Introduction Our Thanks to You and Customer Assistance Belt Clip Engagement Our Thanks to You Owner’s Manual Introduction Radio Controls and Indicators • Thank you for purchasing a CobraMarine® VHF radio. Properly used, this Cobra® product will give you many years of reliable service. Speaker/ Microphone External Cover ON/OFF/ Volume Control How Your CobraMarine VHF Radio Works Antenna This radio is a battery-powered portable transceiver for use afloat.
Backlit LCD Screen and Product Features Introduction Backlit LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) Screen Transmit and Receive Icons Introduction • Low/Medium/High Power Icons Weather Icon Frequency Band Icon Signal Level Icons Call Tone Icon Memory Channel Icon Simplex Operation Icon Button Lock Icon Battery Power Icon Scan Icon Key Tone Icon Product Features Roger Beep Icon UIC Active Channel Map Icons Power Settings Selectable power settings produce 1, 3 or 6 watts of output power for near or distant
Introduction Table of Contents Introduction Our Thanks to You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A1 Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A1 Radio Controls and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A2 Backlit LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A3 Product Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Introduction Important Safety Information Important Safety Information Before installing and using your CobraMarine VHF radio, please read these general precautions and warnings. Introduction • Warning and Notice Statements To make the most of this radio, it must be installed and used properly. Please read the installation and operating instructions carefully before installing and using the radio. Special attention must be paid to the WARNING and NOTICE statements in this manual.
Introduction General Precautions NOTICE Your radio is waterproof only when the batteries are properly installed. AVOID using or storing the radio at temperatures below -4˚F (-20˚C) or above 140˚F (60˚C). KEEP your radio at least 3 ft (0,9 m) away from your vessel’s magnetic navigation compass. DO NOT attempt to service any internal parts yourself. Have any necessary service performed by a qualified technician. This radio is supplied with a lithium-ion (LiON) rechargeable battery pack.
Introduction FCC Licensing Information FCC Licensing Information CobraMarine VHF radios comply with the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) requirements that regulate the Maritime Radio Service. The radio operates on all currently allocated marine channels and is switchable for use according to U.S.A., International or Canadian regulations.
VHF Marine Radio Protocols Installation Included in this Package Included in this Package You should find all of the following items in the package with your CobraMarine VHF radio: Radio Wrist Strap VHF Marine Radio Protocols Installation • Wrist Strap and Belt Clip Wrist Strap • Wrist Strap The radio comes with the wrist strap already attached. It can be easily removed if you choose not to use it.
VHF Marine Radio Protocols Installation Batteries and Charger Batteries and Charger LiON Battery Pack VHF Marine Radio Protocols Installation • WARNING The charger provided for this radio is only to be used to charge the battery pack provided. Do not charge any other type of batteries in the charger as fire, explosion or battery damage will occur. Avoiding extreme room temperatures will also help prolong the life of the battery pack for the radio.
VHF Marine Radio Protocols Installation Locking Tab Batteries and Charger To Remove Battery Pack from Radio 1. Pivot the locking tab off of the back of the battery pack to unlock. 2. Lift the bottom of the battery pack slightly to remove it from the radio housing. 3. Pull battery pack out of the radio housing. Battery Pack Charging Only NOTE The LiON battery pack can also be charged in the battery charger without being installed in the radio.
VHF Marine Operating Your Radio Radio Protocols Getting Started Getting Started HH330 Radio VHF Marine Operating Your Radio Radio Protocols • Refer to the foldout at the front of this manual to identify the various controls and indicators on your radio. Throughout this manual you will be instructed to “Press” or to “Press and Hold” various buttons (except “Push to Talk”) on the radio. “Press” means a momentary press of approximately one (1) second.
VHF Marine Operating Your Radio Radio Protocols Backlight/Key Lock Button Key Locked Buttons Key Lock Icon Getting Started Backlight/Key Lock Button The LCD will be illuminated by the backlight as long as any button is pressed and will remain On for 10 seconds after the button is released. To Display the Backlight Momentarily: Press the Backlight/Key Lock button. The backlight will remain On for 10 seconds. If the backlight is already On, another press of the Backlight/Key Lock button will turn it Off.
VHF Marine Operating Your Radio Radio Protocols H-M-L Power Button Getting Started High/Medium/Low (H-M-L) Power Button Your radio can transmit selectively at 1, 3 or 6 watts of power. Cobra suggests you maintain the low power setting for short-range communications. You will conserve battery life and avoid overpowering nearby stations with a low power setting signal. Use the high power setting for long-range communications or when you do not receive a response to a signal sent at 1 watt.
