Transceiver replacement Face Plates were pioneered by John Nugent in the early 1980's, the Genius behind the famous Cobra Transceiver MKV.
COBRA and SUPERSTAR Face Plates
During the late 1980's and early 1990's a demand grew for NEW Transceiver Face Plates. Owners wanted an immaculate looking Classic 148 GTL-DX (above) or Superstar 360 FM Transceiver.
COBRA
The below picture shows an early 90's 148 GTL-DX 'Vinyl-Sticker' type Face Plate.
In total about 1000 of these Vinyl-Stickers were sold from 1990 onwards. They are very easily recognisable because of the Font (lettering style) used. The "148 GTL-DX" logo was printed in a 'small-thin' type Font that is difficult to see and the rest of the lettering was in a much LARGER Font than original.
Shown below in Red is the small 148 logo and highlighted in Green is the LARGE lettering Font.
Other than the different Fonts, the layout was slightly different due to the increased size of the lettering. On an original Cobra 148 GTL-DX Face Plate, the words 'USB' and 'Fine' are side-by-side. On the Vinyl-Sticker Face Plate the word 'Fine' is above the word 'USB', see Yellow in above picture.
SUPERSTAR
The Superstar 360 FM Vinyl-Sticker Face Plate was instantly recognisable due to the inclusion of a "CB27/81" stamp located just below the TX/RX LED. If your 360 FM has a CB27/81 badge/stamp then you have the Vinyl-Sticker Face Plate. Peel it off to reveal the original 360 or maybe a 148 Faceplate? The below picture is of an original Superstar 360 FM Face Plate. (no badge)
The Superstar 360 FM version of Vinyl-Sticker Face Plate, shown below, has the CB 27/81 badge arrowed in Red to highlight it's position. Another difference to watch for, above the mode switch, the word Deviation is printed and only FM is shown, CW AM USB LSB are represented by dots.
'Brazilian' Plastic 3M Scotch YR-9767
More recently (2004) there have been different versions of Face Plates Manufactured. The cheapest of them all is a 'Plastic-Sticker' Face Plate made from Scotch 3M YR-9767 material. There are several disadvantages with the YR-9767 type Face Plates. Firstly they reflect light like glass (you can see your reflection in them) and do not look original compared to an original aluminium Face Plate. Scotch 3M YR-9767 shown below.
Many of the Brazilian Face Plates Cobraworxshopz have seen do not have the correct logos and Fonts.
The Face Plates also do-not fit correctly on original Cobra 148 GTL-DX or Superstar 360 FM Chrome Bezels... Be warned.
If the Brazillian Face Plates get warm the glue becomes unstuck and they peel off, as happened to the above YR-9767 Face Plate. On the plus-side they do make a good shoe horn or book mark! Below are a few examples of other Plastic Face Plates.
COBRAWORXSHOPZ FACE PLATES
Cobraworxshopz.com have a small quantity of Original Cobra 148 GTL-DX Face Plates. The very highest quality LASER-Cut Brushed-Aluminium, Professionally Screen-Printed, for owners of Classic Cobra 148 GTL-DX and Superstar 360 FM Transceivers who demand Superiour quality and Style. Our price is ONLY £17.99 + £2.50 for Secure P&P within the UK.
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