Cobra HH300 VP User Manual

A1

English

Our Thanks to You and
Customer Assistance

Introduction

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

This radio is a battery powered portable transceiver for use afloat. It gives you
2-way vessel-to-vessel and vessel-to-shore station communications, primarily
for safety and secondarily for navigation and operational purposes. With it, you
can call for help, get information from other boaters, talk to lock or bridge tenders,
and make radiotelephone calls to anywhere in the world through a marine operator.

Besides 2-way communications, the radio can provide quick access to receive
all 10 NOAA (National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration) weather
channels and alert you to weather emergencies with a tone on a
weather channel you can select for your area.

Customer Assistance

Should you encounter any problems with this product, or not understand
its many features, please refer to this owner’s manual. If you require further
assistance after reading this manual, Cobra®Electronics offers the following
customer assistance services:

For Assistance in The U.S.A.

Automated Help Desk English only.
24 hours a day, 7 days a week 773-889-3087 (phone).

Customer Assistance Operators English and Spanish.
8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. CT Mon. through Fri. (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

Customer Assistance

©2004 Cobra®Electronics Corporation

6500 West Cortland Street

Chicago, Illinois 60707 USA

www.cobra.com

VHF MARINE RADIO

MR HH300 VP

Printed in China

Part No. 480-185-P

Owner’s Manual

Nothing comes close to a Cobra

®

English

A1

Español

Agradecimiento y
asistencia al cliente

Introducción

Gracias por adquirir un radio VHF CobraMarine™.
Este producto Cobra®le brindará muchos años
de servicio sin problemas si lo usa correctamente.

Cómo funciona el radio VHF CobraMarine

™

Este radio es un transceptor portátil alimentado con baterías para uso a bordo de
una embarcación. El mismo permite la comunicación bidireccional, tanto entre una
embarcación y otra como entre una embarcación y la costa, principalmente para fines
de seguridad aunque también para fines de navegación y operación. Con este radio
usted puede pedir ayuda, recibir información proveniente de la tripulación de otras
embarcaciones, hablarle a operadores de esclusas y puentes levadizos, y realizar
llamadas radiotelefónicas a cualquier parte del mundo a través de un operador marítimo.

Además de permitir comunicaciones bidireccionales, el radio puede proporcionar un
acceso rápido para recepción de los 10 canales de información meteorológica de la
Administración nacional del océano y la atmósfera (NOAA, National Oceanographic and
Atmospheric Administration), y avisarle sobre emergencias relacionadas con mal tiempo
mediante un tono recibido en un canal meteorológico que usted selecciona de acuerdo a
su área.

Asistencia al cliente

Si se le presenta algún problema con este producto o tiene dificultad para entender
alguna de sus funciones, consulte el manual del propietario. Si no encuentra la
respuesta después de consultar el manual, Cobra®Electronics ofrece los siguientes
servicios de asistencia al cliente:

Para obtener asistencia en EE.UU.

Sistema de ayuda automatizada Inglés solamente.
Las 24 horas del día, los 7 días de la semana; teléfono [phone].

Operadores de asistencia al cliente Inglés y español.
9:00 a. m. a 7:00 p. m. (hora estándar del Este de EE.UU.), de lunes a viernes
(excepto días feriados); teléfono [phone].

Preguntas Inglés y español.
Para comunicarse por fax llame al número [phone].

Asistencia técnica Inglés solamente.
www.cobra.com [en línea: Frequently Asked Questions (preguntas frecuentes)].
Inglés y español. [e-mail] (correo electrónico).

Para obtener asistencia fuera de los EE.UU.

Comuníquese con el concesionario local.

Asistencia al cliente

©2004 Cobra®Electronics Corporation

6500 West Cortland Street

Chicago, Illinois 60707 USA

www.cobra.com

RADIO VHF PARA SERVICIO MARÍTIMO

MR HH300 VP

Impreso en China

Nº de pieza 480-185-P

Manual del propietario

Nada se compara a Cobra

®

Español

A3

English

Backlit LCD Screen
and Product Features

Introduction

Dual Power

Selectable to one or five watts
output power for near or distant calling.

USA/International/Canada Channels

Allows operation on any of the three
different channel maps established for
these areas.

10 NOAA Weather Channels

Instant access to all of the National
Weather Channels, 24 hours a day.

