I had one of these radios and used it for 5 or 6 years with no problems. Was always told it sounded good and would carry a long ways. Unfortunately, someone wanted it more than Idid. What would you recommend to replace it with. I'd like to have another one.
The President Lincoln II Plus is an excellent radio, Not as much power output for sure but the radio itself is excellent. I've had mine for well over a year now and I have had no issues at all. Gotten great signal and audio reports and I've talked tons of DX on it "Globally in fact" Built in SWR monitor as well so while your chatting it up you can always monitor and make sure your Antenna is matched correctly. adjustable power output too so you can easily run a little "foot warmer" behind it. I just have mine running to a 102" stainless steel whip and off she goes.
i like em, wish i could find an untouched one. and as far as amc circuits go, it seems like all the new radios nowadays have it to tight, when the amc kicks in it folds back the power and audio so much and holds it there, it makes for poor sounding weak am audio, i hate it. i wish they would do it the same way as amateur radios with the adjustable alc circuit for the audio, but that will never happen.
Never liked that radio. Man they can be a pain. Not for it being surface mount but the design of the unit. Somewhere here in the shop I have 2 of these. Good video Mike.
I"ve dealt with these same series of SMD trim pots like those in that radio and they suck royally; had to adjust one on a synthesizer VCO and... yeah. Awful part if you ask me-- and that was with pretty gentle tweaking. Anyhow 3 adjustments later and it died lol. Pretty sure I found a Bourns that fits in the same footprint that works awesome as a replacement.
Hey Mike....Where have you been haven't seen any videos lately hope all is well... Question for you would you bay any chance have a channel select for this radio?
I would be nice if everything in a Citizens Band Transceiver used DSP processing throughout so that there is no adjustments that you cannot make unless you have a TI C++ compiler and the only coils would be the passband filter in the TX/RX path after the bidirectional RF amp.
Trimmers & Heat hmm maybe a connection,prob poor quality parts Mike. I heard some nightmare stories of these sets. Got to ask what FM deviation settings you use in states wide fm or narrow on 11\10m Most of the kit over these shores now normally 2.00Khz peak for cb band here. sometimes if its ham 2.2khz max NFM/ 4.2khz W-FM Just wondering what Cobra USA setup is? Those counters can be a bit hit and miss,normally there a trimmer for ref xtal on counter,I find strap a PTC to the xtal & 12V to power it,and have poor mans Xtal oven. Trick i use on SS3900 counters. Rob
A few years ago I almost bought one of those. A local shop had one NOS NIB still sealed. I simply did not have enough experience at the time to decide if it was a diamond in the rough or a problem looking for an owner I was barely legal to drive! Never talked to anyone on air on one and never meet anyone in real life that owns one just on the internet. Plus internet was full of talk back then about cold solder joint issues and low grade parts so I was scared off. It was a good deal though at the time and now I think it would have been fine but hindsight is 20/20! Fast-forward today and well what SSB radio's can you buy that are new production and do not have problems or are not black box radio's?
You KINDA LOST ME there at the end talking about the difference between amps and milliamps, and I was like 😲😲, lol but that looked like an extremely nice radio. I actually would love to have one. You HONESTLY have a radio announcers voice. BUTTTTTTT I probably couldn't find one of those radios in good/ great shape, IF I went hunting with a microscope or even a telescope.....( well that's just one man's opinion.....)
Had one when they first come out and i hated it.bleedover would wipe out 19 and it would be 2guys talking on 12 giving you 5lbs on the meter.squelch gave you 2 options,all or nothing.with in 6 months cobra was selling them at 150 dollars and no warranty. I sent an email about a realistic 449 hope you got it.love the channel!
I have that same radio, while talking on it on SSB Lower 38, for about 5 minutes, people tell me that I am off frequency all the time after the radio warm up for a bit on light use. In place of this radio, I have taken it out and put it away and put my Icom 706 MK2G in place of it and love it so much I'll just keep using the Icom 706
I'm kind of in between on the whole mosfet bias issue. For me it depends on the type of mosfet and how it's being used. Some mosfets are specified with a very tight Vth range, so setting the bias via the gate voltage works fairly well, and is generally repeatable. Others have a min-max range of Vth that is a mile wide, this RD16HHF1 is one such device. According to the datasheet the range of Vth is from 1.7-4.7V to achieve 1mA of drain current. The spec for the gain, about 1.5A/V above the threshold, seems fairly consistent though, so I'd say setting the bias of this device using the drain current would be much more repeatable than by using the gate voltage. Just my thoughts.
how much would you charge to boost a CB to as much output as you can I am looking for a really strong CB radio for my truck. What CB would you buy 2022?
