Cobra microTALK PR385WX Owner's Manual

PR385WX

2-WAYRADIO MODEL

Nothing comes close to a Cobra

®

English

Owner’s Manual

Printed in Philippines

Part No. 480-174-P

Making Life Easier And Safer

Introduction

Staying in touch with your family and friends is
convenient and easy when using your microTALK

®

radio. Some of the many uses you will discover include:

Communicating with others while hiking, biking, and working;
keeping track of family and friends at a crowded public event;
checking with travel companions in another car; talking with
neighbors; arranging meeting spots with others while shopping
at the mall.

Secure your microTALK

®

radio while on the go.

Carrying your microTALK

®

radio with you is easy

when using the belt clip or optional wrist strap.
The belt clip easily attaches to your belt, purse,

or backpack. Simply squeeze the clip and place
it where you prefer.

Belt Clip

Wrist Strap

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Operation

Customer Assistance

Warranty

1

Nothing comes close to a Cobra

®

Introduction

Caring For Your microTALK®Radio

•

Your microTALK

®

radio will give you years of trouble-free service
if cared for properly. Handle the radio gently. Keep the radio away
from dust. Never put the radio in water or in a damp place.
Avoid exposure to extreme temperatures.

Batteries

•

To Install Or Replace Batteries:

1. Remove belt clip by releasing belt clip
latch and sliding clip up.

2. Pull down on the battery door latch to
remove the battery compartment cover.

3. Insert four (4) AAA batteries. (Always use
high quality alkaline batteries.) Position
batteries according to polarity markings.

4. Replace battery compartment cover and
belt clip.

Contact your local Cobra

®

dealer or Cobra

®

directly for optional accessories. Only Cobra

®

authorized accessories are recommended.

Insert Batteries

Pull Down Lock Latch

Remove Belt Clip

The Basics To Get You Started

Your microTALK

®

radio is easy to use.

To get started, simply:

1. Press the Power button to turn On your radio.

2. Press the Channel Up or Channel Down
button to select a channel.

Both radios must be tuned to the
same channel to communicate.

3. Press and hold the Talk button while
speaking into the microphone.

4. When finished talking, release the Talk
button and listen for a response.

A3

English

Product Features

Introduction

Backlit LCD Display

Important FCC Licensing Information

This radio operates on General Mobile Radio
Service (GMRS) frequencies which require a
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
license. See page 14 for licensing and other
related information.

Receive/
Transmit

Tower Icon

Low

Power Icon

Lock

Icon

VOX Icon

Roger
Beep Icon

Battery
Low

Main

Channel

Numbers

Power

Saver Icon

CTCSS Privacy
Code Numbers

Scan Icon

NOAAAll
Hazards Radio Icon

Features

• 2-Way Radio

With a range up
to six (6) miles
(10 km).

• 22 Channels

Seven (7) shared
with FRS/GMRS,
seven (7) FRS
only, eight (8)
GMRS only.

• 38 Privacy Codes

• Ten (10) Channel
NOAA All Hazards
Radio

• Hands-Free
Operation (VOX)

• Backlit LCD
Display

• Scan

Channel,
privacy code

• Water Resistant

• Speaker/
Microphone Jack

• Call Alert

Ten (10)
selectable tones

• Button Lock

• Roger Beep

Selectable On/Off

• Battery/
Power Saver

• Auto Squelch

• Maximum
Range Extender

• Belt Clip

Battery

Compartment

Battery Door

Latch

BeltClip

A2

English

Product Features

Introduction

Lock

Button

Backlit
LCD
Display

Channel
Up/Down

Button

Speaker/
Microphone

Call

Button

Mode

Button

Antenna

Volume Up/
Down Button

External Speaker/
Microphone Jack

Light/Max

Range

Button

Talk

Button

On/Off
Power

Button

Wrist Strap
Connection

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Customer Assistance WarrantyIntroduction Operation

Channels

•

To Select A Channel:

1. With the radio On, select any of the
22 channels by pressing the Channel Up or
Channel Down button.

Both radios must be tuned to the same
channel to communicate.

Channels 1 through 7 are shared with FRS/
GMRS. Channels 8 through 14 are FRS only.
Channels 15 through 22 are GMRS only.

See page 13 for FRS/GMRS frequency
allocations and compatibility charts.

Listening For A Response

•

When You Are Finished Talking:

1. Release the Talk button to receive incoming
transmissions. Your microTALK

®

radio is
always in Standby mode while the Talk or
Call buttons are not pressed.

