Cobra Electronics 2155A User Manual

Owner’s Manual

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.

Making Life Easier and Safer

Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra

Belt Clip

Customer Assistance

Secure your microTALK radio while on the go.

Carrying your microTALK when using the belt clip or optional wrist strap.

The belt clip easily attaches to your belt, purse, or backpack.

radio with you is easy

For Assistance in the U.S.A.

In this user’s manual, you should find all the information you need to operate your microTALK

radio. If you require further assistance after reading this manual, Cobra Electronics offers the following customer assistance services:

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 5:30 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday (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).

For more information or to

order any of our products,

please visit our website:

www.cobra.com

TWO-WAY RADIO MODEL

CXT545 C

Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra

Printed in China

Part No. 480-856-P

English

Version G3

English and Spanish. productinfo

For Assistance Outside the U.S.A.

Contact Your Local Dealer

@cobra.com (e-mail).

6500 West Cortland Street

Chicago, Illinois 60707 USA

www.cobra.com

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Product Features

Introduction

Product Features

1. Antenna

2. External Speaker/ Microphone/ USB Charge Jack

3. Mode/Power Button

4. Call/Lock Button

5. Channel Up/Down Buttons

6. Backlit LCD Display

7. Speaker/Microphone

8. Volume Up/Down Buttons

9. LED Light Button

HI / LO

SCAN

10. Talk Button

11. Memory/Escape Button

12. Max Range Hi/Lo Button

13. Scan Button

14. Wrist Strap Connection

15. Belt Clip

16. Battery Compartment

17. Battery Door Latch

18. Rubberized Grips

19. LED Flashlight

20. Weather Button

Introduction

Features

• 22 Channels

Seven shared with FRS/GMRS, seven FRS only, eight GMRS only.

• Earbud Microphones

• 10 Channel NOAA All

Hazards Radio

• Weather Alert

• 121 Privacy Codes

(38 CTCSS codes/ 83 DCS codes)

• Hands-Free Operation

(VOX)

• VibrAlert Silent Paging

• Scan Channels, privacy codes

• Backlit LCD Display

• LED Flashlight

• Call Alert Ten selectable tones

• Button Lock

• Speaker/

Microphone/ Charge Jack

• Roger Beep Selectable On/Off

• Battery/Power Saver

• Keystroke Tones

• Battery Level

Indicator

• Low Battery Audible Alert

• Auto Squelch

• Maximum

Range Extender

• Belt Clip

Product Features

Backlit LCD Display

1. Battery Level Indicator

2. Roger Beep Icon

3. VOX Icon

4. Weather Icon

5. Lock Icon

6. Hi/Low Power Icon

7. DCS/CTCSS Icons

8. Scan/Memory Icon

9. Weather Alert Icon

Maximum range may vary and is based on unobstructed line-of-sight communication under ideal conditions.

This device complies with Industry Canada licence-exempt RSS standard(s):

Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

1) this device may not cause interference, and

2) this device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

«IC» before the equipment certification number signifies that the Industry Canada technical specifications were met. It does not guarantee that the certified product will operate to the user’s satisfaction.

Important FCC Licensing Information This radio operates on General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) frequencies which require a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) license in the U.S.A. See page 17 for licensing and other related information.

10. DCS/CTCSS Privacy Code Numbers

11. Power Saver Icon

12. Channel Numbers

13. Receive/Transmit Icon

14. Memory Channel Number

15. VibrAlert Icon

16. Key Tone Icon

/ Call Alert

9 16

Warranty and Trademark

Warranty

Limited One-Year Warranty on Radio(s)

For Products Purchased in Canada

Your new Cobra GMRS radios are covered by a one-year replacement warranty. If any manufacturing defect becomes apparent in this product within one year from the original date of purchase, it will be replaced. Please return the GMRS radio to your dealer with original or copy of dated proof of purchase. This warranty does not cover damages due to careless handling, negligence, accident,

abuse or failure to follow operating instructions. Alteration of this product or defacing of the serial number cancels all obligations of this warranty. This warranty gives you specified legal rights. Additional warranty rights may be provided by law in some areas.

