Cobra 29 LX User Manual

How to Use Your Cobra 29 LX

Contents

Features .........................................................................................................1

The CB Story .................................................................................................A1

FCC Regulations, FCC Warnings & Included Accessories

Controls & Indicators ................................................................................A2

Our Thanks to You .....................................................................................A3

Customer Support

Installation

Location & Mounting/Connection ..................................................2

Antennas

CB Antenna & Marine Installation ...................................................6

Ignition Noise Interference....................................................................7

Operating Your 29 LX

Turning On Your CB ..............................................................................8

Setting Channel Selector .................................................................... 9

Calibrate For SWR (Standing Wave Ratio) ....................................10

To Receive ................................................................................................12

Selecting a Channel .............................................................................. 13

S-Meter ......................................................................................................13

To Transmit .............................................................................................. 14

Setting Dynamike® ...............................................................................15

Menu Mode .............................................................................................16

Setting the Clock ...................................................................................17

Setting the Alarm ..................................................................................17

Setting the Count Down Timer ........................................................18

Key Tones Mode .................................................................................... 18

Radio Check Mode ................................................................................19

Setting Display Color Mode ...............................................................20

Setting Brightness Mode ....................................................................21

Setting Contrast Mode ........................................................................21

Weather Information ............................................................................22

Weather Channels .................................................................................23

Weather Alert Mode .............................................................................24

Setting Weather Alert Scan................................................................ 24

Setting Weather Auto Scan ............................................................... 24

Software version/Factory Settings .................................................. 25

NB-ANL/Off (Noise Blanker/Automatic.......................................... 26

Noise Limiter Switch)

RF Gain Control ......................................................................................26

Program Memory Channels ...............................................................27

Scan/Memory Scan ............................................................................... 27

Scan CB Channels .................................................................................. 28

Scan Memory Channels ...................................................................... 28

Dimmer Control .....................................................................................28

Setting Squelch ...................................................................................... 29

S/RF Meter ................................................................................................30

External Speaker ....................................................................................31

PA (Public Address) ...............................................................................32

Home And Office Set-Up ....................................................................34

Temporary Mobile Set-Up ..................................................................35

How Your CB Can Serve You .................................................................36

A Few Rules You Should Know ........................................................36

Channel 9 Emergency Messages .....................................................36

CB 10 Codes .............................................................................................38

Frequency Ranges .....................................................................................40

29 LX Specifications ..................................................................................41

Warranty Information ..............................................................................42

Optional Accessories ................................................................................43

Optional Accessories Order Info .........................................................44

If You Need Service/Trademark Info ................................Back Cover

Features of This Product

• Selectable 4-Color LCD Display

• 10 Weather Channels

• Weather Scan

• Emergency Weather Alert

• 40 CB Radio Channels

• 40 Channel Scan

• Memory Channels

• Channel Frequency Read-Out

• Radio Check Diagnostic

• Clock/Timer/Alarm

• Heavy-Duty Dynamic
Microphone

• Full 4 Watts AM RF Power Output

• SWR Calibration Meter

• Instant Channel 19 and 9

• Front Panel 4-Pin Microphone
Connector

• Switchable Automatic Noise
Limiter & Noise Blanker

• Adjustable Dynamike Boost

• Tactile Controls

• 9 Ft Mic Cord

• Programmable Dimmer Control

• RF Gain

1

Installation

Installation

Location

Mounting and
Connection

Note

The transceiver is held in the
universal mounting bracket by
two thumbscrews which allow
for adjustment at a convenient
angle.

The bracket includes two self­tapping screws and star wash­ers. The mounting must be
mechanically strong, conve­niently located.

Location

Plan location of transceiver and microphone
bracket before starting the installation.

Select a location that is convenient for operation,
yet does not interfere with the driver or passenger.

The transceiver is usually mounted to the under­side of the dash with the microphone bracket
beside it.

Mounting and Connection

1

Hold the radio with the mounting bracket in

the exact desired location. If there is no inter­ference, remove the bracket and use it as a
template to mark the location for the mount­ing screws.

3

Connect the antenna cable plug to the recep-

tacle marked “ANT” on the back of the unit.

2

Drill the holes and secure the bracket.

continued

32

Installation

Note

Before installing the CB radio,
visually check the vehicle’s
battery connection to deter­mine which terminal, positive
or negative, is grounded (pos­itive is the larger of the two)
to the engine block (or chas­sis). A negatively grounded
vehicle has its negative lead
grounded to the chassis.

