Cobra 19 Ultra 6 CB radio

October 29, 2024

The Cobra 19 Ultra 6 appears to be a relabeled AnyTone Smart II. While previous Cobra 19 models had significant features missing, the Cobra 19 Ultra 6 has the necessary features to be a good choice in entry-level very compact CB radio.

From practical in-vehicle use, the speaker is adequately loud. Both AM and FM mode work well on transmit and receive. There is no “dual watch” channel capability, but this may not be a requirement for many users.

RF Gain is essential on any CB radio and the RF gain adjustment range of the Cobra 19 Ultra 6 is good. Typically RF gain between 24 and 39 is useful.

The radio appears to use audio compandoring, which helps improve apparent audio SNR. The radio has a traditional signal squelch as well as “auto” noise squelch. The general problem with noise squelch across CB radios is that overmodulated AM signals can close the squelch regardless of how strong the signal is.

Setting the RF Gain and Squelch on an AM CB radio is best done by opening the squelch – static is heard. Then set the RF Gain so that only very faint static is heard. Then set the signal squelch just closed.

Channel Scan

On firmware version 1.1, entering scan mode is different than the manual states. To enter channel scan, press and hold the microphone “up” or “down” button until the radio goes once through all 40 channels, then the radio beeps and release the button. The radio then scans all 40 channels repeatedly. Unfortunately, there does not appear to be a way to skip channels in scan mode. This means the radio will often stop on channels 6, 11, etc. with high power stations that may not be what the user wants to listen to.