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How to Install a Cobra CB Radio on your 87-18 Jeep Wrangler YJ, TJ, JK & JL

Installation Time

20 minutes

Extreme Terrain
Shop Parts in this Guide


INTRODUCTION

The Cobra 75WXST is the ultimate in handheld CB receivers, specially designed with SoundTracker®, which practically eliminates annoying static to deliver crisp, clear sound quality. The compact, state-of-theart design provides consistent, outstanding performance in almost all conditions or situations. For ultimate satisfaction and performance from your Cobra 75WXST, please review these operating instructions fully, prior to use.

FEATURES

• SoundTracker System
• 40 CB Radio Channels
• 10 Weather Channels
• One-touch Emergency Channel 9
• Remote Mount Installation System
• Full Featured LCD Display Panel
• Squelch Control
• Key Lock
• Channel Saver Circuitry
• Dual Watch Channel Monitor
• Full Channel Scan
• Four Memory Locations
• 10-Foot Flexible Cord
• Quick Disconnect

TECHNICAL SUPPORT




MOUNTING CONNECTOR BOX

1. Hold Cobra 75WXST Connector Box in exact location desired for mounting.

2. Using it as a template, mark the location for the mounting screws (included).

NOTE: Make certain that nothing will interfere with the installation of the mounting screws, before drilling holes.

3. Mount Connector Box as shown.


CONNECTING WIRES


4. Connect the antenna cable plug.

5. Connect the red wire marked “BATT” ( ) directly to the positive side of the battery or to a connection on the fuse box that is always on.

6. Connect the black leader marked “Ground” to the negative side of the car, usually the chassis. Any other location with good electrical contact (paint removed) will also work. 

INSTALLING MICROPHONE HANGER

1. Hold microphone hanger in location desired for mounting. Make certain that nothing will interfere with the hanger’s installation.

2. Mark the location for the three mounting screws (screws included).


3. Drill and mount microphone hanger as shown.


For the most reliable operation and maximum range, Cobra recommends using a vertically polarized, quarter–length whip antenna (illustration 1).

Shorter, loaded-type whips are adequate when maximum range is not required (illustration 2).


NOTE: Mobile installations (cars, trucks, boats, etc) should be made only with a non-directional antenna system.

• A standard antenna connector (Type SO-239) is provided on the Connector Box for easy connection to a standard PL-259 cable termination.

• Cobra antenna models are recommended; see your local CB dealer or order directly from Cobra. See order form on page ??.

• For maximum efficiency in boat installations, a ground plate is required, unless the vessel has a steel hull. Consult your CB dealer for information regarding an adequate grounding system.



1. Mount external speaker in desired location as shown

2. Plug into the back of the Connector Box

*The external speaker should have 4-8 ohms impedance and be able to handle at least 4 watts.

IGNITION NOISE INTERFERENCE
The alternator and ignition system in your vehicle may limit your ability to receive low signal levels.

Other noise interference can be the result of several different installation variables. Consult your Cobra dealer or a 2-way radio technician to help locate and correct the source of severe noise interference.

SOUNDTRACKER® SYSTEM
While previous systems only “blanked out” or limited noise in higher sound frequencies, the revolutionary new SoundTracker® System actually reduces noise while leaving the signal intact in the reception mode. In the transmission mode, it actually strengthens the signal, providing you with a significant reduction in noise.

TURNING YOUR CB ON

1. Rotate the power ON-OFF Volume Control clockwise.

2. Open the Squelch Control counterclockwise until noise is heard.

3. Adjust volume to a comfortable level. 


ACTIVATING SOUNDTRACKER®


1. Depress the SoundTracker® key.

2. ST will be displayed on the LCD readout.

TESTING SOUNDTRACKER®


1. Select any unused channel on your CB

2. Open the squelch control fully by turning the knob counterclockwise until it stops.


3. Turn the volume up louder than your normal listening level.

4. Depress the SoundTracker® key. Notice the significant reduction in noise.

SETTING THE SQUELCH

Think of your Squelch Control as a gate for incoming signals. If you turn the Squelch Control fully clockwise, you effectively close the “gate” and no signals will pass through. If you turn the Squelch control fully counterclockwise, you open the gate and all signals come through. 

