CB Radio Feature Guide
Select a Feature or Term:
› Accessory Port
› Adjustable Microphone Gain
› Adjustable Output Power
› Adjustable RF Gain
› Adjustable Squelch
› AM Output Power
› Battery Type
› CB Radio Channels
› Channel Scan
› Dimmer Control
› Dual Watch
› Handheld Design
› Illuminated Display
› Instant Channel Access
› Last Channel Memory
› Manufacturer Warranty
› Microphone Connector
› NOAA Weather Channels
› Noise Blanker
› Public Address Capability (PA Capability)
› Rechargeable Battery Included
› RF Meter
› Signal Strength Meter
› Sound Tracker System
› SSB Channels
› SSB Output Power
› SWR CAL Meter
› SWR Calibration (SWR CAL)
› Tactile Controls
› Transmit / Receive Indicator
› Voice Lock
› Volume Control
Accessory Port
An accessory port allows you to connect the radio to some type of external device. Common devices are headsets, microphones, or vehicle/wall chargers.
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Adjustable Microphone Gain
Boosts the microphone output for stronger and clearer transmits
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Adjustable Output Power
Allows you to increase or decrease the transmit power of the CB radio. At a higher transmit power the signal will travel farther. In battery powered radios, users may want to lower the transmit power in order to increase battery life.
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Adjustable RF Gain
Allows you to fine-tune the receiver sensitivity to pick up a signal with enough strength, but not too much background noise.
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Adjustable Squelch
Changes the sensitivity of your CB radio to adjust for whatever signal strength you may be receiving. Lower squelch levels will allow you to receive transmissions from a greater distance, but these transmissions will contain more background noise. Higher squelch levels reduce the background noise, but will eliminate some weaker transmissions.
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AM Output Power
Determines the amount of range your sending transmits will have on AM frequencies.
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Battery Type
Handheld CB radios are mobile devices and were intended to move around with you. Because of this all handheld CB radios operate on battery power. Some handheld CB radios take rechargeable batteries, but others just use standard alkaline batteries.
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CB Radio Channels
Radio channels that are used for broadcasting and receiving transmits to other CB radio users in your area.
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Channel Scan
Scans through CB radio frequencies to find active channels.
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Dimmer Control
Allows you to change the brightness of any illuminated features on the radio.
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Dual Watch
Allows you to monitor two channels at once.
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Handheld Design
Handheld CB radios are more portable than standard CB radios, which need to be hardwired into a vehicle. A handheld CB radio can be easily moved from one vehicle to another or even used outside of a vehicle. Handheld CB radios are usually battery powered with an option to get power from a 12 volt source, such as a cigarette lighter.
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Illuminated Display
Face plate on radio lights up to be easily seen in the dark.
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Instant Channel Access
Buttons or switches present on the control panel for the sole purpose of selecting a pre-programmed channel, typically channels 9 and 19.
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Last Channel Memory
Automatically tunes to the last selected channel when the radio is first turned on.
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Manufacturer Warranty
This is the warranty provided by the manufacturer. See manual for specific details.
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Microphone Connector
Allows you to connect the microphone to the CB unit.
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NOAA Weather Channels
CB radio frequencies set aside for weather information.
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Noise Blanker
Blocks certain wave-length frequencies to better identify and block interference.
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Public Address Capability (PA Capability)
Allows you to send out a message as a public address through an aftermarket external speaker.
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Rechargeable Battery Included
Some Handheld CB radios include or are compatible with rechargeable batteries. If you plan to use your radio frequently, upgrading to a model that includes rechargeable batteries will pay for itself in no time!
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RF Meter
Allows you to observe your RF settings.
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Signal Strength Meter
Allows you to observe the quality of the receiving signal.
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Sound Tracker System
A noise-reduction device unique to Cobra Electronics that helps to maintain a strong, clear signal.
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SSB Channels
SSB channels, or Single Side Band channels, are the upper and lower halves of the normal 40 channels. This allows you to mix to different frequencies together to get a custom frequency, like mixing colors together.
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SSB Output Power
SSB Output Power is the amount of wattage that the CB radio can transmit on while on a Single Side Band channel.
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SWR CAL Meter
Lets you see the effects of the SWR Calibration to better enhance your ability to fine tune it.
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SWR Calibration (SWR CAL)
SWR Calibration, or Standing Wave Ratio Calibration, lets you calibrate your CB radio’s antenna for the best reception. The lower the ratio, the better performance you will get. A 1.1:1 ratio is the best, but 1.5:1 is easier to achieve.
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Tactile Controls
Tactile controls are controls that are shaped in such a way that you can tell how they are adjusted without looking at them, typically with the use of fins and flats.
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Transmit / Receive Indicator
Usually a two-color LED used to show you when you are receiving a transmit or sending one.
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Voice Lock
Helps to clarify distorted Sideband transmits.
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Volume Control
Adjusts the loudness of your CB radio.
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