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Cobra 32XLR Dead Key

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Jan 16, 2021
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Hi everyone. I recently picked up a Cobra 32XLR on the cheap to run in my mobile setup. The radio has performed well considering it's age. Been running it with a Delta EC1 Microphone Amp/Echo/RB and an Astatic 636L. Everyone I have talked with has always given good audio reports. I am now considering adding an amplifier to the setup I was wondering is there a way to lower the dead key on this radio. Anyone ever had any experience with modifying one of these radios?
 

There is no handy AM Power adjustment on the 32XLR but you can lower the dead key while keeping peak power by using a dropping resistor/parallel cap on the driver (like is done on the 29LTD Classic).
Remove R50 and experiment with the value until you get the desired dead key. (it will probably end up being somewhere between 15 and 68 ohms.) Once you find the value, parallel it with a 220uF 25 volt electrolytic with the negative lead pointing towards L5 and solder in permanently.
Cobra 32XLR swing1.jpg
 
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