Cobra Cobra User manual

How to Use Your Cobra
microTalk 2-Way Radio
1
Featuresof This Product
• UHFFMFrequencies
• 10WeatherChannels
• WeatherAlert
• NoLicenseRequired
• NoAirTimeFees
• Upto2milerange
• 14MainChannels
• 38CTCSSSubchannels
• LCDFunctionDisplay
• PrivateCall® Voice
Scrambling
• TalkConfirmationTone
• Call/RingButton
• RechargingPads
• RetractableAntenna
• AutoBatterySaverCircuity
• AutoSquelch
• 10MemoryLocations
• MemoryScan
• ChannelorCTCSSScan
• LockKey
• Ring/VibrateNotification
• BeltHolster
• WaterResistant
• DualWatch
Contents
Features.........................................................................................................1
The FRS Story ..............................................................................................A1
FCCWarnings
Included Accessories
Controls & Indicators...............................................................................A2
Our Thanks to You.....................................................................................A3
Customer Support.................................................................................A3
Operating your microTalk
Battery Installation................................................................................2
Turning On...............................................................................................4
LCD Display..............................................................................................4
Auto Battery Power Saver...................................................................5
Select Main Channel (1-14)................................................................6
Select CTCSS Subchannel (00-38)....................................................7
Battery Low..............................................................................................9
Talking To Another Party.....................................................................10
Talk Confirmation Tone........................................................................11
Listening For Another Party...............................................................11
Calling Another Party...........................................................................12
Auto Squelch...........................................................................................14
Maximum Range Extender.................................................................14
Listening to Weather Channels.........................................................15
Weather Alert ..........................................................................................16
External Microphone/Speaker Jack .................................................17
Advanced Features...................................................................................18
Programming Memory Locations....................................................19
Using Memory Locations....................................................................23
Scan Function..........................................................................................25
Memory Scan Function........................................................................29
Private Call (Voice Scramble).............................................................31
Ringer/Vibrate Modes..........................................................................33
Tone Settings...........................................................................................36
Lock Function..........................................................................................38
Dual Watch Function............................................................................39
microTalk Range........................................................................................42
Making Life Easier And Safer ..............................................................43
Frequency Ranges ....................................................................................45
Caring for Your microTalk ....................................................................47
microTalk Specifications........................................................................48
Limited Two Year Warranty...................................................................49
Optional Accessories...............................................................................50
Order Form...................................................................................................51
If You Think You Need Service...................................Back Cover
FRS315WX MANUAL.qx 12/5/00 11:17 AM Page 1

Operation
3
Operation
2
Note
Batteriesnotincludedwith
microTalk 2-way radio.
Note
Alwaysusehighquality
alkalineorNiMHbatteries.
Incorrectpositioningcan
damageboththebatteries
andtheunit.
Onlythe CobraNiMH
battery(Part #FA-BP)
packcan berecharged.
SeeAccessoriesonpage50.
Chargeportsforrecharging
NiMH(NickelMetal
Hydride)batterypackare
locatedonbackofunit.
Note
Whenbatteriesarelowor
needchargingthe ( )
BATTLOWindicatorwill
blink.Replacealkaline
batteriesorrechargeNiMH
batterypack.
Battery
Installation
Pull lock tab down
and lift door up
(towards you) to
remove battery
cover.
Insert four“AAA”
batteries.Position
batteries according
topolarity markings.
Install Batteries
Clearantenna.
FRS315WX MANUAL.qx 12/5/00 11:17 AM Page 2

Turning On Your microTalk
Press and hold the Power Button for
twoseconds.An audible“tone”will indicate
the unit is on,and theLCD will go on.
Operation
5
Note
Whenevertheunitisonyou
canreceivecommunications.
Turning On
Your microTalk
Operation
4
Note
TheAutoBatterySave
Circuitdoesnoteffectthe
unit’sabilitytoreceive
incomingtransmissions.
Auto Battery Power Saver
Your microTalk has a unique circuit designed to
extend battery life. If there are no transmissions
within 10 seconds,the unit will automatically
switch to battery save mode.
The icon will flash.
Auto Battery
Power Saver
Illuminating the Display
Illuminating
the Display
Pressandrelease LIGHT/MAX RANGE
Button to illuminate display for ten seconds.
FRS315WX MANUAL.qx 12/5/00 11:17 AM Page 4

