Cobra 29 WX NW ST Classic 40 Channel CB Radio

Over the years, I have owned several Cobra 29s of various models. This particular model is thus far my favorite.

We currently have two Cobra 29WXNWST; one in my truck and the other in the wife's truck.

I particularly like the NOAA weather channel capability.

I live way out in the boonies and am easily able to receive the weather with the two different antennae that I have tried; no special antenna has been required.

I also really appreciate the NIGHTWATCH illumination.

I drive long distances at night and appreciate how well each switch and knob is lit up and easy to see.

I have never noticed any problem with glare reflection in the windshield that I have read some complain about in other reviews I have read; I believe those having glare issues have vehicles with very sloping windshields (aerodynamic) that are very dangerous for night driving at the best of times.

There is a very fine-tunable dimmer knob that will take the NIGHTWATCH illumination level from completely OFF to very brightly lit; thus there should be a happy medium for anyone's preferences; myself, I keep the knob set at the brightest.

With the SOUNDTRACKER ON, these are the quietest, most static-free, radios I have yet used; with the RF gain knob set at the 3/4 position, ANL/NB switch set at ANL, I can turn the SQUELCH knob all the way counter-clock-wise and hear no static.

Reception is as good as anything I have used.

Output range is also as good or better that any stock radio I have used.

As with any radio, quality co-ax, antenna, and proper installation and adjustment for lowest SWR is the key to good performance; one's antenna, mount, and co-ax should cost more than the radio; don't expect stellar performance with an improperly tuned antenna.

I am running a WILSON 500 TRUCKER with a stainless HD Barrel-Spring on a WILSON HD dome stud and HD mirror-mount, connected with FireStik FIREFLEX RG-58 co-ax, cut and spliced to the length required to reach between radio and antenna (the "18-foot" co-ax myth, all wadded up above a visor or crammed under the dash, is just that --- a myth. The best length for the co-ax cable is that minimum length necessary to easily attach at both ends with just enough slack for easy installation).

Like all out-of-the-box made-in-CHINA radios, as delivered out-put wattage is rather skimpy at between 2- and 2-1/2-watts; this is just a fact of current-day mass-production and no fault of the radio's design capabilities.

Although I have not yet done so, one would be best advised to have the radio "peaked and tuned" by a qualified technician who will up the wattage to the FCC-allowable maximum 4-watts; there are radio shops that offer this service on there new radios at minimal extra cost.

I really like the instant-channel-19 switch; I can have a conversation on an open channel and quickly flip back and forth to monitor channel-19.

One detail that is either an asset or an annoyance, depending on one's preferences or the situation at hand, is the fact that, when PA-speaker is selected, whatever channel the radio is on plays over the PA-speaker, whether it be standard CB or NOAA weather.

Although, considering the previous statement, when PA is selected, what one says through the mic is ONLY heard through the PA and is not broadcast over the CB channel; I have tested this and know it as fact.

Until something better comes along, if anything were to happen to either of our Cobra 29WXNWST radios, I would instantly buy another without hesitation.

We are well pleased.