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 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 consequential damages, so the above limitations may not apply to you.

For Products Purchased Outside Canada or the U.S.A.

Please contact your local dealer for warranty information.

90-Day Warranty on Rechargeable Batteries

For products purchased in the U.S.A. and Canada.

Acknowledgement

Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra

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Introduction

Caring for Your microTALK® Radio

Your microTALK 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.

Operation Customer Assistance Warranty

radio will give you years of trouble-free service

Installing Batteries

To install or replace batteries:

Remove Belt Clip

Pull Up Lock Latch

Insert Batteries

1. Remove belt clip by releasing belt clip

latch and sliding clip up.

2. Pull up on the battery door latch to remove the

battery compartment cover.

3. Insert the supplied three AA rechargeable

batteries or non-rechargeable alkaline batteries. Position batteries according to polarity markings.

4. Replace battery compartment cover and

belt clip.

• Do not attempt to charge alkaline batteries.

• Do not mix old and new batteries.

• Do not mix alkaline, standard (carbon-zinc), or rechargeable (Ni-Cd, Ni-MH, etc.) batteries.

•

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Radio Charger Jack

To charge batteries in radio:

1. Check to see that the batteries have been

inserted properly.

2. Insert the cable into the charge jack located at

the top of the radio.

3. Plug the cable into USB power source.

Use only the supplied rechargeable batteries and charger for recharging your Cobra microTALK radio.

Cobra recommends your radio is turned off while being charged. Non-rechargeable alkaline batteries can also be used in your radio.

Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra

Operation

HI / LO

SCA

Using Your Radio

For charging microTALK radio(s) in desktop charger:

1. Insert radio(s) into desktop charger as shown.

2. Insert the micro-USB cable into jack on back

of charger.

Battery Low

3. Plug the cable into USB-compatible power port.

For pluggable equipment, the socket-outlet shall be installed near the equipment and shall be easily accessible.

If charging light is not on, check position of radio. Radio should be upright. The charge indicator light will stay on as long as the radio is in the charging well, and the light will go off when the charging is complete.

Auto Battery Save

Battery Save Mode

Note: To charge a single radio, you can bypass the desktop charger and simply insert the micro-USB’s connector directly into the charge jack located on the top of the radio. The radio will display flashing battery icon while charging. Cobra recommends your radio be turned off while being charged. Non-rechargeable alkaline batteries can also be used in your radio.

Communicating with Another Person

Talk Button

Quick Start

1. Press and hold the Mode/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/privacy code 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.

Turning on Your microTALK® Radio

Mode/Power

Press and hold the Mode/Power button until you hear a series of audible tones indicating the radio is on.

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

radio is now in Standby mode,

•

Two Inches (5 cm) from Mouth

To Select a Channel

Channel Button

Channel Number

Operation

When battery power is low, the final bar in the Battery Low icon will blink and an audible tone will sound twice

before the radio shuts off. Your batteries should be replaced or recharged, if using rechargeable batteries.

Customer Assistance WarrantyIntroduction

The radio will display flashing battery icon while charging.

If there are no transmissions within 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.

1. Press and hold the Talk button.

2. With the microphone about two inches (5 cm) from

your mouth, speak in a normal voice.

3. Release the Talk button when you are

finished talking and listen for a response.

You cannot receive incoming calls while pressing the Talk button.

Both radios must be tuned to the same channel/privacy code to communicate.

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 18 for FRS/GMRS frequency allocations and compatibility charts.

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Operation

Using Your Radio

Listening for a Response

Listening

Release the Talk button to receive incoming transmissions. Your microTALK Standby mode while the Talk or Call buttons are not pressed.

radio is always in

To Adjust Volume

Press the Volume Up or Volume

Volume Button

Volume Level

HI / LO

SCA

Down button. A double beep sound is used to indicate

the minimum and maximum volume levels (1 through 8).

Call Button

Press and release the Call button. The other person will hear a three second call tone. This

tone is used only to establish voice communications.

See page 12 on how to select between ten call tone settings.

