Introduction Owner’s Manual Our Thanks To You And Customer Assistance Thank you for purchasing a CobraMarine® VHF radio. Properly used, this Cobra® product will give you many years of reliable service. How Your CobraMarine VHF Radio Works This radio is a VHF transceiver for fixed mounting on your boat. It gives you 2-way vessel-to-vessel and vessel-to-shore station communications, primarily for safety and secondarily for navigation and operational purposes.
Transceiver Controls, Indicators And Connections Introduction DSC Distress Button (Behind Red Spring Loaded Cover) Soft KeysAllows user to select current options displayed on the screen. Active Channel Number Backlit LCD Screen Up & Down Buttons Product Features Introduction On-Off Power/ Volume Knob Product Features • Rewind-Say-Again Replay missed VHF calls. Automatically records the last 20 seconds of incoming radio transmissions. Great when in noisy conditions.
Introduction Table Of Contents Introduction Our Thanks To You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A1 Customer Assistance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A1 Transceiver Controls, Indicators And Connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Intro Introduction Important Safety Information Important Safety Information Operation Customer Assistance Warranty Introduction Installation Before installing and using your CobraMarine VHF radio, please read these Secondary Icons general precautions and warnings. • Customer Assistance The following WARNINGS and NOTICES will make you aware of RF exposure hazards and how to assure you operate the radio within the FCC RF exposure limits established for it.
Introduction Recommendations For Marine Communication VHF Marine Radio Protocols Sea Tow Automated Radio Check (ARC) System NOTICES AVOID using or storing the radio at temperatures below -4°F (-20°C) or above 140°F (55°C). NEVER connect the transceiver to DC power greater than 16 volts or to any DC source with reversed polarity. Doing so will damage the transceiver. DO NOT cut the power cables attached to the transceiver. Improper reconnection with reversed polarity will damage the transceiver.
VHF Marine Radio Protocols VHF Marine Radio Procedures VHF Marine Radio Protocols Radio Call Sign Currently, the FCC does not require recreational boaters to have a license. The United States Coast Guard recommends that the boat’s registration number and state of registry (e.g., IL 1234 AB) be used as a call sign and be clearly visible on the vessel. Canadian Ship Station License You need a Radio Operator’s Certificate if your vessel is operated in Canadian waters.
VHF Marine Radio Protocols Digital Selective Calling (DSC) For Example VHF Marine Radio Protocols Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) The vessel Corsair calling the vessel Vagabond: A MMSI Number Is Available In The U.S.A. From Two (2) Sources: n U.S. Power Squadron www.usps.org Corsair: “Vagabond, this is Corsair (station license number call sign).” Vagabond: “Corsair, this is Vagabond. Over.” n Corsair: “Vagabond go to working Channel 68. Over.” Corsair: “Vagabond I need to talk to you about.
VHF Marine Radio Protocols Radiotelephone Calls Emergency Messages And Distress Procedure The ability to summon assistance in an emergency is the primary reason to have a VHF marine radio. The marine environment can be unforgiving, and what may initially be a minor problem can rapidly develop into a situation beyond your control. VHF Marine Radio Protocols • The Coast Guard monitors Channel 16, responds to all distress calls, and coordinates all search and rescue efforts.
VHF Marine Radio Protocols Emergency Messages And Distress Procedure Marine Distress Procedure Speak slowly — clearly — calmly. 1. Make sure your radio is On. VHF Marine Radio Protocols Emergency Messages And Distress Procedure Keep the radio nearby. Even after your message has been received, the Coast Guard can find you more quickly if you can transmit a signal for a rescue boat to hone in on. For Example 2. Select VHF Channel 16. “Mayday — Mayday — Mayday” 3.
Installation And Start-Up Intro Included In This Package Operation Customer Assistance Intro Warranty Included In This Package You should find all of the following items in the Customer package with yourInstallation CobraMarine VHF radio: Assistance Transceiver* Secondary Icons Installation And Start-Up Transceiver Flush Mount Kit Transceiver Surface Mount Kit • Accessories Order Info Operation Optional Accessories Customer Assistance Warranty • You can find quality Cobra products and acce
Installation And Start-Up Mounting And Powering The Radio Mounting And Powering The Radio Before using your CobraMarine VHF radio, it must be installed on your vessel. Installation And Start-Up • Installing Your Radio hoose a location for your radio where it will be conveniently accessible with the C following factors in mind: n The leads to the battery are best kept as short as possible. n The antenna must be mounted at least three (3) meters from the transceiver.
