Cobra 142gtl sound issue

[tdog57]

Hello, I am new to Cb radio and found an old Cobra 142gtl in my grandfather's basement that has been resting for many years. I decided to test it and it powers up fine. At first, the s-meter was stuck, but it has freed itself. I can tell that it is receiving because the s-meter is moving all over the place, however, I am not getting any sound out of it no matter what I do. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[ExitThirteen]

Do you have a mic plugged into the radio? You need a mic plugged in to get any kind of audio output. If you do have a mic plugged in, check the mic and make sure all wire connections are good. Also, check the CB/PA switch and confirm it's up on the CB position. This will help you get started in the right direction. Let us know how you get on.


~Cheers~

 

[tdog57]

Thanks for the fast response, I have a mic hooked up and when I key it, it pegs the s-meter. I have confirmed it is in CB mode and everything is set right. I know I am receiving conversations because of the way the meter is swinging, just no sound is coming out of the speaker. I haven't tried transmitting yet because the only antenna I can use gives very poor swr and I only have one radio.

 

[222DBFL]

What type of antenna is connected to it? Sorry just noticed what you wrote, maybe try an external speaker or a set of headphones in the ext speaker jack. The speaker may be bad from sitting for so long. Worth a try.

 

[ExitThirteen]

222DBFL has another good point. You could have a dirty External speaker jack from sitting, and trying an external speaker may get you some audio. If that doesn't help, it could then be something internal that will require some attention from a tech.



~Cheers~

 

[tdog57]

222DBFL, I'm using an antenna that has been on my grandfather's roof since '81. I tested it and it gave me an swr of 3 on channel 19. Im only using it because I don't have another one to test the radio. My grandfather recently passed away, so I was trying to see if I could get it to work. Thanks for the tip, I'll try an external speaker when I get a chance. I'm only going there on the weekends, so ill have to wait to try that.

 

[Robb]

Also, don't key the mic on until/unless you have an antenna attached or it will soon damage the transmitter w/o an antenna/'load'.

Re-read: never mind . . .

 

[222DBFL]

Don't key that radio with an swr of 3. Something isn't right with the antenna system, could be a connector or coax or the antenna. But an swr reading that high is not normal and in would not advise trying to transmit with that antenna system. JMO.

 

[tdog57]

Thanks again, I wont key it until I get a new antenna. It looks like the radio can still receive with that antenna, so ill just use it to test the sound for the time being. Sorry, I'll have to get back to you guys later when I get a chance to hook up an external speaker.

 

[222DBFL]

No worries, just don't want to see you blow it up before you get it running. Antenna system is the most important part of the entire system besides your radio.

 

[tdog57]

Hey guys, sorry for the late response. I plugged in a set of headphone into the external speaker jack and now I have sound Now I just have to get a better antenna. Thanks for all the help!

 

[TM86]

I picked up a 142gtl a while back with a similar problem, no audio out of the speaker. The failed component turned out to be a bad speaker.

The said, do what these guys told you and try to clean out the external speaker jack. It's more likely to be the problem.