Cobra Electronics MRHH450 User Manual

MR HH450 DUAL

Printed in China Part No. 480-907-P Version A

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A1

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Our Thanks to You and
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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 5:30 p.m. Central Time 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

@

cobra.com (e-mail).

For Assistance Outside the U.S.A.

Contact Your Local Dealer

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©

2013 Cobra Electronics Corporation

6500 West Cortland Street

Chicago, Illinois 60707 USA

www.cobra.com

A2

English

R

adio C

ontrols

and Indicators

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oduc

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MEM

SA

ME

A

TIS VOX H

I

ROG

V

HF

T

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A

B

GMRS

X

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I

U

Instant
Channel
16/9 Button

Channel
Up Button

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N

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ont

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peaker/

M

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A

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enna

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ackl

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LC

D

S

creen

Tri-Watch

Button

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at

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Backlight/

Key Lock

Button

Memory/Escape
Button

P

ush

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al

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B

ut

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C

hannel

D

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Button

Speaker

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B

at

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ery

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oor

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crew

Power
Level/Weather
Button

SCAN Button

Call/E

nter/

S

etup Button

VHF/GMRS
Microphone

Rewind-S

ay-Again

®

Button

Band Button

MRHH450DUAL_BODY_MRHH330_ENG_Body 12/5/13 5:57 PM Page 1

MEMSAMEVOX

ROG

VHF

T

GMRS

X

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B

LOMEDHI

A3

English

Introduction

Backlit LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) Screen

•

UIC Active Channel Map Icons

Button Lock Icon

Low/Medium/High

Power Icons

Power Settings

Selectable power settings produce
1, 3 or 6 Watts (marine) and 1, 3 or 4.5
Watts (GMRS) of output power for
near or distant calling.

USA/International/Canada Channels

Allows operation on any of the three (3)
different channel maps established for
these areas.

All NOAA Weather Channels

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

Submersible to JIS7/IPX7 Standards

Waterproof to 3.3 ft (1 m) of water
for 30 minutes.

Button/Key Lock

Prevents accidental setting changes
when button lock is set.

Channel Scan/Memory Scan

Use to scan through unlimited
channels or memory locations
to find conversations in progress.

Matrix Display

The display at the bottom of the LCD
screen displays text letting the user know
the current radio mode, function or
operation.

AA Battery Compatible

Good for emergency backup.
Includes AA battery tray (P/N CM 110-024).

Instant Channel 16/9

Provides instant access to priority
Channel 16 and calling Channel 9.

Tri-Watch

Use to monitor three (3) channels
at once — Channel 16 and two (2)
programmable channels.

Floating

This radio will float if dropped overboard.
Must use included battery to float.

120V/12V Charger Included

Use to charge battery pack, at home,
in a car or in a boat.

Product Features

•

Backlit LCD Screen
and Product Features Product Features

Introduction

Bands

Dual VHF (Very High Frequency) and
GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service)
bands allow you to use different
frequencies while using this radio either
on land or water. VHF can be used for
two-way vessel-to-vessel and vessel-to­shore station communications.
GMRS can be used for small group
communication such as in a general
residential area or during recreational
group outings. Note: GMRS radio usage
requires an FCC License.

Rewind-Say-Again

®

Replays missed VHF and GMRS calls.

Locking Desktop Charger

Holds the radio or battery in place while
charging. Vertical or horizontal mounting.

Call Tones (Selectable)

10 selectable call tones

Emergency Weather Alert with SAME

Can alert you with an audible tone and
visual alarm if threatening weather is
nearby. The SAME alerts provide you with
additional alerts for specific local areas.

Speaker/Mic Jack

Allows connecting optional Cobra
Lapel Speaker/Mic and other Cobra
accessories.

Unlimited Memory Channels

Allows programming of unlimited
VHF and GMRS memory channels.

15 GMRS Channels

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

121 Privacy Codes

Allows semi-secure communications,
creating up to 1815 privacy combinations
(38 CTCSS codes-83 DCS codes).

Signal Strength Meter

Shows the strength of incoming or
outgoing signals.

Noise Canceling Microphone

Reduces effect of environmental
noise when speaking.

Illuminated Buttons

Allows high visibility of all function
buttons.

Roger Beep Tone (Selectable)

Confirmation tone indicates the
completion of the user’s transmission
and signals to others it is clear to talk.
On or Off selectable.

BURP

The Cobra exclusive BURP feature expels
water from the speaker grill if the unit is
dropped in the water or is subjected to
extreme rain and weather.

Product Features (continued)

•

A4

English

Introduction

Notes

Call Alert Icon

Weather Alert Icon

Frequency Band Icons

Roger Beep Icon

Battery Power Icon

Memory Icon

Matrix Display

VHF Simplex

Operation Icon

Weather Icon

Active Channel

T

ransmit and

Receive Icons

K

ey Tone

I

con

Signal Level

Icon

Left blank intentionally for your notes

Rewind-Say-Again®Icon

VOX Icon

S.A.M.E. Icon

MRHH450DUAL_BODY_MRHH330_ENG_Body 12/5/13 5:57 PM Page 4

Introduction

1

Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra

®

Table of Contents

Introduction

Our Thanks to You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A1

Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A1

Radio Controls and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A2

Backlit LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A3

Product Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A3

Important Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

General Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Recommendations for Marine Communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

VHF Marine Radio Protocols

Radio Check Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

VHF Radio Procedures and SAME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Installation

Included in this Package . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Install/Remove Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Wrist Strap and Belt Clip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Batteries and Charger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Operating Your Radio

Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

VHF Mode Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Weather Mode Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

GMRS Mode Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

Advanced Operation (Rewind-Say-Again, Tri-Watch, BURP, etc.) . . . . . . . . 44

Floating Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

Operating Your Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

Maintenance and Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Warranty and Trademark

Limited 3-Year Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Trademark Acknowledgement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

Customer Service

Product Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

FCC Licensing Information

VHF Licensing Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

GMRS Licensing Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

Appendix

GMRS/FRS Frequency Allocation and Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

VHF Marine Channel Assignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

Weather Channel Assignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Optional Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

MRHH450DUAL_BODY_MRHH330_ENG_Body 12/5/13 5:57 PM Page 1

3

Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra

®

General Precautions

General Precautions

•

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

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, DO NOT touch the antenna when transmitting. KEEP the radio at least
two (2) inches (5 cm) away from yourself and others when transmitting.

DO NOT operate with more than a duty cycle of 5% transmit, 5% receive and
90% standby. The radio is transmitting when the Talk button is pressed and the
transmit information shows on the LCD screen.

ALWAYS use only Cobra authorized accessories.
DO NOT operate the radio in an explosive atmosphere, near blasting sites,

or in any area where signs are posted prohibiting radio transmissions.
NEVER place the transceiver or microphone/speaker where they might interfere

with operation of your vessel or cause injury.
DO NOT allow children or anyone unfamiliar with proper procedures to operate

the radio without supervision.
Failure to observe any of these warnings may cause you to exceed FCC RF

exposure limits or create other dangerous conditions.

Introduction

2

English

Important Safety Information

Introduction

Important Safety Information

•

Before installing and using your Cobra VHF/GMRS Dual Band radio, please
read these general precautions and warnings.

Warning and Notice Statements

To make the most of this radio, it must be installed and used properly.
Please read the installation and operating instructions carefully before installing
and using the radio. Special attention must be paid to the WARNING and NOTICE
statements in this manual.

WARNING

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

NOTICE

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

Safety Training Information

This Cobra VHF/GMRS Dual Band 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.

■

Industry Canada RSS-102-Radio Frequency (RF) Exposure Compliance of
Radiocommunication Apparatus (All Frequency bands).

Conformité d'exposition de la fréquence du Canada RSS-102-Radio d'industrie
(rf) de l'appareillage de communication par radio (toutes les bandes de
fréquence).

Introduction

Industry Canada Antenna Notice

Under Industry Canada regulations, this radio transmitter may only operate using an
antenna of a type and maximum (or lesser) gain approved for the transmitter by
Industry Canada. To reduce potential radio interference to other users, the antenna type
and its gain should be so chosen that the equivalent isotropically radiated power
(e.i.r.p.) is not more than that necessary for successful communication.

Avis d'antenne du Canada d'industrie

Conformément à la réglementation d'Industrie Canada, le présent émetteur radio peut
fonctionner avec une antenne d'un type et d'un gain maximal (ou inférieur) approuvé
pour l'émetteur par Industrie Canada. Dans le but de réduire les risques de brouillage
radioélectrique à l'intention des autres utilisateurs, il faut choisir le type d'antenne et
son gain de sorte que la puissance isotrope rayonnée quivalente (p.i.r.e.) ne dépassepas
l'intensité nécessaire à l'établissement d'une communication satisfaisante.

MRHH450DUAL_BODY_MRHH330_ENG_Body 12/5/13 5:57 PM Page 2

Introduction

5

Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra

®

Radio Check Procedure

4

English

General Precautions

Introduction

NOTICE

Your radio is waterproof 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 3 ft (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.
This radio is supplied with a lithium-ion (LiON) rechargeable battery pack.

■

Use only the Cobra charger to recharge lithium-ion (LiON) batteries in the radio.

■

Do not short circuit the battery pack.

■

When replacing the batteries, dispose of the old batteries properly. Batteries

may explode if disposed of in a fire.

Changes or modifications to your radio MAY VOID its compliance with
FCC (Federal Communications Commission) rules and make it illegal to use.

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 6 watt maximum output of your radio is not sufficient for the distances you travel
from the coast, consider a higher powered handheld or installing a Cobra Marine fixed
mount radio with up to 25 watts of output power. (Visit www.cobra.com or your
local dealer for model availability.)

If traveling 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 do not know where you are, the Coast Guard will have
difficulty finding you if you are 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.

Introduction

Sea Tow Automated Radio Check (ARC) System

Please try the Sea Tow Automated Radio Check service. Areas where the safety check
service is available include the East Coast, Gulf of Mexico, and Southern California,
as well as in select inland regions. The first and only boating safety program of its
kind, the Sea Tow Automated Radio Check service is fully automated and allows 24
hour a day automatic responses to radio check calls.

Conducting a radio check through the Sea Tow Automated Radio Check service
couldn’t be simpler. All boaters need to do is tune their VHF radios to Channel 24, 25,
26, 27 or 28, depending on the region, key the mic, and ask for a radio check. The
Automated Radio Check system responds to each radio check with an automated
reply, and also replays to the boater’s original radio transmission, allowing him or her
to assess the strength of the signal and confirm the VHF radio is in good working
order.

To find the Sea Tow Automated Radio Check service channel in an area, owners
should visit http://www.seatow.com/arc. The web page links to an instructional video
demonstrating how to use the service step by step.

MRHH450DUAL_BODY_MRHH330_ENG_Body 12/5/13 5:57 PM Page 4