Operation
7
Operation
6
Note
CTCSS(CodedTone
ControlledSquelchSystem)
isanadvancedsubcoding
systemthatallows
segmentationofa
mainchannel.
Note
Ifyoupushandholdthe
Mode Button,the LCD dis-
playwillcyclethroughthe
differentfunctions.
Note
Toreturntooperational
modeandnotsaveyour
lastsettingpushand
releaseTalkButton.
Select CTCSS
Subchannel
Select CTCSS Subchannel (00-38)
The CTCSS (Continuous Tone Controlled Squelch
System) is a great convenience when you are in
an area with many radios. It acts like a gate to
transmissions from other radios. Once your radio
is set to a CTCSS code,you will only hear trans-
missions from other radios on the same channel
and the same CTCSS code.
Turnon the microTalk.An audible“tone”will
indicate the unit ison andthen the LCD willgo
through a 3 second self-test andthengo to
OperationalMode.
continued
Select main channel by moving the Channel
Button up or down.
Note
Unitsmustbeonsame
channelandsubchannels
tocommunicate.
Note
Channels8-12generallyare
lessusedandgivebetter
resultsforcommunications
inmostareas.
Note
Pushandhold Channelup
ordownButtonsforfast
channeladvance.
Select Main
Channel
Select Main Channel (1-14)
Turn on microTalk.An audible“tone”will indi-
cate the unit is on and then the LCD will go
through a 3 second self-test and then go to
Operational Mode.
Select channel by moving the Channel Button
up or down.
FRS315WX MANUAL.qx 12/5/00 11:17 AM Page 6

Operation
9
Operation
8
Selectsubchannel number by moving the
Channel Button up or down.
When desired subchannel isdisplayedpressand
release Lock Button.If key audible toneis
on,anaudible tonewill confirm your selection.
Select CTCSS
Subchannel
Battery Low
When in use the ( ) icon may begin flashing.
This is a warning to you that your batteries are
getting low.
Replace alkaline batteries as soon as possible or
recharge NiMH battery pack.
Note
Whenbatterycapacityisat
the1/4levelitisrecom-
mendedthatyoureplace
alkalinebatteriesor
rechargeyourNiMH(Nickel
MetalHydride)batterypack.
Only theCobra NiMH
battery(Part #FA-BP)
packcan berecharged.
Note
NiMHrechargeablebattery
Pack(item#FA-BP)and
desktopcharger(item#FA-
CR) arenotincludedwith
thisunit. SeeAccessories
sectiononpage50.
Battery Low
Note
PressandholdChannelButton
upordownforfastchannel
advance. Pressandrelease Mode Button. Small num-
bers flash next to channel display on LCD.
Select CTCSS Subchannel continued
FRS315WX MANUAL.qx 12/5/00 11:17 AM Page 8

Operation
11
Note
WhileTalkButtonis
depressedyoucannot
receiveincomingcalls.
Note
Whenyoureleasethe
Talk Button,the person you
aretalkingtowillheara
toneindicatingthatit’sok
totalk.SeeTalk
ConfirmationTonesection
onpage13.
Operation
10
Press andhold Talk Button.
The( ) icon will appear.
Talk
Confirmation
Tone
When finished talking:
Standby Mode
Release Talk Button to receive incoming
transmissions.
Your microTalk is always in the standby mode
when the Talk Button is not pressed and you are
not in function mode. See Advanced Features
section on page 18.
Note
WhileTalkButtonisdepressed
youcannotreceiveincoming
communications.
Release Talk Button and listen for response.
Hold mic about 2 inches from mouth.
Speak in a normal voice.
Talk ConfirmationTone
Your listener will hear an audible
tone when you release
the Talk Button.
This alerts the other party that
you are finished talkingand it’s
OK for them tobegintalking.
Talking to
Another
Party
FRS315WX MANUAL.qx 12/5/00 11:17 AM Page 10

Operation
12
Calling
Another
Party
Calling Another Party
To alert another party that you wish to
communicate:
Turnon your microTALK 2-way radio.
An audible“tone”will indicate the unit is on.
The LCD will go through a 3 second self test
and then to operational mode.
Place antenna in full upright position.
Pressandrelease Call Button.The ( ) indi-
cator icon will flash and the ( ) icon
will remain on for 3 seconds.
The unit you are calling will hear a 2 second
ring tone.
Your microTalk is always in the standby mode
when the Talk Button is not depressed.
Note
Yourincoming“Call”audio
ringinglevelisdependenton
yourunit’svolumesetting.
Operation
13
Select desired channel by moving Channel
Button up or down. Both the calling and
receiving units must be on same channel and
subchannel for the call function to work.
FRS315WX MANUAL.qx 12/5/00 11:17 AM Page 12