Volume

•

To Adjust The Volume:

1. Press the Volume Up or
Volume Down button.

A double beep sound is used
to indicate the minimum and
maximum volume levels (L1 through L7).

Turning On Your microTALK®Radio

•

To Turn On Your Radio:

1. Press and hold the Power button until you
hear a series of audible tones indicating the
radio is On.

Your microTALK

®

radio is now in Standby mode,
ready to receive transmissions. The radio is
always in Standby mode except when the Talk,
Call or Mode buttons are pressed.

Battery Low

•

When battery power is low, the Battery Low icon
will blink. Your batteries should be replaced or
recharged, if using rechargeable batteries.

Auto Battery Save

•

Your microTALK

®

radio has a unique circuit
designed to extend battery life. If there are no
transmissions within ten (10) seconds, the radio
will automatically switch to Battery Save mode
and the Power Saver icon will flash in the
display. This will not affect the radio’s ability
to receive incoming transmissions.

Communicating With Another Person

•

To Talk To Another Person:

1. Press and hold the Talk button.

2. With the microphone about two (2) inches

[five (5) cm] from your mouth, speak in a

Using Your Radio

Operation

Channel Button

Channel Number

On/Off Power

Battery Low

Battery Save Mode

Talk Button

Two (2) Inches [Five
(5) cm] From Mouth

Listening

Volume Button

Volume Level

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Speaker/Microphone Jack

•

Your microTALK

®

radio can be fitted with an external Speaker/
Microphone, freeing your hands for other tasks. Contact your
local Cobra

®

dealer or Cobra®directly for optional accessories.

Only Cobra

®

authorized accessories are recommended.

To Attach Your Speaker/Microphone:

1. Open the speaker/microphone tab
on top of your microTALK

®

radio.

2. Insert the plug into the speaker/
microphone jack.

microTALK®Range

•

Your microTALK

®

radio has a range of up to six (6) miles (10 km).

Your range will vary depending on terrain and conditions.

In flat, open country your radio will operate
at maximum range.

Buildings and foliage in the path of the signal
can reduce the range of the radio.

Dense foliage and hilly terrain will further
reduce the range of the radio.

On FRS Channels 8 through 14, your radio
automatically switches to low power, which will
limit the range the radio can communicate.

Remember, you can achieve maximum
range by using maximum range
extender. See page 4 for details.

Customer Assistance WarrantyIntroduction Operation

Using Your Radio

Operation

Display Illumination

•

To Illuminate Your Display:

1. Press and release the Light/Max Range button
to illuminate the display for ten (10) seconds.

Auto Squelch/Maximum Range

•

Your microTALK

®

radio is equipped with Auto Squelch, which
automatically shuts Off weak transmissions and unwanted noise
due to terrain, conditions, or if you’ve reached your Maximum
Range limit.

You can temporarily turn Off auto squelch or turn On maximum
range extender, allowing all signals to be received and extending
the maximum range of your radio.

To Temporarily Turn Off Auto Squelch:

1. Press the Light/Max Range button for
less than five (5) seconds.

If you hear two (2) beeps, you have turned
the maximum range extender On (see below).

To Turn Maximum Range Extender On:

1. Press and hold the Light/Max Range button
for at least five (5) seconds until you hear
two (2) beeps which indicates the maximum
range extender is On.

To Turn Maximum Range Extender Off:

1. Press and release the Light/Max Range
button or change channels.

Lock Function

•

Reduced Range

Reduced Range

Maximum Range

Lock Button

Light/Max Range

Light/Max Range

Speaker/Microphone

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Mode Functions

Customer Assistance WarrantyIntroduction Operation

Operation

Scrolling Through The Mode Function

•

By scrolling through the Mode function, you will be able to
select or turn On preferred features of your microTALK

®

radio.
When scrolling through the Mode function, your radio features
will be displayed in the same predetermined order:

Set Privacy Code
Set NOAA All Hazards Radio Channels
Set VOX On/Off
Set VOX Sensitivity Level
Set Channel Scan
Set Privacy Code Scan
Set Call Tones
Set Roger Beep On/Off

CTCSS Privacy Codes

•

CTCSS (Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System) is an advanced
tone coding system allowing you to select one of 38 privacy codes
to reduce interference from other users on the channel.