LED/S.O.S. Flashlight

Press and release the LED flashlight button below the TALK button to use the LED flashlight located at the bottom of the radio. To activate S.O.S. function, press and hold the LED flashlight button to turn on. Press and release to turn off the flashlight or S.O.S. function.

Auto Squelch/Maximum Range

Your microTALK

radio will automatically shut 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.

Operation

•

Light/Max Range

HI / LO

To temporarily turn off auto squelch: Press the Max Range Hi/Lo button for

SCAN

less than five seconds.

Customer Assistance WarrantyIntroduction

To turn maximum range extender on: – Press and hold the Max Range Hi/Lo button

for at least five seconds until you hear

•

two beeps which indicates the maximum range extender is on.

To turn maximum range extender off: – Press and release the Max Range Hi/Lo

button or change channels.

Lock Function

Lock Button

The Lock function locks the Channel Up, Channel Down, Volume Up, Volume Down and Mode/

•

Power buttons to prevent accidental operation.

•

Lock Icon

To turn the lock on or off: – Press and hold the Call/Lock button for

two seconds.

A double beep sound is used to confirm your lock on or off request. When in Lock mode, the Lock icon will be displayed.

•

Your range will vary depending on terrain and conditions.

Maximum Range

Reduced Range

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

HI / LO

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

HI / LO

SC AN

automatically switches to low power, which will limit the range the radio can communicate.

HI / LO

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

Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra

microTALK® Range

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Operation

Using Your Radio

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

Mode/Power

Set CTCSS Privacy Codes

Set DCS Privacy Codes Set Vox On/Off Set Vox Sensitivity Set Call Tones 1-10 Set VibrAlert On/Off Set Roger Beep On/Off Set Key Tones On/Off

radio. When

Privacy Codes

Your microTALK radio incorporates two advanced coded squelch systems that can help to reduce interference from other users on any given channel. CTCSS (Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System) provides 38 privacy codes and DCS (Digitally Coded Squelch) provides 83 privacy codes. This provides a total of 121 Privacy Codes. Either system can be used on all channels, but both systems cannot be used on the same channel at the same time.

To successfully communicate using a privacy code, both the sending and receiving radios must be tuned to the same channel and to the same privacy code system (CTCSS or DCS) and privacy code number. Each channel will remember the last privacy code system and number you select.

The privacy code 00 is not a privacy code, but allows all signals to be heard on a channel that is set to 00 on both the CTCSS and DCS systems.

Operation

•

Set CTCSS Privacy Codes

Mode/Power

Privacy Code

To select a CTCSS privacy code:

1. After selecting a channel, press

the Mode/Power button until the CTCSS icon appears and the small numbers next to the channel number flash on the display.

Customer Assistance WarrantyIntroduction

•

If DCS is turned on at the channel selected, the display will flash the CTCSS icon and “OFF.” To switch from

HI / LO

SCAN

Channel Button

•

DCS to CTCSS, press the Channel Up or Channel Down button while the display is flashing “OFF.” The display will then show the small numbers flashing and you will then be able to proceed to step 2.

2. Press using the Channel Up or Channel Down

button to select a privacy code. You can hold the

Up or Down button for fast advance.

3. When your desired CTCSS privacy code is

displayed, choose one of the following:

a. Press the Mode/Power button to enter the

new setting and proceed to other functions.

b. Press Talk or Call/Lock button to return to

Standby mode.

c. Do not press any buttons for 6 seconds

to return to Standby mode.

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Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra

Mode Functions

Set DCS Privacy Codes

Mode/Power

DCS Privacy Code

HI / LO

SCAN

Channel Button

2. Press using the Channel Up or Channel Down button to select a DCS privacy code. You can hold the Up or Down button for fast advance.

3. When DCS privacy code is displayed, choose one of the following: a. Press the Mode/Power button to enter the new setting and

proceed to other functions.

b. Press Talk or Call/Lock button to return to Standby mode. c. Do not press any buttons for 6 seconds to return to Standby mode.

