The Cobra 29 LX CB Radio is a 40-channel, dual-mode AM/FM CB radio built on Cobra’s proven 29 platform, featuring a 4-color selectable display, NOAA weather alerts, instant channels 9/19, and a built-in SWR meter. It ships stock from the factory and always ships free, with our Pro Tune and Alignment service available as an optional add-on for maximum performance.

Quick CB Radio Features & Specs:

• 40 CB Channels, Dual-Mode AM/FM
• 4-Color Selectable LCD Display With Dimmer
• Variable Talkback Control
• 10 Channel NOAA Weather Alert
• Microphone Included
• Adjustable Mic Gain
• Instant Channel 9/19
• Radio Check Self-Test Feature
• SWR Meter & Alert
• Built-In Clock, Timer, and Alarm
• Pro Tune and Alignment Recommended
• Receiver Upgrade Available

Dimensions:

• Length 8 3/4" from back of case to bezel
• Width 7 5/16"
• Height 2 3/16"

Cobra 29 LX CB Radio Full Breakdown and Bench Test

The Cobra 29 LX CB Radio is Cobra’s newer take on the classic 29 platform, bringing a few useful updates. You get dual-mode AM/FM, a four-color LCD display, instant access to channels 9 and 19, an SWR meter, and NOAA weather alerts.

That sounds great on the box, but what really matters is what comes with it, how the controls are laid out, and what the radio does once it hits the bench. That is where this breakdown comes in.

What comes in the box

Out of the box, the Cobra 29 LX CB Radio includes the standard basics you would expect:

• Mounting bracket
• Stock 4-pin Cobra microphone
• Power cord
• Mic clip
• Mounting screws and hardware

The bracket is the usual Cobra 29 style bracket, nothing unusual there. It will do the job.

The stock microphone is exactly what you would expect from a stock mic. It works, it is fine in a pinch, and it is okay for a beginner setup. But if this radio is going into regular daily or professional use, the factory mic is probably not where you want to stay long term.

The included power cord is light-duty. On a basic Cobra 29 setup, that is not necessarily a problem. For a stock radio, it is serviceable. If the radio gets peaked and tuned, though, the stock 2-amp fuse is probably something to look at. In that case, stepping up to a 5 amp fuse, and in some situations even a 10 amp fuse, makes more sense.

The rest of the hardware package is standard radio stuff. You get the little mic clip and the screws to mount both the clip and the bracket. Nothing fancy, but everything needed to get started is there.

Front panel controls on the Cobra 29 LX CB Radio

This is where the Cobra 29 LX CB Radio sets itself apart a bit from older, simpler radios. The layout still feels familiar if you know a Cobra 29, but it has more built-in features.

Noise blanker and meter modes

On the left side, you have your noise blanker control. That is there to help tame unwanted noise.

You also have the meter mode control, which lets you switch what the meter is showing. That includes standard send-and-receive readings and SWR-related readings for calibration and checking antenna performance.

Volume, squelch, and microphone jack

Up front, the basics are still where they should be. You have:

• Volume
• Squelch
• Standard 4 pin Cobra mic jack

No surprises here. If you have used a Cobra before, this part will feel familiar.

Mic gain

The next control over is the dynamic or mic gain knob. This adjusts how much audio the microphone is feeding into the radio. Turn it down to tame things a bit, or up to get more out of your mic.

Channel selector and menu system

The channel selector does more than just change channels. It also acts as the entry point to the menu system when pressed.

The radio includes menu options for things like:

• Clock functions
• Key tones
• Display settings
• Other configurable options built into the LX platform

One thing worth mentioning here is that these channel controls use an encoder board, and those can fail. So do not get rough with it.

Display colors and day or night settings

One of the more noticeable features on the Cobra 29 LX CB Radio is the display. You can cycle through four display colors:

• Blue
• Orange
• Red
• Green

You can also choose day or night style brightness settings. The idea is simple. Run it brighter when you need it, and tone it down when you do not.

If display customization matters to you, this is one of the nicer touches on the radio.

RF gain

The RF gain control adjusts receiver sensitivity. In practical terms, it affects how much of the world the radio can listen to. Turn it one way, and you open the receiving side up more. Turn it the other way, and you tighten things down.

That can be a useful control when conditions are noisy or when you want to cut back on weaker signals.

Delta tune

Now for the control that gets people talking for all the wrong reasons: delta tune.

On older radios, a control like this could act more like a fine clarifier. On modern versions like this, it really does not do much of anything useful in normal operation. A lot of people leave it alone. Some use that location for an echo control when modifying the radio.

The problem there is cosmetic as much as anything else. Echo conversions on this model are not always the prettiest setup, especially if you care about keeping the factory look intact.

