Introduction Our Thanks To You Thank you for purchasing a CobraMarine® VHF radio. Properly used, this Cobra® product will give you many years of reliable service. How Your CobraMarine VHF Radio Works Owner’s Manual This radio is a VHF transceiver for fixed mounting on your boat. It gives you 2-way vessel-to-vessel and vessel-to-shore station communications, primarily for safety and secondarily for navigation and operational purposes.
Transceiver Controls, Indicators And Connections Introduction Position Coordinates – Latitude and Longitude Radio Status and Data Display Instant Channel 16/9 Button Introduction Backlit LCD Screen Active Channel Number Microphone And Product Features Microphone With Auxiliary Controls Up/Down Buttons Can be used instead of those on the transceiver. Simplex Operation Icon Squelch Knob On-Off Power/ Volume Knob Instant Channel 16/9 Button Can be used instead of the one on the transceiver.
Introduction Table Of Contents Introduction Our Thanks To You. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A1 Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A1 Transceiver Controls, Indicators And Connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Introduction Important Safety Information Important Safety Information Before installing and using your CobraMarine VHF radio, please read these general precautions and warnings. Warning And Caution Statements To make the most of this radio, it must be installed and used properly. Please read the installation and operating instructions carefully before installing and using it. Special attention must be paid to the WARNING and CAUTION statements in this manual.
Introduction Recommendations For Marine Communication VHF Marine Radio Protocols Sea Tow Automated Radio Check (ARC) System CAUTIONS AVOID using or storing the radio at temperatures below -4°F (-20°C) or above 140°F (60°C). NEVER connect the transceiver to DC power greater than 16 volts or to any DC source with reversed polarity. Doing so will damage the transceiver. DO NOT cut the power cables attached to the transceiver. Improper reconnection with reversed polarity will damage the transceiver.
VHF Marine Radio Protocols VHF Marine Radio Procedures VHF Marine Radio Protocols Canadian Ship Station License Limits On Calling You need a Radio Operator’s Certificate if your vessel is operated in Canadian waters. Radio Operator training and certification is available from the Canadian Power Squadron. Visit their website (http://www.cps-ecp.ca/english/newradiocard.
VHF Marine Radio Protocols Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) For Example The vessel Corsair calling the vessel Vagabond: Vagabond: “Corsair, this is Vagabond. Over.” n Corsair: “Vagabond go to working Channel 68. Over.” Boat U.S: 1-800-563-1536 – www.boatus.com/mmsi NOTE The above references are for recreational vessels only. Commercial vessels should contact the FCC. Both parties switch over to the agreed upon working channel....
VHF Marine Radio Protocols Radiotelephone Calls Emergency Messages And Distress Procedure The ability to summon assistance in an emergency is the primary reason to have a VHF marine radio. The marine environment can be unforgiving, and what may initially be a minor problem can rapidly develop into a situation beyond your control. VHF Marine Radio Protocols • The Coast Guard monitors Channel 16, responds to all distress calls, and coordinates all search and rescue efforts.
VHF Marine Radio Protocols Emergency Messages And Distress Procedure Marine Distress Procedure Speak slowly — clearly — calmly. 1. Make sure your radio is On. 2. Select VHF Channel 16. 3. Press Talk button and say: “MAYDAY — MAYDAY — MAYDAY.” (Or “PAN — PAN — PAN,” or “SECURITE — SECURITE — SECURITE.”) VHF Marine Radio Protocols Emergency Messages and Distress Procedure Keep the radio nearby.
Installation And Start-Up Included In This Package Included In This Package You will find all of the following items in the package with your CobraMarine VHF radio: Transceiver* Transceiver Surface Mount Kit Installation And Start-Up • Accessories Order Info Optional Accessories • You can find quality Cobra products and accessories at your local Cobra dealer. In the U.S.A., you can order directly from www.cobra.com. Microphone 1. Microphone Mounting Kit Operating Instruction Manual 2.
