Cobra MicroTalk Walkie Talkie, Range test and Review

Road test and 10 year Review, on these Cobra Microtalk GMRS/FRS radios

[jberman-code]

I still crack a smile whenever I pick this up, its nothing but pure fun. My Cobra microTALK PR 950 DX, bought 20 years ago in a Radio Shack still works, knock on wood. We get a very good range of 2 miles across lakes and beaches than in cities, traffic or terrains. Always used AAA batteries. I saw a few hacks to boost the range (power and antenna) but never tried or needed for my usage.

[jamesmacabeo]

The cat is just happy and content. Thanks for doing this range test.

[michaelloughlin]

Excellent radio's the Cobra.great test enjoyed it immensely.

[mat..n.]

On my older version of these radios if you push and hold the light button it turns off the auto-squelch and it allows to get more signals and gain more range. That's what they say in the manual.

[TraderJack]

Nice test and review, John. Those things are nice to have. I used to have six total, but four quit working over the last 15 years or so. We use ours around the place every once in a while, and the boys like to use them. I still prefer my handheld CBs, except when it comes to saving space. :)

[stevetaylor]

They work line of sight. Hilltop to hilltop, they will reach much further, provided there are no obstructions in between you

[MrMotivations]

Still use that Uniden Washington in the background? I used to drive nights through the surrounding county-country, and used the SSB for long range entertainment. As a mobile, using it's 4 watts, I could hit 14 miles on the interstate, on occasion, non-ssb. Quite a fine piece of kit, I thought. Enjoyed the review. I dug out a couple of these I bought about a century ago, and they still work well. 🐩 <--Little Lucy Lou

[charleswills]

Bought a set about 7 years ago they just sit on the shelf mine say a 20 mile range but in reality about 2 miles.I get better range out of my Uniden walkie talkie.
73s my friend .

[justsaying]

I gave a pair of these to my grandson this summer. They've been in the camper for years. So I tell him to go down the block and and said the famous line, breaker 1-9 this here's the rubber duck is anyone out there come on. To my shock someone answered back and it wasn't my grandson. No idea how far away this person was.

[JesusUWH]

We’re in a similar location to yours, out in the country. Mine would only do about .4 mile. And that was in the winter with no foliage on the trees. I was a little disappointed. Guess they’re good for close range things like the yard, at a fair like you mentioned, etc.

[jasonposte]

The call button is a bit of a headache but other than that I really enjoy these radio.

[donalderickson-siww]

cobera radio's have a half watt transmitter that is why you got line of site at .75 miles
on family service

[oldgoat]

I just picked up a pair of COBRA CTX450 for $4 at a flea market with the charger.
I have had many FRS radios and I find the max range is a mile, NO trees, line of sight.
Did you have them set on HI power or LOW power?

[superblindeye]

Where are you guys from? You have a unique accent.

[JohnMChew]

I misplaced the instruction manual and I forgot how to cycle through and select the channels.

[foxman]

Get a beofeng uv5r they have better range on frs gmrs and murs they alot better those walmart radios i have got it 8miles to 14miles out on a frs on a beofeng.

[cpbbgbcbbg]

Not. However if you would have get uniden basically bought from Canadian tire did quite a bit of range if you are line-of-sight and of course to be taking into consideration curvature these are not as good CB however going up the mountain from UBC to a mountain that is 52 km away managed to make my contact on on 1/2 w

These are optimal conditions of course


You might be able to get the little bit more power by modifying the antenna if you can get a counterpoise going you might be able to increase the range out of those I suspect you beat you doing 10 between 100 ml w.

It is going to work better if you are up a mountain if you can see that person you should be able to talk to that there another powerful I can she did however it was a cool test 73 and all the I do myself a bit of CB and gmrs FRS