Cobra 148-gtldx modified by ???

Anybody recognise this work or who did this mod.
Just got this but no idea what does what.
5 was band selector and 2 switches on the back.
Also some wiring to the SWR switch.
Any help.
You might have to click on the pictures to see fully.

TBH Alan mate it could be anyone , there was a lot of rig Docs about back in the day as you remember, normally rig Docs I knew use to put a mark of some sort or initial to show they done it to let others know , the most famous Cobra 148 modder was John Nugent of Jentec fame and I  can tell it definitely not one of his 100% also there was Cobraworkshops who are  148 specialist but they plaster there mark's all over there modifications,  or a well known all round  rig doctor ie Nick (Black Spirit) or Dave (Cubwolf) but as I siad they also mark /initial there modifications.

Thanks for the reply.
Just had another good look but no markings apart from what i think was a previous owners name on the back above the serial number plate DAI?????? can't make it out.
Just bought a frequency counter so will find out when that comes what it does and where it goes lol.
Just hope it's all worth it.
Radio id in good condition well it will be when the new faceplate is fitted it's got a carbon look crappy thing on it and the old plate is not underneath.

I would ask black spirit or pimp. Both know most of the guys these days

Dmc wrote:

I would ask black spirit or pimp. Both know most of the guys these days

He could ask them but theres a problem with that, they wont come on this forum lol. I  know Nick wont , as for Pimp if its who I think it is he's not a rig doctor plus if it's the same person I haven't seen him on the forums for a long time.

Faceplate just arrived just need the counter now.
Got a 500w dummy load and a digital power/swr meter (my mini microwave my son calls it looks like one) Nisdei DG-503.
Radio itself is in very good condition but dying to find out where it goes lol.

Hi Alan mate,

You have to remember that anyone who could identify the hot end of a soldering iron thought they were a rig doctor!
(Twiddlers were the worst kind.)

Back 'in the day' of 19-clickety-click anyone who bought a copy of Practical Wireless, Everyday Electronics or owned a Maplin catalogue also thought they were an electronics engineer!

It's obviously a mod that mucks about with the PLL logic, so your frequency counter is going to be a great help if any of it works. The copper clad board everywhere is an attempt to prevent stray RF from interfering with the logic, (??), so that 14 pin chip is bound to be a CMOS logic chip and no doubt there'll be diodes under the cladding next to it, (or some other pathetic attempt at 'hiding' their super-duper conversion!)


Without delving further myself, here's some links that might help you out :-

http://www.cobraworxshopz.com/cobra_148gtl-dx_13.html

That'll at least show you what radio you've got, (it's a MK2 )


Also some other stuff :-

https://www.radiomods.co.nz/modspage.html

Loads of ways of ruining, ahem sorry, modifying radios there.


Might as well throw this in too :-

http://robconet.com/cb/pllfreqmods.htm



It's all bound to have a weird setup of throw-this-switch etc. and channel 10 becomes the 555 sort of nonsense. Let's hope the radio's alignment isn't all to pot either.....twiddle-twiddle

Personally I'd be inclined to put it back to original and throw in a decent conversion that makes more sense for the operator.

(A decent conversion is a tidy conversion!)


If I sound a bit nonchalant it's because I wasted so much time undoing this sort of cr*p for 'friends' back in the day and get sick of seeing it even after all these years. It's amazing how many 'friends' you garner when they know you're an electronics engineer and that couple of pints or throwing a few sovs your way never materialises! 

Honestly Alan, enjoy yourself having a play with it and if anything you gain yourself a half decent rig or can pass it along on the bay


All the best,
Victor

Thanks for that Victor.
It was the copper clad board that i thought somebody mit recognise as not often used well i have not seen much.
Anyway the faceplate was a bit of a challenge as it needed some fettling with a set of small files but an hour later here it is.
Go on point out the bad bit's my eyes can't see very well lol.

Nice job Alan. Looking good.

I'd be inclined to keep it myself mate!!


Go on - 're-cap' the bugger and ruin that lovely PCB! Anyone who is anyone knows that you have to 're-cap' radios....pffft! 

Ha! Ha!
Just joking Alan, don't go ruining it with all that re-capping nonsense. It's as much tosh as all that copper cladding and gobs of hot melt glue someone's already endured the old girl to.

Half tempted to work on a CB again, if it wasn't for everyone asking ridiculous money for a 'spares or repair - no returns' rip offs

Victor wrote:

Half tempted to work on a CB again, if it wasn't for everyone asking ridiculous money for a 'spares or repair - no returns' rip offs

Have a look at two websites called Freegle & Freecycle. These recycle items , for free, that one person no longer wants,  to those who can make use of it. I find they are a great way of picking up bits & pieces.

Cheers for the suggestion Nick.

The wife suggested that some time back but after trawling through the baby clothes, dog eaten sofas, (yuck!), and second hand mattresses, (double yuck!), I sort of gave that avenue a miss.

I do know sometimes stuff turns up but I'm not desperate for a rig, just be nice working on one again after successful repairs to my Yaesu and seeing what people are up to here.

Thanks again though.

Victor wrote:

Cheers for the suggestion Nick.

The wife suggested that some time back but after trawling through the baby clothes, dog eaten sofas, (yuck!), and second hand mattresses, (double yuck!), I sort of gave that avenue a miss.

You can post requests on there too. CB's are the sort of things that people have laying in the corners of cupboards & garages etc.

Nice radio, Alan.

I still have a Cobra 148gtl dx and its brother the Superstar 360fm.

Thanks John.
The radio is in really good condition but want to know where it goes.
Did think of taking the mods off but not sure on that but waiting for a counter now so i can see what is what.
One of the switches on the back is a 3 position job the other just 2.
The SWR switch is also in use for some mod and then the 5 position band select ?????.

sorted Alan nice one mate

Good stuff, Alan. I have a real soft spot for these classic radios and enjoy using them too.