Note

Connecting to an accessory fuse
prevents the unit from being left
on accidentally, and also per­mits operating the unit without
running the engine.

Note

In positive ground vehicles the
red wire goes to the chassis and
the black wire is connected to
the ignition switch.

Note

When connected to an acces­sory fuse, unit will self test
the emergency weather alert
automatically when ignition
is turned on. Turns itself on & off.

4

In a negative grounded vehicle, connect the

red lead of the DC power cord to an accessory
12 volt fuse.

5

Connect the black lead to the negative side

of the vehicle. This is usually the chassis. Any
convenient location with a good electrical
contact (remove paint) may be used.

6

Plug power cable into back of unit marked

“Power”. Be sure to observe polarity markings.

7

Mount the microphone

bracket on either side
of the unit (driver’s left)
using two screws sup­plied. Bracket should be
placed under the dash
so microphone is readily
accessible.

8

Attach the 4-pin microphone cable to

receptacle on front of unit and install unit
in bracket securely.

Installation

Note

If microphone is not
connected, audio will not
be heard at speaker.

54

Antennas

Ignition Noise Interference

CB Antenna

Note

For optimum performance in
passenger cars the ideal anten­na location is on the center of
the roof. Second choice is on the
center of the trunk.

Note

Because many newer trucks
feature fiberglass door skins,
the outside mirror must be
grounded to the chassis via a
ground strap, if the antenna is
mounted on the mirror bracket.

Note

3-way Combination Antennas
are also available which allow
operation of all three bands
(AM-FM & CB), using a single
antenna. However, this type
of antenna usually results in
less than normal transmit and
receive range when compared
to a standard-type “Single
Band” CB antenna. Call 773­889-3087 for further informa­tion.

CB Antenna

Since the maximum allowable power output of
the transmitter is limited by the FCC, the antenna
is critical in affecting transmission distance. Only a
properly matched antenna system will allow maxi­mum power output. Cobra loaded type antenna
models are highly recommended for most instal­lations. For models with Weather Feature (WX),

a Dual Band (Center Load/Base Load) antenna
is recommended. Consult your Cobra dealer for

further details, or call 773.889.3087 and speak to a
Cobra representative.

1

A standard antenna connector is provided

on the transceiver for easy connection.

Marine Installation

The transceiver will not operate at maximum
efficiency in a boat without a ground plate,
(unless it has a steel hull). Before attempting
installation , consult your dealer for information
regarding an adequate grounding system and
prevention of electrolysis between fittings in the
hull and water.

Use of a mobile receiver at low signal levels is
normally limited by the presence of electrical
noise. The primary source of noise in automo­biles is from the alternator and ignition system.
Typically, when signal level is adequate, the back­ground noise does not present a serious problem.
Also, when extremely low level signals are being
received, the transceiver may be operated with
the vehicle’s engine turned off. The unit requires
very little current and therefore will not signifi­cantly discharge the vehicle’s battery.

Even though the Cobra 29 LX has an automatic
noise limiter, in some installations ignition inter­ference may be high enough to make good com­munications impossible. Many possibilities exist
and variations between vehicles require
different solutions. Consult your Cobra dealer or
a 2-way radio technician for help in locating the
source of a severe noise.

6

7

Operation

A

Operation

Turning On

Turning On

Make sure the power cord, antenna and micro­phone are connected to their proper connectors
before starting.

1

Rotate the On/Off Volume knob clockwise to

turn unit on and adjust to a normal listening
level.

CH 9/

SCAN

CB/ WX/

PA

T BACK

19

DIM

ESC

SWR

CAL

MEM SCAN

H

MEMWX !

E

N

T

E

R

RF GAIN DELTA TUNE

Setting Channel Selector

NB/ANL

NB/ANL

SWR

ANL

S/RF

S/RF

RF

SWR

CAL

SWR/CAL

OFF MIN

3

Select one of forty channels and adjust

SIG

VOL SQ DYNAMIKE RF G

volume. The selected channel (1 through

40) will be indicated by the readout directly
above the channel selector knob

3

2

1.5

1

CAL

TX
RX

5

3

7

9

+30dB

S

H

U

P

E

N

U

T

N

E

M

E

R

MEMWX !

MIN

Setting Channel
Selector

Note

Press CB/WX/PA to select CB,
weather channels or PA (public
address) modes.

2

Press the CB/PA/WX button to change modes.