VHF Marine Operating Your Radio Radio Protocols Channel Up/Down Buttons Squelch Control Setup Mode Programming Squelch Control Squelch Control filters weak signals and radio frequency (RF) noise so that you will clearly hear the signals you want. The Squelch Control on this radio is set through the following keypad operation. To Set Squelch Control: 1. With the power On, push and hold Call/Enter/Setup button to access the Setup menu. 2. Squelch control will be the first menu item to appear.
VHF Marine Operating Your Radio Radio Protocols Call Tone Select Setup Mode Programming Call Tone Select This setting will also allow you to transmit a unique Call Tone alert to identify your radio when you transmit messages. You can select from one of 10 different Call Tone signals. To Set Call Tone: 1. From the previous press of the Call/Enter/Setup button, the LCD will display the letter “C” and the current Call Tone number (01 through 10). 2.
VHF Marine Operating Your Radio Radio Protocols Standby/Receive and Transmit Standby/Receive and Transmit Marine Standby and Receive (Rx) Mode VHF Marine Operating Your Radio Radio Protocols • Standby/Receive and Transmit Transmit (Tx) Icon Marine Standby mode is the default mode for the radio whenever it is turned on. From this mode, you can change current settings by becoming familiar with the different key functions in Marine Standby mode.
VHF Marine Operating Your Radio Radio Protocols WX/H-M-L Button Standby/Receive and Transmit Weather (WX) Standby Mode To enter the WX Standby mode, press and hold the WX/H-M-L button. Receiving a Weather Alert NOAA broadcasts weather information as described in the NOAA weather channels section on page 63 of this manual.
VHF Marine Operating Your Radio Radio Protocols TRI-WATCH Button Advanced Operation Tri-Watch Mode VHF Marine Operating Your Radio Radio Protocols TRI-WATCH Button Tri-Watch mode gives you one (1) button access to scan a total of three (3) channels of most importance to you. Channel 16 is preprogrammed and will always be one (1) of the scanned locations. Two (2) other channels of your choice can be stored in the radio.
VHF Marine Operating Your Radio Radio Protocols MEM/ESC Button Memory Location Number Channel Up/Down Buttons Channel Number 30 English Advanced Operation Memory Location Mode Your radio has unlimited memory locations for storing your most frequently used channels. These memory locations can be selected individually or can be scanned. (See page 33 under Memory Location Scan.) To enter Memory mode, press MEM/ESC button.
Operating Your Radio VHF Marine Radio Protocols Scanning Advanced Operation Channel Scan Mode VHF Marine Operating Your Radio Radio Protocols Memory Location Scan During Channel Scan mode, the radio will rapidly switch from channel to channel through all the channels. NOTE The radio must be squelched for Channel Scan mode to function. See page 20 for Squelch procedure. SCAN Button SCAN Icon To Enter Channel Scan: 1. From Marine Standby mode, press the SCAN button.
VHF Marine Operating Your Radio Radio Protocols Burp Feature Burp Feature Floating Radio Floating Feature Burp Feature Maintenance Cobra’s Burp feature allows the operator to expel water from inside the speaker grill. This is especially useful if the radio is dropped overboard or during extreme foul weather conditions. In these conditions, water can become trapped in the speaker grill and muffle the audio.
VHF Marine Radio Protocols VHF Marine Radio Procedures VHF Marine Radio Procedures Maintain Your Watch VHF Marine Radio Protocols • Whenever your boat is underway, the radio must be turned On and be tuned to Channel 16 except when being used for messages. Power Try 1 watt first, if the station being called is within a few miles. If there is no answer, switch to 3 watts and call again. You have the ability to go up to 6 watts of output power to increase your calling distance.
VHF Marine Radio Protocols Voice Calling Voice Calling VHF Marine Radio Protocols NOTE Channel 9 may be used by recreational vessels for general-purpose calling. This frequency should be used whenever possible to help relieve congestion on Channel 16. The Coast Guard generally does not make urgent marine information broadcasts or weather warnings on Channel 9. Boaters are still asked to “keep watch” on Channel 16 whenever the radio is turned on and not in use with another station.
VHF Marine Radio Protocols Radiotelephone Calls Radiotelephone Calls VHF Marine Radio Protocols • Boaters may make and receive radiotelephone calls to and from any number on the telephone network by using the services of public coast stations. Calls can be made — for a fee — between your radio and telephones on land, sea and in the air. See the Appendix for the public correspondence (marine operator) channels.
VHF Marine Radio Protocols Emergency Messages and Distress Procedure VHF Marine Radio Protocols Emergency Messages and Distress Procedure Marine Emergency Signals Marine Distress Procedure The three (3) spoken international emergency signals are: Speak slowly — clearly — calmly. 1. Make sure your radio is On. MAYDAY The distress signal MAYDAY is used to indicate that a station is threatened by grave and imminent danger and requests immediate assistance.