To achieve the Desired Squelch Setting (DSS):

1. Turn SoundTracker on

2. Turn the Squelch Control (SQL) counterclockwise until you hear nothing but static.

3. Slowly turn the Squelch Control back clockwise, just until the static stops. This is the optimum receiving level, (DSS) allowing only strong signals to come through. 


SELECTING A CHANNEL

1. Change channels by pressing either the channel up or channel down key.

2. To quick-advance channels, press and hold either key.



LCD DISPLAY

Your Cobra 75WXST CB is designed with a liquid crystal display that indicates channel number, frequency and the operating mode.


TO RECEIVE

1. Your 75WXST is automatically in the receive mode. 


TO TRANSMIT

2. Press the Press-To-Talk (PTT) key. 


3. Hold the microphone about 2 inches from your mouth and speak in a normal voice.


4. Release the PTT button and you will automatically be in the receive mode again.


EMERGENCY CHANNEL 9 OR INFORMATION CHANNEL 19

1. To access emergency channel 9, press Channel 9/19 key once. 


2. To access information channel 19, press Channel 9/19 key twice.


3. Press again to return to the original channel selected.


KEY LOCK

1. Press Key Lock button to prevent unintentional channel changing; Press a second time to deactivate.


5 DIGIT FREQUENCY DISPLAY

1. Push and hold Memory key for approximately 3 seconds. 


2. Display will change to the 5 digit frequency of the channel selected.


3. Push and hold Memory key until display changes back.


ALL CHANNEL SCAN

1. Set Squelch Control (SQL) to desired setting. 


2. Press Scan key. When activity is found on a channel scanning will stop


3. Press any key to stop scanning sequence.

NOTE. The 75WXST will stop scanning and monitor a channel when it receives an incoming transmission. Five seconds after the transmission stops, the 75WXST will resume scanning.


WEATHER CHANNELS

1. Press the CB/WX key. 


2. Press Up/Down Channel keys to change stations.


3. Press the CB/WX key again to resume normal CB operation.


CHANNEL SAVER FEATURE

Automatically retains the last channel used when CB is turned off and returns you to that channel when CB is turned back on.

To function, the “red wire” must be directly connected to either:

1. Positive ( ) battery terminal.
2. Connection on the fuse box that is always on.

SAVING CHANNELS IN MEMORY

1. Select desired channel to store in memory.

2. Press and RELEASE the Memory key.

3. Press and hold the desired Memory Location key to lock channel into memory. 


RETRIEVING CHANNELS FROM MEMORY

1. Press and release the Memory key.

2. Press and RELEASE the desired Memory Location key.


DUAL WATCH

Allows you to simultaneously monitor any two preselected channels at one time.

1. Adjust squelch (SQL) setting


2. Set CB to one of the stations you wish to monitor.


3. Push and hold the DW key until a beep is heard. 



4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to select the second channel you want monitored.

The HH75WXST will monitor both channels until it receives an incoming message.

NOTE: Five seconds after the transmission stops, it will again scan and monitor both channels. 


HOW YOUR CB CAN SERVE YOU 

• Warn of traffic tie-ups ahead.

• Provide weather and road information.

• Provide help fast in event of emergency or break down.

• Suggest good spots to eat and sleep.

• Make long trips more interesting, and help keep you awake.

• Provide direct contact with your office or home.

• Make friends as you travel.

• Provide “local information” to find your destination.

• Communicate with friends and family during outdoor activities.

• Help law enforcement officers by reporting drunk and reckless drivers.

A FEW RULES YOU SHOULD KNOW

1. You are not allowed to carry on a conversation with another station for more than five minutes at a time without taking a one-minute break to give others a chance to use the channel.

2. You are not allowed to blast others off the air by overpowering them with illegally amplified transmitter power or illegally high antennas.

3. You can’t use the CB to promote illegal activities.

4. You are not allowed to use profanity.

5. You may not play music in your CB.

6. You may not use your CB to sell merchandise or professional service.

WEATHER CHANNEL MESSAGES

You can receive up to the minute local area weather reports provided by NOAA (National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. An agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA warns of dangerous weather, charts our seas and skies, guides our use and protection of ocean and coastal resources and conducts research to improve our understanding and stewardship of the environment.

