Cobra 19 MINI CB Radio Transceiver Owner’s Manual

: June 6, 2024
: Cobra

Cobra 19 MINI CB Radio Transceiver

Cobra 19 MINI CB Radio Transceiver FIG 1

Our Thanks, The CB Story, and Customer Assistance
Thank you for purchasing the Cobra 19 MINI CB Radio Transceiver. Properly used, this Cobra product will give you many years of reliable service.

The Citizens Band Story

The Citizens Band lies between the shortwave broadcast and 10-meter amateur radio bands, and was established by law in 1949. The Class D two-way communications service
was opened in 1959. (CB also includes a Class A citizens band and Class C remote control frequencies.)

Customer Assistance

Should you encounter any problems with this product, not understand its features, menu or installation, please refer to the this owner’s manual. If you require further assistance, after reading this manual, we are here to help:

Have questions? Contact Cobra Electronics at
https://www.cobra.com/pages/contact-us or 800-543-1608
M-F 9:00AM – 5PM EST
For Assistance Outside the U.S.A.
Contact Your Local Dealer

Product Features

Cobra 19 MINI CB Radio Transceiver FIG 2

Product Features and FCC Regulations

Cobra 19 MINI CB Radio Transceiver FIG 3

FCC Regulations

FCC Compliance
Any changes or modiﬁcations not expressly approved by Cobra Electronics could void your authority to operate the equipment. This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

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

Included in this Package

You should find all of the following items in this package: Cobra 19 MINI CB
Radio Transceiver FIG 4

Installation and Start-Up

Mounting and Connections

Select a location for the transceiver and microphone bracket that is convenient for operation. In automobiles, the transceiver is usually mounted to the underneath of the dash panel, with the microphone bracket beside it.
A universal mounting bracket is supplied along with self-tapping screws and star washers. The transceiver is held in the universal mounting bracket by two thumbscrews, permitting adjustment at the most convenient angle.
To mount and connect your transceiver:

Hold the radio with the mounting bracket in the exact location desired. Remove the mounting bracket and use it as a template to mark the location for the mounting screws.
Drill necessary holes and secure mounting bracket in location.
Connect the antenna cable plug to the receptacle marked “ANT” on the back of the unit.
4. Connect the red lead of the DC power cord to an accessory 12-volt fuse.
Connecting the black lead to the negative side of the automobile. This is usually the chassis. Any convenient location with good electrical contact (remove paint) may be used.
Mounting the microphone bracket in a convenient location does not interfere with vehicle operation using the screws supplied.
7. Connect the microphone RJ-45 plug to the 19 MINI RJ-45 front panel jack. Then install the radio into its mounting bracket securely.

NOTE
For improved CB radio performance, connect the radio power leads directly to the vehicle battery. This helps to ensure the following: 1) reduces conducted power line noise into radio by taking advantage of the mechanical ﬁltering properties of the vehicle battery. 2) Using the correct wire gauge between the battery and radio, helps to minimize Voltage drop to the radio transmitter section to maximize transmitter RF output power.

Cobra 19 MINI CB Radio Transceiver FIG 5

Mounting and Connections

External Speaker
The speaker jack on the rear panel is used for an External Speaker. The external speaker should have an 8-Ohm impedance and be rated to handle at least 4.0 watts. When the external speaker is plugged in, the internal speaker is automatically disconnected. NOTE Cobra external speakers are rated 15 watts.

Power
These wires supply Power to the CB radio. This cable is permanently attached to the radio. If you wish to remove the radio after installation, disconnect at fuse holder and ground connector.

CB Antenna
Only a properly matched Antenna system will allow maximum power output. In mobile installations (cars, trucks, boats, etc.), an antenna system that is nondirectional should be used.
When installed in a boat, the transceiver will not operate at maximum efﬁciency without a ground plate unless the vessel has a steel hull. Before installing the transceiver in a boat, consult your dealer for information regarding an
adequate grounding system.

NOTE
Cobra offers a line of antennas for use with your 19 Series CB Radio. Go to cobra.com/collections/cb-radio-accessories for antenna and antenna mounting options.

Microphone Connector
Allows for convenient removal of the Microphone plug when storage is required. The Microphone MUST be connected to the unit at all times, when in use, for proper operation.

Operation

Display

Cobra 19 MINI CB Radio Transceiver FIG 9

A. TX Icon
B. AM Icon
C. Auto Squelch Icon
D. Channel
E. Key Tone Icon
F. S/RF Meter
G. Channel Lock Icon
H. Channel Frequency
I. VOX Icon

Turning on Your CB Radio
Push and release the Vol/ON/OFF knob to power ON the radio.

Volume
Rotate the channel knob left or right to adjust the volume.

Channel 9/Channel 19
Set CH 9 to obtain instant access to the emergency channel.Set CH 19 to obtain instant access to the information and calling channel.
Channel 9/19 access:

Push and release the Channel 9/19 button to quick select channel 9.
Push and release the Channel 9/19 button a second time to select channel 19.

Push and release the Channel 9/19 button a third time to return to the last used channel Cobra 19 MINI CB Radio Transceiver FIG 12

Squelch
This control is used to cut off or eliminate receiver background noise in the absence of an incoming signal when properly adjusted.
To squelch your radio:

Push and release the SQ/ASQ button.
Rotate the Channel knob to set the desired squelch level.
Push and release the SQ/ASQ button to save the setting.Auto Squelch

The Auto Squelch
(ASQ) the feature can help to improve the receiver performance experience when enabled for communicating with nearby stations. For weaker or more distant stations consider using the SQ (traditional squelch)
system or disable squelch for continuous receiver audio.

