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Cobra 25 LTD Classic Service cost?

Hi,
Yea, the more I read the more I like it!

222, in another thread was talking about final issues and a heat sink was mentioned?

I actually have some SSB exposure as I was a Chief Mate in the Merchant Marines for about 20 years!

I switched departments, got my Engineer's License so not on a SSB anymore! Ha!

I also have a SONY radio at home I listen to the "expert" Hams on 20 meters!

Do not have ANY experience with CB SSB though!!!

Yea, for $108 how can you lose???

I'm going to get that Italian antenna, which is getting RAVE reviews and I might have a system?

How are you guys wiring your car/truck to take these CB's with the small amps?

My old Cobra is wired but I want to redo it and go straight to the battery with heavier wire?

What wire size is good so I don't have to worry about it??? Thanks!!!
 
222DBFL said:
Yes the Sirio performer 5000 is a good antenna. One of the best mobile antennas I have used. Get the PL145 magnet mount with it and you'll have a good antenna setup. As for the radio, the 980 is a good one. I recommended it based off the one I have and use. Like said, leave it stock. Have the modulation turned up and leave the SSB power alone. Grab a different mic if wanted. Try the radio and antenna first. Properly setup I have spoken out to about 25-30 miles with 8-10 watts on SSB. This was back to a base station, but none the less the radio did its job. As far as an amp goes, the KL203P works well with the 980 if you have the dead key on AM turned down to about 2 watts. Pep of 6-8 watts is good for AM use and 10-12 watts is good for SSB use for the KL203P. This will get you near 100 watts, which should be plenty for what you need. If possibly mount the antenna permanently. Breedlove makes a nice mount that works well with the Sirio 5000 antenna. Yes they are expensive, but worth every penny. Hard mount the antenna and it will work at its best. Magnet mounting it is normally a temp thing. You'll need to keep the magnet mount maintained. Keep moisture out and also make sure the coax doesn't get pinched or crushed. You don't have to worry about this with a hard mount. Just some food for thought. Good luck with whatever you choose. Shop around and make sure it's what you want before you buy. JMHO's. Good day.
Click to expand...
What amp and mic do you run with your 980? I could swear it was a dx500v, but that doesn't seem right.
 
I have used a magnaforce 350HD 2 transistor amp with Toshiba 2879's and also a TNT 600hd with Toshiba 2879's along with my uniden 980. Worked great with both amps. Darn sure didn't over drive either one!! But had clean clear audio. These days I don't run mobile, it's All base work. And for that I don't use my amps. It gettinf rid of them yet as they are good amps and have good transistors in them.
And yes I did speak about placing a small fan on the rear of the uniden 980 as it will get hot with long conversations. That or a piece of heatsink.
As for wire size, go with either #8awg- #4awg depending on the length of the run. If it's short you can use the the #8awg, if it's long I would go with at least #6awg or even #4awg. And this will provide adequate wiring for both the radio and a small amp as well. Also don't forget a good inline fuse at the battery and use of good wiring. Any stereo shop will have the proper wire you need. For grounding I use either a seat bolt to frame or under the dash to one of the bolts of the steering column that are under the dash. Both give a good ground. Keep your grounds as short as possible and use only what you need for power wire as well. Hope this helps and have a good one.
 
Hi,
Thanks, 222!

What size fuse are you running there close to the battery?

I'm going to use #4 wire I know a little overkill but like that better!

I want this to be a one time job!

Thanks for the info!!!
 
Hi,
Stopped by a stereo shop and asked about 4 guage wire.

I figured what I was going to hear and I was right!

$3 a foot! Ha!

I said thanks and came and got on the Internet and ordered what I need for my power and ground hook up.

I guess I'm going to get the Italian magnet mount antenna and probably the RM203 amp.

For the Uniden 980!

That's to good a deal to pass up I guess!

I just don't know how I'm going to get the bias down to 1.5 or so for the amp?

I'll get a peice of heat sink for the back of the radio!

Should be a nice rig when I'm done!

Thanks for the good help on this, I learned a LOT!!!

