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 ten (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
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
customer assistance ser
vices:
®
Electronics offers the following
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. productinfo
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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.
General Precautions
WARNINGS
Your 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:
ALWAYS hold the radio at least two (2) inches [Five (5) cm] away from
you when you are transmitting.
NEVER allow the antenna to touch any part of your body when transmitting.
KEEP the radio at least as far from bystanders as from yourself.
DO NOT transmit more than 50% of the time the radio is in use.
DO NOT operate the radio in an explosive atmosphere, near blasting sites,
or in any area where signs are posted prohibiting radio transmissions.
DO NOT allow children or anyone unfamiliar with proper procedures
to operate the radio without supervision.
•
CAUTIONS
Your radio is splashproof only when the 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 (3) feet (0.9 m) 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.
Changes or modifications to your radio
MAY VOID its compliance
with FCC rules and make it illegal to use.
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English
Nothing comes close to a Cobra
®
3
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Introduction
Recommendations For
Marine CommunicationFCC 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 two (2) watt maximum output of your radio isn’t sufficient for the
distances you travel from the coast, consider purchasing a CobraMarine
radio with up to five (5) watts of output power or installing a Cobra
™
hand held
®
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 Communication
Commission) requirements that regulate the Maritime Radio Ser
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 (1) key.
vice.
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
terminal must obtain a station license.
English
4
•
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.
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
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 (2) conditions: (1) This device may not cause
harmful inter
ference, 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
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VHF Marine Radio
ProceduresVoice 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-half (1⁄2) 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 (2) minutes before calling again.
After three (3) 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.
6
■
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
•
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 page 12 through 13.
For Example
The vessel Corsair calling the vessel V
Corsair:
“Vagabond, this is Corsair.”
agabond:
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’re calling, hold the microphone
at least two (2) inches [five (5) cm] from your mouth and slightly off to
one (1) side. Speak in a normal tone of voice.
Nothing comes close to a Cobra
®
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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 VHF radio and telephones on land, sea, and in the air.
See pages 12 to 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 (3) 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.
AN
P
The urgency signal
PAN is used when the safety of the vessel or person
is in jeopardy. (This signal is properly pronounced 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 (3) times prior to the message.
If You Hear A Distress Call
You must give any message beginning with one (1) 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
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.
. If the distressed vessel is not nearby,
8
English
Nothing comes close to a Cobra
®
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