Cobra microTALK PR4500WX User manual

Owner’s Manual
Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra®
TWO-WAYRADIO MODEL
PR4500WX
Printed in China
Part No. 480-315-P
Version A
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A1
Making Life Easier and Safer
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. Simply squeeze the
clip and place it where you prefer.
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, seven (7) days a week 773-889-3087
(phone).
Customer Assistance Operators
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 (on-line: Frequently Asked Questions).
English and Spanish. [e-mail] (e-mail).
For Assistance Outside the U.S.A.
Contact Your Local Dealer
Belt Clip
Customer Assistance
©2007 Cobra Electronics Corporation™
6500 West Cortland Street
Chicago, Illinois 60707 USA
www.cobra.com
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A2
Product Features
Introduction
12
3
8
4
5
7
6
10
11
12
9
1. Antenna
2. External Speaker/
Microphone/Charge Jack
3. On/Off Volume Knob
4. Backlit LCD Display
5. Channel Up Button
6. Channel Down Button
7. Mode/Lock Button
8. Speaker/Microphone
9. Call Button
10. Light/Max Range Button
11. Talk Button
12. Enter/Hi-Low Power Button
13. Wrist Strap Connector
14. Belt Clip
15. Battery Compartment
16. Battery Door Latch
13
14
15
16
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A3
Product Features
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 22 for licensing and other
related information.
Maximum range may vary and is based on
unobstructed line-of-sight communication under
ideal conditions.
• 22 Channels
Seven shared
with FRS/GMRS,
seven FRS
only, eight
GMRS only
•38 Privacy Codes
•10 Channel NOAA
All Hazards Radio
• Hands-Free
Operation (VOX)
• 10 Channel Memory
• Signal Strength
Meter
• Scan
Channel, privacy
code, memory
• Selectable
Hi•Low Power
In GMRS
• 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
12346
8
9
11
13
14
15 10
12
1. Signal Strength Meter Icon
2. Lock Icon
3. Keystroke Tones Icon
4. Roger Beep Icon
5. VOX Icon
6. NOAAAll Hazards Radio Icon
7. Scan Icon
8. Memory Icon
9. Memory Location Number
10. CTCSS Privacy Code Numbers
11. Hi-Low Icons
12. Receive/Transmit Icons
13. Battery Low Indicator
14. Power Saver Icon
15. Channel Numbers
5
7
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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 Batteries and
Desktop Charger •
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
the battery compartment cover.
3. Insert batteries according to
polarity markings.
4. Replace battery compartment cover
and belt clip.
Estimated operation time on full charge:
12 hours.
These rechargeable batteries 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 batteries carefully and mail postage prepaid to:
Cobra Electronics Corporation, 6500 West Cortland Street,
Chicago, IL 60707 USA, Attn: Battery Recycling.
Do not put batteries into fire or expose to high heat.
They may explode.
Remove Belt Clip
Pull Up Lock Latch
Insert Batteries
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2
Using Your Radio
Operation
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, even after the batteries are fully charged.
It normally takes about 15 hours to fully recharge batteries.
Batteries will not be damaged if they stay 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.
Non-rechargeable alkaline batteries can also be used in your radio.
Insert Radio(s)
Quick Start
1. Rotate the On/Off Volume knob 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.
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Customer Assistance WarrantyIntroduction
3
Operation
Turning on Your microTALK Radio •
Rotate the On/Off Volume knob clockwise to turn
on your radio and adjust the volume.
A series of tones will indicate 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/Lock buttons are pressed.
Battery Low •
When battery power is low, the Battery Low icon
will blink. Your batteries should be recharged or
replaced if using alkaline batteries.
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.
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.
On/Off Power
Battery Low
Battery Save Mode
Signal Strength
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4
Using Your Radio
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.
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
GMRS. Channels 8 through 14 are FRS only.
Channels 15 through 22 are GMRS only.
See page 21 for FRS/GMRS 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.
Operation
Two Inches (5 cm)
from Mouth
Channel Number
Listening
Talk Button
Channel Buttons
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Customer Assistance WarrantyIntroduction
5
Operation
Volume •
Rotate the On/Off Volume knob.
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 19 on how to select from
10 available call tone settings.
Selectable High•Low Power Output •
When in close proximity to another party or
during favorable conditions, you can switch
from High to Low Power to extend battery life.
This feature applies to GMRS Channels
1 through 7 and 15 through 22 only.
Channels 8 through 14 operate
exclusively on low power.
To toggle between high and low power:
Press the Enter/Hi•Low button for
two seconds.
When using Channels 1 through 7 and
15 through 22 on high power, the Hi icon
will be visible on the display.
When using those channels on low power
and on Channels 8 through 14, the Low icon
will be visible on the display.
To Illuminate Display •
Press and release the Light/Max Range button to
illuminate the display for 10 seconds.
Enter/Hi-Low Button
Volume Knob
Hi Power Icon
Low Power Icon
Light/Max Range
Call Button
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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/Lock and Enter/Hi•Low
Power buttons to prevent accidental operation.
To turn the lock feature on or off:
Press and hold the Mode/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.
Operation
Light/Max Range
Lock Mode
Mode/Lock Button
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Customer Assistance WarrantyIntroduction
7
Operation
Dual Function Buttons •
Two of the buttons on the microTALK radio have Dual Functions;
Mode/Lock
• Press and release the button to scroll to the next mode function.
• Press and hold the button for two seconds or more to turn the
lock function on or off.
