Cobra Electronics MR HH90 VP User Manual

VHF MARINE RADIO

Owner’s Manual

MR HH90 VP

Nothing comes close to a cobra

Printed in the China

Part No. 480-183-P

English

Introduction

Our Thanks to You and Customer Assistance

Thank you for purchasing a CobraMarine™VHF radio. Properly used, this Cobra

How Your CobraMarine

product will give you many years of reliable service.

™

VHF Radio Works

This radio is a battery powered portable transceiver for use afloat. It gives you two-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 two-way communications, the radio can provide quick access to receive all 10 NOAA (National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration) weather channels and alert you to weather emergencies on a weather channel you can select for your area.

NOTE

Your equipment will be black. White images are shown in this manual for illustration purposes only.

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

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 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

@cobra.com (e-mail).

For Assistance Outside the U.S.A.

Contact Your Local Dealer

English

6500 West Cortland Street

Chicago, Illinois 60707 USA

www.cobra.com

Introduction

On-Off Power/

Volume Knob

Antenna

Backlit

LCD

Screen

Talk

Button

Backlight/

Monitor

Button

Instant

Channel

16 Button

Channel

Up Button

Channel

Down Button

Speaker/

Microphone

English

Controls and Indicators

Wrist Strap

External Speaker/ Microphone Jack

Connector

Belt Clip

Battery

Door

Latch

Battery Compartment

High/Low Power – Lock Button

Mode Button

Weather/ UIC Button

Charge Jack

Backlit LCD Screen

Introduction

Backlit LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) Screen

Receive or Transmit

Signal Strength Icons

Busy

Transmit Icon

High/Low Power Icons

Icon

Product Features

Dual Power

Selectable to 500 mW or 2 watts output power for near or distant calling.

U.S.A./International/Canada Channels

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

Ten NOAA Weather Channels

Instant access to all of the national weather channels, 24 hours a day.

Emergency Weather Alert

Can alert you with an audible tone and visual alarm if threatening weather is nearby.

Waterproof

Meets JIS4 waterproof standards.

Channel Scan

Lets you scan through all channels to find conversations in progress.

English

and Product Features

Button Lock Icon

Weather Channel Icon

Keystroke

Tones Icon

Numbers

Channel

Weather Alert Icon

Button Lock

Prevents accidental changes to your settings when you set this feature.

Instant Channel 16

Instant access to priority Channel 16.

Power Saver

Uses battery saver circuitry to extend the life of your batteries.

Keystroke Tones Can be turned on or off.

Waterproof Pouch

Makes the unit completely waterproof (one pouch per radio included).

Four AAA Rechargeable NiMH Batteries Included

Provides extended operating time compared to alkaline batteries with no memory effect (one set of batteries per radio included).

Adapter/Charger Included

Lets you charge the batteries right in the radio (one charger per radio included).

U-I-C Active Channel Map Icons

Simplex Operation Icon

Battery Power Icon

Scan Icon

Power Saver Icon

•

Introduction

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

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

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

Backlit LCD Screen and Product Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A3

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

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

VHF Marine Radio Protocols

FCC Licensing Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

VHF Marine Radio Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Voice Calling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Radiotelephone Calls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Emergency Messages and Distress Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

VHF Marine Channel Assignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

NOAA Weather Channels and Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Installation

Included in this Package . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Wrist Strap, Belt Clip and Speaker/Microphone Jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Batteries and Adapter/Charger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Operating Your Radio

Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Standby/Receive and Transmit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

NOAA All Hazards/Weather Radio and Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Advanced Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Warranty

Limited One-Year Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Customer Service

Product Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Order Form and Optional Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Nothing comes close to a Cobra

Introduction

Important Safety Information

Introduction

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

The following WARNINGS and CAUTIONS will make you aware of RF exposure hazards and how to assure you operate the radio within the recommended RF exposure limits established for it.

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 inches (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 feet (1 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 four NiMH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) rechargeable batteries.

■

Use only the Cobra®charger to recharge NiMH batteries in the radio.

