Cobra microTALK CXR850 User manual

Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra®English
For more information or to
order any of our products,
please visit our website:
www.cobra.com
A1
aking Life Easier and Safer
Owner’s Manual
Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra®English
TWO-WAY RADIO MODEL
CXR850
Printed in China
Part No. 480-473-P
Version A
Introduction
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.
The belt clip easily attaches to your
belt, purse or backpack.
For Assistance in the U.S.A.
In this user’s manual, you should find all the information you
need to operate your microTALK radio. If you require further
assistance after reading this manual, Cobra Electronics offers
the following customer assistance services:
Automated Help Desk
English only. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 773-889-3087 (phone).
Customer Assistance perators
English and Spanish. 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Central Time,
Monday through Friday (except holidays) 773-889-3087 (phone).
Questions
English and Spanish. Faxes can be received at 773-622-2269 (fax).
Technical Assistance
English only. www.cobra.com (online: Frequently Asked Questions).
English and Spanish. [e-mail] (e-mail).
For Assistance Outside the U.S.A.
Contact Your Local Dealer
©2008 Cobra Electronics Corporation™
6500 West Cortland Street
Chicago, Illinois 60707 USA
www.cobra.com
Customer Assistance
Belt Clip

29
A3
Product Features
A2
Product Features
Introduction Introduction
Backlit LCD Display
Important FCC Licensing Information
This radio operates on General Mobile Radio
Service (GMRS) frequencies which require a
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
license. See page 27 for licensing and other
related information.
Maximum range may vary and is based on
unobstructed line-of-sight communication under
ideal conditions.
Features
•22 Channels
Seven shared with
FRS/ MRS, seven
FRS only, eight
MRS only
•10 Channel N AA
ALL Hazards Radio
•142 Privacy Codes
(38 CTCSS codes/
104 DCS codes)
•Hands-Free
peration (V X)
•VibrAlert®
Silent Paging
•10 Channel
Memory
•Signal
Strength Meter
•Scan
Channels, privacy
codes, memory
•Selectable
Hi•Med•Low Power
In MRS
•Backlit
LCD Display
•Button Lock
•Call Alert
10 selectable
tones
•Speaker/
Microphone/
Charge Jack
•Roger Beep
Selectable on/off
•Battery/
Power Saver
•Keystroke Tones
Selectable on/off
•Auto Squelch
•Maximum Range
Extender
•Belt Clip
Limited One-Year Warranty on Radio(s) & Charger •
For Products Purchased in the U.S.A.
Cobra Electronics Corporation warrants that its Cobra microTALK
radios and charger, and the component parts thereof, will be free of defects
in workmanship and materials for a period of one year from the date of first
consumer purchase. This warranty may be enforced by the first consumer
purchaser, provided that the product is utilized within the U.S.A.
Cobra will, without charge, repair or replace, at its option, defective
microTALK radios, chargers, products or component parts upon delivery to
the Cobra Factory Service department, accompanied by proof of the date of
first consumer purchase, such as a duplicated copy of a sales receipt.
You must pay any initial shipping charges required to ship the product
for warranty service, but the return charges will be at Cobra’s expense,
if the product is repaired or replaced under warranty. This warranty gives
you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which may
vary from state to state.
Exclusions: This limited warranty does not apply: 1) To any product
damaged by accident; 2) In the event of misuse or abuse of the product or
as a result of unauthorized alterations or repairs; 3) If the serial number has
been altered, defaced, or removed; 4) If the owner of the product resides
outside the U.S.A.
All implied warranties, including warranties of merchantability and
fitness for a particular purpose are limited in duration to the length of this
warranty. Cobra shall not be liable for any incidental, consequential or
other damages; including, without limitation, damages resulting from loss
of use or cost of installation.
Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts
and/or do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential
damages, so the above limitations may not apply to you.
For Products Purchased utside the U.S.A.
Please contact your local dealer for warranty information.
90-Day Warranty on Cobra Lithium Ion Rechargeable Battery Packs
For products purchased in the U.S.A. and Canada.
Trademark Acknowledgement •
Cobra®, microTALK®, Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra®, VibrAlert®
and the snake design are registered trademarks of Cobra Electronics
Corporation, USA. Cobra Electronics Corporation™ is a trademark of
Cobra Electronics Corporation, USA.
Warranty and Trademark
Acknowledgement
Warranty
12
3
4
5
7
6
10
12
13
9
1. Antenna
2. External Speaker/
Microphone/Charge Jack
3. Backlit LCD Display
4. ode Button
5. Channel Up/Down Buttons
6. Hi-Low Power Button
7. Speaker/Microphone
8. On/Off Power Button
9. Lock/Enter Button
10. Volume Up/Down Buttons
11. Light/ ax Range Button
12. Talk Button
13. Call Button
14. Wrist Strap Connector
15. Belt Clip
16. Battery Compartment
17. Battery Door Latch
14
15
16
17
8
11
1
2346
9
10
13
1516
18 11
14
1. Signal Strength
Meter Icon
2. Call Alert and
VibrAlert Icon
3. Lock Icon
4. Keystroke Tones
Icon
5. DCS Icon
6. Roger Beep Icon
7. VOX Icon
8. OAA All Hazards
Radio Icon
9. Memory Icon
10. CTCSS Icon
11. Memory Location
umber
12. Privacy Code
umbers
13. Receive/Transmit
Icon
14. Hi-Med-Low Power
Icons
15. Battery Low
Indicator
16. Scan Icon
17. Power Saver Icon
18. Channel umbers
5
8
12
17
7

