Cobra 148GTL adding FM?

A forum for the discussion of matters of a technical nature. All such activities are undertaken at the readers discretion and own risk. If you don't know what you are doing, don't blame us if it all goes wrong!
PeterA
Super Member
Super Member
Posts: 194
Joined: 13 Oct 2018, 07:36
Call Sign: 26TM2714
Location: Kent

Cobra 148GTL adding FM?

Post by PeterA »

Hi,

Can FM be added to these...

If yes, Spectrum FM455?

And does anyone have a How2 or fitting instructions for it?

:think:
WANTED
Galaxy Pluto, 2100, DX88HL, President Ronald (Or Equivalent)
SuperStar 3900 MK1
President Adams
Cobra 148 GTL
User avatar
cb4ever104
Legend
Legend
Posts: 6551
Joined: 28 Jul 2011, 21:26
Location: Alicante , España

Re: Cobra 148GTL adding FM?

Post by cb4ever104 »

PeterA wrote: 09 May 2021, 14:02 Can FM be added to these...
If yes, Spectrum FM455?
Edit : Spectrum say it can't be done . See below You get the fitting instructions when you buy the kit . Here's a copy of mine .
FM.jpg
S.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Last edited by cb4ever104 on 10 May 2021, 08:08, edited 1 time in total.
30TM060
Paul aka "Sammy". (108) PY60 Old Paisley DX Group (RIP Rab Markie)
Ex GM0 , now EA5 .
Handle "Fortune Hunter" back in "the day"
Radios ....? Anything that says "TAIWAN R.O.C" on the back.
PeterA
Super Member
Super Member
Posts: 194
Joined: 13 Oct 2018, 07:36
Call Sign: 26TM2714
Location: Kent

Re: Cobra 148GTL adding FM?

Post by PeterA »

cb4ever104 wrote: 09 May 2021, 15:16
PeterA wrote: 09 May 2021, 14:02 Can FM be added to these...
If yes, Spectrum FM455?
Yes , and yes . You get the fitting instructions when you buy the kit . Here's a copy of mine .

S.
Appreciate the super quick reply...

Did you fit yours to a 148GTL specifically or another?

Thanks again! :thumbup:
WANTED
Galaxy Pluto, 2100, DX88HL, President Ronald (Or Equivalent)
SuperStar 3900 MK1
President Adams
Cobra 148 GTL
User avatar
cb4ever104
Legend
Legend
Posts: 6551
Joined: 28 Jul 2011, 21:26
Location: Alicante , España

Re: Cobra 148GTL adding FM?

Post by cb4ever104 »

Edit . I fitted one in a Madison, but it wasn't fully tested . I have another one that I've built, but haven't fitted yet to my 148 GTL. I'll get round to it at the end of the year. I may put one in my 2000 GTL as well at some point.
Last edited by cb4ever104 on 10 May 2021, 08:10, edited 2 times in total.
30TM060
Paul aka "Sammy". (108) PY60 Old Paisley DX Group (RIP Rab Markie)
Ex GM0 , now EA5 .
Handle "Fortune Hunter" back in "the day"
Radios ....? Anything that says "TAIWAN R.O.C" on the back.
PeterA
Super Member
Super Member
Posts: 194
Joined: 13 Oct 2018, 07:36
Call Sign: 26TM2714
Location: Kent

Re: Cobra 148GTL adding FM?

Post by PeterA »

cb4ever104 wrote: 09 May 2021, 16:31 I did one in my Madison, which is the same. I have another one that I've built, but haven't fitted yet to my 148 GTL. I'll get round to it at the end of the year. I may put one in my 2000 GTL as well at some point.
I'll post if I get stuck, highly likely! :eh:

I'll have to see how hard it would be to put on the rotary switch with the AM,USB and LSB (apart from needing a 4 position switch)

:thumbup:
WANTED
Galaxy Pluto, 2100, DX88HL, President Ronald (Or Equivalent)
SuperStar 3900 MK1
President Adams
Cobra 148 GTL
User avatar
cb4ever104
Legend
Legend
Posts: 6551
Joined: 28 Jul 2011, 21:26
Location: Alicante , España

Re: Cobra 148GTL adding FM?