8

9

Operation

NB/ANL

M

M

CH 9/

19

SCAN

Operation

Calibrate For
SWR (Standing
Wave Ratio)

Calibrate for SWR (Standing Wave Ratio)

SWR calibration is done to properly adjust the
length of the antenna and to monitor the quality
of the coaxial cable and all RF connections.
This calibration is critical in order to achieve opti­mum performance.

3

2

1.5

SWR

S/RF

SWR/CAL

OFF MIN

1

Select channel 20.

2

Press SWR/CAL button to select CAL.

RF

3

1

SIG

VOL SQ DYNAMIKE

CAL

RX

5

7

9

+30dB

S

H

U

P

E

N

U

T

N

E

M

E

R

PUSH &
HOLD

Note

Calibration must be made in an
open area (never in a garage).
Vehicle doors must be closed.

ME

3

Push and hold mic button.

N

T

E

R

4

While holding mic

RF GAIN DELTA TUNE

MIN OFFMAX

MEM SCAN

CB/ WX/

PA

T BACK

DIM

ESC

SWR

CAL

button adjust the
SWR CAL knob so
the meter swings
to the CAL mark on
the meter (located
on the right).

No one should be standing near
the antenna. (See your antenna
directions for more complete
information).

Note

The reading will be slightly
higher on Channels 1 and 40
compared to Channel 20.

continued

1110

Operation

M

M

W

L

N

Operation

Calibrate for
SWR continued

Note

When switched to SWR
mode the meter reading
should ideally be as far to the
left as possible. Anything over
3 is not acceptable. A slight
antenna height adjustment
(higher or lower) may be
required. Repeat recalibration
steps.

To Receive

NB/ANL

S/RF

SWR/CAL

5

Release the PTT button, press and release the

SWR

RF

SWR

SIG

VOL SQ DYNAMIKE

OFF MIN

3

2

1.5

1

CAL

RX

5

3

7

9

+30dB

S

H

U

P

E

N

U

T

N

E

M

E

R

S/RF-SWR CAL button to the SWR position.
Then press the PTT button to read the SWR
reading.

6

Repeat the same steps two through five on

Channel 1 and 40. This will check SWR for all
channels.

To Receive

NB/ANL

NB/ANL

ANL

S/RF

S/RF
SWR

CAL

SWR/CAL

VOL SQ DYNAMIKE

SWR

RF

SIG

3

2

1.5

1

CAL

RX

5

3

7

9

+30dB

S

H

U

P

E

N

U

T

N

E

M

E

R

MEM

Selecting A Channel

RX

5

3

7

1

ME

IG

MIN

9

+30dB

DYNAMIKE RF GAIN DE

S

H

U

P

U

N

E

M

MEM

E

N

T

E

R

MIN MAX

Selecting A
Channel

Unit should be in CB mode. Rotate channel

selector clockwide or counter-clockwise to

1

select desired channel.

S-Meter

S-Meter

Swings proportionately to strength of incoming
signal when receiving.

3

2

1.5

SWR

S/RF

RF

5

3

1

SIG

OL SQ DYNAMIKE

7

9

CAL

+30dB

RX

M

S

H

U

P

E

U

N

E

OFF MIN

1

Rotate the On/Off Volume knob clockwise.

The RX icon will be displayed.

12

MIN

1

The S/RF-SWR-CAL switch must be in the S/RF

setting to read the meter.

13

Operation

NB/ANL

M

Operation

To Transmit

Caution!

Be sure the antenna is properly
connected to the radio before
transmitting. Prolonged trans­mitting without an antenna,
or a poorly matched antenna,
could cause damage to the
transmitter.

Be sure to read the F.C.C. Rules
and Regulations included with
this unit before transmitting.

To Transmit

1

Select desired channel.

Transmit

PUSH &
HOLD

Setting Dynamike®

This controls the microphone sensitivity
(outgoing audio level).

3

2

SWR

RF

SIG

1.5

3

1

CAL

TX
RX

5

7

9

+30dB

S

H

U

P

E

N

U

T

N

E

M

E

R

NB/ANL

ANL

S/RF

S/RF
SWR

SWR/CAL

3

Initially, set fully clockwise so that maximum

CAL

VOL SQ DYNAMIKE

OFF MIN

voice volume is available. Dynamike may
have to be reduced in some conditions.

Setting
Dynamike

®

2

Push and hold mic button to transmit.

Transmitter is now activated. When transmit­ting, hold the microphone two inches from
your mouth and speak in a clear, normal voice.
Release to receive.

14

15