Installation And Start-Up Mounting And Powering The Radio Electrical Power Connection Power Connection Cables Red Cable Positive (+) Black Cable Negative (-) –+ Your CobraMarine VHF radio is powered by 13.8VDC vessel direct current in negative ground systems. A fused (10A) power connection lead is provided at the back of the transceiver. To Connect To A Power Source: 1. Attach the black (-) wire to a negative (-) ground. 2.
Installation And Start-Up Antenna Requirements And Attachment Antenna Requirements And Attachment Antenna Requirements Installation And Start-Up • Your CobraMarine VHF radio requires an external marine antenna to send signals into the air and to receive them. The radio is arranged to use any of the popular marine VHF antennas, but it is up to you to choose which antenna to use.
Installation And Start-Up External Devices And Connections External Devices And Connections Your CobraMarine VHF radio is set up to connect auxiliary devices for navigation, convenience, and added versatility. As is the case with the antenna, choosing these devices is best done with the advice and guidance of a knowledgeable dealer. Standard connectors are provided on the front and back of the transceiver.
Operating Your Radio Getting Started Getting Started Operating Your Radio • Refer to the foldout on the front cover 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 buttons on the transceiver. Press means a momentary press, then release; press and hold means to hold the button. Tones And Alarms When your CobraMarine VHF radio is On, you can expect to hear the following tones and alarms.
Operating Your Radio Getting Started Squelch Knob To Squelch Your Radio: 1. With the Squelch knob turned fully counter-clockwise, turn the On-Off/Volume knob clockwise until you hear a hissing (noise) sound. 2. Turn the Squelch knob clockwise until the hissing sound stops. Squelch Turning the Squelch knob further clockwise (higher barrier) will filter weak and medium strength signals until only the strongest signal can get through at the highest squelch setting.
Operating Your Radio Set-Up Routines Set-Up Routines Operating Your Radio • Settings Menu The Settings menu in the CobraMarine VHF radio allows you to turn On and Off many of its features, to adjust other features to suit your preferences, and to enter your user MMSI number. Set-Up Routines LCD Backlight The LCD has a Backlight lamp to make it visible in the dark. This lamp can be adjusted for brightness or turned Off. Menu Button To Adjust The Backlight Level: 1.
Operating Your Radio Set-Up Routines Confirmation Tone The Confirmation Tone sounds when your CobraMarine VHF radio is turned On and to confirm all button presses except for the Talk button. If you would prefer not to hear the Confirmation Tone, you can turn it Off and On as you choose. Menu Button key on off exit tone entr To Turn The Confirmation Tone On Or Off: 1. Enter the Settings menu and scroll to KEY TONE. 2.
Operating Your Radio Set-Up Routines Operating Your Radio To Select 12 or 24 Hour Format Time Display: Menu Button 1. Enter the Settings menu and scroll to TIME ADJUST. 2. Highlight the 12H/24H TIME DISP option in the menu. 3. Press the ENTR key and observe the current setting. 4. Scroll to change the setting for how the radio will display the time (12 Hour or 24 Hour format). 12h/24h time disp 12 hour format 5. Press the ENTR soft key to save the setting.
Operating Your Radio GPS Menu Set-Up Routines All VHF Marine radios SHOULD / NEED to have a GPS receiver connected and operating to effectively use the DSC (Digital Selective Calling) features built-in to the radios. In an Emergency you want the rescue authorities and surrounding vessels to know where you are and to be able to quickly assist you in your time of need.
Operating Your Radio Set-Up Routines To Select the GPS Status Screen: Menu Button 1. Enter the Settings menu and scroll to GPS MENU. 2. Highlight the GPS STATUS option in the menu. 3. Press the ENTR key and observe the current setting. 4. The GPS Status screen reports the following information: GPS MENU a. How many satellites are currently being tracked. COORDINATE SYSTEM SAT BASED AUG SYS b. The overall health of the satellite signals being received. GPS STATUS EXIT ENTR 5.
Introduction Operating Your Radio Digital Select Calling (DSC) Setup Features Product DSC Set-Up Operating Your Radio • Digital selective calling — DSC — employs digital RF signals which tend to carry further and be less susceptible to distortion from noise and atmospheric conditions than analog ones. The result is greater range and more reliable message delivery per watt of output power. But, that is not the only advantage of DSC equipped radios.