Phwew, you just saved me $200. I was about to pull the trigger on one of these when I learned two things. One was that you cannot run these unless there's at least a 30amp supply and what you pointed out in this video. How does that heat sink keep thoses power transistors cool from where it's placed SMH. Thanks Mike.
I have just bought one of these used all seems to be working but no RX and no reading on the S meter. After watching this video I was wondering if your able to repair it or point me in the direction of someone that could. Also forgot to mention with the volume all the way up I can hear RX very faintly.
I currently have a Cobra 150 GTL, and am looking at a Cobra 200 GTL. Do you have an address or know anyone around Augusta GA, who works on CBs as you do?
Mike they get loose when metel skrewdriver is used instead of a plastic or tech ceramic... The radios suck they over heat and very unstable ..and the clarifire and counter set is floating all the time...i personally thinks its the worste deaign ever ...cobra agree they discontinued them for there trash
I like that used BJT transistors for the amplifier they looked like Toshiba 2SC2879's. I do not like that the board is integral with the CB board!!! That is just crazy to make it all one board!?!?!
Somewhere between 4.7 to 22uF. I find removing the original capacitor and sticking in a substitution box and trying different values works best to choose the value best for each radio. 10uF is a good starting value.
Your explanation of your work and what is required is greatly appreciated and easy to understand. This is why people love your videos. You are a God among us regular men... lol
What do you think about the cobra 29 Lx and the uniden bearcat 980 ssb what radio you will consider in a truck I am all new to the trucking industry and I use to do a lot of stationary cb in the late 80s talking from the Dominican Republic talking to people in the USA it was a old what we call today ham radio back then I was still a teenager and things have change so much that the mobile phone has taken out the old style of communication which was the radio cb. I got a cobra 29 LX but I want to know if it is worth getting the uniden bearcat 980 just to have better range with other truckers and if there is any cb aficionado.
@@mikesradiorepair what about one of the older 148 G.T.L. radios. I forget where it was made. But I believe it was made in the early 90's according to the sticker that was on it. Lol I'm inside it's outside...
One thing I found with the frequency "counter" and the clarifier on that radio was the counter would be kind of accurate near the center but as you went to the extreme right or left of center the TX frequency of the radio would be off. I saw the tech bulletin on how to adjust the counter display which I recall doing (has been a while since I worked on the radio). I was not able to get the radio to the "zeroes" . You could get close but not quite. That was kind of annoying if you wanted to use the radio on 10 meters SSB. Perhaps the 10 KC switch would help but with mods that feature is disabled. Or maybe I did something with the alignment to cause this. Not sure.
The counters in these radios are pretty much useless in my opinion. The "adjustment" you make to get the counter to read correctly is not a adjustment to the counter circuit but the radios oscillator circuit which is actually changing the frequency. Dumbest setup I have ever seen.
Mark Anderson Not really. SMD technology has been around for a long time. The world of cheap radios (CB's) is just catching up with the times. SMD design radios are cheaper to produce and more reliable. With a little training and the correct equipment it's no harder to work on a radio with SMD components than it is one with thru hole components.
+ᗒ╬ᗕ1112223333111ᗒ╬ᗕ Unfortunately yes they can just die. Have seen new old stock radios where the electroluminescent decal was shot. Sad to say it was Cobras worst idea ever. When they work they look nice. Problem is finding one that still works. :-( Wish they had just done back lighting with tiny LED's like Uniden used in some of their radios.
I have a question about Galaxy radios, are all the new models black box radios? I had a DX 44V years ago and I loved it and never gave me any problems. What is a quality new radio made today?
@@k.c.lejeune6613 SSB is short for single side band. It's a different method of communications kind of like FM is another mode. With SSB think AM with the carrier and the opposite side band suppressed. In general it's a quieter mode of operation because of the smaller bandwidth and better transmit distance because all of your power is that single side band. If you want a new modern 10/11 meter radio I would suggest a President Lincoln II+, Anytone AT-6666 or Stryker SR-955.
