Cobra 29 LTD (1995) mic recommendation

[CB590]

Just feel like I stole this Nov 1995 China made Cobra 29 LTD side 4 pin mic..

Works great deadkey is just a hair over 2w as arrived.. snagged for $39 and s/h..



The issue is the Cobra mic that came with it is factory from same time.. basic 600ohm type.. the wire and or switch on the mic head is giving me static and no static..

I just want suggestions for a basic mic for this rig..

I got a few radio checks tonight all saying good.. but when this thing starts to sound like it's shorting out I noticed my modulation swing stops as well..

I was looking at the Workman 507-4 and CM4. Both are like less than $12..

Or would another mic be better? Like the Cobra CA73 or amplified CA75?

I read good things and bad on the Workman DM452 power mic too.

I run an Astatic 636L with my President McKinley but I really don't want to drop another $30 at this time..

Suggestions?? Plan on using as a base with the TS 350 backing it up.. with TS wide open its pushing 6-8 on the TS meter..

 

[Low_Boy]

636L is always a great Mic for that radio. The workman CM4 is like a factory Mic and also sounds good.

 

[kopcicle]

The workman CM4 is like a factory Mic and also sounds good.

yup

 

[CB590]

Opted and order the simple CM4..

In other news.. grabbed a kinda minty 148 GTL from Malaysia 10/96 model just now.. was just starting at $60.. offered guy $100 and bam.



Be selling my newer President McKinley shortly probably..

This old styling reminds me of my old 19XS..

 

[Low_Boy]

Looks like new.

 

[Hurricane145]

The issue is the Cobra mic that came with it is factory from same time.. basic 600ohm type.. the wire and or switch on the mic head is giving me static and no static..

Probably a bad connection at the mic connector or at the mic. either inside the mic or where the cable starts to go into the mic. Not hard to diagnose but if a wire is broken in the mic cable it may be less trouble or cheaper to buy a new hand mic rather than a new cable to fix it with. I'd keep it for parts though!

 

[9C1Driver]

Just feel like I stole this Nov 1995 China made Cobra 29 LTD side 4 pin mic..

Works great deadkey is just a hair over 2w as arrived.. snagged for $39 and s/h..

View attachment 26011

The issue is the Cobra mic that came with it is factory from same time.. basic 600ohm type.. the wire and or switch on the mic head is giving me static and no static..

I just want suggestions for a basic mic for this rig..

I got a few radio checks tonight all saying good.. but when this thing starts to sound like it's shorting out I noticed my modulation swing stops as well..

I was looking at the Workman 507-4 and CM4. Both are like less than $12..

Or would another mic be better? Like the Cobra CA73 or amplified CA75?

I read good things and bad on the Workman DM452 power mic too.

I run an Astatic 636L with my President McKinley but I really don't want to drop another $30 at this time..

Suggestions?? Plan on using as a base with the TS 350 backing it up.. with TS wide open its pushing 6-8 on the TS meter..

For base use a Turner plus 3 or D104 desk mic would rock. For hand mics it really depends on your voice and what mic matches up good. Gather up 3-4 old hand mics you have lying around and then get on the air with a local you trust. He can tell you which mic he liked the best.

 

[Handy Andy]

Although age on the face of the radio has been kind, lots of times the switch and cradle it sits in, tends to age not as gracefully.

A simple disassembly of the handset to expose the innards, check and adjust/clean/lube plunger of the switch and make sure the actuator is not hanging up on you - reheat the switch contacts with a quick remelt of solder as you move the plunger thru it's length of throw after you've applied some simple WD 40 or other lightweight detergent oil (heck even 5W-30 synthetic works - less reactive to the plastic) just a light drop or two just to wet the slide mechanism. This helps remove or displace the dirt and corrosion (suspend it).

Also as age goes, the plunger itself can "set" so you'll need to check the switch out of it's cradle holster - to make sure the switch is clean. And that the key, actuator - is freed up and not binding to prevent cutting out when and if you get "lazy" on the key ... it happens and the springs as they age, tend to tensilize to their set length if given enough time - may not return all the way due to the goo/lube used in assembly has hardened.

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

Nice looking radio there, heck of a deal.
I use a Cobra 29 LTD as a monitor with headphones to hear how I sound. No antenna needed. Good to help setting the mic gain too.

 

[sunbulls]

I prefer sound with the robust cartridges found in the older coffin mics compared to cartridges in the newer slightly smaller coffin mics that have the rounded edges. Like Hurricane said, "keep it for parts. " Someday you may need that cartridge and applying it will be an upgrade to most other stock mics. Since I try to refurbish everything (cords, plugs, switches included) I have't tried the workman CM4 yet, but I'll put it on the top of my list the next time I need a quick fix.

 

[CB590]

I prefer sound with the robust cartridges found in the older coffin mics compared to cartridges in the newer slightly smaller coffin mics that have the rounded edges. Like Hurricane said, "keep it for parts. " Someday you may need that cartridge and applying it will be an upgrade to most other stock mics. Since I try to refurbish everything (cords, plugs, switches included) I have't tried the workman CM4 yet, but I'll put it on the top of my list the next time I need a quick fix.

I'll report back when I get mine in hand next week . Super stoked on this and the incoming 148..