Cobra 19 Mini AM or FM CB Radio User Guide

: June 9, 2024
: Cobra

Table of Contents

19 Mini AM or FM CB Radio
19 MINI AM/FM Features
Powering the 19 MINI AM/FM
Installing the 19 MINI AM/FM
Operating the 19 MINI AM/FM
Menu Options Continued
One Year Limited Warranty
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

19 MINI AM/FM
ULTRA COMPACT RECREATIONAL CB RADIO
QUICK START GUIDE Cobra 19 Mini AM or FM CB Radio
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19 Mini AM or FM CB Radio

Thank you for purchasing the Cobra 19 MINI AM/FM CB Radio
The 19 MINI has 40 channels, 4 Watts of power, and dual AM and FM modes for clearer sound and more channel options to communicate. It also features VOX hands-free usage, Timeout Timer, and adjustable RF gain. Power your MINI with the included 12V power adapter or hardwire kit, allowing you to easily connect, disconnect and move from vehicle to vehicle. It’s perfect for road trips, offroading, overlanding or simply keeping in touch with others.
For a full explanation of the 19 MINI AM/FM features, please download the manual at: cobra.com/manuals
Cobra® and the snake design are registered trademarks of Cobra Electronics Corporation. USA. Cobra Electronics Corporation’,” is a trademark of Cobra Electronics Corporation. USA. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.

19 MINI AM/FM Features

Cobra 19 Mini AM or FM CB Radio - fig 1

A. AM/FM / Channel 9/19 Button
B. Squelch/Auto Squelch Button
C. Menu/Lock Button
D. Power On/Off and Volume Control
E. LCD Display
F. Microphone Jack| G. External Speaker Jack
H. Channel Up/Down Buttons
I. Push-To-Talk (PT-1)
J. Antenna Jack
K. 48″ 12V CLA Power Plug with Integrated Fuse
L. 48″ Hardwire Installation Kit
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Powering the 19 MINI AM/FM

There are three power options to use and operate the 19 MINI AM/FM CB:
i. From the 12V accessory port in the vehicle,
ii. Hardwired directly to the battery, or
iii. Hardwired to the fuse box.

Powering your 19 MINI with the 12V Power Adapter

Select a location to mount the CB using instructions from the “Mounting the 19 MINI AM/FM” section of this Guide.
Connect the 12V power cord to the CB and make sure the connection is secure (shown left).
Plug the 12V power adapter into the vehicle’s 12V accessory port (shown left) then power ON the 19 MINI AM/FM.

If you do not have a 12V power output in your vehicle, or using a 12V power adapter is not preferred, you can power the 19 MINI either directly to the battery (option ii.) or fuse box (option iii.). Use the provided hardwire kit for installation to easily connect and disconnect the CB as needed. Please be sure to read the “Installing the 19 MINI AM/FM” section of this start-up guide before you proceed to installation.
NOTE: Cutting the 12V adapter from the provided cord for installation is not recommended.

Cobra 19 Mini AM or FM CB Radio - fig 3

Installing the 19 MINI AM/FM

Select a location for the CB radio and microphone bracket that is convenient for operation. In automobiles, the CB is usually mounted underneath the dash panel, with the microphone bracket beside it. Avoid areas near airbags and mount to an area that is secure enough to hold it in place.
One (1) universal mounting bracket is supplied along with one (1) microphone bracket, four (4) self-tapping screws and star washers. The CB is held in the universal mounting bracket by two (2) thumb screws, permitting adjustment to the most convenient angle.

Cobra 19 Mini AM or FM CB Radio - fig 4

To Mount and Connect your 19 MINI with the Hardwire Kit

Hold the radio with mounting bracket in the exact location desired. Remove the radio and use the mounting bracket as a template to mark the location for the mounting screws.
Drill necessary holes and secure the mounting bracket in location.
Connect the antenna cable plug to the receptacle marked “ANT’ on the back of the unit. NOTE: You must use a CB antenna (sold separately) with this radio. Antenna options are available on cobra.com
Connect the red lead of the hardwire kit to an accessory 12 volt fuse (shown left).
Connect the negative or black lead of the hardwire kit to the frame of the vehicle (shown left). NOTE: The battery is bonded to the vehicle frame most commonly called the “chassis”. Sometimes removing paint is required to get to a location with good electrical contact. Installation requirements can vary depending on the vehicle.
Connect the hardwire kit to the CB and Power the 19 MINI ON (shown left). WARNING: Do not operate the CB without an antenna. This may damage the transmitter.

For Direct to Battery Installation
For improved CB radio performance, direct to battery installation is recommended. This helps to ensure:

Reduces conducted power line noise into the radio by taking advantage of the mechanical filtering properties of the vehicle battery;
By using the correct wire gauge between the battery and radio, Voltage drops to the radio transmitter section are minimized and transmitter RF output power is maximized.

Questions or Need Help? Please call Cobra Customer Care at 800-543-1608.

Operating the 19 MINI AM/FM

Power the Radio On and Off

To turn on your radio, press and release the POWER button. The radio will emit a prompt and the LCD display will turn on.
To power off the radio, press and hold the POWER button until the LCD display turns off.

Volume Control
Turn the POWER button to adjust the volume: clockwise to increase volume, counter-clockwise to decrease.

Channel Control

With your radio turned on, press and release the POWER button to enter channel selection. The channel number will blink on the LCD display.
Turn the POWER button to adjust the channel. Clockwise to increase the channel number, counter-clockwise to decrease.
Press and release the POWER button to select the desired channel and exit. The channel number will stop blinking.

