Cobra microTALK CX312 User manual

Introduction Making Life Easier and Safer
Staying in touch with your family and friends is
convenient and easy when using your microTALK®
radio. Some of the many uses you will discover include:
Communicating with others while hiking, biking, and working; keeping
track of family and friends at a crowded public event; checking with
travel companions in another car; talking with neighbors; arranging
meeting spots with others while shopping at the mall.
Secure your microTALK®
radio while on the go.
Carrying your microTALK®radio with you is easy
when using the belt clip or optional wrist strap.
The belt clip easily attaches to your belt, purse,
or backpack.
Owner’s Manual
Belt Clip
TWO-WAY RADIO MODEL
CX312

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2
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Product Features
1
3
7
11
8
4
5
12
13
14
15
10
6
9
1. Antenna
2. External Speaker/
Microphone/Charge Jack
3. Mode/Power Button
4. Weather/Lock Button
5. Channel Up/Down
Buttons
6. Backlit LCD Display
7. Speaker/Microphone
8. Volume Up/Down Buttons
9. Light/Max Range Button
10. Talk Button
11. Call Button
12. Wrist Strap Connection
13. Belt Clip
14. Battery Compartment
15. Battery Door Latch
Product Features
Introduction
Product Features
Features
• 22 Channels
Seven shared
with FRS/GMRS,
seven FRS only,
eight GMRS only.
•10 Channel
Weather Radio
• Weather Alert
•121 Privacy Codes
(38 CTCSS codes/
83 DCS codes)
•Hands-Free Operation
(VOX)
• Scan
Channels,
privacy codes
• Backlit LCD Display
• Call Alert
Five selectable
tones
• Button Lock
• Speaker/
Microphone/
Charge Jack
• Roger Beep
Selectable On/Off
• Battery/Power Saver
• Keystroke Tones
• Battery Level
Indicator
• Auto Squelch
• Maximum
Range Extender
Important FCC Licensing Information
This radio operates on General Mobile Radio
Service (GMRS) frequencies which require a
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
license. See page 15 for licensing and other
related information.
Maximum range may vary and is based on
unobstructed line-of-sight communication
under ideal conditions.
Introduction
Backlit LCD Display
1. Battery Level Indicator
2. VOX Icon
3. Scan Icon
4. Roger Beep Icon
5. Lock Icon
6. Low Power Icon
7. DCS/CTCSS Icons
8. Weather Icon
9. Weather Alert Icon
10. DCS/CTCSS Privacy Code Numbers
11. Power Saver Icon
12. Channel Numbers
13. Receive/Transmit Icon
1
2345
6
11
12
13
10
8
7
9

Caring for Your microTALK®Radio •
Your microTALK®radio will give you years of trouble-free service
if cared for properly. Handle the radio gently. Keep the radio away from
dust. Never put the radio in water or in a damp place. Avoid exposure to
extreme temperatures.
Installing Batteries •
To install or replace batteries:
1. Remove belt clip by releasing belt clip
latch and sliding clip up.
2. Pull up on the battery door latch to remove the
battery compartment cover.
3. Insert three AA rechargeable batteries or
non-rechargeable alkaline batteries. Position
batteries according to polarity markings.
4. Replace battery compartment cover and
belt clip.
• Do not attempt to charge alkaline batteries.
• Do not mix old and new batteries.
• Do not mix alkaline, standard (carbon-zinc), or
rechargeable (Ni-Cd, Ni-MH, etc.) batteries.
To charge batteries in radio:
1. Check to see that the batteries have been
inserted properly.
2. Insert the cable into the charge jack located at
the top of the radio.
3. Plug the cable into USB-compatible power port.
Cobra recommends your radio is turned off while being charged.
Non-rechargeable alkaline batteries can also be used in your radio.
If you are planning to buy NiMh batteries, please purchase Cobra
supplied batteries only.
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Remove Belt Clip
Pull Up Lock Latch
Insert Batteries
Operation Customer Assistance Warranty
Introduction
Radio Charger Jack