If you are using a privacy code, both radios must
be tuned to the same channel and privacy code to
communicate. Each channel will remember the
last privacy code you selected.

To Select A Privacy Code:

1. After selecting a channel, press the Mode
button until the small numbers next to the
channel number flashes on the LCD.

2. Press the Channel Up or Channel Down
button to select a privacy code. You can hold

NOAA* All Hazards Radio Channels

•

You can use your microTALK

®

radio to listen to NOAA

All Hazards Radio channels transmitting in your area.

To Listen To All Hazards Radio Channels :

1. Press the Mode button until the Weather (All
Hazards Radio) icon and the currently selected
All Hazards Radio channel is displayed.

2. Use the Channel Up or Channel Down button
to change All Hazards Radio channels.

Weather (All Hazards Radio) icon will continue
to be displayed when All Hazards Radio is On.

3. Choose one (1) of the following:
a. Press the Mode button to proceed

to other functions.

b. Press the Lock button to exit All Hazards

Radio channels mode and return to
Standby mode.

*National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration

Voice Activated Transmit (VOX)

•

In VOX mode, your microTALK

®

radio can be used “hands-free,”
automatically transmitting when you speak. You can set the
VOX sensitivity level to fit the volume of your voice and avoid
transmissions triggered by background noise.

To Turn VOX Mode On Or Off:

1. Press the Mode button until the VOX icon
flashes on the display. The current On or Off

Mode Button

Privacy Code

Mode Button

Hazards Radio Icon

Mode Button

Channel Button

Mode Button

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Customer Assistance WarrantyIntroduction OperationOperation

Mode Functions

To Set VOX Sensitivity:

1. Press the Mode button until the VOX icon
flashes and the current sensitivity level
is displayed.

The current VOX sensitivity level is
displayed with letters “LE” and a Number
1 through 5, with Number 5 being the
most sensitive level and Number 1
being the least sensitive level.

2. Press the Channel Up or Channel Down
button to change the setting.

3. Choose one (1) of the following:

a. Press the Mode button to enter the selected

setting and proceed to other functions.

b. Press the Lock button to enter the selected

setting and return to Standby mode.

Channel Scan

•

Your microTALK

®

radio can automatically scan channels.

To Scan Channels:

1. Press the Mode button until the Scan icon and
the channel numbers flash on the display.

2. Press the Channel Up or Channel Down
button to begin scanning channels.

The radio ignores specific privacy
codes while scanning channels.

During Channel Scan (while receiving an incoming transmission),
You Can Choose From The Following:

a. Press and hold the Talk button to communicate on that

channel. Your radio will remain on that channel and return
to Standby mode.

b. Press the Channel Up or Channel Down button to resume

scanning channels.

If you press the Talk button while scanning and not within ten
(10) seconds of receiving a transmission, you will transmit on
the channel on which you last received a transmission. This will
return the radio to Standby mode.

If you do not press any button within ten (10) seconds, your radio
will automatically resume scanning channels.

During Channel Scan (while not receiving a transmission),
You Can Choose From The Following:

a. Press and hold the Talk button to communicate on the channel

or channel/privacy code that was displayed before you entered
mode functions or the channel on which, during scanning,
you last received a transmission. This will return the radio
to Standby mode.

b. Press the Mode button to proceed to set privacy code scan on

the channel that was either displayed before you entered mode
functions or on which, during channel scanning, you last
received a transmission (see page 10 for further details).

c. Press the Lock button to return to Standby mode on the

channel/privacy code that was displayed before you entered
mode functions or the channel on which, during scanning,
you last received a transmission.

Mode Button

Scan Channels

VOX Sensitivity Level

Mode Button

Channel Button

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Customer Assistance WarrantyIntroduction Operation

Mode Functions

Privacy Code Scan

•

Your microTALK

®

radio can automatically scan the Privacy Codes

(00 through 38) within one (1) channel.

To Scan Privacy Codes:

1. While in Standby mode, press the
Channel Up or Channel Down button

to choose the channel on which you
wish to scan privacy codes.

2. Press the Mode button until the Scan
icon and the privacy code numbers flash
on the display.

3. Press the Channel Up or Channel Down
button to begin scanning privacy codes
within the channel you selected.

The Scan icon will continue to be displayed
when privacy code scan is On. Your radio will
continue to scan privacy codes and stop as an
incoming transmission is detected. Your radio
will remain on that channel/privacy code for
ten (10) seconds.