Post by cb4ever104 »

Edit : Actually that's something that I needed to look at too :) The Madison has a separate AM/FM switch It won't be that hard to do on the 148/2000. Maybe a 2 pole 4 way , or 3 pole. I'll need to draw it out first. All good fun :)
Last edited by cb4ever104 on 10 May 2021, 08:11, edited 1 time in total.
30TM060
Paul aka "Sammy". (108) PY60 Old Paisley DX Group (RIP Rab Markie)
Ex GM0 , now EA5 .
Handle "Fortune Hunter" back in "the day"
Radios ....? Anything that says "TAIWAN R.O.C" on the back.
PeterA
Super Member
Super Member
Posts: 194
Joined: 13 Oct 2018, 07:36
Call Sign: 26TM2714
Location: Kent

Re: Cobra 148GTL adding FM?

Post by PeterA »

cb4ever104 wrote: 09 May 2021, 18:37 Actually that's something that I needed to look at too :) I had a separate AM/FM switch on the Madison , so it was pretty straight forward. It won't be that hard to do on the 148/2000. Maybe a 2 pole 4 way , or 3 pole. I'll need to draw it out first. All good fun :)
If you manage to draw it up would appreciate the info! :thumbup:

I'll see if I can find a 148gtl schematic and have look!

EDIT~

http://www.cbtricks.com/radios/cobra/148gtl/index.htm 8)
WANTED
Galaxy Pluto, 2100, DX88HL, President Ronald (Or Equivalent)
SuperStar 3900 MK1
President Adams
Cobra 148 GTL
User avatar
cb4ever104
Legend
Legend
Posts: 6551
Joined: 28 Jul 2011, 21:26
Location: Alicante , España

Re: Cobra 148GTL adding FM?

Post by cb4ever104 »

PeterA wrote: 09 May 2021, 19:03 If you manage to draw it up would appreciate the info! :thumbup:
Yeah . I won't be doing it till later in the year . I've got all the service info for the 148 GTL . I've just had a look . The existing mode switch is 3 pole . So , I'm pretty sure a 4 way 3 pole will suffice . However , I'll need to go through it . It might also be worth sending Tony an email at Spectrum as well , to see if he has any bits of advice . Also , the 148 GTL-DX wiring will also come in handy as we're ultimately going to end up with the same FM switch configuration . I don't have my radios here . I'll maybe try and draw something up using the schematics when I get a chance .
30TM060
Paul aka "Sammy". (108) PY60 Old Paisley DX Group (RIP Rab Markie)
Ex GM0 , now EA5 .
Handle "Fortune Hunter" back in "the day"
Radios ....? Anything that says "TAIWAN R.O.C" on the back.
PeterA
Super Member
Super Member
Posts: 194
Joined: 13 Oct 2018, 07:36
Call Sign: 26TM2714
Location: Kent

Re: Cobra 148GTL adding FM?

Post by PeterA »

cb4ever104 wrote: 09 May 2021, 19:26
PeterA wrote: 09 May 2021, 19:03 If you manage to draw it up would appreciate the info! :thumbup:
Yeah . I won't be doing it till later in the year . I've got all the service info for the 148 GTL . I've just had a look . The existing mode switch is 3 pole . So , I'm pretty sure a 4 way 3 pole will suffice . However , I'll need to go through it . It might also be worth sending Tony an email at Spectrum as well , to see if he has any bits of advice . Also , the 148 GTL-DX wiring will also come in handy as we're ultimately going to end up with the same FM switch configuration . I don't have my radios here . I'll maybe try and draw something up using the schematics when I get a chance .
Funnily enough I'm just sending Tony a message via eBay now... Will see if he's in a knowledge giving mood or not... (Seems to be hit and miss which Tony you get from my experience!) :(

I'll refresh the old brain matter regarding the DX wiring and see what I come up with too! :thumbup:

Thanks,

Peter.
WANTED
Galaxy Pluto, 2100, DX88HL, President Ronald (Or Equivalent)
SuperStar 3900 MK1
President Adams
Cobra 148 GTL
PeterA
Super Member
Super Member
Posts: 194
Joined: 13 Oct 2018, 07:36
Call Sign: 26TM2714
Location: Kent

Re: Cobra 148GTL adding FM?

Post by PeterA »

Well got a reply from Spectrum... Not what I was expecting though!

Spectrum_Reply_148GTL.jpg
:problem:
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
WANTED
Galaxy Pluto, 2100, DX88HL, President Ronald (Or Equivalent)
SuperStar 3900 MK1
President Adams
Cobra 148 GTL
User avatar
cb4ever104
Legend
Legend
Posts: 6551
Joined: 28 Jul 2011, 21:26
Location: Alicante , España

Re: Cobra 148GTL adding FM?