To auto squelches your radio:

Push and hold the SQ/ASQ button until “AQ” shows on the LCD display. The ASQ level set will also show in the lower left side of the display.
Rotate the Channel knob to set the desired squelch level.
Push and release the SQ/ASQ button to save the setting.

Cobra 19 MINI CB Radio Transceiver FIG 14 Operating Procedure to Receive
Be sure the power cord, antenna and microphone are connected to the proper connectors before proceeding further (see pages 4 and 5).
To receive:

Turn ON the radio.
Select the desired channel.
Set squelch to OFF (audio noise heard from speaker).
Set the receiver volume to a comfortable listen level.
Reset the squelch level for the intended listening requirements.

Operating Procedure to Transmit
Be sure the antenna is properly connected to the radio before transmitting. Prolonged transmitting without an antenna, or with a poorly matched antenna, could cause damage to the transmitter.
To transmit:

Select the desired channel.
The receiver and transmitter are controlled by the Push-to-Talk switch on the microphone. Press the switch and the transmitter is activated; release switch to receive.
When transmitting (on a clear channel), hold the microphone two inches from the mouth and speak clearly in a normal voice.

Selecting a Channel

Push and release the Channel knob.
Rotate the channel knob left or right to select the channel.
Push and release the channel knob to save the setting.

Signal Strength Meter

The Signal Strength Meter indicates the received signal strength from the antenna. The meter segments shown on the LCD increase with signal strength.

TX Indicator
The TX Indicator appears when in transmit mode. In this mode, the meter shows all bars at full output power. Cobra 19 MINI CB Radio Transceiver FIG
17

Channel Frequency
Displays the current channel and receive transmit frequency. Cobra 19 MINI CB
Radio Transceiver FIG 19

Enable/Disable VOX

Push and hold the Push-To-Talk switch on the microphone, then
Push and release the MENU button.
This will both enable/disable the VOX function.

Menu Options

Selecting the Menu

Push and release the MENU button to access menu options Push and release the MENU button to access menu options
Rotate the knob to select Menu Optio
.Push and release knob on the selected option, then rotate knob to the desired setting and push knob again to save the setting

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

oF : turn off beep

ROG BP| Roger Beep Sound Setting oF, Tone settings 01 – 06

(Tones) oF : (default) turn off roger beep

VOX L| VOX Sensitivity Level Setting Level: 01 – 09

Default: 03

VOX T| VOX Delay Time Setting| Level: 01 – 09

Default: 01

RF.GAIN| RF Gain Control| Levels: 03, 06, 09 – 48

oF (default) RF gain off

TOTS| Time Out Timer| oF, 01 – 10 minutes

Default: 05

PRATO| Automatic Power On Setting on (default): Auto power on

oF : Manual power on

FW VER| Firmware Version| Displays 2-digit Firmware Version
RESET| See Reset to Factory Default Section

Frequency Ranges

The Cobra 19 MINI radio transceiver represents one of the most advanced AM two-way radios for use 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.

Frequency Ranges

Specifications

Troubleshooting & Maintenance/Adjustment

Ignition Noise Interference

Use of a CB receiver at low signal levels is normally limited by the presence of electrical noise. Under most operating conditions, when signal level is adequate, the background noise does not present a serious problem. Also, when extremely low level signals are being received, the transceiver may be operated with vehicle engine turned off. The unit requires very little current and therefore will not signiﬁcantly discharge the vehicle battery.
Even though this radio has an automatic noise limiter, in some installations ignition interference may be high enough to make good communications impossible. Consult your authorized Cobra dealer or a two-way radio technician for help in locating and correcting the source of severe noise.

Maintenance/Adjustment

Your Cobra CB transceiver is speciﬁcally designed for the environment encountered in mobile installations. The use of all solid-state circuitry and its lightweight result
in high reliability. Should a failure occur, however, review the following, then if necessary, replace parts only with identical parts? Do not substitute.

Check connections to the source of power and make sure it is the 13.8 VDC required to operate your radio.
Check the fuses in the DC power cord. The main power lead (red) has a two amp 3AG type fuse in its holder. Use only the above-speciﬁed type and size fuse for maximum protection. Failure to do so will void the warranty.
Make certain the microphone is properly plugged in.
Make certain the antenna is properly assembled and connected.
If you are unable to correct the problem, refer to product service on page 14 for the correct procedure for warranty and post-warranty service from Cobra.

Cobra 19 MINI CB Radio Transceiver FIG 23

Limited One-Year 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.

proof of purchase is required for factory direct purchases.
Warranty Exclusions: Warranty does not apply to your product under any of the following conditions: 1. The serial number has been removed or modiﬁed. 2. Your product has been subjected to misuse or damage (including water damage, physical abuse, and/or improper installation). 3. Your product has been modiﬁed in any way. 4. Your receipt or proof-of-purchase is from a non- authorized dealer or internet 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.

Product service

If you have any questions about the operation or installing your new Cobra product, PLEASE CONTACT COBRA FIRST…do not return this product to any retail store.

The contact information for Cobra will vary depending on the country in which you purchased and utilize the product. For the latest contact information, please go to www.cobra.com/support
For products purchased in the U.S.A., you may call 800-543-1608.
For products purchased in the U.S.A., if your product should require factory service, please please go to www.cobra.com/support and follow the instructions for returning your product
to the Cobra Factory Service Department for service.
Should there be any problems with this product or further information is needed on its features please visit www.cobra.com for support, frequently asked questions, Declarations of Conformity, and full manuals.

For Products Purchased Outside the U.S.A. or Canada
Please contact your local dealer for product service information.

For Products Used in Canada
Industry Canada Notice
This device complies with Industry Canada license-exempt RSS standard(s). Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

this device may not cause interference, and
this device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.