Stock Cobra 148 GTL with Freq counter plug in back?

[Big Kahuna]

Saw this for sale locally and the pictures are cut off but it looks like this is a stock Cobra 148 GTL and on the back I swear I can see a F for "Freq" right above a frequency counter plug.

Maybe my memory is failing me but I don't remember ever seeing that before on a Cobra 148 GTL. No FCC plate on the back either?

 

[999]

That is not a 148GTL back. Could be a General Lee, or a Galaxy of some sort...possibly even a Connex, but not a 148.
It's possible they got the pictures mixed up on the listing.

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

From the scuff marks on the top of the case, it appears to be the same radio in the pictures. Must be some kind of Ranger something Super Star.

 

[Low_Boy]

I believe by looking at the back of the radio in question we are looking at a galaxy. The serial number appears to be one like is used on galaxy.

 

[TM86]

Shouldn't there be a Cobra data plate riveted to the back of the radio? Or at least holes where one used to be?

 

[Big Kahuna]

From the scuff marks on the top of the case, it appears to be the same radio in the pictures. Must be some kind of Ranger something Super Star.

That is what baffled me - I swear from the pictures (the scratch on the top case) that we are looking at the same radio front and back. It's like some weird frankenstein radio?

That back looks strange though - I'm trying to compare it against other photos of old radios and I haven't found any match yet for a SSB radio.

Damn, now I'm going to have to go buy it. Not for $280 though....Might offer $75 just out of curiosity.

 

[nomadradio]

If it was a legal 40-channel radio it would have a metal plate with the FCC registration number on it.

And a side-mike Malaysia 148 would have a 5-pin mike socket. If it's a 4-pin, it's some sort of bogus mashup.

Face plate transplant?

Only the circuit-board number inside knows for sure.

73

 

[144inBama]

Looks like as 32HP (heatsink removed) with a 148GTL face transplant.....strange.

 

[loosecannon]

yeah we need an inside pic.

got an ebay link?
LC

 

[kaos513]

Return of the clones, if it doesn’t have a plate on the rear that says info of radio don’t get it.

 

[Big Kahuna]

Talked to the seller today - there is another person in line ahead of me but if it falls through I'm next in line for the lot of radios. I'm going to end up with a bunch of stuff when all I want is a look at the inside of that radio I'm super curious now.

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

I think there was a website from Brazil that had 148 clones. Could be one of those. I will see if I can find it.

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

I didn't find the website, but I did find a clue.
https://www.worldwidedx.com/threads/cobra-148-gtl-intl.227214/

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

More clues.

https://www.cobraworxshopz.com/cobr..."The Pink Box" was not,with their new "Cobra".

 

[Big Kahuna]

So I couldn't help myself - I ended up buying the full lot of stuff which I had no need of but it was the only way to figure out the mystery.

So it has a Ranger Board and RCI 8719 inside so looks like it's a TR-296 in 148 clothing. A CB shop took the time to put a brand new 148 face on it I think as the radio looks basically brand new. Photos below and the last photo is of one of the real 148's board that came with it for comparison.

A very strange find but that explains the factory frequency counter on the back. Now who wants to give me $500 for a super rare one-of-a kind 148/TR-296 frankenradio on eBay?