Operating Your Radio Digital Select Calling (DSC) Setup If You Transfer Your Radio To A Different Vessel Contact the MMSI issuing agency from which you obtained your number and change the information associated with your number to correspond to vessel in which it will be mounted. To View Your MMSI Number At Any Time: radio mmsi 1. Enter the DSC SETUP MENU menu and scroll to mmsi 123456789 RADIO MMSI ENTRY. exit 2.
Operating Your Radio Digital Select Calling (DSC) Setup Position Request Reply Type The ability to send your position to another station is an added feature of DSC radios that have GPS attached. It is handy for rendezvous and rescue situations. Your CobraMarine VHF radio allows you to choose whether to have the radio automatically respond to all Position Requests it receives or to alert you to a Position Request and allow you to choose whether to respond or not — manual reply.
Operating Your Radio Advanced Operation Advanced Operation Operating Your Radio • Cobra® has incorporated several features in your CobraMarine VHF radio to give you quick access to the voice calling channels and to let you monitor more than one (1) channel at once. Weather Alert Signal When NOAA broadcasts a Weather Alert Signal and your radio has the Weather Alert on, you will hear a continuous audible tone and the radio will automatically switch to Weather Radio mode.
Operating Your Radio Advanced Operation Operating Your Radio Memory Channels NOTE If there are fewer than two (2) channels tagged, the Memory Scan mode will not be available. [See page 46 under program memory channels to tag at least two (2) channels.] You can program (or tag) any or all channels to be scanned in the Memory Scan mode. To Program Memory Channels: 1. From Standby mode, select a channel to be tagged using the Up/Down buttons. 2.
Operating Your Radio Advanced Operation Use the Public Address (PA) mode of voice transmission to communicate to other nearby vessels or people. This feature requires a mounted and connected optional PA speaker. To Broadcast on the PA Speaker: Soft Keys 1. Tap the MORE soft key. 2. Press the PA soft key. 3. Press the Talk button on the microphone and speak into the microphone.
Operating Your Radio Advanced Operation Digital Select Calling (DSC) Operation The Send menu displays when the Distress button is pressed. NOTE This radio follows Class-D DSC protocol with a dedicated Channel 70 receiver. Sending Distress Calls 50 Operating Your Radio • Sending and receiving distress calls and acknowledgements on Channel 70 can be a lifesaver for mariners. NOTE The DSC call: n Sounds the distress alarm at all receiving stations.
Operating Your Radio Advanced Operation Operating Your Radio Advanced Operation Receiving Distress Calls Sending An All Ships Calls When A Distress Call Is Received: distress Receive 1. Press any button to turn Off the alarm. not acknowledged MMSI: 123456789 2. Read and write down the distress information that Received: 0:34 stop alrm any key displays on the LCD (position data may or may not be shown); then determine whether to answer the call. distress Receive 3.
Advanced Operation Operating Your Radio Operating Your Radio Advanced Operation Receiving An All Ships Call Sending An Individual Call all ships Receive mmsi: 123456789 connect time 0:45 type: urgency To Send An Individual Call: Soft Keys 1. Press the CALL soft key and scroll to INDIVIDUAL CALL. 2. Scroll to highlight a previously entered directory entry or use the MANUAL entry option. 3. Press the ENTR key. CALL MENU 4.
Operating Your Radio Advanced Operation Receiving An Individual Call individ Receive When another station makes an Individual call to your radio: friends boat not replied n The Individual alarm sounds. Received: 0:15 n The caller is identified on the LCD. _stop alrm any key n If Automatic Channel Switch is on, the radio switches to the channel selected by the caller. individ Receive friends boat n Call information is placed in the Call Log.
Operating Your Radio Advanced Operation Sending A Position Request (continued) 6. After the called radio acknowledges the call, use the position request Down soft key to view the called radios current position. friends boat waiting for ack 7. Press the EXIT soft key to exit the Position Request mode elasped time 0:25 exit rept and return the radio to the Call Menu.
Operating Your Radio Advanced Operation Sending A Position Send Position Send uses your connected GPS in similar fashion to the Position Request function, except that you initiate the activity to let another station know where you are. position manual To Send A Position Send Message: 1. Press the CALL soft key and scroll to POSITION friends boat SEND. exit entr 2. Scroll to highlight a previously entered directory entry or use the MANUAL entry option. position send routine 3.
