramid power supply? When I turn my radio ON, the amp meter on the supply shoots way up and defaults the supply. The power supply is a Pryamid 26-KS. This scenario doesn't happen on my friend's supply,... he has the Pryamid 52-KS (more amperage capability). He says it could be a capacitor or voltage regulator problem. Any thoughts??
I replaced the power chip in the radio to a MB8719,... is this right?
Thanks
XLAXX |
307
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 10, 2002 - 9:01 pm: |
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The MB8719 is the PLL and has nothing to do with power..Sounds like the Current Limiter IC in the power supply (26-KS)took a job somewhere else..I suggest trying it in your car...What "amperage" do you see on the power supply and does the voltage drop near "0" when this happens?
307 |
XLAXX
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 10, 2002 - 10:37 pm: |
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307-
Thanks for the reply!
Here is what the radio is doing:
When I turn the radio on, it sends the power supply into its default/alarm. When I look at the amp meter on the power supply, the A (amps) needle shoots all the way up to 22-23ish then back to zero (0). This whole thing happens very quickly, less than a second.
Now, I tried turning the adjustable knob for voltage on the power supply back to where it gave me only 9-10 volts, then turned the radio on. Although the radio was not getting the full voltage of 12V it did not trip the supply. I then slowly turned the adjustable voltage knob up to get the full 12V+ and the radio worked fine. I can't get a voltage ready on the power supply because it defaults when I turn the radio on.
The radio has been switched from the Hi/Lo Tone and Brt/Dim switches for the extra channels to a rotary knob type for the extra channels on the right side of the chassis. The PLL was replaced too.
Also, the radio had adjustable power via the SWR knob which was also taken out. The swr knob doesn't work either now. The s-rf/cal/swr knob is also non-functional! The LCD channel display flickers!
Yes, yes, I know what you're about to say, why didn't I leave well enough alone!! The radio was dk'ing to zero and swinging to 10W. The tech I took it to, performed work that I did not really request, I was just looking for some more swing. He said that the way the channels were installed was not professional enough so he took them out and re-installed the rotary knob. Well, lo and behold, my radio doesn't function the way it should.
Anyway, 307 I don't really think it's the power supply because the supply has no problems with my other radios at all. Even when I turn them on, the power supply holds true and performs well. The supply has a 2 year warranty so I could return it, but I think it's the radio.
OK what should I do?
I really want somebody that knows what they're doing to work on it for me as I am a pure novice at repair. Would you please consider it? I have read the threads about your work (ie. Gary 12/10/02 "Thanks 307") and would trust you completely, as well as compensate you fairly!
Again Thanks 307 for your reply and recommendations!
XLAXX |
307
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 11, 2002 - 1:02 pm: |
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I emailed you about 5 times and got no response from you. I will do it for you. Drop me an email at tech307@copperelectronics.com and I will give you the details..
307 |
XLAXX
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 11, 2002 - 2:59 pm: |
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Tech 307-
I emailed you back with a couple addresses and my #. Not sure why Hotmail isn't working or letting you through. I appreciate you considering the work. Looking forward to your expertise.
Thanks
XLAXX |
XLAXX
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 11, 2002 - 8:33 pm: |
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307-
Received your email
Thanks
XLAXX |
dale
| | Posted on Thursday, December 12, 2002 - 9:27 am: |
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hey 307 got a tech question for you. i got a RCI 2990 old style and it dead keys 50-60 watts and modulates to 100watts i had it on 3 different meters still reads about same.i checked the vr for modulation its all the way up. i was told today the finals might be dieing in it.and i dont want to clip the limiter either.my friend has one that swings up arond175-200 and his limiter is still in. everyone tells me i sound good but im not impressed with the swing on am.what do you think or is it just me |
307
| | Posted on Thursday, December 12, 2002 - 4:02 pm: |
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Your meter is more accurate...
307
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CM 3885
| | Posted on Sunday, December 15, 2002 - 8:45 pm: |
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I had a 2990 that swanged to 150 to 175 watts and i saw that on 2 meters. Im just telling you guys what i saw and this is NOT intended to start another swing meters war that is all to common on the forums these days.. |
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