Post by cb4ever104 »

Yikes. Sorry about that Peter . Looks as if I've given you wrong information . I thought it would have worked in the 148. Gerhard does one that's compatible with it though.

http://funkservice.at/en_fm-modul.htm
Last edited by cb4ever104 on 10 May 2021, 08:14, edited 1 time in total.
30TM060
Paul aka "Sammy". (108) PY60 Old Paisley DX Group (RIP Rab Markie)
Ex GM0 , now EA5 .
Handle "Fortune Hunter" back in "the day"
Radios ....? Anything that says "TAIWAN R.O.C" on the back.
User avatar
cb4ever104
Legend
Legend
Posts: 6551
Joined: 28 Jul 2011, 21:26
Location: Alicante , España

Re: Cobra 148GTL adding FM?

Post by cb4ever104 »

I have my doubts about that Madison now . I used one of their boards I had ripped out from another radio to replace a faulty FM one on that Madison . It was years ago , but I'm now doubting it it actually worked :think: I fitted it , and I thought it sounded OK , but I didn't do much RX testing as we don't use FM much in Spain . I don't have that radio any more , so I can't check it . Saying that , Nick fitted one , so I'm not sure now .
163TM847 wrote: 20 Mar 2015, 22:29 This one was a standard AM/SSB 40 channel but now has a Spectrum FM board fitted which i wired to a four way mode switch and also added the PIC to do High band/Uk40/+10kc.

Works really well but not quite finished as i need to find something to hide the outside of the counter display and tidy some wires up.
Just in case I think I'll edit some of my previous comments , so as not to give incorrect information to other users .
30TM060
Paul aka "Sammy". (108) PY60 Old Paisley DX Group (RIP Rab Markie)
Ex GM0 , now EA5 .
Handle "Fortune Hunter" back in "the day"
Radios ....? Anything that says "TAIWAN R.O.C" on the back.
PeterA
Super Member
Super Member
Posts: 194
Joined: 13 Oct 2018, 07:36
Call Sign: 26TM2714
Location: Kent

Re: Cobra 148GTL adding FM?

Post by PeterA »

cb4ever104 wrote: 10 May 2021, 07:33 Yikes. Sorry about that Peter . Looks as if I've given you wrong information . I thought it would have worked in the 148. Gerhard does one that's compatible with it though.

http://funkservice.at/en_fm-modul.htm
Hi Paul,

No problem, learn something new everyday... :thumbup:

I'll drop Gerhard a message and check with him...

PCB FM-Module 7.8 MHz
Price: EUR 45

Appreciate the info and pointing me in the right direction! 8)
WANTED
Galaxy Pluto, 2100, DX88HL, President Ronald (Or Equivalent)
SuperStar 3900 MK1
President Adams
Cobra 148 GTL
User avatar
cb4ever104
Legend
Legend
Posts: 6551
Joined: 28 Jul 2011, 21:26
Location: Alicante , España

Re: Cobra 148GTL adding FM?

Post by cb4ever104 »

PeterA wrote: 10 May 2021, 10:08 Appreciate the info and pointing me in the right direction! 8)
No problem Peter . I need to do some checking on that Spectrum module myself , as I'm still not 100% clear on a few things .

Gerhard's modules are great , but they're not cheap . Postage is currently €15 . So that's €60 just to add FM . Anyway , let me know if you buy one , as I've never tried them .

Cheers
30TM060
Paul aka "Sammy". (108) PY60 Old Paisley DX Group (RIP Rab Markie)
Ex GM0 , now EA5 .
Handle "Fortune Hunter" back in "the day"
Radios ....? Anything that says "TAIWAN R.O.C" on the back.
PeterA
Super Member
Super Member
Posts: 194
Joined: 13 Oct 2018, 07:36
Call Sign: 26TM2714
Location: Kent

Re: Cobra 148GTL adding FM?

Post by PeterA »

cb4ever104 wrote: 10 May 2021, 10:19
PeterA wrote: 10 May 2021, 10:08 Appreciate the info and pointing me in the right direction! 8)
No problem Peter . I need to do some checking on that Spectrum module myself , as I'm still not 100% clear on a few things .

Gerhard's modules are great , but they're not cheap . Postage is currently €15 . So that's €60 just to add FM . Anyway , let me know if you buy one , as I've never tried them .

Cheers
Yep, Its a big jump from £15 to 60 euros (£52)

I may give this one a miss, got plenty of rigs to get FM...

Another option for the 148GTL is a DDS VFO kit! :crazy:

Thanks again!

Peter. :thumbup:
WANTED
Galaxy Pluto, 2100, DX88HL, President Ronald (Or Equivalent)
SuperStar 3900 MK1
President Adams
Cobra 148 GTL
Post Reply