Operating Your Radio Advanced Operation Call Log and Distress Log Call Log functions similarly to the Caller ID function on your telephone. It will capture the caller’s MMSI identification number and any other data included in a DSC message. NOTE Each Call Log memory can hold up to 20 messages. Once the memory becomes full, each new call will erase the oldest call information on a first-in, first-out basis.
Operating Your Radio Maintenance And Troubleshooting Operating Your Radio Maintenance Very little maintenance is required to keep your CobraMarine VHF radio in good operating condition. n Keep the radio clean by wiping with a soft cloth and mild detergent. Rinse with fresh water. Do not use solvents or harsh or abrasive cleaners, which could damage the case or scratch the LCD screen. n Specifications Number of Channels All U.S.A.
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) Sea Tow Automated Radio Check (ARC) Sea Tow Control de radio automatizado (ARC) Port Operations Operaciones portuarias Navigational Navegación Maritime Control Control marítimo Channels 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 84* Tune your radio to the proper channel for your area (see seatow.com/arc). Conduct a radio check as you normally would.
VHF Marine Channel Assignments Appendix Número de canal Frequency Channel Map Channel Number Frecuencia Mapa de canales USA EE.UU. Int’l nternac 01 01A/1001 • 02 03 03A/1003 04 • • • • • Canada Transmit Canadá • Transm. 156.050 Appendix Power Limits Límites de potencia Receive Channel Use (English) Recepción 160.650 Canada 156.050 156.
VHF Marine Channel Assignments Appendix Frequency Channel Map Channel Number Frecuencia Mapa de canales Número de canal USA 14 15 • • EE.UU. Int’l nternac • Appendix VHF Marine Channel Assignments Canada Transmit Canadá • Transm. 156.700 Receive Channel Use (English) Recepción 156.700 Port Operations, VTS in selected areas Uso de canales (Español) Operaciones portuarias; VTS en áreas selectas Rx Only 156.750 Environmental (Receive Only).
VHF Marine Channel Assignments Appendix Número de canal Frecuencia Mapa de canales USA EE.UU. Int’l nternac Power Limits Frequency Channel Map Channel Number Canada Transmit Canadá 23A/1023 • 2023 • Transm. 157.150 Appendix VHF Marine Channel Assignments Límites de potencia Receive Channel Use (English) Recepción 157.150 Coast Guard Only Uso de canales (Español) Solamente Guardacostas Rx Only 161.
VHF Marine Channel Assignments Appendix Número de canal Frequency Channel Map Channel Number Frecuencia Mapa de canales USA EE.UU. Int’l nternac Canada Transmit Canadá Transm. Appendix VHF Marine Channel Assignments Power Limits Límites de potencia Receive Channel Use (English) Recepción Uso de canales (Español) 66 156.325 160.
VHF Marine Channel Assignments Appendix Channel Map Channel Number Número de canal Mapa de canales USA EE.UU. Int’l nternac Frequency Frecuencia Canada Transmit Canadá 78 • • • 78A/1078 1078 • 2078 • 79 • Transm. Receive Recepción Appendix VHF Marine Channel Assignments Power Limits Límites de potencia Channel Use (English) Uso de canales (Español) 156.925 156.925 161.525 Public Correspondence (Marine Operator) Correspondencia pública (operador marítimo) 156.
Appendix VHF Marine Channel Assignments 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 plainnumbered channels (including 4 digit 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.
Appendix World City Time Zones World City Time Zones Warranty • In order to set correct local time as compared to different World City Time Zones, enter the hour “offset” as listed below. The correct local time appears on the VHF for Cities all over the world. See page 31 for setup information. Longitudinal Zone Offset City E172.50 to W172.50 -12 IDLW (International Date Line West) W172.50 to W157.50 -11 Nome W157.50 to W142.50 -10 Honolulu W142.50 to W127.50 -9 Yukon STD W127.
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. You may be asked to send your radio to the Cobra factory. It will be necessary to furnish the following to have the product serviced and returned: 1. For warranty repair include some form of proof-of-purchase, such as a copy of a sales receipt.
The Cobra line of quality products includes: CB Radios Portable Power Packs Radar/Laser Detectors Dash Cams HighGear® Accessories Marine VHF Radios Power Inverters Accessories For more information or to order any of our products, please visit our website: www.cobra.