The Friends of ComCast (FCC) have been cracking down on companies that sell these export rigs. They don't typically go after operators unless you make an a$$ of yourself. Exports like these can only be legally operated in the US a licensed HAM on the 10 and 12-meter bands. Using them on CB is an at-your-own-risk affair with the fine for being caught starting at $1000/offense. As an aside, you may be able to get a whistleblower bounty from the FCC for reporting any large companies that sell these for use on the CB (11-meter) band.
+MikesRadioRepair - Sorry if this starts a political debate, but you might want to put a legal disclaimer in the description about using these on the CB band in the US.
DiverCTH Good grief, you can't stop CBers from buying export CB radios. Everyone knows they are illegal. So why express an opinion. People will do what they want.
This guy really likes his own jokes 🤓 Good Technician 👍
Any idea where I can find a channel selector switch for one of these?
I just picked one up. It's running Toshiba 2290 red dots did they come with red dots or is that an upgrade
I had one of these radios and used it for 5 or 6 years with no problems. Was always told it sounded good and would carry a long ways. Unfortunately, someone wanted it more than Idid. What would you recommend to replace it with. I'd like to have another one.
The President Lincoln II Plus is an excellent radio, Not as much power output for sure but the radio itself is excellent. I've had mine for well over a year now and I have had no issues at all. Gotten great signal and audio reports and I've talked tons of DX on it "Globally in fact" Built in SWR monitor as well so while your chatting it up you can always monitor and make sure your Antenna is matched correctly. adjustable power output too so you can easily run a little "foot warmer" behind it. I just have mine running to a 102" stainless steel whip and off she goes.
I dont like the way they design the PA so close to the rest of the radio stages...
I my opinion, not a great radio.
Thanks for sharing
i like em, wish i could find an untouched one. and as far as amc circuits go, it seems like all the new radios nowadays have it to tight, when the amc kicks in it folds back the power and audio so much and holds it there, it makes for poor sounding weak am audio, i hate it. i wish they would do it the same way as amateur radios with the adjustable alc circuit for the audio, but that will never happen.
I have one still in the box never used if your interested
you sure are an impossible man to get a hold of. i want to get a radio aligned, please help!
Never liked that radio. Man they can be a pain. Not for it being surface mount but the design of the unit. Somewhere here in the shop I have 2 of these. Good video Mike.
The Radio Shop you want to sell one of.those 200gtl dx
I"ve dealt with these same series of SMD trim pots like those in that radio and they suck royally; had to adjust one on a synthesizer VCO and... yeah. Awful part if you ask me-- and that was with pretty gentle tweaking. Anyhow 3 adjustments later and it died lol. Pretty sure I found a Bourns that fits in the same footprint that works awesome as a replacement.
Hey Mike....Where have you been haven't seen any videos lately hope all is well... Question for you would you bay any chance have a channel select for this radio?
I have some questions about getting my 200 gtl dx serviced. Do you have an email address i can contact you at.
Why u are not interested in 40 m ör 20 m conversion of those radios ?! Would be fantastic
I know, 3 yrs later. it is a very informative video. I always thought of getting one of these radios but atlas they don't make them anymore.
Do u work on cobra 150
I would be nice if everything in a Citizens Band Transceiver used DSP processing throughout so that there is no adjustments that you cannot make unless you have a TI C++ compiler and the only coils would be the passband filter in the TX/RX path after the bidirectional RF amp.
Trimmers & Heat hmm maybe a connection,prob poor quality parts Mike.
I heard some nightmare stories of these sets.
Got to ask what FM deviation settings you use in states wide fm or narrow on 11\10m
Most of the kit over these shores now normally 2.00Khz peak for cb band here.
sometimes if its ham 2.2khz max NFM/ 4.2khz W-FM
Just wondering what Cobra USA setup is?
Those counters can be a bit hit and miss,normally there a trimmer for ref xtal on counter,I find strap a PTC to the xtal & 12V to power it,and have poor mans Xtal oven.
Trick i use on SS3900 counters.
Rob
Good info
Another well done video. Thanks, Mike.
A few years ago I almost bought one of those. A local shop had one NOS NIB still sealed. I simply did not have enough experience at the time to decide if it was a diamond in the rough or a problem looking for an owner I was barely legal to drive! Never talked to anyone on air on one and never meet anyone in real life that owns one just on the internet. Plus internet was full of talk back then about cold solder joint issues and low grade parts so I was scared off. It was a good deal though at the time and now I think it would have been fine but hindsight is 20/20! Fast-forward today and well what SSB radio's can you buy that are new production and do not have problems or are not black box radio's?
