Cobra 19 DX IV Professional CB Radio

Curated from 132 real Reddit conversations

Refreshed on: March 19, 2025

Cobra 19 DX IV Professional CB Radio

Brand: Cobra
Price: $59
Snoop Score:
6.6
Sentiment
6.2
Popularity
7.0
Technical
6.7

Snoop's Take

The Cobra 19 DX IV Professional CB Radio is designed for both recreational and professional use, combining a compact size with robust features. Users appreciate its clear communication capabilities across 40 channels, with one stating, “everyone says I’m loud and clear,” highlighting its effectiveness in various environments, especially in construction and emergency situations. Although some feedback mentions sound quality issues related to antenna setup, overall, the product is recommended for those seeking a reliable and compact CB radio solution.

Not for you? Check out our other rated Fixed Mount CB Radios

Idk 🤷‍♂️ never had one in my truck.

Positive Feedback

Usually the voices on it come through all scratchy or garbled sounding.

Negative Feedback
Product
6.6
Cobra 19 DX IV Professional CB Radio
Emergency Roadside Assistance
7 / 10
Off-Road Adventures
10 / 10
Fleet and Delivery Coordination
7 / 10
Recreational Vehicle (RV) Travel
7 / 10
See how this compares to all Fixed Mount CB Radios

What it does well!

Key strengths users can’t stop talking about.
Compact design fits easily in vehicles
Idk 🤷‍♂️ never had one in my truck.
It's about the size of a single height radio head unit.
I got one of those Cobra CBs that has all the guts in the handset itself and the magnetic antenna.
Works great until you’re rock bouncing and forgot to take the mirror down.
Clear communication with 40 channels
I was sad when SKIP moved in, causing a lot of interference locally, but we now talked to people all over the world.
everyone says I’m loud and clear.
Real-time information for traffic and accidents
There is no other substitute for 'real-time' information.
It can save you from some traffic and accidents, also keep you out of trouble too….
A CB is a safety tool, and that's what so many don't understand.
Useful for communication in construction areas
Dump trucks and side dump trucks use them heavy especially in construction areas and rock pits to communicate with the loader operator.
it's required to have direct communication with your pilot driver.
Compact size fits well in vehicles
Super crazy and fun.
I have yet to buy a 10 meter radio.
the 75 is convenient.
Clear communication with crystal clear sound
What does the radio's built in SWR meter indicate on channel 20?
Accurate SWR readings with proper setup
The meter doesn't even flinch on 20.
It's actually a pretty good circuit.
Useful for communication in emergencies
CB Radio is the most Useful technology element to Truckers, Car Drivers, Policies, State officials.

Where it needs some work!

Areas to watch—feedback on possible improvements.
Poor sound quality due to antenna issues
Usually the voices on it come through all scratchy or garbled sounding.
I just learned that you have to tune the antenna with a SWR meter, which I also have no idea how to do.
AM channels are pretty much just rednecks on hyper amplified stations arguing all day.
Basic functionality with limited performance
They are basically cheap at Walmart radios.
It is a sub basic/cheap radio for sure but why not stash it somewhere in case you ever need an emergency/temp radio.
Mud duck.
Sound quality issues due to antenna problems
if the output wattage wasn't regulated at 4 watts if I recall correctly, but allowed the same wattage as VHF or 25-50 watts it could travel better.
Potential discrepancies between internal and external SWR meters
I would definitely pick up an external SWR meter if you don’t have one. As I inherently don’t trust internal meters.
High SWR warning indicates potential antenna issues
Need help with "CB ANTENNA WARNING" message I'm running a a Cobra 29LX in my 2016 International day cab with dual fire stick fs-II antennas.
Means high SWR, which could be an antenna or a coax issue.
Need for antenna adjustment knowledge
I'll take the cover off tonight and look for the pot you're talking about.
How are the antennas mounted? Are they getting a good ground?
Poor sound quality due to interference
I'm getting a whole lot of static on all channels, but I can still hear others talking.
I have a USB charger that makes so much noise it drowns out everything else.

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Core Power Plays

The specs and strengths that make it shine.
Recommendations for better antennas
These can’t be beat for the price point.
DSW are reading for channel 20 gives us the middle of the band and it will tell us very quickly if there's a serious issue with the antenna.
Importance of antenna grounding
I would willing to bet the base of the antenna is not grounded to the vehicle or the lug is improperly assembled to the mount.
I bet if you take some grounding braid and ground the body of your car to the frame in let's say 8-10 places, it will be a night and day difference.

Hidden Hero Hacks

Unexpected tricks and side‑door uses you’ll love.
Drivers use CB radio for real-time road updates
Trying to talk around lots of obstructions like trees, hills, or city buildings your going to need a quality antenna with good ground.
Drivers rely on CB for warnings from oncoming traffic
What good does a CB do you if there isn’t a person in front of you calling out that there is an issue ahead.
Discussion about antenna tuning and setup
you can get out to almost Texas with skip and a good setup.
CB is on 11m, which can skip halfway around the world at 10 watts if conditions are just right.
Any other antenna won’t provide you the results your looking for; period, point, blank.
Not only would this cure your problem but it would also massively increase the efficiency of your antenna system both on transmit and receive.
Discussion about wiring directly to the battery
I'm pretty sure that you can't use the cat as an antenna.
Totally get what you mean about the power fluctuation in the cig ports.
Usually a 2 amp fuse is enough for a stock radio.
Thanks for the advice, bud!
Discussion about tuning antenna and SWR issues
I've watched videos about turning a vr6 nob on the circuit board, mine have RT nobs.
Did you tune your antenna?
I would seriously recommend LEAVE THE TUNING POINTS ALONE before you check your antenna system.
Discussion about antenna tuning issues
the only way to do that is by using an antenna analyser to see exactly where the SWR dip is.
I can sit the antenna on top of the cab and have 1.3:1 swr but it's not even attached.
how are you measuring your SWR?
Needed. Larger flat piece of metal under magmount.
Discussion about mounting locations for CB radios
I just mounted one on my 1982 two days ago.
I was looking at getting rid of the pocket under my radio and getting one of those single din style cb radios.

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

What to check before you click ‘Add to Cart.’
Need for antenna tuning knowledge
Im learning myself, im a newbie.
Sounds like you have a high SWR and the radio is protecting itself from blowing up.
I had my SWRS at 1.4 and .2 and it was actually working good.
The best you can get is 1.0 so I'm not sure about that 0.2 you're saying.
Considerations for emergency use
Could it be possible something is wrong with my radio or could my antenna have an internal breakage somewhere.
It’s what you make of it.
Your advice is against the european law if the user don't have a licence to use it.

Cautionary Callouts

Know the pitfalls before they catch you off guard.
CB radios still provide unique advantages over apps
I'm just not hearing this crap about how Waze is somehow a substitute for a CB.
Discussion about SSB (single sideband) importance
Eliminate all that do not include SSB (single sideband).
Cobra 25/29 Classic Radio & Wilson Little Wil Antenna are my go-to first setup.
Make sure it has ssb, you'll want it later trust me.
Quality control issues with older models
Cobra 29lx power output fail I have a cobra 29 and have been trying to trouble shoot it for forever.
Cobra radio QC is no longer what it was when Cobra gained its popularity.
Discussion about SWR meter reliability
What are you using for SWR meter? Try multiple meters.
If the radio works fine into a dummy load without the warning light but it lights up with antenna use then it's a sure sign something is getting RF back into the radio.
Concerns about lack of improvements in CB radio design
you’ll also see how your sweet sick ass LCD radio is really the same ass design from forever ago.

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