Operation
15
Operation
14
Auto Squelch
Maximum
Range
Extender
Note
Tolearnmoreaboutthe
rangeofyourmicroTALK,
seepage42.
Rangeisdependenton
batteryconditionand
geographicterritory.
Maximum Range Extender
Auto squelch canbe temporarily removed to allow
all signals to enter (Maximum RangeExtender).
Auto Squelch
Your microTALK is equipped with Auto Squelch,
which automatically shuts off weak transmissions
and unwanted noise due to terrain conditions or
if you have reached your range limit.
Pressandhold LIGHT/MAX RANGE
Button to allow all signals to enter.
Auto Monitor
Auto Monitor
When the signal you want to hear is consistently
weak,you may place the radio in Maximum
Range mode without having to constantly hold
the button. Press and hold the Maximum Range
Extender Button for five seconds.You will hear an
audible beep confirmation.To return to normal
operation,momentarily press the Maximum
Range Extender Button again or change channels.
Listening to Weather Channels
Turnonyour microTalk 2 -way radio.An audible
“tone”will indicate the unit is on. The LCD will
go through a 3 second self test and then go
operational mode.
Place antenna in full
upright position.
Listening to
Weather
Channels
Pressandrelease Mode Button until weather
icon flashes.The last weather channel
tuned will be displayed.
FRS315WX MANUAL.qx 12/5/00 11:17 AM Page 14

17
External Microphone/Speaker Jack
Your microTalk 2-Way Radio can be fitted with a
variety of accessories, (not included) freeing your
hands for other tasks.
To attach an external microphone/speaker
accessory:
External
Microphone/
Speaker Jack
Insert plug into the Mic/Spkr jacks.
External Microphone/Speaker Jack
Note
Externalmicrophone/
speaker(item#FA-SM)is
notincludedwiththisunit.
SeeAccessoriesSectionon
page50.
Listening to Weather Channels
Listening to
Weather
Channels
Weather Alert
Weather Alert
Turning
Weather Alert
On/Off
Operation
16
Press Channel Button up or down to select
theappropriate channels for your area.There
aretenweather channels tochoose from,(0-9)
To exit weather reception,press the Mode or
Talk Button.The radio will go to the last FRS
channel and CTCSS sub-channel.
A tone alert will be automatically activated
when NOAA activates emergency weather noti-
fication.
To turn Weather Alert on/off:
Press Mode until Weather Alert
Icon flashes .
Pressing Channel Button up or down will
turnWeather Alert On or Off.
Once you’ve selected On or Off, press
Lock Button to confirm.
Open Mic/Spkr tab on top of unit.
FRS315WX MANUAL.qx 12/5/00 11:17 AM Page 16

Advanced Features
19
Advanced Features
18
Advanced Features
Your microTalk has many advanced features
not found on other 2-way radios.
These include:
• 10 Memory Storage Location and Recall
• Memory Scan
• Channel/Sub Channel Scan
• Private Call® (Voice Scramble)
• DualWatch
• Ring/Vibrate Notification Modes
• Tone Indicator Settings
Key Stroke Tone
Talk ConfirmationTone
• Lock Key
• DualWatch
Advanced
Features
Note
Whenusingorprogramming
functions,pushingand
releasingtheModeButtonor
theLockButtonwillsaveall
enteredinformation.
Note
Toexitoutoffunctionmode
andreturntooperational
modewithoutsavingentered
informationsimplypressthe
LockButton. Pressand release Mode Button until ( )
icon and a memory location flashes.
Select memory location you wish to change
by pressing Channel Button up or down.
Programming Memory Locations
Your microTalk has 10 memory (0-9) locations for
storing your most frequently used channels.
Turn on microTalk.An audible“tone”will
indicate the unit is on and then the LCD will
go through a 3 second self-test and then go to
Operational Mode.
Programming
Memory
Locations
continued
FRS315WX MANUAL.qx 12/5/00 11:17 AM Page 18

Pressandrelease Mode Button again.
Main Channel and ( ) Icon will flash.
Select desired main channel you wish to store
(1-14) by pressing Channel Button up or
down.
Advanced Features
21
Note
Onceyouentermemory
modeyoucantalkandlis-
tentoanychannelyou
selectafterprogrammingis
complete. SeeUsing
MemoryLocationssection
onpage23.
Advanced Features
20
Programming Memory Locations continued
Programming
Memory
Locations
Press Channel Button up or down to set the
main channel in memory and moves to sub-
channel selection. The subchannel begins
flashing.The ( ) icon will remain flashing.
Select desired subchannel you wish to store
(00-38) by pushing Channel Button up or
down.
Note
PressandholdChannel
Buttonupordownforfast
channeladvance.
Note
Youcanpushandholdthe
TalkButtontobegintalking
anytime.
FRS315WX MANUAL.qx 12/5/00 11:17 AM Page 20