You KINDA LOST ME there at the end talking about the difference between amps and milliamps, and I was like 😲😲, lol but that looked like an extremely nice radio. I actually would love to have one. You HONESTLY have a radio announcers voice. BUTTTTTTT I probably couldn't find one of those radios in good/ great shape, IF I went hunting with a microscope or even a telescope.....( well that's just one man's opinion.....)
Had two Cobra 200GTL DX both blow the nightwatch nice looking radio but there reputation is pants
Had one when they first come out and i hated it.bleedover would wipe out 19 and it would be 2guys talking on 12 giving you 5lbs on the meter.squelch gave you 2 options,all or nothing.with in 6 months cobra was selling them at 150 dollars and no warranty. I sent an email about a realistic 449 hope you got it.love the channel!
I have that same radio, while talking on it on SSB Lower 38, for about 5 minutes, people tell me that I am off frequency all the time after the radio warm up for a bit on light use.
In place of this radio, I have taken it out and put it away and put my Icom 706 MK2G in place of it and love it so much I'll just keep using the Icom 706
I'm kind of in between on the whole mosfet bias issue. For me it depends on the type of mosfet and how it's being used.
Some mosfets are specified with a very tight Vth range, so setting the bias via the gate voltage works fairly well, and is generally repeatable.
Others have a min-max range of Vth that is a mile wide, this RD16HHF1 is one such device. According to the datasheet the range of Vth is from 1.7-4.7V to achieve 1mA of drain current. The spec for the gain, about 1.5A/V above the threshold, seems fairly consistent though, so I'd say setting the bias of this device using the drain current would be much more repeatable than by using the gate voltage. Just my thoughts.
I have one would love you to fix it. Meter light doesn't work and won't always talk unless I knuckle tap the bottom of case. How do I contact you sir
I have a 200 gtl dx and a 150 gtl dx how do you convert these to 11 meter?? Any help would be appreciated...
how much would you charge to boost a CB to as much output as you can
I am looking for a really strong CB radio for my truck.
What CB would you buy 2022?
Phwew, you just saved me $200. I was about to pull the trigger on one of these when I learned two things. One was that you cannot run these unless there's at least a 30amp supply and what you pointed out in this video. How does that heat sink keep thoses power transistors cool from where it's placed SMH. Thanks Mike.
I have just bought one of these used all seems to be working but no RX and no reading on the S meter. After watching this video I was wondering if your able to repair it or point me in the direction of someone that could. Also forgot to mention with the volume all the way up I can hear RX very faintly.
I currently have a Cobra 150 GTL, and am looking at a Cobra 200 GTL. Do you have an address or know anyone around Augusta GA, who works on CBs as you do?
Mike they get loose when metel skrewdriver is used instead of a plastic or tech ceramic... The radios suck they over heat and very unstable ..and the clarifire and counter set is floating all the time...i personally thinks its the worste deaign ever ...cobra agree they discontinued them for there trash
I like that used BJT transistors for the amplifier they looked like Toshiba 2SC2879's. I do not like that the board is integral with the CB board!!! That is just crazy to make it all one board!?!?!
2SC2290's According to pictures and schematics I found the older models used HF50-12's in the PA stage.
Why are these China radios manufactured so cheaply that the technician has to revise the devices before buying them?
Nice to see FM is on this radio
i have one in my 92 k1500 chevy .love it ..now i would not like to work on it lol
I love those radios, but they had problems with the finals blowing.
Do you still work on these? i have one i want to get refurbished for a friend
Mike do you know anyone that wants to sell there 200gtl dx
How much do you want to pay?
Can you fix my 138 xlr .no transmit
I have one of these in the box never used seals still intact
Great Video Thanks Keep Up The Good Work
Awesome video.
Nice video Mike.
I would like to find one of these..
Hey Mike do you have a FB pg?
Hi Mike, What value did you use for the AMC capacitor.
Somewhere between 4.7 to 22uF. I find removing the original capacitor and sticking in a substitution box and trying different values works best to choose the value best for each radio. 10uF is a good starting value.