Operation Customer Assistance Warranty
1
Introduction
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.
Rechargeable Battery Pack and
Desktop Charger •
To install or replace battery pack:
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 lithium ion battery pack. Position
battery pack as shown in radio.
4. Replace battery compartment cover
and belt clip.
Estimated operation time on full charge:
12 hours.
Rechargeable battery packs must be recycled
or disposed of properly in compliance with all
applicable laws. They may not be thrown in
the trash.
Certain states or municipalities require recycling
and have established collection programs. Please
contact your local waste removal authority for
instructions, or return to Cobra®for recycling.
Wrap battery packs carefully and mail postage
prepaid to: Cobra Electronics Corporation, 6500
West Cortland Street, Chicago, IL 60707 USA,
Attn: Battery Recycling.
Do not put battery packs into fire or
expose to high heat. They may explode.
Pull Up Latch
Remove Belt Clip
Insert Battery Pack

3
2
For charging microTALK radio(s) in desktop
charger:
1. Insert radio(s) into desktop charger as shown.
2. Insert round connector of 120-volt adapter
into jack on back of charger.
3. Plug 120-volt adapter into electrical outlet.
If charging light is not on, check position of radio. Radio should be
upright. The charge indicator light will stay on as long as the radio
is in the charging well.
It normally takes about 15 hours to fully recharge battery pack.
Battery pack will not be damaged if it stays in the charging well
longer than that.
Note: To charge a single radio, you can bypass the desktop charger
and simply insert the wall adapter’s round connector directly into
the speaker/microphone/charge jack located on the top of the radio.
Use only the supplied rechargeable batteries and charger for
recharging your Cobra microTALK radio.
Cobra recommends your radio is turned off while being charged.
Turning on Your microTALK Radio •
Press and hold the 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,Mode or Power buttons are pressed.
Battery Low •
When battery power is low, the Battery Low icon
will blink. Your batteries should be recharged.
Auto Battery Save •
Your microTALK radio has a unique circuit
designed to extend battery life. If there are
no transmissions for 10 seconds, the radio will
automatically switch to Battery 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 2 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/privacy code
to communicate.
Introduction Using Your Radio Customer Assistance Warranty
Introduction Operation
On/Off Power
Battery Low
Battery Save ode
Talk Button
2 Inches (5 cm)
from outh
Insert Radio(s)
Quick Start
1. Press and hold the 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.

Customer Assistance WarrantyIntroduction
5
Operation
4
Using Your Radio
Channels •
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 by FRS and
MRS. Channels 8 through 14 are FRS only.
Channels 15 through 22 are MRS only.
See page 26 for FRS/ MRS frequency
allocations and compatibility charts.
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.
Call Button •
To alert another person that you are calling:
–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 24 on how to select from
10 available call tone settings.
Operation
Selectable High•Medium•Low
Power Output •
When in close proximity to another party or during
favorable conditions, you can switch from High to
Medium to Low Power to extend battery life.
This feature applies to MRS Channels
1 through 7 and 15 through 22 only.
Channels 8 through 14 operate
exclusively on low power.
To switch from high to medium to low power:
–Press and release the Hi•Low button.
When in High Power and using Channels 1
through 7 and 15 through 22, the Hi icon will be
visible in the LCD display.
When in Medium Power and using Channels 1
through 7 and 15 through 22, the Med icon will
be visible in the LCD.
When in Low Power or while using channels 8
through 14, the Low icon will be visible in the
display.
To Illuminate Display •
Press and release the Light/Max Range
button to illuminate the display for
10 seconds.
Channel Buttons
Channel Number
Listening
Call Button
Hi-Low Button
Hi Power Icon
Low Power Icon
Light/ ax Range
edium Power Icon