Emergency Weather Alert

Can alert you with an audible tone
and visual alarm if threatening
weather is nearby.

Waterproof

Submersible to one meter of water
for 30 minutes — meets JIS7 Standards.

Channel Scan

Lets you scan through channels to
find conversations in progress.

Instant Channel 16/9

Instant access to priority Channel 16
and calling Channel 9.

Dual-Watch

Lets you monitor two channels
at once — Channel 16 and one
user programmable channel.

Product Features

•

Weather
Channel
Icon

Battery

Power Icon

Simplex
Operation
Icon

Dual Watch
Icon

Channel

Numbers

Scan

Icon

Button
Lock
Icon

U-I-C Active
Channel Map
Icons

Received
Signal
Strength
Icons

High/Low
Power Icons

Weather
Alert Icon

Transmit
Icon

Backlit LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) Screen

•

A2

English

Radio Controls
And Indicators

Introduction

Dual-Watch/
Scan Button

Instant
Channel
16/9 Button

Backlit
LCD Screen

Wrist
Strap
Connector

Weather/
UIC Button

High/Low
Power Button

Speaker/
Microphone

Channel
Up/Down
Buttons

Talk
Button

Antenna

Belt Clip
Engagement
Knob

Battery
Compartment

Squelch
Knob

On-Off Power/
Volume Knob

Backlight/
Key Lock
Button

Charging
Contacts

Intro Operation Customer

Secondary Icons

Intro Operation Customer

Secondary Icons

Intro Operation Customer

Secondary Icons

Intro Operation Customer

Secondary Icons

A3

Español

Pantalla de cristal líquido y
características del producto

Introducción

Dos niveles de potencia

Potencia de salida seleccionable entre
uno y cinco vatios para llamadas cercanas o
distantes.

Canales de EE.UU., Canadá e internacionales

Permite el funcionamiento en cualquiera
de los tres diferentes mapas de canales
establecidos para estas áreas.

10 canales meteorológicos de la NOAA

Acceso instantáneo a todos los canales
meteorológicos nacionales, las 24 horas
del día.

Aviso meteorológico de emergencia

Puede avisarle mediante un tono audible y
una alarma visible si el estado del tiempo
representa un peligro en las cercanías.

Impermeable

Sumergible en agua hasta una profundidad
de un metro durante 30 minutos; satisface
la norma JIS7.

Rastreo

Le permite rastrear todos los canales para
encontrar conversaciones.

Acceso instantáneo al canal 16/9

Acceso instantáneo al canal prioritario 16 y
al canal de llamada 9.

Vigilancia de dos canales

Le permite monitorear dos canales a la vez:
el canal 16 y un canal programable por
el usuario.

Características del producto

•

Icono de canal
meteorológico

Icono

de carga

de las baterías

Icono de
operación
símplex

Icono de vigilancia
de dos canales

Números

de canal

Icono

de rastreo

Icono de
bloqueo
de botones

Iconos de mapa
de canales
activos U-I-C

Iconos de
intensidad
de la señal
recibida

Iconos de alta
y baja potencia

Icono de aviso
meteorológico

Icono de
transmisión

Pantalla de cristal líquido (LCD) iluminada

•

Botón de rastreo
y vigilancia
de dos canales

Botón de
acceso
instantáneo al
canal 16/9

Pantalla de
cristal líquido
iluminada

Conector
de correa para
la muñeca

Botón de
meteorología/UIC

Botón de alta y
baja potencia

Altoparlante
y micrófono

Botones de
selección
de canal

Botón de
transmisión

Antena

Pieza de enganche
de la pinza para
el cinturón

Compartimiento
de baterías

Perilla de reducción
de ruido de fondo

Perilla de encendido,
apagado y volumen

Botón de
luz de fondo
y bloqueo
de teclas

Contactos
de carga

A2

Español

Controles e indicadores del radio

Introducción

Introduction

Assistance

Warranty

Table of Contents

Introduction

Our thanks to you . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A1

Customer assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A1

Radio controls and indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A2

Backlit LCD screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A3

Product features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A3

Important safety information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Recommendations for marine communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

VHF Marine Radio Protocols

FCC licensing information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

VHF marine radio procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Voice calling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Radiotelephone calls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Emergency messages and distress procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