Your explanation of your work and what is required is greatly appreciated and easy to understand. This is why people love your videos. You are a God among us regular men... lol
What do you think about the cobra 29 Lx and the uniden bearcat 980 ssb what radio you will consider in a truck I am all new to the trucking industry and I use to do a lot of stationary cb in the late 80s talking from the Dominican Republic talking to people in the USA it was a old what we call today ham radio back then I was still a teenager and things have change so much that the mobile phone has taken out the old style of communication which was the radio cb. I got a cobra 29 LX but I want to know if it is worth getting the uniden bearcat 980 just to have better range with other truckers and if there is any cb aficionado.
Mike..How do you like the old 146GTL?
One of the better vintage chassis. If you have one keep it. If your looking to get one pull the trigger and get it.
@@mikesradiorepair Jus bought it...Thanx!
@@mikesradiorepair what about one of the older 148 G.T.L. radios. I forget where it was made. But I believe it was made in the early 90's according to the sticker that was on it. Lol I'm inside it's outside...
One thing I found with the frequency "counter" and the clarifier on that radio was the counter would be kind of accurate near the center but as you went to the extreme right or left of center the TX frequency of the radio would be off. I saw the tech bulletin on how to adjust the counter display which I recall doing (has been a while since I worked on the radio). I was not able to get the radio to the "zeroes" . You could get close but not quite. That was kind of annoying if you wanted to use the radio on 10 meters SSB. Perhaps the 10 KC switch would help but with mods that feature is disabled. Or maybe I did something with the alignment to cause this. Not sure.
The counters in these radios are pretty much useless in my opinion. The "adjustment" you make to get the counter to read correctly is not a adjustment to the counter circuit but the radios oscillator circuit which is actually changing the frequency. Dumbest setup I have ever seen.
both of mine jump freqency
How do you work on such tiny stuff?
+Mark Anderson
A microscope and a SMD rework station.
I think we are pushed to the limit for making things serviceable.
Mark Anderson
Not really. SMD technology has been around for a long time. The world of cheap radios (CB's) is just catching up with the times. SMD design radios are cheaper to produce and more reliable. With a little training and the correct equipment it's no harder to work on a radio with SMD components than it is one with thru hole components.
I think I need a magnifier. LOL Thanks, I did get a hot air gun, workstation last week.
Mark Anderson
Depending on what size component your working on you may need a microscope.
Mike do the cobra flace light (nw) just die?
I got a mint 148 nw st but the glow is dead.
+ᗒ╬ᗕ1112223333111ᗒ╬ᗕ
Unfortunately yes they can just die. Have seen new old stock radios where the electroluminescent decal was shot. Sad to say it was Cobras worst idea ever. When they work they look nice. Problem is finding one that still works. :-( Wish they had just done back lighting with tiny LED's like Uniden used in some of their radios.
crap, ok
thanks for replying
😅🤣🤣ha ha
I have a question about Galaxy radios, are all the new models black box radios? I had a DX 44V years ago and I loved it and never gave me any problems. What is a quality new radio made today?
There is no official "black box" radio. That's what I call any illegal 10 meter export radio.
@@k.c.lejeune6613
SSB is short for single side band. It's a different method of communications kind of like FM is another mode. With SSB think AM with the carrier and the opposite side band suppressed. In general it's a quieter mode of operation because of the smaller bandwidth and better transmit distance because all of your power is that single side band.
If you want a new modern 10/11 meter radio I would suggest a President Lincoln II+, Anytone AT-6666 or Stryker SR-955.
@@mikesradiorepair Thank you sir, much appreciated.
So what is your favourite current production export mobile radio or is their one?
+Carol inaPirate
President Lincoln II+
The Friends of ComCast (FCC) have been cracking down on companies that sell these export rigs. They don't typically go after operators unless you make an a$$ of yourself.
Exports like these can only be legally operated in the US a licensed HAM on the 10 and 12-meter bands. Using them on CB is an at-your-own-risk affair with the fine for being caught starting at $1000/offense.
As an aside, you may be able to get a whistleblower bounty from the FCC for reporting any large companies that sell these for use on the CB (11-meter) band.
DiverCTH : STFU
You do am tc alignment at can ..tx alignment at the am mod ...
I’m in need of the channel selector for one of these. Please get in touch if you have one. Thanks!
Tp 2 for center on bottom of radio
Tripod, you should try it.
+MikesRadioRepair - Sorry if this starts a political debate, but you might want to put a legal disclaimer in the description about using these on the CB band in the US.
DiverCTH Good grief, you can't stop CBers from buying export CB radios. Everyone knows they are illegal. So why express an opinion. People will do what they want.
DiverCTH Seriously? Geez. Snore