Cobra FRS250ML Service Manual

FRS250 manual.final.qx 10/1/98 2:43 PM Page 1

The Family Radio Service Story

Cobra Electronics Corporation 6500 West Cortland Street Chicago, IL60707

IfYou Think You Need Service

For te c h n i cal assistance,please call our Au to m a ted Help Desk which can assist you by answe ring the most fre q u e n t ly asked questions about Co b ra prod u ct s.

A Consumer Service Representative can be reached through this same number

Technical assistance is also available on-line in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

section at www.cobraelec.com or by e-mail to productinfo@cobraelec.com

If you think you need service call 1.773.889.3087

“If your product should require factory service please call Cobra first before sending your unit in. This will ensure the fastest turn-around time on your repair.”

You may be asked to send your unit to the Cobra factory.It will be necessary to furnish the following 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 or 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 print 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.

Part No. 480-279-P-001

8:00 am - 8:00 pm,Monday through Friday,CST.

(773) 889-3087

24 hours a day,7 days a week.

O pe rating Instru ctions for yo u r Co b ra Mi c ro Talk 2

Family Radio Service 2Way Radio

“Ingenious Prod u cts for Easier Co m m u n i cat i o n .”

The Family Radio Service Story

Ever wish you could talk to someone who wasn’t within earshot? Like contacting ski partners back at the lodge? Or letting a friend know how to find you in a busy mall? Cobra’s MicroTalk 2 is a great way for friends or family to increase their f u n – a n d s a fe ty – by staying in touch while on the go.

The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) has created 14 license free frequency bands, or channels,called Family Radio Service (FRS) frequencies. All of these 14 channels are easily accessed on your Cobra FRS radio. These channels are in the UHF (Ultra High Frequency) band which means great penetration through buildings,thick forests,hills,and other dense structures.

They are also FM (Frequency Modulation) signals which means crystal clear reception even in crowded noisy environments.

FCCWarnings

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

Acceptance requirements of Part 2 of the Rules.

Included with your MicroTalk 2

1. Removable Belt Clip

2. Wrist Strap

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Controls and Indicators

1. Retractable Antenna

2. Belt Clip

3. On/Off Volume Control

4. Microphone Jack

5. Speaker Jack

6. Battery Charge Pads

7. Lock Button

8. LCD Display

9. Enter Button

1 0 . Function Button 1 1 . Call Button

12. Channel Select Buttons

13. Microphone

14 . Maximum Range

Extender Button

15 . PTT (Push ToTalk ) Key 16 . Battery Chamber

1 1

Our Thanks to You

1 2

1 5

1 3

Thank you for purchasing the Cobra MicroTalk 2 2-way Radio. Properly used,this Cobra product will give you many years of reliable service.

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 - 8:00 pm CST at: 773.889.3087

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

Co b ra on the Wo rld Wide We b : Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) can be found on-line at: www.cobraelec.com

FRS250 manual.final.qx 10/1/98 2:43 PM Page 7

How to Use Your Cobra

M i c ro Ta l k 2 - Way Radio

Contents

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

The FRS Story...........................................................................A1

FCCWarnings Included Accessories

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

Our Thanks toYou.................................................................A3

Customer Support.............................................................A3

Operating your MicroTalk 2

Battery Installation............................................................2

LCD Display...........................................................................4

Turning On............................................................................5

Auto Battery Power Saver...............................................5

Select Main Channel (1-14)............................................6

Select CTCSS Subchannel (00-38)................................7

Battery Low ..........................................................................9

Calling Another Party .......................................................10

Talking To Another Party.................................................12

Talk Confirmation Tone....................................................14

Listening For Another Party...........................................14

Auto Squelch........................................................................15

Maximum Range Extender..............................................15

MicroTalk 2 Range..............................................................16

Making Life Easier And Safer............................................17

External Microphone/Speaker Jack...............................19

Advanced Features...............................................................20

Private Call (Voice Scramble).........................................22

Ringer.....................................................................................24

Tone Settings.......................................................................26

Lock Function......................................................................28

Frequency Ranges.................................................................29