Customer Assistance WarrantyIntroduction Operation
Battery Low •
When battery power is low, the final bar in the Battery
Low icon will blink and an audible tone will sound twice
before the radio shuts off. Your batteries should be
replaced or recharged, if using rechargeable batteries.
Auto Battery Save •
If there are no transmissions within 10 seconds, the
radio will automatically switch to Power Save mode
and the Power Saver icon will flash in the display.
This will not affect the radio’s ability to receive
incoming transmissions.
Communicating with Another Person •
1. Press and hold the Talk button.
2. With the microphone about two inches (5 cm) from
your mouth, speak in a normal voice.
3. Release the Talk button when you are
finished talking and listen for a response.
You cannot receive incoming calls while
pressing the Talk button.
Both radios must be tuned to the
same channel to communicate.
Using Your Radio
Operation
Quick Start
1. Press and hold the Mode/Power button
to turn on your radio.
2. Press the Channel Up or Channel Down
button to select a channel.
Both radios must be tuned to the same
channel/privacy code to communicate.
3. Press and hold the Talk button while
speaking into the microphone.
4. When finished talking, release the Talk
button and listen for a response.
Battery Low
Battery Save Mode
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Talk Button
Two Inches (5 cm)
from Mouth
To Select a Channel •
With the radio on, select any of the 22 channels by
pressing the Channel Up or Channel Down button.
Both radios must be tuned to the
same channel to communicate.
Channels 1 through 7 are shared with FRS/ GMRS.
Channels 8 through 14 are FRS only. Channels 15
through 22 are GMRS only.
See page 14 for FRS/GMRS frequency
allocations and compatibility charts.
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Channel Button
Channel Number
The radio will display flashing battery icon
while charging if the radio is on.
Turning on Your microTALK®Radio •
Press and hold the Mode/Power button until you hear
a series of audible tones indicating the radio is on.
Your microTALK®radio is now in Standby mode,
ready to receive transmissions. The radio is always
in Standby mode except when the Talk, Call or
Mode/Power buttons are pressed.
Battery Status Indicator •
The battery charge status is shown on the display.
Four bars indicates fully charged.
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Mode/Power
Battery Charge
Status

To temporarily turn off auto squelch:
Press the Light/Max Range button for
less than five seconds.
To turn maximum range extender on:
–Press and hold the Light/Max Range button
for at least five seconds until you hear
two beeps which indicates the maximum
range extender is on.
To turn maximum range extender off:
–Press and release the Light/Max Range
button or change channels.
Lock Function •
The Lock function locks the Channel Up,Channel
Down and Mode/Power buttons to prevent
accidental operation.
To turn the lock on or off:
–Press and hold the Lock button for
two seconds.
A double beep sound is used to confirm your lock
on or off request. When in Lock mode,
the Lock icon will be displayed.
Customer Assistance WarrantyIntroduction Operation
Using Your Radio
Operation
Listening for a Response •
Release the Talk button to receive incoming
transmissions. Your microTALK®radio is always in
Standby mode while the Talk or Call buttons are
not pressed.
To Adjust Volume •
Press the Volume Up or Volume
Down button.
A double beep sound is used to indicate
the minimum and maximum volume levels
(1 through 8).
Call Button •
Press and release the Call button.
The other person will hear a two second call
tone. This tone is used only to establish voice
communications.
See page 12 on how to select between five
call tone settings.
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Volume Button
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Call Button
Listening
Volume Level
Lock Icon
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Light/Max Range
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Lock Button
To Illuminate Display •
Press and release the Light/Max Range button
to illuminate the display.
Auto Squelch/Maximum Range •
Your microTALK®radio will automatically shut off weak transmissions
and unwanted noise due to terrain, conditions or if you’ve reached your
Maximum Range limit.
You can temporarily turn off auto squelch or turn on maximum range
extender, allowing all signals to be received and extending the maximum
range of your radio.
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Light/Max Range
microTALK®Range •
Your range will vary depending on terrain and conditions.
In flat, open country your radio will
operate at maximum range.
Buildings and foliage in the path of the
signal can reduce the range of the radio.
Dense foliage and hilly terrain will further
reduce the range of the radio.
On FRS Channels 8 through 14, your radio
automatically switches to low power, which
will limit the range the radio can communicate.
Remember, you can achieve maximum
range by using maximum range extender.
See page 4 for details.
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Maximum Range
Reduced Range
Reduced Range