NOTE: Channels can also be manually changed using the UP or DN button controls on the microphone. Holding the UP or DN button will allow rapid channel changing.

Squelch Control (Levels 1 – 34)
Squelch (SQ) is used to cut off or eliminate receiver background noise in the absence of an incoming signal (when you are not talking).

To adjust the squelch level, press and release the SQ/ASQ button. 501 -08, 08 indicates the squelch level.
Turn the POWER button or press the microphone UP or DN button to change the squelch level.
NOTE: using the UP or DN buttons on the microphone changes the squelch levels rapidly
Press and release the SQ/ASQ button again or wait 5 seconds to store the selected squelch level and exit.
NOTE: The higher the number, the stronger an incoming signal needs to be to break squelch and be received on the CB.

Auto Squelch Control (Levels 1 – 9)
Auto Squelch (ASQ) continuously measures and blocks the noise of incoming signals.

Press and hold the SQ/ASQ key until LCD displays Fla AO -06, 06 indicates the ASQ level. The higher the number, the stronger an incoming signal needs to be to break squelch and be received on the CB.
Turn the POWER button or press the microphone UP or DN button to change ASQ level.
NOTE: Using the UP or DN buttons on the microphone changes the squelch levels rapidly.
Press and release the SQ/ASQ key again or wait 5 seconds to store the selected ASQ level and exit.

Install External Speaker
Choose an 8 Ohm external speaker with a 3.5mm mono connector.
WARNING: The 19 MINI AM/FM external speaker output is a Bridge Tied Load (BTL) design. Do not short the speaker wires to ground as it may damage the speaker amplifier.

Keypad Lock

Press and hold the MENU key for 3 seconds to lock the keys. The LCD display will show the icon.
When the keypad is locked, press and hold the MENU key for 3 seconds to unlock the keys. The icon turns off.

Emergency Channel 9/19

Press and hold the AM/FM button for 2 seconds to select Channel 9.
Press and hold the AM/FM button for 2 seconds to select Channel 19.
Repeat step 1 to select Channel 9.

AM/FM

Press and release the AM/FM button to choose AM.
Press and release the AM/FM button again to choose FM.

Scan

Press and hold the Channel UP or DOWN button and the POWER button at the same time to activate the SCAN function.
The radio will automatically scan all 40 Channels and stop on an active channel. Press any key to end SCAN.

VOX

Press and hold the PTT switch on the microphone then press and release the MENU button to active or deactivate VOX. When VOX is active, is displayed on the LCD.
Speaking clearly into the microphone will activate the transmitter.

Menu Options

Press and release the MENU button to enter the menu list. 2. Turn the POWER button or press the microphone UP or DN buttons to choose the desired function.
Press and release the POWER button to enter the setting for the desired function. Once selected, the setting will blink on the LCD display.
Turn the POWER button clockwise or press the microphone UP or DN buttons to select the desired setting.
Press and release the POWER button to confirm the setting and exit.
To exit the menu, press and hold the POWER button or press and hold the microphone PTT switch or wait 10 seconds once the setting selection has been confirmed.

Reset to Factory Default

Press and release the MENU button to enter the menu list.
Turn the POWER button or press the microphone UP or DN buttons to choose the RESET setting.
Press and release the POWER button to select. RESET will blink in the display.
Press and hold the POWER button until RESET stops blinking.
Release the POWER button and the radio will automatically reset to factory default settings.

LCD Display	Function	Setting
Beep	on (default): turn on beep

One Year Limited Warranty

Warranty Terms:
Cobra warrants your product against all defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the date of original purchase. Cobra, at our sole discretion, will repair or replace your product (with the same or comparable product) free of charge. Cobra will not pay shipping charges that you incur for sending your product to us. Products received COD will be refused. To make a warranty claim, we will require proof or purchase in the form of an invoice or receipt. No proof of purchase is required for factory direct purchases. Warranty Exclusions: Warranty does not apply to your product under any of the following conditions:

The serial number has been removed or modified.
Your product has been subjected to misuse or damage (including water damage, physical abuse, and/or improper installation).
Your product has been modified in any way.
Your receipt or proof-of-purchase is from a non-authorized dealer or intemet auction site including E-bay, U-bid, or other non-authorized resellers.

LIMITATION OF WARRANTY: EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED HEREIN, YOU ARE ACQUIRING THE PRODUCT “AS IS” AND “WHERE IS’, WITHOUT REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY. COBRA SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THOSE CONCERNING THE MERCHANTABILITY AND SUITABILITY OF THE PRODUCT FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. COBRA SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE, MISUSE OR MOUNTING OF THE PRODUCT.
The above limitations or exclusions shall be limited to the extent they violate the laws of any particular state. Cobra is not responsible for products lost in shipment between the owner and our service center.
General Warranty Information
Each product we manufacture is covered by our factory warranty. While each product may have unique components and policy, the general guideline below will apply to most Cobra products. All Cobra products purchased factory-direct or from our Authorized Resellers will come with a full one to three (1-3) year warranty from the date of the original retail purchase (see policy statement above for full warranty details and exclusions). Standard accessories packaged with each model will have a one-year factory warranty. Accessory Items have a one-year factory warranty. Shipping to our facility is not covered in our warranty. Return shipping is included within the US. This warranty is non- transferrable.
For the sake of clarity, ‘repair or replace the Product or its defective part’ does not include removal or installation work, costs or expenses which include but are not limited to labor costs or expenses. Cobra will not be responsible for lost packages.