Cobra 75WXST CB - how to change display color

[treerootCO]

Most, if not all, will leave the display color well enough alone on their Cobra 75WXST CB radios. The factory dash colors for an 80 are green and so is the display on the Cobra. Should you decide to, here is a fun project that kept me occupied for a bit.

 

[treerootCO]

Parts list:
Kingbright USA, an opto-electronic LED manufacturer products include all type of LED LAMPS , SMT LED, SMD LED, LED DISPLAYS optoelectronic components - (2)APG1608QBC/E 1.6X0.8MM 0.25MM Ultra thin blue SMD LED.
Cobra CB radio model 75WXST - $100

 

[treerootCO]

Step 1 - Take your new 75WXST out of the box
Step 2 - Take it apart
Step 3 - De-solder the LCD from the circuit board. In pic 1 above you can see the five attachment points marked with a yellow arrow.
Step 4 - Under the LCD you will find two SMD LEDs pointed at each other. The board is marked positive and negative but make note of the LED orientation.
Step 5 - De-solder the LEDs. I use a solder sucker and zero force to remove them. Once all the solder is gone, they will fall off on their own.
Step 6 - Take the new LEDs out of the packaging, sneeze, and spend about an hour looking for them on the floor. On a serious note, make sure to ground yourself as static electricity will destroy the LEDs.
Step 7 - Solder the LEDs to the board. I used a small pair of tweezers to hold the LED and backed each leg into a solder ball added to the board one leg at a time. Polarity is marked with a green arrow on the back of the LED.
Step 8 - Reattach the LCD. It is important to secure the LCD as close to the circuit board as possible. Use a pair of needle nose pliers to squeeze the two together as you solder the LCD back on.
Step 9 - Reassemble.
Step 10 Optional - Squeal in joy that the thing still works when you turn it on.

 

[wearsabrowncoat]

I'm guessing your other interior lights are blue.

I did a similar mod on a Yaesu radio to get green backlight. Easier than I imagined.

 

[wearsabrowncoat]

I forgot to ask, how does it work (transmit/ receive)? What kind of antenna are you running? I was looking at this cobra and the midland 75-822.

 

[treerootCO]

I forgot to ask, how does it work (transmit/ receive)? What kind of antenna are you running? I was looking at this cobra and the midland 75-822.

All my interior lights are blue. I am new to the Cobra 75WXST but almost every 80 I know runs that model. I have a Wilson 2000 mounted to the rear tire carrier and can pick up the highway traffic about three miles out. I plugged it into the 80 for the ride into work this morning and temporarily used the cigarette lighter for power. I need to find a much cleaner source of power but it worked well. The theme this morning was the truckers all talking about what the fine was if they failed to chain up for Vail and Eisenhower pass. $500 seemed to be about the average fine.

The mic cord is extremely heavy so hopefully it stretches out over time.

 

[Blue77FJ40]

Treeroot, I thought you were gonna mention some little known button selection choice, so I thought cool! It's great that you did that, but I'm gonna leave mine alone. How did you even know to do that?

Mine has been working great since I got it ~5 years ago. I also have the Wilson. If you know how to do that, you can boost it a smidge. I watched it done, but haven't a clue how to do it.

 

[TXLX470]

[The mic cord is extremely heavy so hopefully it stretches out over time.[/quote]

That's the only thing that I don't like about this..wish it had thinner more flexible code..

By the way is Wilson 2000 a stainless steel whip antenna?

 

[treerootCO]

...By the way is Wilson 2000 a stainless steel whip antenna?

It is a stainless steel antenna.

Uses Silver Plated 10 gauge, Solid Copper Wire- outperforms copper, nickel, & chrome plating
Easily Handles 3,500 Watts
Large coil housing for increased power handling
Exclusive low loss coil design (Patent #4,882,591)
Made From High Impact Engineering Thermoplastics
Frequency Range: 26 MHz to 30 MHz
Weather Channel Ready
Can be used as a single antenna or co-phased for dual antennas
3/8" X 24" Standard Threaded Shaft
1 Year Warranty
T-2000 Features
5" or 10" Stainless Steel Shaft
49" 17-7 spring stainless steel whip

The Wilson Short Load antenna is 39 inches long and replaces the 62" whip that is standard for the Wilson 1000 and the Wilson 5000. (can be used with the 2000)

 

[Waggoner5]

That is fricken' hilarious Mike...Now get your butt up here and help me work on the 45.

 

[theksmith]

reviving a really old thread to say thanks to the OP for the walkthrough!

i swapped mine last night in an attempt to match the amber option on my Kenwood ham radio. i used part # APG1608SEKC/T which came out a little too orange, probably should have went with APG1608SYKC/T - but still better than the green. i got 4 of them (2 extra in case i sneezed!) from Digikey for just over $5 including shipping.

they are also a little on the bright side. i had some tinted vinyl on hand so i covered the display with that to tone it down a notch.