Advanced Features
23
Note
Ifyoupushandholdthe
Mode Button,the LCD dis-
playwillcyclethroughthe
differentfunctions.
Advanced Features
22
Programming Memory Locations continued
After selecting your Memory Channel and
Main/Sub Channels,for immediate entry
press Talk Button.
or...
After selecting you Memory Channel and
Main/Sub Channel,DONOT press any buttons
for 10 seconds and your unit will automatically
set the Memory and Main/Sub Channels.It will
then go to the NEW channel.
Pressandrelease Lock Button to return to
Operational Mode original Main Channel.
or...
Pressandrelease Mode Button to proceed
to next Function Mode (Scan).
Programming
Memory
Locations
Using Memory
Locations
Select desired memory location you wish to
recall (0-9) by pushing Channel Button up
or down.
Pressandrelease Mode Button until ( )
icon and a memory location flashes.
Memory Channel Recall/Talk
To recall a channel in memory:
continued
FRS315WX MANUAL.qx 12/5/00 11:17 AM Page 22

Advanced Features
25
Pressandhold Talk Button and talk. Your
radio will stay on this recalled location until
you exit out of memory function mode.
Repeat step 2 for recalling other memory
locations.
To exit the Memory Mode and return to
Operational Mode:
Pressandrelease Mode Button.
Note
IfModeButtonispushed
whilelistening/talking,
programmingwillbegin.
See ProgrammingMemory
Locationsonpage22.
Advanced Features
24
Using Memory Locations continued
Using Memory
Locations
Note
ThemicroTALK“zerosout”
thesubchannelstoallow
scanningofthemain
channels.
Scan Function
Scan Function
Turn on microTALK.An audible“tone”will
indicate the unit is on and then the LCD will
go through a 3 second self-test and then go
to Operational Mode.
Pressandrelease Mode Button until ( )
icon and Main Channel flashes.
continued
FRS315WX MANUAL.qx 12/5/00 11:17 AM Page 24

Advanced Features
27
Press Channel Button up or down and the
unit will begin scanning the main channels.
Unitwill continue to scanall main channels and
stop if an incoming transmission isdetected.
Your microTALK will pick it up for 10 seconds.
Within 10 seconds you can:
Pressandhold Talk Button and talk.Your
radio will return to operational mode on
that channel.
or...Press Channel Button up or down to
rescan the main channel.
or...Proceed to subchannel scan on next page.
continued
Advanced Features
26
Scan Function continued
Scan Function
Pressandrelease Mode Button and
subchannel and scan icon will flash.
To scan subchannels:
Pressandrelease Channel Button up or down
and subchannel scanning begins and stops
when an incoming transmission is detected.
FRS315WX MANUAL.qx 12/5/00 11:17 AM Page 26

Note
Ifyouwishtoproceedtothe
nextfunctionmode,push
andreleaseModeButton.
(Private CallVoiceScramble).
Advanced Features
29
Pressandrelease Mode Button.
Your microTalk will pick it up for 10 seconds.
Within 10 seconds you can:
Pressandhold TalkButton and talk.Your radio
willreturn tooperationalmode onthat channel.
or...Press Channel Button up or down to rescan
the main channel.
To exit the Scan Mode and return to
Operational Mode:
Advanced Features
28
Memory Scan Function
MemoryScanconvenientlyallowsyoutoaccessfre-
quentlyusedchannelandsub-channelcombinations.
Turnonyour microTALK 2 -way radio.An audi-
ble“tone”will indicate the unit is on. The LCD
will go through a 3 second self test and then
go to operational mode.
Placeantenna in full
upright position.
Memory Scan
Function
Pressandrelease Mode Button until
MEM/SCAN icon flashes.
continued
FRS315WX MANUAL.qx 12/5/00 11:17 AM Page 28

