MicroTalk FRS 225 User manual

How to Use Your Cobra
MicroTalk 2-Way Radio
1
Featuresof This Product
• Two-wayradiowith
uptoa2milerange
• 14channels
• 38Subcodes
• BacklitLCD
• Rogerbeepconfirmation
tone
• Callfeature
• SuperFlex™antenna
• WaterResistant
• Speaker/Microphone
jacks
• Beltclip
• Wriststrap
• LockFunction
Contents
Features..........................................................................1
Family Radio Service................................................A1
FCCWarnings
Included Accessories
Controls & Indicators................................................A2
Our Thanks toYou......................................................A3
Customer Support ...................................................A3
Operating your microTALK
Battery Installation...................................................2
Turning On..................................................................3
Illuminating the Display ........................................3
Auto Squelch.............................................................4
Maximum Range Extender/Auto Monitor......4
Select Channel..........................................................5
Select CTCSS Subcode............................................5
Calling Another Party .............................................6
Talking To Another Party.......................................6
Roger Beep Confirmation Tone...........................7
Listening For Another Party.................................7
Lock Function............................................................8
microTALK Range.....................................................9
Making Life Easier And Safer...............................10
microTALKSNAP Removable Front....................11
External Microphone/Speaker Jack...................12
Caring for Your microTALK....................................14
Frequency Ranges .....................................................16
microTALK Specifications.......................................16
LimitedTwoYearWarranty....................................18
Optional Accessories................................................19
Order Form....................................................................20
If YouThink You Need Service.............Back Cover
FRS_225 12/29/00 2:24 PM Page 1

Turn the On/Off/Volume switch.An audible
“tone”will indicate the unit is on.
Pulllock tab down
to remove battery
cover.
Insert three“AA”
batteries.Position
batteries according
to polarity markings.
Operation
3
Operation
2
Note
Batteriesarenotincluded
withmicroTALK2-way
radio.Alwaysuse3high
qualityAAalkalinebatteries
oroptionalbatterypack
(soldseparately).
OnlytheCobra NiMHbat-
tery(Part#FA-AA) pack
canberecharged.
Note
Whenbatteriesarelow the
indicatorwillblink.
Note
VisitCobraElectronics
(www.cobraelectronics.com)
forinformationabout
optionalbatterypackand
desktopchargeraccessories.
Install Batteries
Battery
Installation
1 2
Turning On Your microTALK
Note
Whenevertheunitison
youcanreceivecommuni-
cations.
Turning
On Your
microTALK
Illuminating the Display
Illuminating
the Display
1
1Pushandrelease LIGHT/MAX RANGE
button to illuminate display for ten seconds.
FRS_225 12/29/00 2:24 PM Page 2

Select any of the 14 channels by pushing the
channel up or down buttons.
Select Main Channel (1-14)
Turn on the microTALK 2-Way Radio.
Operation
5
Select
Channel
Note
Unitsmustbeonsame
channelandsubcode to
communicate.
Note
Channels8-12generally
arelessusedandgivebet-
terresultsforcommunica-
tionsinmostareas.
Note
Pushandholdthechannel
buttonforfastchannel
advance.
Operation
4
Note
To learnmore aboutthe
rangeofyourmicroTALK,
seepage9.
Rangeisdependenton
batteryconditionand
geographicterrain.
Auto Squelch
Maximum
Range
Extender
2
1
Maximum Range Extender
Auto Squelch can be temporarily removed to allow
all signals to enter (Maximum Range Extender).
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.
1Pushandhold 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.Two beeps
confirm Auto Monitor is on. To return to normal
operation,momentarily press the Maximum Range
Extender button again or change channels.
Note
SelectingaCTCSS
subcodewillallowyouto
onlyhearconversationson
thatselection.For
example,youmaybe with
agroupoffriends.Ifallof
youselectchannel7and
subcode1,you willhear
yourfriendsbutwillnot
hearanybodyelse on
channel 7,subcodes2
through38.
Select CTCSS Subcode (00-38)
Press the mode button.After ashort delay,small
numbers will flash next to thechannel display
LCD indicating the subchannel.
Select CTCSS
Subcode
1
Select subcode number by moving the chan-
nel button up or down.
When the desired code is displayed push the
mode button and release.An audible tone will
confirm your selection.
2
3
FRS_225 12/29/00 2:24 PM Page 4