VHF marine channel assignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

NOAA weather channels and alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Installation

Included in this package . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Antenna, wrist strap, and belt clip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Batteries and charger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Operating Your Radio

Getting started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Standby/Receive and transmit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

NOAA all hazards/weather radio and alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Advanced operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Warranty

Limited 3-Year warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Customer Service

Product service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Order form and optional accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Nothing comes close to a Cobra

®

1

Assistance

Warranty

Customer
Assistance

Assistance

Warranty

Customer
Assistance

Warranty

Introduction

Important Safety Information

Introduction

Important Safety Information

Important safety information

Before assembling 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 assembled and used properly. Please read
the assembly and operating instructions carefully before assembling and using it.
Special attention must be paid to the WARNING and CAUTION statements in this manual.

WARNING

Statements identify conditions that could result in personal injury or loss of life.

CAUTION

Statements identify conditions that could cause damage to the radio
or other equipment.

Safety training information

This CobraMarine™radio is designed for and classified as “Occupational Use Only.”
It must only be used in the course of employment by individuals aware of both the
hazards and the ways to minimize those hazards. This radio is NOT intended for
use in an uncontrolled environment by the “General Population.”

This radio has been tested and complies with the FCC RF exposure limits for
“Occupational Use Only.” This CobraMarine™VHF radio also complies with the
following guidelines and standards regarding RF energy and electromagnetic
energy levels as well as evaluation of those levels for human exposure:

■

FCC OET Bulletin 65 Edition 97-01 Supplement C, Evaluating Compliance with
FCC Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields.

■

American National Standards Institute (C95.1-1992), IEEE Standard for Safety
Levels with Respect to Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic
Fields, 3 kHz to 300 GHz.

■

American National Standards Institute (C95.3-1992), IEEE Recommended
Practice for the Measurement of Potentially Hazardous Electromagnetic
Fields — RF and Microwave.

The following WARNINGS and CAUTIONS will make you aware of RF exposure
hazards and how to assure you operate the radio within the FCC RF exposure
limits established for it.

English

2

•

WARNING

Your CobraMarine™radio generates electromagnetic RF (radio frequency) energy
when it is transmitting. To ensure that you and those around you are not exposed to
excessive amounts of that energy (beyond FCC allowable limits for occupational use):

ALWAYS hold the radio, especially the antenna, at least two inches
[five cm] away from you when you are transmitting.

NEVER allow the antenna to touch any part of your body when transmitting.

KEEP the radio and antenna at least as far from bystanders as from yourself.

DO NOT operate the radio without the supplied antenna or a Cobra®authorized

replacement attachment. In addition to the RF energy exposure hazard,
doing so may damage the radio.

DO NOT transmit more than 50% of the time the radio is in use — 50% duty cycle.
The radio is transmitting when the Talk button is pressed and the Transmit icon
shows on the LCD screen.

ALWAYS use only Cobra®authorized accessories (antennas, batteries, belt clips, etc.).

DO NOT operate the radio where RF energy generated during transmission

may cause electromagnetic interference or incompatibility with other devices
or systems. This includes aircraft, blasting sites and hospitals.

TURN OFF the radio in explosive atmospheres and where signs are posted
prohibiting radio transmissions.

Failure to observe any of these warnings may cause you to exceed
FCC RF exposure limits or create other dangerous conditions.

CAUTION

Your radio is waterproof only when the antenna and batteries are properly installed.

AVOID using or storing the radio at temperatures below -4˚F (-20˚C) or above
140˚F (60˚C).

KEEP your radio at least three feet (0.9m) away from your vessel’s magnetic
navigation compass.

DO NOT attempt to service any internal parts yourself. Have any necessary service
performed by a qualified technician.

When replacing the batteries, dispose of the old batteries properly. NiMH
(Nickel-Metal Hydride) batteries may explode if disposed of in a fire.

Changes or modifications to your radio MAY VOID its compliance with FCC rules
and make it illegal to use.

Nothing comes close to a Cobra

®

3

Introduction

Assistance

Warranty

Customer
Assistance

Recommendations for
Marine Communication FCC Information

VHF Marine Radio Protocols

Recommendations for marine communication

The frequencies your radio uses are set aside to enhance safety afloat and for vessel
navigation and operational messages over a range suitable for nearshore voyages. If the
five watt maximum output of your radio isn’t sufficient for the distances you travel from
the coast, consider installing a CobraMarine™fixed mount radio with up to 25 watts of
output power. (Visit www.cobra.com or your local dealer for model availability.)