While setting privacy code scan, if you do not
press any buttons for 15 seconds, your radio
will automatically return to Standby mode on
the channel/privacy code that was displayed
before you entered mode functions.

During Privacy Code Scan (while receiving an Incoming
transmission), You Can Choose From The Following:

a. Press and hold the Talk button to communicate on that

channel/privacy code. Your radio will remain on that
channel/privacy code and return to Standby mode.

b. Press the Channel Up or Channel Down button to

resume scanning privacy codes.

If you press the Talk button while scanning and not within ten
(10) seconds of receiving a transmission, you will transmit on the
channel/privacy code on which you last received a transmission.
This will return the radio to Standby mode.

If you do not press any button within ten (10) seconds, your radio
will automatically resume scanning privacy codes.

During Privacy Code Scan (while not receiving a transmission),
You Can Choose From The Following:

a. Press and hold the Talk button to communicate on

the channel/privacy code that was displayed before you
entered mode functions or the channel/privacy code on
which, during scanning, you last received a transmission.

This will return the radio to Standby mode.
b. Press the Mode button to proceed to other functions.
c. Press the Lock button to return to Standby mode on the

channel/privacy code that was displayed before you entered

mode functions or the channel/privacy code on which,

during scanning, you last received a transmission.

Operation

Channel Button

Mode Button

Select Channel

Scan Privacy Codes

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Customer Assistance WarrantyIntroduction Operation

Mode Functions

Ten (10) Call Tone Settings

•

You can choose between ten (10) different Call Tone Settings
to transmit a unique call alert.

To Change A Call Tone Setting:

1. Press the Mode button until the letter
“C” and the current call tone number
(1 through 10) is displayed.

2. Press the Channel Up or Channel Down
button to hear the other call tone settings.

3. Choose one (1) of the following:

a. Press the Mode button to enter

the new setting and proceed to
other functions.

b. Press the Lock button to enter the new

setting and return to Standby mode.

Roger Beep Confirmation Tone

•

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 is OK for them to speak. This feature can be turned On or Off.

To Turn Roger Beep On Or Off:

When turning On your microTALK

®

radio for

the first time, roger beep will be On.

1. Press the Mode button until the Roger Beep
icon flashes. The current On or Off setting is
displayed.

2. Press the Channel Up or Channel Down

Operation

General Specifications

•

Nominal

Unit

C. Transmitter

1. Power

GMRS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W 1

FRS Only . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .mW 500

2. Carrier Frequency Stability . . . ±Hz 500

3. Modulation Limiting . . . . . . . . KHz 2.5

4. Carrier Attack Time . . . . . . . . . mS 80

5. Audio Frequency Response

@ 300 Hz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . dB -12

@ 2500 Hz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . dB +6

A. FRS/GMRS

Frequency
Allocation and
Compatibility

Important: Please note that Cobra

®

GMRS models with 15 Channels may
designate different channel numbers for
the same frequency. For example, a
Cobra®15 Channel GMRS model would
need to be tuned to Channel 11 in order
to communicate with a 22 Channel GMRS
tuned to Channel 15. Please refer to the
chart below for channel/ frequency
number compatibility.

A= Channel No. For

22 Channel GMRS Models

B = Channel No. For 15 Channel

GMRS Models
C = Type of Radio Service
D = Frequency in MHz
E = Power in Watts

AB C D E

1 1 FRS/GMRS 462.5625 1.0
2 2 FRS/GMRS 462.5875 1.0
3 3 FRS/GMRS 462.6125 1.0
4 4 FRS/GMRS 462.6375 1.0
5 5 FRS/GMRS 462.6625 1.0
6 6 FRS/GMRS 462.6875 1.0
7 7 FRS/GMRS 462.7125 1.0
8 FRS 467.5625 0.5
9 FRS 467.5875 0.5

10 FRS 467.6125 0.5

B. Receiver

1. Sensitivity

For 12 dB SINAD . . . . . . . . . . dBm -121

For Call Signal Detection . . . . dBm -121

2. Max. Audio Output

@ 10% THD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . mW 200

3. Max. S/N Ratio

@ 1mV RF Input . . . . . . . . . . . dB 50

4. Squelch

a) Sensitivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . dBm -121

b) Attack Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . mS 150

c) Closing Time . . . . . . . . . . . . mS 200

5. Audio Frequency Response

@ 300 Hz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . dB -10

@ 2500 Hz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . dB -10

6. Signal Displacement BW . . . . +/-kHz 5

7. Adjacent Channel Rejection . . . dB 40

8. Intermodulation Rejection . . . . dB 65

9. Spurious Response Rejection . dB 55

Nominal

Unit

Call Tone Setting

Mode Button

Channel Button

Roger Beep Off

Mode Button

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Operation WarrantyIntroduction Customer Assistance