2The TX/RX indicator
will be displayed.
Operation
7
Note
Whilethe TALKbuttonis
depressedyoucannot
receiveincomingcalls.
Note
BothunitsmustbeONand
tunedtothesamechannel.
Your incoming“Call”signal
volumeisdependentonthe
unitvolume setting.
Roger Beep
Confirmation
Tone
Listening For
Another Party
Operation
6
Calling Another Party
To alert another party that you wish to
communicate:
Talking To Another Party
Pushandrelease CALL button.The unit
you are calling will hear a two second ringing
tone.
Roger Beep Confirmation Tone
Calling
Another
Party
Note
Whilethe TALKbuttonis
depressedyoucannot
receiveincomingcalls.
Talking To
Another Party
1
3 4
1
Release TALK
button and listen for
response.
Holdmic about 2inches
from mouth.Speakin a
normal voice.
Pushand hold
TALK button.
Listening For Another Party
When finished talking:
Release TALK button to receive incoming
transmissions.
Your microTALK is always in listening mode
when the TALK button is not pressed.
Adjust volume by turning the On/Off Volume
Switch
1
Your listener will hear an
audible tone when you
release the TALK button.
This alerts the other party
thatyou are finished talking
and it’s OK forthem tobegin
talking.
2
FRS_225 12/29/00 2:24 PM Page 6

Operation
9
Operation
8
Lock Function
Note
Toachievemaximum
rangetheautosquelch
canbeoverridden.Referto
MaximumRangeExtender
sectiononpage4.
microTALK
Range
Note
Callbutton,Range
ExtenderbuttonandTalk
buttondonotlockandare
fullyoperationalwhilethe
unitislocked.
Theunitcannotlockwhile
infunctionmode.
Lock Function
The purpose of the LOCK function is to lock most
buttons to avoid accidental operation.
To engage the LOCK function:
microTALK Range
YourmicroTALK Radio has a range ofup to 2 miles.
This effective range can be shortened under
some conditions.
Push and hold Lock button until
flashes.Channel up/down and Mode buttons
are now locked. An audible tone will also con-
firm lock function.
To“unlock”push and hold Lock button
until disappears.
1
2
1. Under flat,open
conditions you
will experience
the microTALK’s
maximum range.
2. Range can be
reduced by
buildings and
foliage in the
path of the signal.
3. Range will be
further reduced by
dense foliage and
hilly terrain.
FRS_225 12/29/00 2:24 PM Page 8

11
5. Checking on travel-
ing companions in
another car.
6. Agree on a meeting
spot after an event.
Making Life Easier and Safer
10
microTALK 2-Way Radios Can Make Life
Easier and Safer
As you become familiar with your microTALK
Radio you will find many of your own uses for the
unit.
Some suggestions include:
microTALK
2-Way Radios
Can Make
Life Easier
and Safer
1. Talking with fellow
hikers. 2. Keeping track of the kids in a
shopping mall.
3. Communicating
between basement
and first,second or
third floor.
4. Talking to a
neighbor or a
friend.
TO REMOVE:Use the
slight indentation
between the SNAP
front and bottom front
of the unit to lift it off.
TO ATTACH:First
engage the tabs into
the top of the unit.
Next snap in the mid-
dle tabs.Finally snap
in the bottom tab.
microTALK SNAP Removable Front
Your microTALK Radio comes with the new
microTALK SNAP removeable front.
microTALK
SNAP
Removable
Front
FRS_225 12/29/00 2:24 PM Page 10

External Microphone/
Speaker Jack
13
External Microphone/
Speaker Jack
12
Note
Externalmicrophone/
speakerisnotincludedwith
theunit.Seepage19for
optionalaccessories.
External Microphone/Speaker Jack
Your microTALK 2-Way Radio can be fitted with
an external microphone/speaker,(not included)
freeing your hands for other tasks.
To attach the external microphone/speaker:
External
Microphone/
Speaker Jack
Insert plug into the Spkr/Mic jack.
Open Spkr/Mic tab on top of unit.
12
FRS_225 12/29/00 2:24 PM Page 12

15
Caring for Your microTALK Radio
The microTALK 2-Way Radio will give you years
of service if cared for properly.
Here are some suggestions:
Caring for Your microTAL Radio
14
Caring
for Your
microTALK
Radio
Note
Modifyingortampering
withtheradio’sinternal
componentscancause
malfunctionandwill
invalidatethewarranty.
Ifyourradioisnotperform-
ingasitshould,please call
Cobraat773.889.3087.
Donotreturntheunitto
theretailer. 3. Never place the
unit in water or in
a moist place.
4. Avoid exposure
to extreme
temperatures.
1. Handle unit gently. 2. Keep away
from dust.
FRS_225 12/29/00 2:24 PM Page 14