 
When you get the radio, as well as your VSWR/power meter, also get a 50 ohm 25 watt dummy load as to be able to set the power for the amp. It is a simple procedure and can be done with the right tools. Use a proper screwdriver when getting in a radio. One that is non conducive. You can find all the info and the locations for changing the power output and also to turn up the modulation if you will do a google search on uniden 980 mods. You can most likely find the answers here on the forum as well. But all you need to do is set the radio to have a 2 watt carrier AM, and reason I say 2 watts is if you go lower on the power it will have an affect on the internal diagnostics don't work right. You can use your external VSWR/power meter and disregard the internal stuff and lower the dead key or carrier for the amp for AM use, and set it to the wanted 1.5 watts, but like I said, this will mess with the radios diagnostics. Won't affect anything other than some readings that you should already be taking with your external meter anyways. All I am giving is a heads up as so you don't think the radio is broken when you lower the power on AM to a 1.5 watt dead key. You can then set the PEP power to about 6-8 watts and it will work well on AM. You shouldn't have to touch the SSB power at all. It should be just fine for use with the RM Italy KL203P, and make sure you get that one, the KL203P and not the regular 203. Just another heads up.
Also don't forget to get a couple of coax jumpers to go from the radio to the VSWR/power meter and then one to the amp. Normally either 2 3ft ones or a 3ft and a 6 or 9 foot coax coax jumpers are used. Depends on meter and amp placement. Just a reminder to not forget to add this to your list or get some coax and cut and install connectors yourself. Which is many people will do or you can buy pre made ones. Just make sure that the coax and the connectors are quality ones if you buy pre made coax jumpers. Best to make them yourself using good coax like Belden or another good coax and amphenol connectors, (PL259's), as well. Have fun with the new setup. The Sirio 5000 and the Sirio pl145 magnet mount is what I used for a long time on my work van and I talked all over the world with it while driving up and down the east coast and throughout FL as well. You will enjoy the 980 once you get it setup right. Also look at the RF Limited 2018 extreme mic for the 980. It wakes that radios audio up very well. And also the uniden wireless mic that can be bought for about $40 or so is another good mic to use other then the stock mic. Some people like myself, don't sound very good with the stock mic. The other mics I mentioned work well with the uniden 980 and both have their perks. Just some of the experience with my use of the uniden 980.
Hope it might help you get setup. Again, take your time setting things up and also when you go to tune the antenna, make sure you go to an open area and keep all the doors closed and people and obstructions away from your vehicle when tuning the antenna. Again, just some things to remember. Good luck and again, enjoy the new radio and set up.
 
222DBFL said:
When you get the radio, as well as your VSWR/power meter, also get a 50 ohm 25 watt dummy load as to be able to set the power for the amp. It is a simple procedure and can be done with the right tools. Use a proper screwdriver when getting in a radio. One that is non conducive. You can find all the info and the locations for changing the power output and also to turn up the modulation if you will do a google search on uniden 980 mods. You can most likely find the answers here on the forum as well. But all you need to do is set the radio to have a 2 watt carrier AM, and reason I say 2 watts is if you go lower on the power it will have an affect on the internal diagnostics don't work right. You can use your external VSWR/power meter and disregard the internal stuff and lower the dead key or carrier for the amp for AM use, and set it to the wanted 1.5 watts, but like I said, this will mess with the radios diagnostics. Won't affect anything other than some readings that you should already be taking with your external meter anyways. All I am giving is a heads up as so you don't think the radio is broken when you lower the power on AM to a 1.5 watt dead key. You can then set the PEP power to about 6-8 watts and it will work well on AM. You shouldn't have to touch the SSB power at all. It should be just fine for use with the RM Italy KL203P, and make sure you get that one, the KL203P and not the regular 203. Just another heads up.
Also don't forget to get a couple of coax jumpers to go from the radio to the VSWR/power meter and then one to the amp. Normally either 2 3ft ones or a 3ft and a 6 or 9 foot coax coax jumpers are used. Depends on meter and amp placement. Just a reminder to not forget to add this to your list or get some coax and cut and install connectors yourself. Which is many people will do or you can buy pre made ones. Just make sure that the coax and the connectors are quality ones if you buy pre made coax jumpers. Best to make them yourself using good coax like Belden or another good coax and amphenol connectors, (PL259's), as well. Have fun with the new setup. The Sirio 5000 and the Sirio pl145 magnet mount is what I used for a long time on my work van and I talked all over the world with it while driving up and down the east coast and throughout FL as well. You will enjoy the 980 once you get it setup right. Also look at the RF Limited 2018 extreme mic for the 980. It wakes that radios audio up very well. And also the uniden wireless mic that can be bought for about $40 or so is another good mic to use other then the stock mic. Some people like myself, don't sound very good with the stock mic. The other mics I mentioned work well with the uniden 980 and both have their perks. Just some of the experience with my use of the uniden 980.
Hope it might help you get setup. Again, take your time setting things up and also when you go to tune the antenna, make sure you go to an open area and keep all the doors closed and people and obstructions away from your vehicle when tuning the antenna. Again, just some things to remember. Good luck and again, enjoy the new radio and set up.
Click to expand...
If you are going to use a 25 watt dummy load; then you would do well to submerse it in a can of mineral oil to dissipate its heat. Because heat can change the resistance under load and skew the reading. Hitting it with 200+ watts will heat it up rapidly without the oil to dissipate that heat.
 