Installation And Start-Up Mounting And Powering The Radio Mounting And Powering The Radio Before using your CobraMarine VHF radio, it must be installed on your vessel. Installation And Start-Up • Installing Your Radio hoose a location for your radio where it will be conveniently accessible with the C following factors in mind: n The leads to the battery and the antenna are best kept as short as possible. n The antenna must be mounted at least 10 feet (3 m) from the transceiver.
Installation And Start-Up Mounting And Powering The Radio Power Connection Cables Electrical Power Connection Your CobraMarine VHF radio is powered from the vessel’s 13.8-volt negative ground direct current electrical system (12-volt nominal). A 10A fused power connection lead is provided at the back of the –+ transceiver. Red Cable To Connect To A Power Source: Positive (+) 1. Attach the black (-) wire to a negative Black Cable (-) ground. Negative (-) 2.
Installation And Start-Up Antenna Requirements And Attachment Antenna Requirements and Attachment Antenna Requirements Installation And Start-Up • Your CobraMarine VHF radio requires an external marine antenna to send signals into the air and to receive them. The radio is arranged to use any of the popular marine VHF antennas, but it is up to you to choose which antenna to use.
Installation And Start-Up External Devices And Connections External Devices And Connections Your CobraMarine VHF radio is set up to connect auxiliary devices for navigation, convenience, and added versatility. As is the case with the antenna, choosing these devices is best done with the advice and guidance of a knowledgeable dealer. Standard connectors are provided on the front and back of the transceiver.
Operating Your Radio Getting Started Getting Started Refer to the foldout on the front cover of this manual to identify the various controls and indicators on your radio. Operating Your Radio • T hroughout this manual you will be instructed to press or to press and hold buttons on the transceiver or on the microphone. Press means a momentary press, then release; press and hold means to hold the button.
Operating Your Radio Getting Started Volume T he On-Off Power/Volume knob on the transceiver controls the speaker volume. The volume adjustment applies only to what you hear from the speaker and does not affect the volume of your outgoing messages. That is controlled by the circuitry of your radio. To Increase The Volume: On-Off Power/ Volume Knob Turn the On-Off Power/Volume knob clockwise. To Decrease The Volume: Turn the On-Off Power/Volume knob counter-clockwise.
Operating Your Radio Set-Up Routines Set-Up Routines Operating Your Radio • Settings Menu The Settings menu in the CobraMarine VHF radio allows you to turn On and Off many of its features, to adjust other features to suit your preferences, and to enter your user MMSI number. To Enter The Settings Menu: Call/Set Button Press and hold the Call/Set button. The Settings menu will appear on the LCD. After entering the Settings menu, you can scroll through it to make as many entries as you like.
Operating Your Radio Set-Up Routines Confirmation Tone (Key Tone) The Confirmation Tone sounds when your CobraMarine VHF radio is turned On and to confirm all button presses except for the Talk button. If you would prefer not to hear the Confirmation Tone, you can turn it Off and On as you choose. Key Tone On/Off To Turn The Confirmation Tone On Or Off: 1. Enter the Settings menu and scroll to KEY TONE. 2.
Operating Your Radio Voice Transmission Voice Transmission Operating Your Radio • Transmit mode gives you the ability to communicate with safety services, other vessels, and shore stations. When you use this capability, be sure to follow the procedures and to observe the courtesies that govern its use so everyone benefits. (The tables on pages 58 through 72 will help you select the proper channels.
Operating Your Radio Weather Radio And Alert NOAA All Hazards/Weather Radio And Alert NOAA broadcasts Weather information as described in the NOAA weather channels section on page 73 of this manual. You can listen to one or two of these receive-only channels at any time depending on your area. Operating Your Radio • NOTE Usually only one or two of the weather channels will be operating in any given location. You will need to select the channel with the strongest signal in your location.