Scrolling Through the Mode Function •
By scrolling through the Mode function, you will be able to
select or turn on preferred features of your microTALK®radio. When
scrolling through the Mode function, your radio features
will be displayed in the same predetermined order:
Set CTCSS Privacy Codes
Set DCS Privacy Codes
Set Vox On/Off
Set Vox Sensitivity
Set Channel Scan
Set CTCSS Privacy Code Scan
Set DCS Privacy Code Scan
Set Call Tones
Set Roger Beep On/Off
Privacy Codes •
Your microTALK radio incorporates two advanced coded squelch
systems that can help to reduce interference from other users
on any given channel. CTCSS (Continuous Tone Coded Squelch
System) provides 38 privacy codes and DCS (Digitally Coded Squelch)
provides 83 privacy codes. This provides a total of 121 Privacy
Codes. Either system can be used on all channels, but both systems
cannot be used on the same channel at the same time.
To successfully communicate using a privacy code, both
the sending and receiving radios must be tuned to the same
channel and to the same privacy code system (CTCSS or DCS)
and privacy code number. Each channel will remember the last
privacy code system and number you select.
The privacy code 00 is not a privacy code, but allows all signals
to be heard on a channel that is set to 00 on both
the CTCSS and DCS systems.
Set CTCSS Privacy Codes •
To select a CTCSS privacy code:
1. After selecting a channel, press
the Mode/Power button until the CTCSS icon
appears and the small numbers next to the
channel number flash on the display.
If DCS is turned on at the channel selected,
the display will flash the
CTCSS icon and “OFF.”To switch from
DCS to CTCSS, press the Channel Up
or Channel Down button while the display
is flashing “OFF.”The display
will then show the small numbers flashing
and you will then be able
to proceed to step 2.
2. Press using the Channel Up or Channel Down
button to select a privacy code. You can hold the
Up or Down button for fast advance.
3. When your desired CTCSS privacy code is
displayed, choose one of the following:
a. Press the Mode/Power button to enter the
new setting and proceed to other functions.
b. Press the Lock button to enter the new setting
and return to Standby mode.
c. Do not press any buttons for 15 seconds
to enter the new setting and return to Standby
mode.
Customer Assistance WarrantyIntroduction Operation
Using Your Radio
Operation
Privacy Code
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Mode/Power
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Mode/Power
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Channel Button

Customer Assistance WarrantyIntroduction OperationOperation Mode Functions
Set DCS Privacy Codes •
To select a DCS privacy code:
1. After selecting a channel, press the Mode/Power
button until the DCS icon appears and the small
numbers flash on the display (01 through 83).
2. Press using the Channel Up or Channel Down button to select a DCS
privacy code. You can hold the Up or Down button for fast advance.
3. When DCS privacy code is displayed, choose one of the following:
a. Press the Mode/Power button to enter the new setting and
proceed to other functions.
b. Press the Lock button to enter the new setting and return to
Standby mode.
c. Do not press any buttons for 15 seconds to enter the new setting
and return to Standby mode.
DCS Privacy Code If CTCSS is turned on at the channel selected,
the display will flash the DCS icon and “OFF.”
To switch from CTCSS to DCS, press the
Channel Up or Channel Down button while
the display is flashing “OFF.”The display will
then show the small numbers flashing and you
will then be able to proceed to step 2.
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Mode/Power
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Channel Button
To set VOX sensitivity:
1. Press the Mode/Power button until the VOX icon
flashes and the current sensitivity level is displayed.
The current VOX sensitivity level is displayed
with letters “LE” and a Number 1 through
5, with Number 5 being the most sensitive
level and Number 1 being the least
sensitive level.
2. Press the Channel Up or Channel Down
button to change the setting.
3. Choose one of the following:
a. Press the Mode/Power button to enter the
selected setting and proceed to other functions.
b. Press the Lock button to enter the selected
setting and return to Standby mode.
VOX Sensitivity Level
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Mode/Power
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Channel Button
Voice Activated Transmit (VOX) •
In VOX mode, your microTALK®radio can be used “hands-free,” automatically
transmitting when you speak. You can set the VOX sensitivity level to fit the
volume of your voice and avoid transmissions triggered by background noise.
To turn VOX mode on or off:
1. Press the Mode/Power button until the VOX icon
flashes on the display. The current On or Off
setting is displayed.
2. Press the Channel Up or Channel Down
button to turn VOX On or Off.
3. Choose one of the following:
a. Press the Mode/Power button to enter the
selected On or Off setting and proceed
to other functions.
b. Press the Lock button to enter the selected On
or Off setting and return to Standby mode.
VOX Icon
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Mode/Power
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Channel Button