If you will be going far offshore, you should consider adding even more powerful
radio equipment such as HF single side band or satellite radio for your vessel.

The U.S. Coast Guard does not endorse cellular telephones as substitutes for marine
radios. They generally cannot communicate with rescue vessels and, if you make a
distress call on a cellular telephone, only the party you call will be able to hear you.
Additionally, cellular telephones may have limited coverage over water and can be
hard to locate. If you don’t know where you are, the Coast Guard will have difficulty
finding you if you’re using a cellular telephone.

However, cellular telephones can have a place on board where cellular coverage
is available — to allow social conversations and keep the marine frequencies
uncluttered and available for their intended uses.

VHF Marine Radio Protocols

FCC LICENSING INFORMATION

CobraMarine™VHF radios comply with the FCC (Federal Communications
Commission) requirements that regulate the Maritime Radio Service.

The radio operates on all currently allocated marine channels and is switchable for
use according to U.S.A., International or Canadian regulations. It features instant
access to emergency Channel 16 and calling Channel 9 as well as NOAA (National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) All Hazards Radio with Alert that can be
accessed by pressing one key.

Station license

An FCC ship station license is no longer required for any vessel traveling in U.S.A.
waters which uses a VHF marine radio, RADAR or EPIRB (Emergency Position
Indicating Radio Beacon), and which is not required to carry radio equipment.
However, any vessel required to carry a marine radio on an international voyage,
carrying a HF single side band radiotelephone or carrying a marine satellite

4

terminal must obtain a station license.
FCC license forms and applications for ship and land stations can be downloaded

through the Internet at www.fcc.gov/forms. Forms can also be obtained by calling
the FCC at 888-225-5322.

English

•

International station license

If your vessel will be entering the sovereign waters of a country other than the
U.S.A. or Canada, you should contact that country’s communications regulatory
authority for licensing information.

Radio call sign

Currently, the FCC does not require recreational boaters to have a license. The United
States Coast Guard recommends that the boat’s registration number and state of registry
(e.g., Illinois 1234 AB) be used as a call sign and be clearly visible on the vessel.

Canadian ship station license

This portable VHF radiotelephone is suitable ONLY for voluntary carriage onboard
Canadian ships NOT subject to the Ship Station (Radio) Regulations, 1999. You may
need a license if your vessel is operated in Canadian waters. Please contact the
nearest field office or write: Industry of Canada, Radio Regulatory Branch,
Attn: DOSP, 300 Slater Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0C8.

User responsibility and operating locations

All users are responsible for observing domestic and foreign government regulations
and are subject to severe penalties for violations. The VHF frequencies on your radio
are reserved for marine use and require a special license to operate from land,
including when your boat is on its trailer.

•

NOTE

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause
harmful interference and (2) This device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

FCC Warnings: 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 80 of the
FCC Rules, or violation of type acceptance requirements of part 2 of the rules.

Nothing comes close to a Cobra

®

5

VHF Marine Radio Protocols

Assistance

Warranty

Customer
Assistance

Assistance

Warranty

Customer
Assistance

VHF Marine Radio
Procedures Voice Calling

VHF Marine Radio Protocols

VHF marine radio procedures

Maintain your watch

Whenever your boat is underway, the radio must be turned on and
be tuned to Channel 16 except when being used for messages.

Power

Try one watt first if the station being called is within a few miles. If there
is no answer, switch to a higher power. This will conserve your battery and
minimize interference to other users.

Calling coast stations

Call a coast station on its assigned channel. You may use Channel 16
when you do not know the assigned channel.

Calling other vessels

Call other vessels on Channel 16 or on Channel 9. (Channel 9 is preferred
for recreational vessel use.) You may also call on ship-to-ship channels
when you know that the vessel is listening on a ship-to-ship channel.

Limits on calling

You must not call the same station for more than 30 seconds at a time.
If you do not get a reply, wait at least two minutes before calling again.
After three calling periods, wait at least 15 minutes before calling again.

Change channels

After contacting another station on a calling channel, change immediately
to a channel which is available for the type of message you want to send.