Operating Your Radio Advanced Operation Dual-Watch Scanning Dual-Watch gives you one button access to scan the two locations of most importance to you. Channel 16 will always be included as a scanned location. The remaining location will be the VHF channel in effect when you enter Dual-Watch mode. NOTE The radio must be squelched for dual-watch to function. See page 26 for squelch procedure. Standby Mode To Enter Dual-Watch Mode: 1.
Operating Your Radio Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Setup Digital Select Calling (DSC) Setup Operating Your Radio • Digital Selective Calling (DSC) uses digital signals to increase messaging range. This provides the most reliable message delivery per watt of output power. Digital signals are less susceptible to distortion from noise and atmospheric conditions than analog signals. DSC equipped radios also interface with GPS and automate many operations for sending and receiving messages.
Operating Your Radio Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Setup If You Transfer Your Radio To A Different Vessel ontact the MMSI issuing agency from which you obtained your number C and change the information associated with your number to correspond to vessel in which it will be mounted. To View Your MMSI Number At Any Time: User MMSI 1. Enter the Settings menu and scroll to USER MMSI. 2.
Operating Your Radio Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Setup Position Request Reply Type T he ability to send your position to another station is an added feature of DSC radios that have GPS attached. It is handy for rendezvous and rescue situations. Your CobraMarine VHF radio allows you to choose whether to have the radio automatically respond to all Position Requests it receives or to alert you to a Position Request and allow you to choose whether to respond or not — manual reply.
Operating Your Radio Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Operation DSC Operation Operating Your Radio • Sending DSC calls is done from menus similar to the Settings menu. Whereas entering the Settings menu required a press and hold of the Call/Set button, the sending menus appear with a press of the Distress button. All received DSC calls will sound one or another of the alarms to alert you to them. See pages 24 through 25 for descriptions of the different alarms.
Operating Your Radio Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Operation Receiving Distress Calls When a vessel is within range of a DSC Distress call, the radio receives the call, sounds the Distress alarm, and switches to Channel 16. All DSC calls that are received will sound one alert alarm. See pages 24-25 for descriptions of the different alarms. Press any button to turn Off the alarm. The received call information continues to display on the LCD.
Operating Your Radio Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Operation Receiving An All Ships Call All Ships calls sent by stations within range of your radio will sound the distress alarm on your radio and switch your radio to Channel 16. All Ships Call When An All Ships Call Is Heard: 1. Press any button to turn Off the alarm and return to Standby mode. 2. Read and write down the MMSI of the vessel sending the call as well as the date and time of the call. 3.
Operating Your Radio Caller Identified Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Operation Receiving An Individual Call Receiving A Group Call To Answer An Individual Call: Press the Talk button and greet the caller. Caller Identified When another station makes an Individual call to your radio, the individual alarm will sound, the caller will be identified on the LCD, and your radio will be switched to the channel selected by the caller. Press any button to turn Off the alarm.
Operating Your Radio Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Operation Sending A Position Request continued Choose one of the following: If You Receive A Position: Receiving a Position The requested position with the station name and MMSI will show on your screen. Press the Call/Set button to return to Standby mode after you have noted the station’s position.
Operating Your Radio Standby Mode Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Operation Sending A Position Send Position Send uses your connected GPS in similar fashion to the position request function, except that you initiate the activity to let another station know where you are. Position Send To Send A Position Send Message: 1. I n Standby mode, select a channel on which you want to communicate. 2. Press the Call/Set button to enter the Call Send menu. 3. Scroll to POS SEND (position send).
Operating Your Radio Maintenance And Troubleshooting Operating Your Radio Maintenance • Very little maintenance is required to keep your CobraMarine VHF radio in good operating condition. n Keep the radio clean by wiping with a soft cloth and mild detergent. Rinse with fresh water. Do not use solvents or harsh or abrasive cleaners, which could damage the case or scratch the LCD screen.