Customer Assistance WarrantyIntroduction Operation
Mode Functions
Operation Mode Functions
Channel Scan •
Your microTALK®radio can automatically scan channels.
To scan channels:
1. Press the Mode/Power button until the
Scan icon and the channel numbers appear
on the display.
2. Press the Channel Up or Channel Down button to
begin scanning channels.
The radio ignores specific privacy
codes while scanning channels.
The Scan icon will continue to be displayed when
scan is on. Your radio will continue to scan all
channels and stop if an incoming transmission is
detected. Your radio will remain on that channel for
10 seconds.
During scanning (while receiving an incoming transmission),
you can choose from the following:
a. Press and hold the Talk button to communicate on that channel.
Your radio will remain on that channel and return to Standby mode.
b. Press the Channel Up or Channel Down button to resume
scanning channels.
c. Press the Lock button to return to Standby.
During scanning (while receiving an incoming transmission),
you can choose from the following:
a. Press and hold the Talk button to communicate on that channel/
privacy code. Your radio will remain on that channel/privacy code
and return to Standby mode.
b. Press the Channel Up or Channel Down button to
resume scanning privacy codes. If you do not press any button
within 10 seconds, your radio will automatically resume scanning
privacy codes.
c. Press the Lock button to return to Standby.
Scan Channels
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Channel Button
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Mode/Power
During scanning (while receiving an incoming transmission),
you can choose from the following:
a. Press and hold the Talk button to communicate on that channel/
privacy code. Your radio will remain on that channel/privacy code
and return to Standby mode.
b. Press the Channel Up or Channel Down button to
resume scanning privacy codes. If you do not press any button
within 10 seconds, your radio will automatically resume scanning
privacy codes.
c. Press the Lock button to return to Standby.
Privacy Code Scan •
Your microTALK radio can automatically scan the Privacy Codes (either
CTCSS 01 through 38 or DCS 01 through 83) within one channel. Only
one set of privacy codes (CTCSS or DCS) can be scanned at a time.
To scan privacy codes:
1. While in Standby mode, press the Channel Up or
Channel Down button to choose the channel on
which you wish to scan privacy codes.
2. Press the Mode/Power button until either the
CTCSS or the DCS icon appears on the display
and the Scan icon and the privacy code numbers
flash on the display.
3. Press the Channel Up or Channel Down button
to begin scanning privacy codes within the
channel you selected.
Select Channel
Scan Privacy Codes
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Mode/Power

Customer Assistance WarrantyIntroduction Operation
Mode Functions
Operation
Channel Button
Call Tone Setting
Roger Beep Off
Five Call Tone Settings •
You can choose between five different Call Tone Settings to transmit
a call alert.
To change a call tone setting:
1. Press the Mode/Power button until the
letter “C” and the current call tone number
(01 through 05) is displayed. The current
call tone will sound for one second.
2. Press the Channel Up or Channel Down button
to hear the other call tone settings.
3. Choose one of the following:
a. Press the Mode/Power button to
enter the new setting and proceed
to other functions.
b. Press the Lock button to enter the new setting
and return to Standby mode.
Roger Beep Confirmation Tone •
Your listener will hear an audible tone when you release the
Talk button. This alerts the other party that you are finished
talking and it is OK for them to speak.
To turn roger beep on or off:
1. Press the Mode/Power button until the
Roger Beep icon flashes. The current
on or off setting is displayed.
2. Press the Channel Up or Channel Down button
to select roger beep on or off.
3. Choose one of the following:
a. Press the Mode/Power button to enter the
new setting and return to Standby mode.
b. Press the Lock button to enter the new setting
and return to Standby mode.
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Mode/Power
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Channel Button
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Mode/Power
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Channel Button
Hazards Radio Icon
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Channel Button
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Weather Button
Weather (WX) Alert Mode •
Turning On the Weather Alert function will allow your radio to automatically
receive NOAA Hazard Alert radio signals and warnings from designated NOAA
broadcast stations. If the radio is turned ON, it will alert to Weather and other
emergency alerts broadcast by NOAA.
To turn Weather Alert On or Off:
1. Press the Weather/Lock button until the Weather
Alert icon flashes on the display. The current On
or Off setting is displayed.
2. Press the Channel Up and Channel Down button
to turn Weather Alert On or Off.
3. Press and hold the Weather/Lock button again to
save the new setting and exit the Weather Alert
Mode and return to Standby mode.
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Mode/Power
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Weather Button
This radio is rain resistant to JIS3
standards.
This feature is set
to OFF by default.
Make sure the strongest
Weather channel is selected
for your area using the NOAA
All Hazards Radio Channels
selection in the previous menu.
Weather Radio Channels •
You can use your microTALK radio to listen to weather channels
transmitting in your area.
To listen to Weather Radio channels:
1. Press the Weather button until the WX icon
and the currently selected weather channel is
displayed.
2. Use the Channel Up or Channel Down
button to change weather channels.
3. The WX weather icon will continue to
be displayed when in weather mode.
4. To exit weather mode, press and hold the
Weather button until On or Off is displayed.
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