Need some help with Cobra 29ltd Classic.

You should have a SWR meter on the left, there should be a SWR Calibration dial on the face, calibrate that.

Then reduce the squelch until you get a signal.

If you don't have much besides static, then I suppose there isnt anyone talking that close to you yet.

 

When you are parked in a truck stop ask " break 19 can I get a radio check please" if someone responds that is in the truck stop parking lot and the transmission is full of static, you may have a problem, if it is loud and clear free of static then its working fine, the other chatter you are hearing is probably quite a distance away and you are just barely picking them up.

 

When you say antenna is tuned properly does that mean you checked the swr and it is acceptable? Not to imply you are clueless, I only ask because I have encountered individuals who were under the impression that all they had to do was set switch on cal, key up and turn cal knob until needle was on 1 and it was set not realizing that swr is adjusted at antenna not radio, radio or external meter only checks swr.

 

Can you make a video of you doing a radio check and let us see what you're getting back? Also post 4 is good advice. You said it's tuned properly. Do you know how to tune an antenna? Some people don't. Not calling you an idiot.