Cobra 2-Way Radio, microTALK FRS 120 Operating Instructions Manual

2-Way Radio

Operating Instructions for your

Nothing comes close to a Cobra™

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FRS 120

Family Radio Service

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® FRS 120
is a great way for friends or family to have fun and
be safe 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. 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.

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 95 of the FCC Rules, or violation of Type
Acceptance requirements of Part 2 of the Rules.

Included with your microTALK®

1. Belt Clip

2. Wrist Strap

3. Two microTALK® SNAP™™ removable fronts.

Family Radio Service

A1

How to Use Your Cobra

®

2-Way Radio

1

Features of This Product

•Two-way radio with
up to a 2 mile range

• 14 channels

•Backlit LCD

•Roger beep confirmation
tone

•Call feature

•SuperFlex™ antenna

•Speaker/Microphone
jacks

•Belt clip

•Wrist strap

Contents

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

Family Radio Service ................................................A1

FCC Warnings
Included Accessories

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

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

Calling Another Party .............................................6

Talking To Another Party .......................................7

Roger Beep Confirmation Tone...........................8

Listening For Another Party.................................8

microTALK® Range...................................................9

Making Life Easier And Safer ...............................10

microTALK® SNAP™ Removable Front.............11

External Microphone/Speaker Jack...................12

Caring for Your microTALK®..................................14

Frequency Ranges .....................................................16

microTALK® Specifications ....................................16

Limited Two Year Warranty....................................18

Optional Accessories................................................19

Order Form....................................................................20

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

Thank you for purchasing the Cobra® FRS 120
2-Way Radio.Your microTALK® radio 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 microTALK® SNAP™ front, see page 11.
For additional color choices available as
accessories (sold separately), please see the
brochure and order form included.

Customer Support

Properly used, this Cobra® product will give you
years of reliable service. 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.

Our Thanks to You

A3

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:
[e-mail]

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

BATT LOW

call

Talk 

Controls and Indicators

A2

1. Antenna

2. Microphone/Speaker

Jack

3. On/Off Volume Switch

4.LLCD Display Panel

5.? Light/Max Range Button

6. Channel Select Button

7. Speaker

8. Battery Compartment

9. Talk Button

10. Call Button

11. microTALK® SNAP™

Removeable Front

7

9

5

1

2

8

4

1

3

9

5

11

6

10

3

6

Turn the On/Off/Volume switch. An audible
“tone”will indicate the unit is on.

Pull lock tab down
to remove battery
cover.

Insert three “AA”
batteries. Position
batteries according
to polarity markings.

Operation

3

Operation

2

Note

Batteries are not included
with microTALK® 2-way
radio.Always use 3 high
quality AA alkaline batteries
or optional battery pack
(sold separately).

Note

When batteries are low the

indicator willblink.

Note

Visit Cobra® Electronics
(www.cobra.com) for
information about optional
battery pack and desktop
charger accessories.

Install Batteries

Battery
Installation

1 2

--+

++

-

Turning On Your microTALK®

BATT LOW

TURN
SWITCH

Note

Whenever the unit is on
you can receive
communications.

Turning
On Your
microTALK

®

Illuminating the Display

Illuminating
the Display

1

1

Push and release LIGHT/MAX RANGE
button to illuminate display for ten seconds.

Select any of the 14 channels by pushing the
channel up or down buttons.

Select Channel

Turn on the microTALK® 2-Way Radio.

Operation

5

Select
Channel

Note

Units must be tuned to the
same channel number in
order to communicate.

Operation

4

Note

To learn more about the
range of your microTALK®,
see page 9.

Range is dependent on
battery condition and
geographic terrain.

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).

BATT LOW

call

call



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.

1

Push and hold 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.

Operation

7

Note

While the TALK button is
depressed you cannot
receive incoming calls.

Note

Both units must be ON and
tuned to the same channel.

Your incoming “Call” signal
volume is dependent on the
unit volume setting.

Talking To
Another Party

Operation

6

Calling Another Party

To alert another party that you wish to
communicate:

Push and release CALL button.The unit
you are calling will hear a two second ringing
tone.

Talking To Another Party

Calling
Another
Party

callcall

Hold mic about
2 inches from
mouth. Speak in
a normal voice.

Release TALK
button and listen
for response.

Push and hold
TALK button.

The TX/RX indicator
will be displayed.

1 2

3 4

BATT LOW

call

1

call

Operation

9

Operation

8

Roger Beep
Confirmation
Tone

microTALK® Range

Your microTALK® Radio has a range of up to
2 miles.This effective range can be shortened
under some conditions.

Note

To achieve maximum
range the auto squelch
can be overridden.Refer to
Maximum Range Extender
section on page 4.

microTALK

®

Range

Listening For Another Party

When finished talking:

Listening For
Another Party

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

Note

While the TALK button
is depressed you cannot
receive incoming calls.

Your listener will hear an
audible tone when you
release the TALK button.