VHF Marine Radio Protocols Emergency Messages and Distress Procedure For Example Introduction Warranty Warranty and Trademark Acknowledgement Limited 3-Year Warranty • “Mayday — Mayday — Mayday” For Products Purchased In The U.S.A.
VHF Marine Customer Service Radio Protocols Product Service Product Service If you have any questions about operation or installing your new CobraMarine VHF product or if you are missing parts… Introduction Specifications • Please call Cobra first! DO NOT RETURN THIS PRODUCT TO THE STORE! See customer assistance on page A1. If your product should require factory service, please call Cobra first before sending your radio. This will ensure the fastest turn-around time on your repair.
Appendix VHF Marine Channel Assignments VHF Marine Channel Assignments Appendix • Three (3) sets of VHF channels have been established for marine use in the U.S.A., Canada and the rest of the world (International). Most of the channels are the same for all three (3) maps, but there are definite differences (see table on the following pages). Your radio has all three (3) maps built into it and will operate correctly in whichever area you choose.
Appendix VHF Marine Channel Assignments Channel Assignments (English) Appendix VHF Marine Channel Assignments Asignaciones de canales (Español) Public Correspondence (Marine Operator) Correspondencia pública (operador marítimo) Channels 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 60, 61, 84, 84A, 85, 85A, 86, 86A, 87, 87A, 88* For calls to marine operators at public coast stations. You can make and receive telephone calls through these stations.
VHF Marine Channel Assignments Appendix Channel Number Número de canal 01 01A 02 03 03A 04 Channel Map Frequency Power Limits Mapa de canales Frecuencia Límites de potencia USA Int’l Canada Transmit Receive EE.UU. nternac Canadá Recepción • • • • • • • • • 04A • 05 • Transm. Appendix VHF Marine Channel Assignments Channel Use (English) Uso de canales (Español) 156.050 160.650 Public Correspondence (Marine Operator) Correspondencia pública (operador marítimo) 156.050 156.
VHF Marine Channel Assignments Appendix Channel Number Número de canal 14 15 Channel Map Frequency Mapa de canales Frecuencia USA Int’l Canada Transmit Receive EE.UU. nternac Canadá Recepción • • 15 • • Transm. Appendix VHF Marine Channel Assignments Channel Use (English) Uso de canales (Español) 156.700 156.700 Port Operations, VTS in selected areas Operaciones portuarias; VTS en áreas selectas Rx Only 156.750 Environmental (Receive Only).
VHF Marine Channel Assignments Appendix Channel Number Número de canal Frequency Power Limits Mapa de canales Frecuencia Límites de potencia USA Int’l Canada Transmit Receive EE.UU. nternac Canadá Recepción 24 25 25B • • 26 27 28 28B • • • 60 61 61A Channel Map • • • • • • • • 62 65 65A 66 56 English Correspondencia pública (operador marítimo) 157.250 161.850 Public Correspondence (Marine Operator) Correspondencia pública (operador marítimo) RX only 161.
VHF Marine Channel Assignments Appendix Channel Number Número de canal Appendix Channel Map Frequency Power Limits Mapa de canales Frecuencia Límites de potencia USA Int’l Canada Transmit Receive EE.UU. nternac Canadá Recepción Transm. VHF Marine Channel Assignments Channel Use (English) 66A • • • 156.325 156.325 1 watt CAN 1 vatio Canadá 67 • • • 156.375 156.375 1 watt USA 1 vatio EE.UU. 68 • • • 156.425 156.
VHF Marine Channel Assignments Appendix Channel Number Número de canal Power Limits Frecuencia Límites de potencia Int’l Canada Transmit Receive EE.UU. nternac Canadá Recepción • 79A • • Public Correspondence (Marine Operator) Non-Commercial (Recreational) Port Operations, Ship Movement • 156.975 156.975 157.025 161.625 Commercial (Also Non-Comercial only in Great Lakes) Port Operations, Ship Movement 157.025 157.025 157.075 161.675 157.075 157.075 157.125 161.725 • 157.
Appendix NOAA VHF Marine Weather Channel Channels and Assignments Alert VHF Marine Channel Assignments (English) NOTE Many of the plain-numbered channels, such as 01, 02 and 03, transmit and receive on different frequencies. This is termed duplex operation. The rest of the plain-numbered channels and all of the A channels, such as 01A, 03A and 04A, transmit and receive on a single frequency, which is termed simplex operation. Your radio automatically adjusts to these conditions.
Introduction Accessories Accessories Accessories • Your Cobra radio has several optional accessories available to enhance the use of the radio. Some are listed below: Alkaline Battery Tray Alkaline Battery Tray A special alkaline battery tray (P/N CM 110-011) is available as an optional accessory to have as an emergency backup. By using six (6) high-quality AA alkaline batteries, you can have a spare battery backup source for your radio. NOTE Alkaline batteries are not rechargeable.