Advanced Features
31
Press Channel Button up or down to begin
the scan mode.
The radio will stop at the first memory loca-
tion for 1/2 second.
• If no signal is detected it will move on.
• If a signal is detected,it will stay at that loca-
tion for 10 seconds. If you want to stay at
that location for more than 10 seconds,press
andrelease Talk Button.
Memory Scan
Function
Memory Scan Function continued
Advanced Features
30
Note
Whenyoupushandholdthe
TalkButton,theunitwillexit
outtooperationalmode.If
after10secondsnoselection
ismade,theunitwillreturnto
operationalmode.
Private Call (Voice Scrambling)
Private Call ensures that no one can eavesdrop on
your conversation.
To engage the Private Call function:
Turn on microTalk.An audible“tone”will
indicate the unit is on and then the LCD will
go through a 3 second self-test and then go
to Operational Mode.
Pressandrelease Mode Button until
( ) icon flashes.
Private Call
(Voice
Scrambling)
continued
To leave Memory Scan, pressandrelease the
Mode or Talk Button at any time.
FRS315WX MANUAL.qx 12/5/00 11:17 AM Page 30

Advanced Features
33
Note
Whenyoupushandhold
theTalkButton,theunitexits
outto operationalmode.
If,after10secondsnoselec-
tionismade,theunitwill
returntooperationalmode.
Press Channel Button up or down to turn pri-
vate call ON or OFF.To confirm status press
Lock button.
Advanced Features
32
Private Call
(Voice
Scrambling)
Private Call (Voice Scrambling) continued
Ringer/Vibrate
Modes
continued
Ringer/Vibrate Modes
Your microTALK will signal you that there is an
incoming transmission with either a tone or a
vibration or both.To set for Ringer/Vibrate:
Turn on microTALK.An audible“tone”will
indicate the unit is on and then the LCD will go
through a 3 second self-test and then go to
Operational Mode.
Pressandrelease Mode Button until
icon flashes.
Press Channel Button up and down until
icon appears for Ringer Only Mode.
FRS315WX MANUAL.qx 12/5/00 11:17 AM Page 32

Advanced Features
35
After selecting the mode you desirepushand
release Lock Button or Mode Button
to proceed to next function.
Ringer/VibrateTest
To test the ringer/vibrate mode:
Turn on unit.
Pressandhold Lock Button and Call
Button simultaneously.Unit will ring,vibrate,
or ring/vibrate for 4 seconds.
Note
Unitmustbeinoperational
modetotestring/vibrate.
Advanced Features
34
Note
Whenyoupushandhold
theTalkButton,theunitexits
outtooperational mode.
If,after10secondsnoselec-
tionismade,theunitwill
returntooperationalmode.
Ringer/Vibrate Modes continued
Ringer/Vibrate
Modes
Pressandrelease Channel Button up and
downagainandboth iconswillbedisplayed
forRingerandVibrate Mode.
Pressandrelease Channel Button up and down
again. icon appears for Vibrator Only Mode.
FRS315WX MANUAL.qx 12/5/00 11:17 AM Page 34

Advanced Features
37
Advanced Features
Tone Settings
36
Talk Confirmation Tone Indicator
Totemporarily eliminate theTalkConfirmationTone:
Tone Setting
Press Mode Button until flashing
Press Channel Button up or down to turn
On or Off.
To set option:
Press Lock Button.This will immediately
enter new setting;
Press Mode Button.This will enter new set-
ting and go to new Function Mode;
Wait 10 seconds. It will go to Operational
Mode with new setting.
Press Mode Button until flashing
Press Channel Button up or down to turn
On or Off .
To set option:
Press Lock Button.This will immediately
enter new setting;
Press Mode Button.This will enter new set-
ting and go to new Function Mode;
Wait 10 seconds.It will go to Operational
Mode with new setting.
FRS315WX MANUAL.qx 12/5/00 11:17 AM Page 36

Advanced Features
39
Advanced Features
38
continued
Pressandholdforonesecond Lock Button.
icon flashes. If the Beep Function isONyou
willhearanaudibleconfirmation.Most buttons
are locked.
To“unlock”pressandrelease button again.
If the Beep Function is ON youwill hear anaudi-
ble confirmation.Most buttons arelocked.
Buttons are“unlocked”and icon disappears.
Note
CallButton,RangeExtender
ButtonandTalkButton
donot lockand arefully
operational whiletheunit
islocked.
Theunitcannotlockwhile
inFunctionMode.
Lock Function
The purpose of the LOCK function is to lock most
buttons to avoid accidental operation.
To engage the LOCK function:
Lock Function
Dual Watch Function
DualWatch allows you to simultane-
ouslymonitorany two preselected
Family Radio Service channels.
Select first channel and CTCSS
code which you desire to Dual
Watch. (please see pages 6
and 7).
DualWatch
Function
DualWatch
Function
Dual Watch Function
Pressandrelease Mode Button until
icon flashes.
Press Channel Button up and down to
select second channel.
FRS315WX MANUAL.qx 12/5/00 11:17 AM Page 38