C.TRANSMITTER UNIT NOMINAL
1. EFFECTIVE RADIATED POWER mW 500
2. CARRIER FREQ.STABILITY +
_Hz 500
3. MODULATION LIMITING KHz 2.5
4. CARRIER ATTACK TIME mS 30
5. AUDIO FREQUENCY RESPONSE
@ 300 HZ dB -10
@ 2500 HZ dB 4
6. AUDIO DISTORTION % 3
7. HUM NOISE dB 38
8. TRANSIENT FREQ.BEHAVIOR
a) TX ON mS 30
b)TXOFF mS 5
D. POWER SUPPLY
1. BATTERY LIFE (1:1:18 RATIO) HR 24
2. BATTERY OPERATING RANGE V 3.2 - 4.5
microTALK Specifications
17
microTALK Specifications
16
I.GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
A.FREQUENCIES
CHANNEL ASSIGNMENT
CH 1: 462.5625MHz CH 8: 467.5625MHz
CH2: 462.5875MHz CH 9: 467.5875MHz
CH 3: 462.6125MHz CH 10: 467.6125MHz
CH 4: 462.6375MHz CH 11: 467.6375MHz
CH 5: 462.6625MHz CH 12: 467.6625MHz
CH 6: 462.6875MHz CH 13: 467.6875MHz
CH 7: 462.7125MHz CH 14: 467.7125MHz
B.RECEIVER UNIT NOMINAL
1. SENSITIVITY
FOR 12 DB SINAD dBm -119
FOR CALL SIG.DETECTION dBm -121
2. MAX.AUDIO OUTPUT @10% THD mW 150
3. MAX.S/N RATIO @ 1mV RF INPUT dB 45
4. SQUELCH
a) SENSITIVITY dB m -121
b) ATTACK TIME mS 150
c) CLOSING TIME mS 200
5. AUDIO FREQUENCY RESP.
@ 300 HZ dB -3
@ 2500 HZ dB -10
6. SIGNAL DISPLACEMENT BW +/-KHZ 5
7. ADJACENT CH.REJECTION dB 55
8. INTERMODULATION REJECTION dB 55
9. SPURIOUS RESPONSE REJECTION dB 65
FRS_225 12/29/00 2:24 PM Page 16

VoxHeadsetMic
VOX(VoiceOperated
Transmitter)headsetand
microphoneallows
hands-freeoperation.
MA-VOX $49.95
Optional Accessories
19
Limited Two Year Warranty
18
COBRA ELECTRONICS CORPORATION warrants that its
COBRA FRS Radios, and the component parts thereof,will
be free of defects in workmanship and materials for period
of two (2) years 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 FRS radios, products or component parts upon
delivery to the COBRA Factory Service Department, accom-
panied 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 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 alter-
ations 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,conse-
quential or other damages;including,withoutlimitation,
damagesresultingfrom loss of use orcost of installation.
Some states do not allow limitations on how long an
implied warranty lasts and/or do not allow the exclu-
sion or limitation of incidental or consequential dam-
ages,so the above limitations may not apply to you.
CobraElectronics
Corporation
6500WestCortlandStreet
Chicago,Illinois60707
You Can Find These Fine Accessories At Your Local Cobra Dealer
If you wish, you can order directly from Cobra.
Order by phone
Call 1.773.889.3087 (Press 1 from the main menu) 8 a.m.-6 p.m. M-F CST.)
Order by mail or fax
Please fill out order form on next page,and mail/fax directly to Cobra.
Order over the Web
www.cobraelectronics.com
EarBudMicwithPTT
Compactearbudandmicro-
phonewithPush-to-Talkswitch.
MA-EBM $29.95
LapelSpeaker/Microphone
Remote microphone/speaker
withPush-to-Talkswitch.
MA-SM $24.95
ReplacementBeltClip
FA-BC2 $4.95
2PortDesktop Charger
ChargestwoNiMHbatterypacks
(FA-AA)ortwoFRS225radios.
(Note:appearance may vary)
FA-CS $19.95
NiMHRechargeable
BatteryPack
HighperformanceNickel
MetalHydridebatterypackfor
multiplecharging.
FA-AA $19.95
FRS_225 12/29/00 2:24 PM Page 18