Customer Assistance WarrantyIntroduction
7
Operation
Speaker/Microphone/Charge Jack •
Your microTALK radio can be fitted with an external Speaker/Microphone,
freeing your hands for other tasks. This same jack also serves as the
connecting point for the wall charger/adapter.
To attach a speaker/microphone:
1. Open the speaker/microphone/charge
tab on top of your microTALK radio.
2. Insert the plug into the speaker/
microphone/charge jack.
To connect a wall charger/adapter:
1. Open the speaker/microphone/charge
tab on top of your microTALK radio.
2. Insert the wall charger/adapter plug
into the speaker/microphone/charge jack.
Signal Strength Meter •
Your microTALK radio has a Signal Strength
Meter that shows the strength of your incoming
and outgoing transmissions. The ascending bars
next to the signal strength indicate the strength
of the signal. The greater the number of bars
visible, the stronger the signal. The fewer
number of bars visible, the weaker the signal.
6
Using Your Radio
Auto Squelch/Maximum Range •
Your microTALK radio is equipped with Auto Squelch, which
automatically shuts off weak transmissions and unwanted noise
due to terrain and conditions. This slightly reduces the Maximum
Range at which signals can be heard.
You can turn off auto squelch to allow all signals to be
received and extend the maximum range of your radio.
To briefly turn off auto squelch:
–Press the Light/Max Range button
for less than five seconds.
If you hear two beeps, you have turned
the maximum range extender on (see below).
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 Feature •
The Lock feature locks the Channel,Mode,Hi•Low and Power
buttons to prevent accidental operation.
To turn the lock feature on or off:
–Press and hold the Lock/Enter 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.
Operation
Light/ ax Range
Lock/Enter Button
Lock ode
Speaker/ icrophone/
Charge Jack
Signal Strength

Customer Assistance WarrantyIntroduction
9
Operation
8
ode Functions
Scrolling through Mode Functions •
By scrolling through the Mode Functions, you will be able to
select or turn on/off preferred features of your microTALK radio.
When scrolling through the Mode Functions, your radio features
will be displayed in the following order:
Set CTCSS Privacy Codes
Set DCS Privacy Codes
Set NOAA All Hazards Radio Channel
Set VOX On/Off
Set VOX Sensitivity Level
Set Memory Locations
Set Channel Scan
Set CTCSS Privacy Code Scan
Set DCS Privacy Code Scan
Set Memory Location Scan
Set VibrAlert and/or Call Alert
Set Call Alert Tone Signal
Set Roger Beep On/Off
Set Keystroke Tones On/Off
Scroll through the mode functions using the Mode button. Each press
and release of the Mode button will advance to the next mode function.
Press the Talk button at any point to return the radio to Standby mode.
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 104 privacy codes. This provides a total of 142
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.
Operation
Set CTCSS Privacy Codes •
To select a CTCSS privacy code:
1. After selecting a channel, press the
Mode button until the CTCSS icon appears
and the small numbers flash on the display
(01 through 38).
N TE
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 CTCSS privacy
code. You can hold the Channel Up or
Channel Down button for fast advance.
3. When your desired CTCSS privacy code is
displayed, choose one of the following:
a. Press the Mode button to enter the new
setting and proceed to other functions.
b. Press the Lock/Enter 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.
ode Button
ode Button
Channel Buttons
CTCSS Privacy Code

Customer Assistance WarrantyIntroduction Operation
10
ode Functions
Operation
11
Set DCS Privacy Codes •
To select a DCS privacy code:
1. After selecting a channel, press the Mode
button until the DCS icon appears and the
small numbers flash on the display
(01 through 104).
N TE
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.
2. Press using the Channel Up or Channel Down
button to select a DCS privacy code. You can
hold the Channel Up or Channel Down button
for fast advance.
3. When your desired DCS privacy code is
displayed, choose one of the following:
a. Press the Mode button to enter the new
setting and proceed to other functions.
b. Press the Lock/Enter 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.
NOAA* All Hazards Radio Channels •
You can use your microTALK radio to listen to N AA All Hazards
Radio channels transmitting in your area.
To listen to All Hazards Radio channels:
1. Press the Mode button until the WX (All
Hazards Radio) icon, the currently selected All
Hazards Radio channel, and signal strength
are displayed.
2. Use the Channel Up or Channel Down button
to change All Hazards Radio channels.
3. WX (All Hazards Radio) icon will continue to
be displayed when All Hazards Radio is on.
Choose one of the following:
a. Press the Mode button to proceed
to other functions.
b. Press the Lock/Enter button to exit All
Hazards Radio channels mode and return
to Standby mode.
*National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Adminstration
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 6 for details.
aximum Range
Reduced Range
Reduced Range
ode Button
Channel Buttons
ode Button
Channel Buttons
Hazards Radio Icon
DCS Privacy Code