Enter/Hi•Low Power
• Press and release the button to enter settings in Function mode.
• Press and release to toggle between high and low power
transmission in Standby mode.
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
an optional 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.
Earbud Microphone •
1. Plug earbud microphone into radio.
2. Place earbud in ear.
3. Clip microphone onto clothing 3 inches
(7.62 cm) to 6 inches (15.24 cm) from your
mouth.
4. Push to talk.
Speaker/Microphone/
Charge Jack
Radio Charger Jack
Placed in Ear
Clipped to Clothing
1
2
3
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8
Mode Functions
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.
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 Privacy Codes
Set NOAA All Hazards Radio Channel
Set VOX On/Off
Set VOX Sensitivity Level
Set Memory Locations
Set Channel Scan
Set Privacy Code Scan
Set Memory Location Scan
Set Call Tones
Set Roger Beep On/Off
Set Keystroke Tones On/Off
Scroll through the mode functions using the Mode/Lock button.
Each press and release of the Mode/Lock button will advance to
the next mode function. Press the Talk button at any point to
return the radio to Standby mode.
Operation
Maximum Range
Reduced Range
Reduced Range
Mode/Lock Button
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Customer Assistance WarrantyIntroduction
9
Operation
CTCSS Privacy Codes •
CTCSS (Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System) is an advanced
tone coding system allowing you to select one of 38 privacy codes
to reduce interference from other users on the channel.
If you are using a privacy code, both radios must
be tuned to the same channel and privacy code to
communicate. Each channel will remember the
last privacy code you selected.
To select a privacy code:
1. After selecting a channel, press
the Mode/Lock button until the small
numbers next to the channel number
flash on the display.
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 privacy code is displayed,
choose one of the following:
a. Press the Mode/Lock button to enter the
new setting and proceed to other functions.
b. Press the Enter/Hi•Low 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.
Privacy Code
Channel Buttons
Mode/Lock Button
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10
Mode Functions
Operation
NOAA* All Hazards Radio Channels •
You can use your microTALK radio to listen to NOAA All Hazards
Radio channels transmitting in your area.
To listen to All Hazards Radio channels:
1. Press the Mode/Lock button until the
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. The All Hazards Radio icon will continue to
be displayed when All Hazards Radio is on.
Choose one of the following:
a. Press the Mode/Lock button to proceed
to other functions.
b. Press the Enter/Hi-Low button to exit
All Hazards Radio channel mode and
return to Standby mode.
c. Press Talk button to exit and start on
last used transmitting channel.
*National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration
Enter/Hi-Low Button
Channel Buttons
Mode/Lock Button
Hazards Radio Icon
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Customer Assistance WarrantyIntroduction Operation
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/Lock 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/Lock button to enter the
selected on or off setting and proceed to
other functions.
b. Press the Enter/Hi•Low button to enter
the selected on or off setting and return
to Standby mode.
To set VOX sensitivity:
1. Press the Mode/Lock button until the VOX
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/Lock button to enter
the selected setting and proceed to
other functions.
b. Press the Enter/Hi•Low button to
enter the selected setting and return
to Standby mode.
11
VOX Icon
VOX Sensitivity Level
Channel Buttons
Channel Buttons
Mode/Lock Button
Mode/Lock Button
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12
Mode Functions
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 18 for memory location scan.)
To program a memory location:
1. Press the Mode/Lock 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 Enter/Hi•Low 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 Enter/Hi•Low button. The privacy
code numbers will flash on the display.
6. Press the Channel Up or Channel Down
button to select a privacy code (00 to 38).
7. Choose one of the following:
a. Press the Enter/Hi•Low button to enter the channel/privacy
code in the selected memory location and return to the
beginning of memory location options.
b. Press the Mode/Lock 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 return to Standby mode
on the selected memory location.
Operation
Memory Icon
Channel Buttons
Enter/Hi-Low Button
Mode/Lock Button
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Customer Assistance WarrantyIntroduction Operation
While setting a 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. To recall a stored memory channel location:
1. Press the Mode/Lock 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
Enter/Hi•Low 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.
13
Memory Icon
Channel Buttons
Mode/Lock Button
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14
Mode Functions
To de-program a memory location:
1. Press the Mode/Lock 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 Enter/Hi•Low button. The channel
numbers will flash on the display.
4. Press the Channel Up or Channel Down
button to select Channel 0.
5. Choose one of the following:
a. Press the Enter/Hi•Low button to enter
the channel/privacy code in the selected
memory location and return to the
beginning of memory location options.
b. Press the Mode/Lock 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.
While de-programming a 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.
Operation
Memory Icon
Enter/Hi-Low Button
Channel 0
Channel Buttons
Mode/Lock Button
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Customer Assistance WarrantyIntroduction
15
Operation
Channel Scan •
Your microTALK radio can automatically scan channels.
To scan channels:
1. Press the Mode/Lock button until the
Scan icon and the channel numbers
flash 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.
While setting channel scan, if you do not
press any buttons for 15 seconds, your radio
will automatically return to Standby mode on
the channel or channel/privacy code displayed
before you entered mode functions.
During channel scan (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.
If you press the Talk button while scanning,
but more than 10 seconds after receiving a
transmission, you will transmit on the channel
on which you last received a transmission.
This will return the radio to Standby mode.
If you do not press any button within
10 seconds after receiving a scanned
transmission, your radio will automatically
resume scanning channels.
Scanning Channels
Channel Buttons
Mode/Lock Button
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