Hi,
Thanks 222!

I screwed the pooch I guess, missed your post by about 10 minites!

I ordered the 203 ($53) instead of the 203P (I didn't know there was two, 203"s!!!!)

What is the difference?

I'll look on u tube and see if I can find a vid on setting the 980 up to take the amp?

I have NO idea about the inside of a CB, I'm afraid!

httpshttps://
 
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You might want to send the radio and amp off to a tech that can set it up for you then. Have it checked for alignment and tuned for the amp you have. Dont mess with it if you are uncomfortable. Also, Robb, all I was suggesting using the 25w dummy load for was to turn his dead key down. But that isn't going to work either. Sorry I spoke about it. Flame on man. Flame on.
Hope you get it all worked out. I won't post anymore unneeded shit. Just be careful and take your time with the install. I'll leave it at that. Good day.
 
My intent was never to flame anyone. I think you do help a lot of folks, which is fine with me. You spoke of tuning the output with the radio/amp - which would go over. If I misunderstood, I apologize.

The 2000w dummy loads you see using a can filled with oil use a 100w dummy load resistor inside - cooled off by the mineral oil added to that can. Just trying to be informative - is all. You can do the same with a 25w load, and increase its effectiveness by 10x.
 
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Okay. I too am sorry Robb. It was 2am when I saw this post and was awakened by one of my kids, needless to say words got in the way!!
As far as tuning went, I wasn't trying to tell him to hook the radio and amp up and key it in to the 25w dummy load. Just the radio is all I was telling him to mess with. And even there it was to just turn down the AM power and maybe turn the modulation up some. With the limiter still intact the modulation shouldn't get bad should it? Wasn't speaking of cranking it wide open if you get what I mean. That is why I recommended a better mic like the 2018 extreme. At any rate, he may still need to send it off to have both radio and amp tuned together. That would be he best way to do it. And I would have a variable power out in as well. But that is just me. Anyhow, again, I apologize for my words and actions this morning. Misread things a bit I think I did. You have helped me many times and I should have stopped and read over things again. Seems to be an issue I have at times. Hopefully you aren't upset at me either and this is water under the bridge.
All I wanted to do was to help the gent get his radio set up right. But to many that is harder than it is to just say do this or that. I do forget that as well.
Back on topic now. To the poster, as I said, I would send your radio to a good tech. Doug's Custom Cb shop, Key Cb, Bells cb shop, Fine tune cb shop, Mike's Radio Repair. There are others as well that do good work. But one of the above can get you settled if needed. Hope you get it all worked out. Have a good one.
 
I second the Sirio performer 5000 as being a good antenna. When I switch from the Wilson 1000, people could hear me that couldn't before. My only gripe is the cheap coax that comes with the mag mount, but it is easy to change out. If you want an amp, I wouldn't bother with anything under 300 or 400 watts. People get these little amps and then want to upgrade them. You can always run it light and in doing that the amp will last you for many years. 8 gauge wire is all you need for that size as long as it isn't a long run and not pure copper. The Xtream 2018 echo mic is the best sounding handheld mic I have ever owned. I've had people assume I was using a studio mic. As for the radio I don't think the 25 is worth mess paying to fix as it looks like you have already chosen not to do. It all comes down to how much money you're willing to spend. That 980 seems to be the best bang for the buck, but there are better options out there in the $250 to $350 range and many of them will sound fine without doing any mods. Many of them do enough watts where you don't need an amp right away. Just remember if you do get an amp with an exports, to make sure you don't overdrive it. 75 watts in many amps isn't a good idea. Even that 980 will need to be tuned for an amp.
 
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Hi,
Thanks Gentlemen!
I have everything on order so hope to get it set up soon!

I'm running 4 guage wire and using fuses inline, trying to do it right!

I might just put the amp in my drawer and just run the CB for now.

I work in Charleston, but live in Fl so I know Bell's is down south.

Probably call later and see if he can take the CB and Amp and tune it up for me.

If I keep it cool as I can, I should be good to go for a few years.

I make the hual from Charleston to Orlando and want to know what is going on when traffic hits.

Then there is the side band to play with when nothing is going on!

Makes a long drive easier to take!!!
 
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