If built-in echo is your big goal, there are other radios that make more sense for that path.

Talkback

One genuinely nice addition is built-in talkback. It is good to finally see it included on a Cobra 29 in a way that actually works well.

That makes it easier to monitor your own transmit audio without needing extra tricks or external modifications.

SWR calibrate

The SWR calibrate control is there for checking your antenna system. If you are going to set up and verify SWR at the radio, this is part of that process.

That built-in SWR functionality is useful for anyone who wants a classic-style radio with some self-check capability right on the faceplate.

Scan, mode, AM or FM, and dimmer

Other front panel features include:

• Scan for running through channels
• CB, Weather, or PA mode selection
• AM or FM mode switch
• Dimmer with day and night style settings

That gives the Cobra 29 LX CB Radio a wider feature set than an old bare-bones 29, while still keeping the overall layout recognizable.

Rear panel connections

On the back of the radio, the connections are straightforward:

• Standard 3-pin Cobra power connection
• SO239 antenna connector
• PA speaker jack
• External speaker jack

No weird surprises back there. Hookup is exactly what most CB users would expect.

Bench tune and alignment results

After opening the radio and doing a full pro tune and alignment, the first thing to verify is the receive side.

On the bench, the radio was shown receiving properly with a full-scale style signal indication matching what the test setup was feeding it. That is exactly what you want to see after alignment. The receive section was doing what it was supposed to do.

Cobra 29 LX CB Radio power test

Now for the part most people care about: output.

The Cobra 29 LX CB Radio was tested on the bench using a Bird meter. Tone was injected so the radio could be checked on both average and peak readings.

Average power

On average power, the radio was right around 10 watts.

Peak power

On peak, it came in around 20 watts.

Voice test output

On voice, the radio was landing around 25 watts, which is a pretty normal result for this kind of setup.

That voice test was done with the stock microphone, and that matters. A better microphone can change how the radio behaves in actual use, even if the bench numbers do not tell the whole story.

So if you are looking at this from a real-world operating standpoint, the takeaway is simple:

• About 10 watts average
• About 20 watts peak
• About 25 watts on voice

For a tuned and aligned Cobra 29 LX CB Radio, that is a solid result.

Audio and talkback check

With talkback engaged and an external speaker connected, the radio’s audio monitoring was checked directly. The built-in talkback function worked well, which is one of the better practical features on this model.

That is helpful if you like hearing your transmitted audio and keeping tabs on how the radio sounds without adding extra gear.

What stands out about the Cobra 29 LX CB Radio

After going through the radio from the box to the bench, a few things stand out.

• The display is a big upgrade. The four color LCD gives the radio a more modern look and a bit of flexibility.
• AM and FM capability adds versatility. That gives this version a broader appeal than the older AM-only 29 models.
• Built-in talkback is a welcome feature. It is practical and it works.
• The stock mic is usable but not exciting. It is fine to get started, but there is room to improve the setup quickly.
• Delta tune is mostly along for the ride. It is there, but for most people it is not doing anything meaningful.
• The encoder style channel control should be handled carefully. That is one area where you do not want to be heavy-handed.

Final take

The Cobra 29 LX CB Radio retains the familiar Cobra 29 DNA while adding enough features to feel more current. The dual mode AM and FM operation, weather functions, talkback, and customizable display all make it more interesting than a stripped-down old-school 29.

It is not perfect. The stock mic is basic, the delta tune knob is basically a leftover, and the channel encoder deserves some care. But once tuned and aligned, the radio shows respectable output and solid receive behavior.

If you want a Cobra 29 style radio with modern display options, built-in talkback, weather capability, and AM and FM support, the Cobra 29 LX CB Radio is a good one to have on the bench.

As with all of our radio models, this Cobra 29 LX CB Radio ships free.

Cobra 29 LX CB Radio: Frequently Asked Questions

How many channels does the Cobra 29 LX have?

The Cobra 29 LX is a full 40-channel CB radio with dual-mode AM/FM operation, plus 10 dedicated NOAA weather channels for storm and emergency alerts.

What is the best antenna for a Cobra 29 LX?

Any standard SO-239-compatible CB antenna will work with the Cobra 29 LX. For serious range and durability, we recommend the Stryker SR-A10 CB Antenna, a popular pairing with this radio.

Should I upgrade the stock microphone?

The included 4-pin microphone is fine for casual use, but if you run this radio daily or professionally, upgrading to a mic like the CB Radio Microphone - DRX-6560 will noticeably improve your transmit audio.

Is the Cobra 29 LX peaked and tuned?

Not by default. The Cobra 29 LX CB Radio ships stock from the factory. If you want yours bench-tested, peaked, and tuned for maximum output and receive performance, add our Pro Tune and Alignment service ($39.50) to your order.