Accessory Order Form
20
Please print clearly
Name
Address (No P.O.Box)
City State
Zip Telephone ( )
Credit Card No.
Exp.Date
Customer Signature
Circle One: Visa MasterCard Discover
Allow2-3weeksfordelivery.Offer valid in Continental U.S.only.
For credit card orders fill out order form
and fax to: 1.773.622.2269
or call 1.773.889.3087
(Press 1 from the main menu)
8:00 am - 6:00 pm,M-F,CST.
Makecheck or money order (no stamps)
payable to:
Cobra Electronics
Attn: Accessories Dept.
6500 WestCortland St.Chicago,IL60707
$25.00 and under $4.75
$25.01 - $40.00 $6.95
$40.01 -$80.00 $9.25
$80.01 - $120.00 $10.25
$120.01- $160.00 $11.75
$160.01 and up $14.50
Amount Shipping/
of Order Handling
Shipping& Handling
For AK,HI and PR please
addanadditional $15.00
forUPSshipments.
Subtotal
(Tax if applicable)
Shipping/handling
Total
TaxTable
Illinois residents add 7%
Cook Co. residents add .75% (7.75% total)
Chicago residents add 1% (8.75% total)
Indiana residents add 5%
Michigan residents add 4 %
Ohio residents add 6%
Wisconsin residents add 5%
MA-VOX VoxHeadsetMic $49.95
MA-EBM Ear Bud Mic with PTT $29.95
MA-SM Lapel Speaker/ Microphone $24.95
FA-AA NiMHRechargeableBatteryPack $19.95
FA-CS 2PortDesktopCharger $19.95
FA-BC2 ReplacementBeltClip $4.95
Item # Description Cost Ea. Qty. Amount
Prices subject to change without notice.
FRS_225 12/29/00 2:24 PM Page 20

2-Way Radio
Operating Instructions for your
Nothing comes close to a Cobra™
Cobra Electronics Corporation
6500 West Cortland Street
Chicago, IL 60707
Cobra Electronics Corp.© 2000
Printed in China.
Part No. 480-004-P
Fortechnicalassistance,pleasecallourAutomatedHelpDeskwhichcanassist
youbyansweringthemostfrequentlyaskedquestionsaboutCobraproducts.
[phone]
24hoursaday,7 daysaweek.
A Consumer Service Representative can be reached through this same number
8:00 am - 6:00 pm,Monday through Friday,CST.
Technicalassistanceisalsoavailableon-lineintheFrequentlyAskedQuestions(FAQ)sectionat
www.cobraelectronics.comorbye-mailtopr[email protected]
Ifyou think youneed servicecall1.773.889.3087
“Ifyourproduct should require factory service please call Cobra first before sending your
unitin.Thiswillensurethefastestturn-aroundtimeonyourrepair.”
You may be asked to send your unit to the Cobra factory.It will be necessary to furnish the follow-
ing in order to have the product serviced and returned.
1. For Warranty Repair include some form of proof-of-purchase, such as a mechanical reproduction
or carbon of a sales receipt. If you send the original receipt it cannot be returned.
2. Send the entire product.
3. Enclose a description of what is happening with the unit.Include a typed or clearly printed name
and address of where the unit is to be returned.
4. Pack unit securely to prevent damage in transit. If possible, use the original packing material.
5. Ship prepaid and insured by way of a traceable carrier such as United Parcel Service (UPS) or First
Class Mail to avoid loss in transit to: Cobra Factory Service,Cobra Electronics Corporation,6500
W. Cortland St., Chicago,IL 60707.
6. If the unit is in warranty,upon receipt of your unit it will either be repaired or exchanged
depending on the model. Please allow approximately 3 to 4 weeks before contacting us for
status.If the unit is out of warranty a letter will automatically be sent informing you of the
repair charge or replacement charge.If you have any questions, please call 1.773.889.3087 for
assistance.
If You Think You Need Service
FRS 225
FRS_225 12/29/00 2:25 PM Page 21

Thank you for purchasing the Cobra FRS 225
2-Way Radio.Your microTALKradio comes with
the new microTALK SNAP removable front,
which allows you to customize the appearance
of your radio! Several color choices are included
with your purchase.For instructions on removing
the microTALKSNAP front,see page 11.
For additional color choices available as acces-
sories (sold separately),please see the brochure
and order formincluded.
Customer Support
Properly used,this Cobra product will give you
years of reliable service.Should you encounter
any problems with the product or not under-
stand its many features,please refer to this
owner’s manual. If,after referring to the manual,
you still need help,call Cobra Customer Service
at 773.889.3087.
Our Thanks to You
A3
CobraCustomer Service
Liveoperatorsareavailable
M-F8:00am-6:00pmCST
at: 773.889.3087
AutomatedTechnical
Assistanceavailable24
hoursaday,sevendaysa
week.E-mail questions to:
productinfo@
cobraelectronics.com
CobraontheWorldWide
Web: FrequentlyAsked
Questions(FAQ)canbe
foundon-lineat:
www.cobraelectronics.com
Controls and Indicators
A2
1. Antenna
2. Microphone/Speaker
Jack
3. On/Off VolumeSwitch
4.L LCDDisplayPanel
5.? Light/MaxRangeButton
6. ChannelSelectButton
7. Speaker
8. BatteryCompartment
9. TalkButton
10. CallButton
11. microTALKSNAP
RemoveableFront
12. LockButton
13. ModeButton
14. ChargePads
7
9
5
12
8
14
4
1
3
9
12 13
5
11
6
10
3
6
FRS_225 12/29/00 2:25 PM Page 24