This alerts the other party
that you are finished talking
and it’s OK for them to begin
talking.

BATT LOW

call

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.

Roger Beep Confirmation Tone

2

11

5. Checking on
traveling
companions in
another car.

6. Agree on a meeting
spot after an event.

Making Life Easier and Safer

10

microTALK® 2-Way Radio 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 Radio
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 AT TA CH: First
engage the tabs into
the top of the unit.
Next snap in the
middle 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

External Microphone/

Speaker Jack

13

External Microphone/
Speaker Jack

12

Note

External microphone/
speaker is not included with
the unit. See page 19 for
optional accessories.

External Microphone/Speaker Jack

Your microTALK® 2-Way Radio can be fitted with
an external microphone/speaker,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.

1

2

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 Radio

14

Caring
for Your
microTALK

®

Radio

Note

Modifying or tampering
with the radio’s internal
components can cause
malfunction and will
invalidate the warranty.
If your radio is not
performing as it should,
please call Cobra at

773.889.3087.
Do not return the unit to
the retailer.

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.

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) TX OFF mS 5

D. POWER SUPPLY

1. BATTERY LIFE (1:1:18 RATIO) HR 24

2. BATTERY OPERATING RANGE V 3.2 - 4.5

Specifications

17

Specifications

16

I. GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

A. FREQUENCIES

CHANNEL ASSIGNMENT

CH 1: 462.5625MHz CH 8: 467.5625MHz
CH 2: 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

Vox Headset Mic

VOX (Voice Operated
Transmitter) headset and
microphone allows
hands-free operation.
MA-VOX

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.

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,
accompanied 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
mayalso 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 alterations 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.

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,
consequential or other damages; including,without
limitation, damages resulting from loss of use or cost
of installation.

Some states do not allow limitations on how long an
implied warranty lasts and/or do not allow the exclusion
or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so
the above limitations may not apply to you.

Cobra® Electronics
Corporation

6500 West Cortland Street
Chicago,Illinois 60707 USA

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QUALITY SEAL

You Can Find These Fine Accessories At Your Local Cobra® Dealer

If you wish, you can order directly from Cobra®.

Order by phone

Call 773.889.3087 (Press 1 from the main menu) 8 a.m.-6 p.m. M-F CST.)

Order by mail or fax

Call 773.889.3087 for pricing. Fill out order form on next page, and mail/fax directly to Cobra®.

Order over the Web

www.cobra.com

Ear Bud Mic with PTT

Compact earbud and microphone
with Push-to-Talk switch.
MA-EBM

Lapel Speaker/Microphone

Remote microphone/speaker
with Push-to-Talk switch.
MA-SM

Replacement Belt Clip

FA-BC2



FA-AA

Insert with charging contacts 

below facing out

2 Port Desktop Charger

Charges two NiMH battery packs.
Battery pack must be removed
from FRS120 for recharging.
(Note: appearance may vary)
FA-CS

NiMH Rechargeable
Battery Pack

High performance Nickel
Metal Hydride battery pack for
multiple charging.
FA-AA

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

Allow 2-3 weeks for delivery.Offer valid in Continental U.S. only.

For credit card orders fill out order form
and fax to: 773.622.2269
or call 773.889.3087
(Press 1 from the main menu)
8:00 am - 6:00 pm, M-F, CST.

Make check or money order (no stamps)
payable to:
Cobra® Electronics
Attn: Accessories Dept.
6500 West Cortland Street
Chicago, IL 60707 USA

$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
add an additional $15.00
for UPS shipments.

Subtotal
(Tax if applicable)
Shipping/handling

Total

Tax Table

Illinois residents add 8.75%
Indiana residents add 5%
Michigan residents add 6 %

Ohio residents add 5%

Wisconsin residents add 5%

MA-VOX Vox Headset Mic
MA-EBM Ear Bud Mic with PTT
MA-SM Lapel Speaker/ Microphone
FA-AA Battery
FA-CS Charger
FA-BC2 Replacement Belt Clip

Item # Description Cost Ea. Qty. Amount

Prices subject to change without notice.

Cobra® Electronics Corporation
6500 West Cortland Street
Chicago, IL 60707 USA

© 2002 Cobra® Electronics Corporate
Printed in Thailand.

Part No. 480-370-P-001

For technical assistance,please call our Automated Help Desk which can assist

you by answering the most frequently asked questions about Cobra® products.

[phone]

24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

A Consumer Service Representative can be reached through this same number

8:00 am - 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday, CST.

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

www.cobra.com or by e-mail to [e-mail]

If you think you need service call 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 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 West Cortland Street,Chicago, IL 60707 USA.

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 773.889.3087 for
assistance.

If You Think You Need Service

The Cobra® line of quality products
also includes:

•Citizens Band Radios

•microTALK® Radios

•Radar/Laser Detectors

• GPS

•SafetyAlert®
Traffic Warning Systems

•Accessories

• HighGear™ Accessories

Nothing comes close to a Cobra

™