Cobra 38WXST Service Manual

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CH9/19

38 WX ST

Citizens Band 2-Way Handheld CB Radio

“Ingenious Products for Easier Communication.”

Operating Instructions for your Cobra HH 38 WX ST

The CB Story

The Citizens Band lies between the shortwave broadcast and 10-meter Amateur radio bands, and was established by law in 1949.The Class D two-way communications service was opened in

1959. (CB also includes a Class A citizens band and Class C remote control frequencies.)

FCC Regulations

FCC regulations permit only “transmissions” (one party to another) rather than “broadcasts” (to a wide audience).Thus, advertising is not allowed on CB Channels because that is

“broadcasting.”

FCC Warnings

All transmitter adjustments other than those supplied by the manufacturer as front panel operating controls, must be made by, or under the supervision of, the holder of an FCC-issued general Radio-Telephone Operator’s License.

Replacement or substitution of transistors, regular diodes or other parts of a unique nature, with parts other than those recommended by Cobra, may cause violation of the technical regulations of Part 95 of the FCC Rules, or violation of Type Acceptance requirements of Part 2 of the Rules.

You should read and understand Part 95 (included with this unit) of the FCC Rules and Regulations, before operating your Cobra radio,even though the FCC no longer requires you to obtain an operator’s license.

What’s Included with Your HH 38 WX ST

1. High Efficiency Antenna

2. Removable Belt Clip

3. Wrist Strap

4. 12 Volt Cigarette Lighter Plug

5. Operating Manual

Thank you for purchasing the Cobra HH 38 WX ST handheld CB. Properly used,this Cobra product will give you many years of reliable service.

SoundTracker®

“Cuts noise coming in...strengthens signals going out.”

This Patent pending technology dramatically improves transmission and reception of CB signals.

The revolutionary SoundTracker®System reconfigures the transmission signal which allows it to be transferred more efficiently through cluttered airwaves.

At the same time, it significantly reduces the amount of static on all incoming CB signals.

The end result is a cleaner, clearer sounding reception of signals and a more powerful transmission which dramatically improves CB communications.

Customer Support

Should you encounter any problems with the product or not understand 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.

Cobra Customer Service

Live operators are available M-F 8:00 am - 6:00 pm CST at:

773.889.3087

Automated Technical Assistance available 24 hours a day,seven days a week. E-mail questions to: productinfo@cobra.com

Cobra on the World Wide Web: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) can be found on-line at: www.cobra.com

Our Thanks to You

Controls and Indicators

10 11

2 3

17 18

1. BNCAntenna Connector

2. Squelch Control

3. On/Off Volume Control

4. Removable Belt Clip

5. External Speaker Jack

6. External Microphone Jack

7. Charge LED

8. NiCD Battery Charge Jack

9. DC Power Jack

10 . Light Key

11 . Channel Up/Down Keys

12 . PTT (Push To Talk ) Key

13 . Battery Chamber

14 . LCD Display Panel

15 . Lock Key

16 . SoundTracker® Key

17. CB/WX Weather Key and

HI/LO Power Key

18. Instant Channel 9 & 19

and Dual Watch Key

19. Function Key

20. Channel Scan

21. Microphone

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How to Use Your

Cobra

38 WX ST

Contents

Features ..........................................................................1

The CB Story .................................................................A1

FCC Regulations Included Accessories

Controls & Indicators................................................A2

Our Thanks to You......................................................A3

SoundTracker®System Customer Support

Operating Your HH 38 WX ST

Antenna .......................................................................2

Battery Installation...................................................3

Belt Clip........................................................................3

Turning on Your CB ..................................................4

Setting Squelch.........................................................4

Selecting a Channel.................................................6

LCD Display.................................................................7

Transmit/Receive ......................................................8

One Touch Channel 9 & 19 ...................................10

All Channel Scan.......................................................11

Dual Watch..................................................................12

Weather Channels ....................................................14

Power High/Low .......................................................16

Battery Capacity Level ............................................18

SoundTracker®System ...........................................19

Lighted Display .........................................................23

Lock Key.......................................................................24