The National Weather Service operates about 380 stations. Approximately 90 percent of the Nation’s population is within listening range of a NOAA Weather Radio broadcast.

A similar network of about 15 stations using the same frequencies broadcast continuous weather information across much of southern Canada.

If you have a question concerning NOAA Weather Radio or wish to receive a listing of NOAA Weather Radio receiver locations, please contact your nearest National Weather Service Office, or write to National Weather Service (Attn: W/OM11), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Silver Spring, MD. 20910.

Note: Some areas may not have a broadcast tower within the transmission range of your 75WX.

USE CHANNEL 9 FOR EMERGENCY ONLY

Operating Procedure for Emergency Communications

1. For EMERGENCY communications, set radio to Ch. 9. For nonemergency com mu ni ca tions, select desired Channel by rotating the CHAN NEL UP/DOWN tuning knob until reach ing the desired Chan nel.

Be sure the antenna is properly connected to the radio before transmit ting. Prolonged transmitting without an antenna, or use of a poorly matched an ten na, could cause damage to the transmitter.

2. When asking for aid on Channel 9 it is suggested that you request a REACT base to respond by saying “Break Channel 9 for a REACT base” and provide the CB DISTRESS DATA (called “CLIP):

CALL SIGN-Identify yourself and vehicle.
LOCATION-Be exact.
INJURIES-Number. Type. Trapped?
PROBLEM- Give details and help required. Air CLIP repeatedly so any monitor can aid you.

If you don’t receive a response on Ch. 9; try Ch.14 or 19.

USE CHANNEL 9 FOR EMERGENCY ONLY FCC gives the following examples of permitted and prohibited types of communications for use on Channel 9. These are guidelines and are not intended to be all-inclusive.


CB 10-CODES

Citizens Band radio operators have largely adopted the “10-code” for standard questions and answers. Its use permits faster communications and better un der stand ing in noisy areas. The following table lists some of the more common codes and their meanings:


FREQUENCY RANGE

Your COBRA transceiver represents one of the most advanced AM two-way radios used as a Class D station in the Citizens Radio Service. This unit features advanced Phase Lock Loop (PLL) circuitry providing complete cov er age of all 40 CB channels and 10 weather channels as shown below.


This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following conditions:

1. This device may not cause harmful interference
2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

75WXST SPECIFICATIONS


LIMITED TWO YEAR WARRANTY

COBRA ELECTRONICS CORPORATION warrants that its COBRA CB Radios, and the component parts thereof, will be free of defects in workmanship and materials for period of two (2) years from the date of first consumer purchase. This warranty may be enforced by the first consumer purchaser, provided that the product is utilized within the U.S.A.

COBRA will, without charge, repair or replace, at its option, defective CB radios, products or component parts upon delivery to the COBRA factory Service Department, ac companied by proof of the date of first consumer purchase, such as a duplicated copy of a sales receipt.

You must pay any initial shipping charges required to ship the product for warranty service, but the return charges will be at Cobra’s expense, if the product is repaired or replaced under warranty. For further details con cern ing procedures for obtaining service, see the “If You Think You Need Service” section of the Owner’s Manual.

Exclusions: This limited warranty does not apply; 1) to any product damaged by accident; 2) in the event of misuse or abuse of the product or as a result of unauthorized alterations or repairs; 3) if the serial number has been altered, defaced or removed; 4) if the owner of the product resides outside the U.S.A.

All implied warranties, including warranties of merchant ability and fitness for a particular purpose are limited in duration to the length of this warranty.
COBRA shall not be liable for any incidental, consequential or other damages; including, without limitation, damages resulting from loss of use or cost of installation.
Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts and/or do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations may not apply to you.

COBRA ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
6500 W. Cortland Street
Chicago, Illinois 60707


Optional Accessories

You can find accessories at your local Cobra dealer, or in the U.S.A. you can order directly from Cobra.

Ordering From U.S.A.
Call 773-889-3087 for pricing or visit www.cobra. com.

For credit card orders
Complete and mail this order form to:

Cobra Electronics
Attn: Accessories Department
6500 West Cortland Street
Chicago, IL 60707 USA.

Or fax the completed form to us at 773-622-2269.

You may also order by phone by calling 773-889-3087 (press 1 from the main menu) 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday.

To order online
please visit our website: www.cobra.com