Cobra 75 WXST

[rusty_tlc]

<preemptive disclaimer>I am testing for my Ham license at the end of the month.</preemptive disclaimer>

SW aside there are still plenty of situations where a CB will be useful.
For example;

• Club runs, we still have a few dinosaurs who cling to CB.
• Monitoring other communications on heavily trafficked trails to get the G2 on trail blockages etc.
• Highway road trips for road/weather conditions.

Currently I use a $30 Radio Shack POS in my FJ40. It's small which helps since there isn't a lot of extra room in the 40. And it's cheap, which is good because I rarely have even a soft top on so if it gets lifted it won't affect me to much.

We recently added a 100 series Cruiser to our fleet. It's intended application is longer adventures either solo or with groups. I was considering getting another cheap RS POS but then I remembered the Cobra 75WXST.

While it is a bit more pricey it also has a lot more features, like weather and scan. I also like that it is easy to move from one rig to another. Installation in either rig would be fairly easy. I would probably keep the Firestick antenna I already have since its is reasonable priced, tunable and fairly tough. I may use a mag, mount antenna on the 100.

I did a search and didn't see a lot of feedback on this unit, mostly just install threads.

So what I'm looking for is some real world experience using this unit. Please tell me your experience with this little fella, good or bad. I am also interested in installation ideas for the 100.

[Blue77FJ40]

I had mine 'bumped' up a bit when I bought it 4 years or so ago. Works great. I have a remote speaker mounted on the dash via magnetic tape. The only time I have trouble hearing that spkr is at highway speeds. Weather works great.

I made a mount for the power unit behind the radio plate.

[cruiserdan]

I have problems with the PTT swtich. It will not key-up until the handset is warmed up. There is a bunch of some sort of wax sealer inside that that likes to float around in hot weather, it has managed to contaminate the switch.

I liked it at first and I do like the weather bands. I think they cost more than they are worth.

My favorite radio is still my Toyota CB40F from ~1979. It still works, better than any of my other sets..........

[rusty_tlc]

Originally Posted by cruiserdan

I have problems with the PTT swtich. It will not key-up until the handset is warmed up. There is a bunch of some sort of wax sealer inside that that likes to float around in hot weather, it has managed to contaminate the switch.

I liked it at first and I do like the weather bands. I think they cost more than they are worth.

My favorite radio is still my Toyota CB40F from ~1979. It still works, better than any of my other sets..........

Thanks for the G2, the wax could be an issue around here where we get very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter.

Got any NOS on the CB40F?

Who makes electronics for Toyota? The CD player in my 100 kicks ass, we were cruising on washboard all last weekend and it never skipped.

[pismojim]

Save your money.

The "in-mic" speaker is terrible. I added a remote speaker and it helped but the sound quality is still poor. The potentiometer (volume dial) is "scratchy". You have to spin it back a forth an few times to get it to set.

The scan feature is nice and the weather channels are OK if you really need them.

I much prefer my inexpensive Uniden 520.

[Cruiserdrew]

I'm a cheap Uniden guy as well. The 510/520 series works great, and under $50.

[Trunk Monkey]

I used one for about a year, didn't like have the large handset resting on my lap. I sold it to a friend and about 2 years later it went up in smoke. Cobra wasn't sure what happened.

[rusty_tlc]

Originally Posted by pismojim

Save your money.

The "in-mic" speaker is terrible. I added a remote speaker and it helped but the sound quality is still poor. The potentiometer (volume dial) is "scratchy". You have to spin it back a forth an few times to get it to set.

The scan feature is nice and the weather channels are OK if you really need them.

I much prefer my inexpensive Uniden 520.

Sounds like the pot problem could be related to the wax issue.


Looks like I'll pick up another RS CB. I thnik they label a Uniden product.

[SteveO]

I bought mine 4 years ago or so on Ebay and I like mine just fine and haven't had any issues with it. I keep the mic in the glovebox (truck, not 40) and hook it up when I need it. It may not be loud enough in a louder vehicle but it's fine in my Tacoma. The mic clips on the the dash and is easy to use. .....Steve

[Waggoner5]

I move mine between 4 vehicles and it has worked great for 4 years. Its not the best CB I have ever owned, but it works when I need it.

[Hulk]

I have this one, mounted below my Sony stereo in the dash. It's a single DIN, with a front-firing speaker. It is simply fantastic.

[rusty_tlc]

Originally Posted by Hulk

I have this one, mounted below my Sony stereo in the dash. It's a single DIN, with a front-firing speaker. It is simply fantastic.

That spot is reserved for a quad band SW radio.
I've been leaning toward a Cobra CB radio because I like the Cobra FSR radios.