To select a DCS privacy code:

1. After selecting a channel, press the Mode/Power

button until the DCS icon appears and the small numbers flash on the display (01 through 83).

If CTCSS is turned on at the channel selected, the display will flash the DCS icon and “OFF.” To switch from CTCSS to DCS, press the Channel Up or Channel Down button while the display is flashing “OFF.” The display will then show the small numbers flashing and you will then be able to proceed to step 2.

OperationOperation

•

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.

Mode/Power

To turn VOX mode on or off:

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

Customer Assistance WarrantyIntroduction

•

setting is displayed.

VOX Icon

2. Press the Channel Up or Channel Down button to turn VOX On or Off.

3. Choose one of the following:

a. Press the Mode/Power button to enter the

b. Press Talk or Call/Lock button to return to

HI / LO

SCAN

Channel Button

c. Do not press any buttons for 6 seconds to return

Mode/Power

VOX Sensitivity Level

HI / LO

Channel Button

SCAN

b. Press Talk or Call/Lock button to return to

new setting and proceed to other functions.

Standby mode.

to Standby mode.

To set VOX sensitivity:

1. Press the Mode/Power button until the VOX icon

flashes and the current sensitivity level is displayed.

The current VOX sensitivity level is displayed with letters “L” 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 of the following:

a. Press the Mode/Power button to enter the

new setting and proceed to other functions.

Standby mode.

c. Do not press any buttons for 6 seconds to return

to Standby mode.

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Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra

Mode Functions

10 Memory Locations

Your microTALK radio has 10 Memory Locations for storing your most frequently used channels and channel/privacy code combinations. These Memory Locations can be selected individually or can be scanned. (See page 18 for memory location scan.)

MEM/ESC Button

HI / LO

SCAN

Channel Button

MEM/ESC Button

HI / LO

SCAN

Channel Button

Memory Channel

HI / LO

SCAN

Channel Button

To program a memory location:

1. Press the MEM/ESC button. Memory icon and the Memory Location show on the display.

HI / LO

2. Press the Channel Up or Channel Down button to select the memory location (0 through 9).

If a location has been programmed before, its associated channel/privacy code will be shown on the display.

3. Press the MEM/ESC button to enter a new memory location or edit an already programmed memory location.

HI / LO

4. Press the Channel Up or Channel Down button to select the memory location.

5. Press the MEM/ESC button. The channel numbers will flash on the display.

6. Press the Channel Up or Channel Down button to select a channel (1 through 22).

7. Press the MEM/ESC button. The CTCSS icon and privacy code numbers will flash on the display.

8. Choose one of the following: a. Press the Channel Up or Channel Down

button to select a CTCSS privacy code (00 through 38) for the channel.

b. Press the MEM/ESC button to switch from

CTCSS to DCS. The DCS icon and privacy code numbers will flash on the display. The Channel Up or Channel Down button can then be used to select a DCS privacy code (00 through 83) for the channel.

OperationOperation

•

If “oF” flashes in place of the privacy code numbers, a privacy code is already set in the opposite (CTCSS or DCS) system. Press the Channel Up or Channel Down button to cancel the opposite code and select a privacy code from the active system for the selected channel.

Customer Assistance WarrantyIntroduction

9. Choose one of the following: a. Press the MEM/ESC button to enter the channel/privacy code

in the selected memory location. Radio then proceeds to next memory location, which will blink.

b. Press and hold the MEM/ESC button to save the current state of

the Set Memory Function and press the MEM/ESC button again return to Standby mode.

To recall a stored memory channel location:

MEM/ESC Button

Memory Channel

1. Press the MEM/ESC button until the Memory

icon and the memory location number flash on the display.

HI / LO

2. Press the Channel Up or Channel Down button

to select a memory location (0 through 9).

If a location has been programmed before, its associated channel/privacy code will be shown on the display.

3. Press and hold the MEM/ESC button to return

HI / LO

SCAN

Channel Button

to Standby mode on the selected memory location.

A memory location can be reprogrammed at any time it is displayed. Press the MEM/ESC button to begin.

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Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra

+ 18 hidden pages