Cobra CB Radio - Cobra 25 LTD Classic 40 Channel AM FM CB Radio
Cobra 25 LTD Classic 40-Channel AM/FM CB Radio — The Compact Classic, Now with FM
The Cobra 25 LTD Classic is Cobra's compact take on the CB radio that made the brand a household name. Same classic Cobra layout and controls as the 29 LTD Classic, in a chassis that's noticeably shorter front-to-back and easier to fit under a dash or in a tight console pocket. The latest production run adds FM mode alongside the standard 40 AM channels — a genuinely useful upgrade for cleaner audio when band conditions allow.
Every Cobra 25 LTD Classic from CB Radio Supply ships with the microphone, DC power cord, mounting bracket, and mic clip. Add the recommended Pro Tune and alignment at checkout and it leaves the bench dialed in to Cobra's service-manual spec before it ever hits your dash.
Who this radio is for
- Truckers and pickup drivers who want a proven Cobra CB in a chassis that fits tight mounting spots where a full-size Cobra 29 won't
- Off-roaders, Jeep, and side-by-side owners — the 8 5/8" × 6 3/8" × 2 1/8" chassis fits under-dash mounts, roll-cage mounts, and overhead consoles where space is at a premium
- First-time CB buyers looking for straightforward controls and legal, license-free operation on the standard 40 CB channels
- Cobra loyalists upgrading from an older 25 LTD who want the newer FM-capable version
Cobra 25 LTD Classic specifications
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Channels | 40 CB (26.965–27.405 MHz) |
| Modes | AM / FM |
| Output power | 4 watts (FCC Part 95 limit) |
| FCC certification | Part 95 — legal CB, no license required |
| Microphone jack | Front-panel 4-pin |
| Meter | S/RF combination meter |
| Channel display | Illuminated LCD |
| RF gain | Yes |
| Mic gain | Adjustable |
| Noise blanker | Switchable |
| SWR meter | Not built in — external meter required for antenna tuning |
| Included microphone | Heavy-duty dynamic, 9 ft coiled cord |
| Length | 8 5/8" (back of case to bezel) |
| Width | 6 3/8" |
| Height | 2 1/8" |
| Manufacturer warranty | 1 year |
Why operators pick the Cobra 25 LTD Classic
- Classic Cobra controls — the same knob layout, RF/mic gain arrangement, and S/RF meter that Cobra drivers have used for decades, so anyone stepping down from a Cobra 29 will feel at home immediately
- FM mode included — cleaner audio when FM-capable stations are on the channel, still fully backward-compatible on AM
- Front-panel 4-pin mic connector — standard CB wiring, drops in aftermarket 4-pin mics without adapters
- Illuminated LCD channel display — clear at a glance day or night
- S/RF combination meter — signal strength on receive, relative RF output on transmit, on the same needle
- Switchable noise blanker + RF gain — knock down engine noise and dial in receive sensitivity for the environment you're operating in
- Heavy-duty dynamic mic with a 9 ft coiled cord — usable stock mic, no immediate upgrade required
- Cobra service network — parts, service manuals, and warranty support are widely available
Form factor: the compact Cobra
The 25 LTD Classic is Cobra's compact chassis — the same classic Cobra CB engineering in a shorter, narrower box than the flagship Cobra 29 LTD Classic. At 8 5/8" × 6 3/8" × 2 1/8", it fits mounting locations that won't accept a 29-sized radio: under-dash brackets in pickups, roll-cage mounts in Jeeps and side-by-sides, tight overhead console pockets. Chassis dimensions and mounting-bracket compatibility are the main things that separate the 25 LTD from the 29 LTD; feature-wise the two are close cousins in the same Cobra family.
Vehicle fitment guide
| Vehicle type | Fitment notes |
|---|---|
| Pickup trucks (F-150, Silverado, Ram, Tundra) | Under-dash bracket or center console mount; the compact chassis fits where a 29 won't |
| Jeep Wrangler / Gladiator | Overhead grab-bar mount, dash mount, or roll-cage mount — all work with the 25 LTD's small footprint |
| UTV / side-by-side (Polaris, Can-Am, Kawasaki) | Roll-cage mount above the passenger; leave clearance for the 9 ft coiled mic cord |
| Class 8 truckers | Overhead console or slim under-dash mount when a full-size Cobra 29 is too tall or too deep for the space |
| Base station operators | Sits comfortably on a desk with a matched 12V power supply and external antenna |
What's in the box
- Cobra 25 LTD Classic CB radio
- Heavy-duty dynamic microphone with 9 ft coiled cord and clip
- DC power cord
- Mounting bracket and hardware
Licensing and legal
The Cobra 25 LTD Classic is an FCC Part 95 certified Citizens Band (CB) radio. It operates on the standard 40 CB channels (26.965–27.405 MHz) and is license-free — anyone in the United States can legally use it under the CB service rules. It is not a 10 meter amateur radio and is not intended to be modified for out-of-band operation.
Pro Tune and alignment
Don't forget to add the Pro tune and alignment option at checkout so that your radio is professionally bench-tuned for best performance per the manufacturer's service manual.
Available bench upgrades
The Cobra 25 LTD Classic supports several bench upgrades that CB Radio Supply installs before the radio ships:
- Echo or Connex board upgrade — adds adjustable echo to your transmit audio
- Talkback upgrade — lets you hear your own transmit audio through the radio's speaker to monitor your own sound
- Schottky diode receiver upgrade — replaces the receive-side diode for slightly improved receive sensitivity
All upgrades are optional add-ons at checkout. If you're getting Pro Tune, adding upgrades at the same time means one trip through the bench instead of two.