In Vehicle Use.............................................................25

How Your CB Can Serve You ..................................26

A Few Rules You Should Know............................26

Weather Channel Messages .................................27

Channel 9 Emergency Messages........................28

CB 10 Codes ...............................................................30

Frequency Ranges .....................................................32

HH 38 WX ST Specifications..................................33

Warranty Information..............................................34

Optional Accessories................................................35

Order Form....................................................................36

If You Think You Need Service.............Back Cover

Features of This Product

• 40 CB Channels

• 10 Weather Channels

•Full Feature LCD Display

•Dual Channel Watch

•Full Channel Scan

•Battery Level Meter

•External Speaker/ Microphone Jack

• Instant Channel 9 & 19

• High/Low Power Saver Switch

• BNC Antenna Connector

•Lock Key

Turn clockwise.1⁄4 turn.

Operation

Attach Antenna

Scan

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CB/WX

Pwr Saver

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SIGNAL

POWER

Attach Antenna

Insert.

Remove battery chamber cover. Press down on arrow and slide.

Install batteries by polarity markings.

Replace cover.

Battery Installation

Attach Belt Clip

Install Batteries

Note

Ignoring polarity markings (+/-) can cause damage to both the unit and the batteries.

The HH 38 WX ST requires 9 “AA” alkaline or NiCD batteries (not included with the unit).

When batteries are low or need charging the BATTERY icon will flash on the LCD display. Replace alkaline batteries or recharge NiCD batteries.

NiCD rechargeable batteries should be charged a minimum of 12 hours with a CA-45C charger.

NiCD rechargeables should have a rating of 1.2 vdc,750 Mah.

Note

Clip slides up to attach and slides down to remove.

To remove belt clip, lift tab out and slide belt clip down.

Attach Belt Clip

Slide belt clip up on rails of base until tab locks.

Press and hold down on arrow and slide

NiCD rechargeable batteries should be charged a minimum of 12 hours with a CA-45C charger.

Note

To increase range as a portable, use CA41 telescopic loaded long range antenna. (See Accessory Page 35).

Operation

Turning On

WEAK SIGNALS

MEDIUM SIGNALS

STRONG SIGNALS

GATE CLOSED

Gate closed

Gate open

Gate set to Desired Squelch Setting (DSS)

Setting Squelch

Note

When you turn on the HH 38 WX ST , a series of tones will be heard and the icons will briefly appear on the LCD display.

LCD lights on for 5 seconds.

Fully counterclockwise opens the “gate” and all signals enter.

Turning On

Rotate ON - OFF Volume Control clockwise.

Squelch Volume

Off

Squelch Volume

Off

Squelch Volume

Off

To achieve the Desired Squelch Setting (DSS), turn the Squelch control counterclockwise until you hear noise. Now turn the control clockwise just until the noise stops. This is the DSS setting.

Squelch Volume

Off

Squelch Volume

Off

Setting Squelch

Squelch is the “control gate” for incoming signals.

Turn volume up louder than normal.

Fully clockwise closes the “gate”, allowing no incoming signals.

STRONG SIGNALS

MEDIUM SIGNALS

WEAK SIGNALS

NOISE

STRONG SIGNALS

MEDIUM SIGNALS

GATE

OPEN

WEAK SIGNALS

NOISE

GATE

Operation

LCD Display

Note

For quick advance,push and hold arrow key(s).

Select Channel

PWR SAVE WX SCAN DW EMG

FUNC

SIGNAL

POWER

Function Key Indicator

SoundTracker System™ icon

SIGNAL

Incoming Strength of Signal Meter

POWER

Outgoing Transmission Power Meter

2 Digit Channel Display

Battery Capacity Level Indicator

FUNC

Lock Key Battery Save Indicator Weather Mode Indicator Scan Mode Indicator Dual Watch Indicator Emergency Channel 9

PWR SAVE WX SCAN DW EMG

LCD Display

All needed information is displayed on LCD display panel.

Select Channel

Turn power ON.

PTT

LIGHT

For higher channel, push UP arrow key.

For lower Channel, push DOWN arrow key.

LIGHT

Note

When switching from one channel to another,squelch will need to be reset. See Setting Squelch on pages 4 and 5.

LIGHT

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