Caring for Your MicroTalk 2...............................................30

MicroTalk 2 Specifications.................................................32

Limited TwoYear Warranty................................................34

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

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

IfYou Think You Need Service......................Back Cover

Features of This Product

• UHF FM Frequencies

• No License Required

• No Air Time Fees

• Up to 2 mile range

• 14 Main Channels

• 38 CTCSS Subchannels

• LCD Function Display

• Pri va te Call Vo i ce Scra m b l e

• Talk Confirmation To n e

• Ca l l / Ring Bu t to n

• Recharging Pads

• Retractable Antenna

• Auto Battery Saver Circuity

• Auto Squelch

• Lock Key

• Ring Notification

• Wrist Strap/Belt Clip

• Water Resistant

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Operation

Battery Installation

Note

Batteries not included with MicroTalk 2 2-way radio.

Install Batteries

Clear antenna.

Removebelt clip by (A.) pulling tab out and (B.) Sliding belt clip up and off unit.

3 4

Pull lock tab down and lift door up (towards you) to remove battery cover.

Insert four “AAA” batteries.Position batteries according to po l a ri ty marki n g s.

Operation

Note

Always use high quality alkaline or NiMH batteries.

Incorrect positioning can damage both the batteries and the unit.

Only the Cobra NiMH battery (Part # FA-BP) pack can be recharged.

See Accessories on page 37. Charge ports for recharging NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) battery pack are located on back of unit.

Note

When batteries are low or need charging the BATT LOW indicator will blink.Replace alkaline batteries or recharge NiMH battery pack.

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Operation

LCD Display

Turning On Your MicroTalk

Rotate ON - OFF Volume Control clockwise. An audible “tone”will indicate the unit is on and then the LCD will go through a 3 second self-test and then go to operational mode.

Operational Mode

Auto Battery Power Saver

Your MicroTalk 2 has a unique circuit designed to extend battery life. If there are no transmissions within 10 seconds,the unit will automatically switch to battery save mode.

Operation

Turning On Your MicroTalk 2

Note

Whenever the unit is on you can receive communications.

Auto Battery Power Saver

Note

The Auto Battery Save Circuit does not effect the unit’s ability to receive incoming transmissions.

The icon will flash.

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Operation

Select Main Channel

Note

Units must be on same channel and subchannels to

communicate.

Note

Channels 8-12 generally are less used and give better

results for communications

in most areas.

Note

Push and hold the

buttons for fast channel

advance.

Channel

Select Main Channel (1-14)

Rotate ON - OFF Volume Control clockwise.

An audible “tone”will indicate the unit is on

and then the LCD will go through a 3 second self-test and then go to operational mode.

Select channel by pushing and releasing

Channel

buttons.

Select CTCSS Subchannel (00-38)

The CTCSS Subchannel allows the user to utilize a less used channel range (00-38) within a main c h a n n e l .

Rotate ON - OFF Volume Control clockwise. An audible “tone”will indicate the unit is on and then the LCD will go through a 3 second self-test and then go to operational mode.

Select main channel by pushing and releasing

Push and release button.Small numbers flash next to channel display on LCD.

Channel

buttons.

Func

continued

Operation

Select CTCSS Subchannel

Note

If you push and hold the button,the LCD display will cycle through the different functions.

Note

To return to operational mode and not save your last setting,push and release button.

Note

CTCSS (Coded Tone Controlled Squelch System) is an advanced subcoding system that allows segmentation of a main channel.

Func

PTT

...

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Operation

Select CTCSS Subchannel

Note

Push and hold the buttons for fast channel advance.

Se l e ct CTCSS Su bchannel (00-38) co n t i n u e d

Se l e ct s u bcode number by pushing and re l e a s i n g

Channel Channel

When desired code is displayed push and release button. If key stroke tone is on,

an audible tone will confirm your selection.

buttons.

Enter

Battery Low

When in normal use the icon may begin flashing. This is a warning to you that your batteries are getting low.

Replace alkaline batteries as soon as possible and/or recharge NiMH battery pack.

Operation

Battery Low

Note

When battery capacity is at the 1/4 level it is recommended that you replace alkaline batteries or recharge your NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) battery pack.

Only the Cobra NiMH battery (Part # FA-BP) pack can be recharged.

Note

NiMH rechargeable battery Pack (item #FA-BP) and 2 port desktop charger (item #FA-CH) are not included with this unit. See Accessories section on page 37.

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