Antenna and SWR
The Cobra 25 LTD Classic does not have a built-in SWR meter. To tune your antenna you'll need an external SWR meter (or a shop that can do the antenna install). Antenna SWR should be brought to 2.0:1 or lower — CB radios are more tolerant of high SWR than 100+ watt amateur rigs, but chronic high SWR still shortens finals life. SWR is verified at antenna install, not on the radio bench.
Warranty
The Cobra 25 LTD Classic carries a 1 year manufacturer warranty against defects. CB Radio Supply also honors a 30-day in-house warranty against defects. Damage caused by installation issues or antenna-system problems (high SWR, incorrect wiring) is not covered by our in-house warranty but may be addressed by Cobra's manufacturer warranty on a case-by-case basis.
Recommended upgrades and accessories
- Astatic 636L noise-canceling microphone — a proven aftermarket 4-pin mic upgrade over the stock dynamic
- Gear Keeper RT4-4112-28 retractable mic keeper — keeps the mic off the floor and off the shifter
- 18 ft Astatic low-loss RG8X coax — good-quality mobile coax run at a sensible length
- Workman RV1 single-groove mirror mount — affordable mirror mount for compact CB antennas
- Browse CB antennas — magnet mount, mirror mount, and Skipshooter fiberglass options
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a license to use the Cobra 25 LTD Classic?
No. The Cobra 25 LTD Classic is FCC Part 95 certified for the Citizens Band service, which is license-free in the United States. Anyone can operate it on the standard 40 CB channels under the CB service rules — no test, no application, no fee. This is the main difference between a CB radio like the 25 LTD Classic and a 10 meter amateur radio, which does require an FCC amateur license.
What does "AM/FM" mean on a CB radio?
AM is the traditional modulation mode CB has used since the service was created — every 40-channel CB can transmit and receive AM. FM is a newer option on 40-channel CBs and produces cleaner audio when both stations involved are running FM-capable radios. The FCC authorized FM on the 40 CB channels in 2021, and newer Cobra radios (including this 25 LTD Classic) support it. You'll still use AM when talking to older CBs — the mode is selectable on the front panel.
How is the Cobra 25 LTD Classic different from the Cobra 29 LTD Classic?
The main difference is the chassis size. The 25 LTD Classic is Cobra's compact chassis at 8 5/8" long × 6 3/8" wide × 2 1/8" tall; the 29 LTD Classic uses Cobra's full-size chassis and is noticeably deeper and wider. The two share the same classic Cobra control layout — RF gain, mic gain, S/RF meter, illuminated LCD channel display, front-panel 4-pin mic jack — so a driver moving from one to the other has essentially no learning curve. Which one is right depends almost entirely on the mounting space you have available.
How much power does the Cobra 25 LTD Classic transmit?
4 watts on AM and 4 watts on FM — the maximum output the FCC allows for Part 95 CB radios. All 40-channel Citizens Band radios are held to the same output limit, so no legally certified CB will legally transmit more than 4 watts. What separates CBs at this power level is antenna system quality, receive sensitivity, and microphone audio — not raw wattage.
Does the Cobra 25 LTD Classic have a built-in SWR meter?
No — this radio does not have a built-in SWR meter. To tune your antenna to the correct standing-wave ratio you'll need an external SWR meter (roughly $25–$50 for a serviceable one) or you can have the antenna installed and tuned by a shop. SWR is verified at antenna install, not on the radio bench. Target SWR is 2.0:1 or lower — CBs are more tolerant than amateur radios, but chronic high SWR will still shorten the radio's finals life.
Will my existing 4-pin CB mic work with the 25 LTD Classic?
Yes, as long as it uses standard CB 4-pin wiring — which is by far the most common wiring standard for aftermarket CB mics. Pin 1 is ground, Pin 2 is audio, Pin 3 is TX, Pin 4 is RX. Most aftermarket mics from Astatic, Ranger, and Cobra-compatible brands drop straight in. If you're not sure whether your mic uses the standard wiring, check the mic's wiring diagram or the shop where you bought it.
Will the 25 LTD Classic fit in my truck / Jeep / pickup?
The 25 LTD is 8 5/8" long × 6 3/8" wide × 2 1/8" tall — one of the more compact CBs on the market. It fits under-dash mounts, center-console mounts, overhead-console pockets, and roll-cage mounts on pickups, Jeeps, UTVs, and Class 8 trucks. If you can measure a 9 × 7 × 3 inch space (allowing an inch of clearance for cable connections), the 25 LTD will fit.
What are the bench upgrades and are they worth it?
CB Radio Supply installs three optional upgrades on the 25 LTD Classic before it ships: an echo or Connex board (adds adjustable echo to your transmit audio), a talkback upgrade (lets you hear your own transmit through the radio's speaker to monitor how you sound), and a Schottky diode receiver upgrade (slightly improves receive sensitivity). None are required — the stock radio works fine. Whether they're worth it depends on how you use the radio: talkback is popular with drivers who want to hear themselves, echo is popular with folks who like the classic CB "big sound," and the Schottky upgrade is a modest tweak most operators won't notice unless they're chasing weak signals.
Should I add the Pro Tune option at checkout?
We recommend it. The Pro Tune and alignment option gets your radio professionally bench-tuned for best performance per the manufacturer's service manual before it ships. Even on a $135 CB, a proper bench alignment gets the radio to the manufacturer's spec instead of leaving you with whatever the factory tolerance was on that particular unit. If you're also getting bench upgrades installed, doing them all at once saves a second trip through the bench.
What comes in the box?
Every Cobra 25 LTD Classic shipped from CB Radio Supply includes the radio, a heavy-duty dynamic microphone with a 9 ft coiled cord and clip, a DC power cord, and a mounting bracket with hardware. That's everything you need to bench-test the radio and mount it — you'll add coax, an antenna, and power wiring to complete the install.