Licensing And Service

IMPORTANT NOTICE: FCC LICENSE REQUIRED

•

This 2-way radio operates on GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service)
frequencies which require an FCC (Federal Communications Commission)
license. A user must be licensed prior to operating on Channels 1 through 7
or 15 through 22, which comprise the GMRS channels of this radio. Serious
penalties could result for unlicensed use of GMRS channels, in violation of
FCC rules, as stipulated in the Communications Act’s Sections 501 and
502 (amended).

Licensed users will be issued a call sign by the FCC, which should be used
for station identification when operating this radio. GMRS users should also
cooperate by engaging in permissible transmissions only, avoiding channel
interference with other GMRS users, and being prudent with the length of
their transmission time.

For licensing information and application forms, please call the FCC Hotline
at 800-418-FORM. Request form #159 and form #605. Questions regarding
the license application should be directed to the FCC at 888-CALL-FCC.
Additional information is available on the FCC’s website at www.fcc.gov.

Safety Information For microTALK

®

Radios

Your wireless handheld portable transceiver contains a low power transmitter.
When the Talk button is pushed, it sends out radio frequency (RF) signals.
The device is authorized to operate at a duty factor not to exceed 50%.
In August 1996, the Federal Communications Commissions (FCC) adopted
RF exposure guidelines with safety levels for handheld wireless devices.

Important:

FCC RF Exposure Requirements: For body-worn operation, this radio has
been tested and meets the FCC RF exposure guidelines when used with Cobra

®

accessories supplied or designated for this product. Use of other accessories
may not ensure compliance with FCC RF exposure guidelines. Use only the
supplied antenna. Unauthorized antennas, modifications, or attachments
could damage the transmitter and may violate FCC regulations.

Normal Position:

Hold the transmitter approximately two (2) inches from your face and
speak in a normal voice, with the antenna pointed up and away.

Customer Assistance

Product Service Questions

•

If you have any questions about operation or installing
your new Cobra

®

product, or if you are missing parts…

Please call Cobra

®

first! DO NOT RETURN THIS PRODUCT

TO THE STORE! See customer assistance on page A1.

For Products Purchased In The U.S.A.

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) 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 radio.

Include a typed or clearly printed name and address of where
the radio is to be returned.

4) Pack radio 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, Illinois 60707 U.S.A.

6) If the radio is in warranty, upon receipt of your radio it will

either be repaired or exchanged depending on the model.

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Operation WarrantyIntroduction Customer Assistance

Name

Address (No P.O. Boxes)

City State/Province Zip Country

Telephone

Credit Card Number Type: ❒Visa ❒ MasterCard ❒Discover Exp. Date

Customer Signature

Item # U.S.Cost Each Qty Amount

Optional Accessories

•

You can find quality Cobra

®

products and accessories at your local

Cobra

®

dealer, or in the U.S.A., you can order directly from Cobra®.

Ordering From U.S.A.

Call 773-889-3087 for pricing or visit www.cobra.com.
For credit card orders, complete and return this order form to fax

number 773-622-2269. Or call 773-889-3087 (Press 1 from the
main menu) 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday.

Make check or money order payable to: Cobra

®

Electronics, Attn:

Accessories Dept., 6500 West Cortland Street, Chicago, IL 60707 U.S.A.
To order online, please visit our website: www.cobra.com

Limited 1-Year Warranty

•

For Products Purchased In The U.S.A.

Cobra

®

Electronics Corporation warrants that its Cobra®GMRS radios,
and the component parts thereof, will be free of defects in workmanship
and materials for a period of one (1) year 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.A.

Cobra

®

will, without charge, repair or replace, at its option, defective
GMRS 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 may also have other rights which may
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.A.

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

Warranty And Accessories

Warranty

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The Cobra®line of quality products includes:

CB Radios • microTALK®Radios • Radar/Laser Detectors
Safety Alert®Traffic Warning Systems • Accessories
GPS (Global Positioning System) • HighGear®Accessories
VHF Marine Radios • Power Inverters

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