Appendix VHF Marine Channel Assignments VHF Marine Channel Assignments Appendix • Three sets of VHF channels have been established for marine use in the U.S.A., Canada and the rest of the world (International). Most of the channels are the same for all three maps, but there are definite differences (see table on the following pages). Your radio has all three maps built into it and will operate correctly in whichever area you choose. The following is a brief outline of the channel assignments in the U.
Appendix VHF Marine Channel Assignments Channel Assignments (English) Appendix VHF Marine Channel Assignments Asignaciones de canales (Español) Sea Tow Automated Radio Check (ARC) Sea Tow Control de radio automatizado (ARC) Port Operations Operaciones portuarias Channels 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 84* Tune your radio to the proper channel for your area (see seatow.com/arc). Conduct a radio check as you normally would.
VHF Marine Channel Assignments Appendix Número de canal Frequency Channel Map Channel Number Frecuencia Mapa de canales USA EE.UU. Int’l nternac 01 01A/1001 • 02 03 03A/1003 04 • • • • • Canada Transmit Canadá • Transm. 156.050 Appendix Power Limits Límites de potencia Receive Channel Use (English) Recepción 160.650 Canada 156.050 156.
VHF Marine Channel Assignments Appendix Frequency Channel Map Channel Number Frecuencia Mapa de canales Número de canal USA 14 15 • • EE.UU. Int’l nternac • Appendix VHF Marine Channel Assignments Canada Transmit Canadá • Transm. 156.700 Receive Channel Use (English) Recepción 156.700 Port Operations, VTS in selected areas Uso de canales (Español) Operaciones portuarias; VTS en áreas selectas Rx Only 156.750 Environmental (Receive Only).
VHF Marine Channel Assignments Appendix Número de canal Frecuencia Mapa de canales USA EE.UU. Int’l nternac Power Limits Frequency Channel Map Channel Number Canada Transmit Canadá 23A/1023 • 2023 • Transm. 157.150 Appendix VHF Marine Channel Assignments Límites de potencia Receive Channel Use (English) Recepción 157.150 Coast Guard Only Uso de canales (Español) Solamente Guardacostas Rx Only 161.
VHF Marine Channel Assignments Appendix Número de canal Frequency Channel Map Channel Number Frecuencia Mapa de canales USA EE.UU. Int’l nternac Canada Transmit Canadá Transm. Appendix VHF Marine Channel Assignments Power Limits Límites de potencia Receive Channel Use (English) Recepción Uso de canales (Español) 66 156.325 160.
VHF Marine Channel Assignments Appendix Channel Map Channel Number Número de canal Mapa de canales USA EE.UU. Int’l nternac Frequency Frecuencia Canada Transmit Canadá 78 • • • 78A/1078 1078 • 2078 • 79 • Transm. Receive Recepción Appendix VHF Marine Channel Assignments Power Limits Límites de potencia Channel Use (English) Uso de canales (Español) 156.925 156.925 161.525 Public Correspondence (Marine Operator) Correspondencia pública (operador marítimo) 156.
Appendix VHF Marine Channel Assignments VHF Marine Channel Assignments (English) NOTE Many of the plain-numbered channels, such as 01, 02 and 03, transmit and receive on different frequencies. This is termed duplex operation. The rest of the plain-numbered channels (including 4 digit channels) and all of the A channels, such as 01A, 03A and 04A, transmit and receive on a single frequency, which is termed simplex operation. Your radio automatically adjusts to these conditions.
Appendix World City Time Zones World City Time Zones Warranty • In order to set correct local time as compared to different World City Time Zones, enter the hour “offset” as listed below. The correct local time appears on the VHF for Cities all over the world. See page 43 for setup information. Warranty and Trademark Limited 3-Year Warranty • For Products Purchased In The U.S.A.
Please call Cobra first! DO NOT RETURN THIS PRODUCT TO THE STORE! See customer assistance on page A1. If your product should require factory service, please call Cobra first before sending your radio. This will ensure the fastest turn-around time on your repair. You may be asked to send your radio to the Cobra factory. It will be necessary to furnish the following to have the product serviced and returned: 1.