Station identification

Identify, in English, your station by your FCC call sign, ship name, the state registration
number or other official number at both the beginning and end of each message.

Prohibited communications

You MUST NOT transmit:

■

False distress or emergency messages.

■

Messages containing obscene, indecent or profane words or meaning.

■

General calls, signals or messages (messages not addressed to a particular
station) on Channel 16, except in an emergency or if you are testing your radio.

■

When you are on land.

English

6

•

Voice calling

To call another vessel or a shore installation such as a lock or bridge tender:

■

Make sure your radio is on.

■

Select Channel 16 and listen to make sure it is not being used.

•

NOTE

Channel 9 may be used by recreational vessels for general-purpose
calling. This frequency should be used whenever possible to relieve
congestion on Channel 16.

■

When the channel is quiet, press the Talk button and call the ship you wish to
call. (Hold the microphone a few inches from your face and speak directly into
it in a normal tone of voice — clearly and distinctly.) Say “[name of station
being called] THIS IS [your vessel’s name or call sign].”

■

Once contact is made on the calling channel, you must switch to
a proper working channel. See the channel listing on pages 14 through 15.

For Example

The vessel Corsair calling the vessel Vagabond:

Corsair: “Vagabond, this is Corsair.”

Vagabond: “Corsair, this is Vagabond. Reply 72 (or any proper working channel).”

Corsair: “72” or “Roger”

■

After communications are completed, each vessel must sign off with its
call sign or vessel name and switch to Channel 16.

NOTE

For best sound quality at the station you are calling, hold the microphone
on the front of the radio at least two inches [five cm] from your mouth
and slightly off to one side. Speak in a normal tone of voice.

Nothing comes close to a Cobra

®

7

Assistance

Warranty

Customer
Assistance

VHF Marine Radio Protocols

Radiotelephone Calls

VHF Marine Radio Protocols

Emergency Messages
and Distress Procedure

Radiotelephone calls

Boaters may make and receive radiotelephone calls to and from any number on the
telephone network by using the services of public coast stations. Calls can be made
— for a fee — between your radio and telephones on land, sea and in the air. See
pages 12 through 21 for the public correspondence (marine operator) channels.

If you plan to use these services, consider registering with the operator of the
public coast station that you plan to work through. Those services can provide
you with detailed information and procedures to follow.

CAUTION

You may disclose privileged information during a radiotelephone call.
Keep in mind that your transmission is NOT private, as it is on a regular
telephone. Both sides of the conversation are being broadcast and can be
heard by anyone who has a radio and tunes to the channel you are using.

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.

The Coast Guard monitors Channel 16, responds to all distress calls, and
coordinates all search and rescue efforts. Depending on the availability of other
capable vessels or commercial assistance operators in your vicinity, Coast Guard
or Coast Guard Auxiliary craft may be dispatched.

In any event, do communicate with the Coast Guard as soon as you experience
difficulties and before your situation becomes an emergency. Use the emergency
message procedures only after your situation has become grave or you are faced
with a sudden danger threatening life or property and requiring immediate help.
If you are merely out of gas, do not send an emergency message. Drop your
anchor and call a friend or marina to bring the fuel you need or give you a tow.

•

Marine emergency signals

The three spoken international emergency signals are:

MAYDAY

The distress signal MAYDAY is used to indicate that a station is threatened
by grave and imminent danger and requests immediate assistance.

PAN PAN

The urgency signal PAN PAN is used when the safety of the vessel or person
is in jeopardy. (This signal is properly pronounced pahn-pahn.)

SECURITE

The safety signal SECURITE is used for messages about the safety of navigation or
important weather warnings. (This signal is properly pronounced see-cure-it-tay.)

When using an international emergency signal, the appropriate

•

signal is to be spoken three times prior to the message.

If you hear a distress call

You must give any message beginning with one of these signals priority
over any other messages. ALL stations MUST remain silent on Channel 16
for the duration of the emergency unless the message relates directly to
the emergency.

If you hear a distress message from a vessel, stand by your radio. If it is
not answered, YOU should answer. If the distressed vessel is not nearby,
wait a short time for others who may be closer to acknowledge. Even if
you cannot render direct assistance, you may be in a position to relay
the message.

8

English

Nothing comes close to a Cobra

®

9