Customer Assistance WarrantyIntroduction
13
Operation
12
ode Functions
Operation
10 Memory Locations •
Your microTALK radio has 10 Memory Locations for storing
your most frequently used channels and channel/privacy code
combinations. These Memory Locations can be selected individually
or can be scanned. (See page 21 for memory location scan.)
To program a memory location:
1. Press the Mode button until the
Memory icon and the memory location
flash on the display.
2. Press the Channel Up or Channel Down
button to select the memory location
(0 through 9).
If a location has been programmed
before, its associated channel/privacy
code will be shown on the display.
3. Press the Lock/Enter button to enter
a new memory location or edit an already
programmed memory location. The channel
numbers will flash on the display.
4. Press the Channel Up or Channel Down
button to select a channel (1 through 22).
5. Press the Lock/Enter button.
The CTCSS icon and privacy code
numbers will flash on the display.
oice Activated Transmit ( OX) •
In V X mode, your microTALK radio can be used “hands-free,”
automatically transmitting when you speak. You can set the V X
sensitivity level to fit the volume of your voice and avoid
transmissions triggered by background noise.
To turn V X mode on or off:
1. Press the Mode button until the V X 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 button to enter the
selected on or off setting and proceed
to other functions.
b. Press the Lock/Enter button to enter
the selected on or off setting and return
to Standby mode.
To set V X sensitivity:
1. Press the Mode button until the V X icon
flashes and the current sensitivity level
is displayed.
The current sensitivity level is displayed
with letters “LE” and a Number 01
through 05, with Number 05 being the
most sensitive level and Number 01
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 button to enter
the selected setting and proceed to
other functions.
b. Press the Lock/Enter button to
enter the selected setting and return
to Standby mode.
ode Button
ode Button
Channel Buttons
Channel Buttons
VOX Icon
VOX Sensitivity Level
ode Button
Channel Buttons
emory Icon
Lock/Enter Button

Customer Assistance WarrantyIntroduction
15
Operation
14
ode Functions
Operation
To recall a stored memory channel location:
1. Press the Mode button until the Memory icon
and the memory location number flash on the
display.
2. Press the Channel Up or Channel Down
button to select a memory location
(0 through 9).
If a location has been programmed
before, its associated channel/privacy
code will be shown on the display.
3. Press the Talk button to return to Standby
mode on the selected memory location.
A memory location can be reprogrammed
at any time it is displayed. Press the
Lock/Enter button to begin.
While recalling a stored memory location,
if you do not press any buttons for 15 seconds,
your radio will automatically return to Standby
mode on the channel/privacy code displayed
before you entered mode functions.
6. Choose one of the following:
a. Press the Channel Up or Channel Down
button to select a CTCSS privacy code
(01 through 38) for the channel.
b. Press the Lock/Enter button to
switch from CTCSS to DCS. The DCS
icon and privacy code numbers will
flash on the display. The Channel Up
or Channel Down button can then be
used to select a DCS privacy code
(01 through 104) for the channel.
If “OFF” flashes in place of the privacy
code numbers, a privacy code is
already set in the opposite (CTCSS
or DCS) system. Press the Channel Up
or Channel Down button to cancel
the opposite code and select a privacy
code from the active system for the
selected channel.
7. Choose one of the following:
a. Press the Lock/Enter button to enter
the channel/privacy code in the selected
memory location. Radio then proceeds to
next memory location, which will blink.
b. Press the Mode button to
enter the channel/privacy code in
the selected memory location and
proceed to other functions on the
channel/privacy code displayed
before you entered mode functions.
c. Press the Talk button to enter the
channel/privacy code in the selected
memory location and exit mode functions.
Upon release of the Talk button, the
radio will enter Standby mode on the
channel/privacy code just entered.
ode Button
Channel Buttons
emory Icon