■

Do not short circuit the batteries.

■

When replacing the batteries, dispose of the old batteries properly. NiMH batteries may explode if disposed of in a fire.

Changes or modifications to your radio MAY VOID its compliance with FCC rules and make it illegal to use.

English

Nothing comes close to a Cobra

Introduction

Recommendations for Marine Communication FCC 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 watts maximum output of your radio isn’t sufficient for the distances you travel from the coast, consider purchasing a CobraMarine to five watts of output power or installing a Cobra

™

hand held radio with up

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 unavailable — 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 Communications Commission) requirements that regulate the Maritime Radio Service.

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 key.

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.

•

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, 300 Slater Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0C8.

User Responsibility and Operating Locations

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 conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, 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.

English

Nothing comes close to a Cobra

VHF Marine Radio

VHF Marine Radio Protocols VHF Marine Radio Protocols

Procedures Voice Calling

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 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 minutes before calling again. After three 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.

■

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.

•

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 – 13.

For Example

The vessel Corsair calling the vessel Vagabond:

Corsair: “Vagabond, this is Corsair.”

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 are calling, hold the radio at least two inches (5 cm) from your mouth and slightly off to one side. Speak in a normal tone of voice.

English

Nothing comes close to a Cobra

VHF Marine Radio Protocols VHF Marine Radio Protocols

Radiotelephone Calls

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 – 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 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.

PAN PAN

The urgency signal PAN PAN is used when the safety of the vessel or person is in jeopardy. (This signal is properly pronounced pahn-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 times prior to the message.

If You Hear a Distress Call

You must give any message beginning with one 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. If the distressed vessel is not nearby, 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.

English

Nothing comes close to a Cobra

Emergency Messages

VHF Marine Radio Protocols VHF Marine Radio Protocols

and Distress Procedure

Emergency Messages and Distress Procedure

Marine Distress Procedure

Speak slowly — clearly — calmly.

1. Make sure your radio is on.

2. Select VHF Channel 16.

3. Press Talk button and say:

“MAYDAY — MAYDAY — MAYDAY.” (Or “PAN PAN — PAN PAN — PAN PAN,” or “SECURITE — SECURITE — SECURITE.”)

4. Say:

“THIS IS [your vessel name or call sign].”

5. Say:

“MAYDAY (or “PAN PAN” or “SECURITE”) [your vessel name or call sign].

6. Tell where you are:

(your position or what navigational aids or landmarks are near).

7. State the nature of your distress.

8. State the kind of assistance needed.

9. Give number of persons aboard and conditions of any injured.

10.Estimate present seaworthiness of your vessel.

11.Briefly describe your vessel (length, type, color, hull).

12.Say:

“I WILL BE LISTENING ON CHANNEL 16.”

13.End message by saying:

“THIS IS [your vessel name or call sign] OVER.”

14.Release Talk button and listen. Someone should answer.

If not, repeat the call, beginning at item 3 above.

Keep the radio nearby. Even after your message has been received, the Coast Guard can find you more quickly if you can transmit a signal for a rescue boat to home in on.

For Example

“Mayday — Mayday — Mayday”

“This is Corsair — Corsair — Corsair” (or “Illinois 1234 AB” three times)

“Mayday Corsair (or Illinois 1234 AB)”

“Navy Pier bears 220 degrees magnetic — distance five miles”

“Struck submerged object and flooding — need pump and tow”

“Four adults, three children aboard — no one injured”

“Estimate we will remain afloat one half hour”

“Corsair (or Illinois 1234 AB) is 26 foot sloop with blue hull and tan deck house”

“I will be listening on Channel 16”

“This is Corsair (or Illinois 1234 AB)

“Over”

It is a good idea to write out a script of the message form and post it where you and others on your vessel can see it when an emergency message needs to be sent.

English

Nothing comes close to a Cobra

+ 20 hidden pages

Cobra Electronics MR HH90 VP User Manual

Table of Contents

VHF Marine Radio Procedures