MicroTalk FRS 225 Operating Instructions Manual

How to Use Your Cobra

M i c ro Ta l k 2 - Way Radio

1

Features of This Product

• Two-way radio with
up to a 2 mile range

• 14 channels

• 38 Subcodes

• Backlit LCD

• Roger beep confirmation
tone

• Call feature

• SuperFlex™ antenna

• Water Resistant

• Speaker/Microphone
jacks

• Belt clip

• Wrist strap

• Lock Function

Contents

Features..........................................................................1

Family Radio Service................................................A1

FCCWarnings
Included Accessories

Controls & Indicators................................................A2

Our Thanks toYou......................................................A3

Customer Support ...................................................A3

Operating your microTALK

Battery Installation...................................................2

Turning On..................................................................3

Illuminating the Display ........................................3

Auto Squelch.............................................................4

Maximum Range Extender/Auto Monitor......4

Select Channel..........................................................5

Select CTCSS Subcode............................................5

Calling Another Party .............................................6

Talking To Another Party.......................................6

Roger Beep Confirmation Tone...........................7

Listening For Another Party.................................7

Lock Function............................................................8

microTALK Range.....................................................9

Making Life Easier And Safer...............................10

microTALKSNAP Removable Front....................11

External Microphone/Speaker Jack...................12

Caring for Your microTALK....................................14

Frequency Ranges.....................................................16

microTALK Specifications.......................................16

Limited TwoYear Warranty....................................18

Optional Accessories................................................19

Order Form....................................................................20

If You Think You Need Service.............Back Cover

FRS_225 12/29/00 2:24 PM Page 1

Turnthe On/Off/Volume switch. An audible
“tone”will indicate the unit is on.

Pull lock tab down
to remove battery
cover.

Insert three “AA”
batteries.Position
batteries according
to po l a ri ty marki n g s.

Operation

3

Operation

2

Note

Batteries are not included
with microTALK 2-way
radio.Always use 3 high
q u a l i ty AA alkaline batte ri e s
or optional batte ry pack
(sold separa te ly ) .

Only the Cobra NiMH bat­tery (Part #FA-AA) pack
can be recharged.

Note

When batteries are low the

i n d i ca tor willb l i n k .

Note

Visit Cobra Electronics
( w w w. co b ra e l e ct ro n i c s. co m )
for information abo u t
optional batte ry pack and
d e s k top charger acce s s o ri e s.

Install Batteries

Battery
Installation

1 2

Turning On Your microTALK

Note

Whenever the unit is on
you can receive communi­cations.

Turning
On Your
microTALK

Illuminating the Display

Illuminating
the Display

1

1

Push and release LIGHT/MAX RANGE
button to illuminate display for ten seconds.

FRS_225 12/29/00 2:24 PM Page 2

Select any of the 14 channels by pushing the
channel up or down buttons.

Select Main Channel (1-14)

Turn on the microTALK 2-Way Radio.

Operation

5

Select
Channel

Note

Units must be on same
channel and subcode to
communicate.

Note

Channels 8-12 generally
are less used and give bet­ter results for communica­tions in most areas.

Note

Push and hold the channel
button for fast channel
advance.

Operation

4

Note

To learn more about the
range of your microTALK,
see page 9.

Range is dependent on
battery condition and
geographic terrain.

Auto Squelch

Maximum
Range
Extender

2

1

Maximum Range Extender

Auto Squelch can be temporarily removed to allow
all signals to enter (Maximum Range Extender).

Auto Squelch

Your microTALK is equipped with Auto Squelch,
which automatically shuts off weak transmissions
and unwanted noise due to terrain conditions or
if you have reached your range limit.

1

Push and hold LIGHT/MAX RANGE
button to allow all signals to enter.

Auto Monitor

Auto Monitor

When the signal you want to hear is consistently
weak,you may place the radio in Maximum
Range mode without having to constantly hold
the button:Press and hold the Maximum Range
Extender button for five seconds.Two beeps
confirm Auto Monitor is on.To return to normal
operation,momentarily press the Maximum Range
Extender button again or change channels.

Note

Selecting a CTCSS
subcode will allow you to
only hear conversations on
that selection.For
example,you may be with
a group of friends.If all of
you select channel 7 and
subcode 1,you will hear
your friends but will not
hear anybody else on
channel 7,subcodes 2
through 38.

Select CTCSS Subcode (00-38)

Press the mode butto n .After a short delay,s m a l l
n u m bers will flash next to the channel display
LCD indicating the subc h a n n e l .

Select CTCSS
Subcode

1

Select subcode number by moving the chan­nel button up or down.
When the desired code is displayed push the
mode button and release.An audible tone will
confirm your selection.

2

3

FRS_225 12/29/00 2:24 PM Page 4

2

The TX / RX indicato r
will be displayed.

Operation

7

Note

While the TALK button is
depressed you cannot
receive incoming calls.

Note

Both units must be ON and
tuned to the same channel.

Your incoming “Call”signal
volume is dependent on the
unit volume s e t t i n g.

Roger Beep
Confirmation
Tone

Listening For
Another Party

Operation

6

Calling Another Party

To alert another party that you wish to
communicate:

Talking To Another Party

Push and release CALL button.The unit
you are calling will hear a two second ringing
tone.

Roger Beep Confirmation Tone

Calling
Another
Party

Note

While the TALK button is
depressed you cannot
receive incoming calls.

Talking To
Another Party

1

3 4

1

Release TALK
button and listen for
response.

Hold mic about 2 inches
f rom mouth.Speak in a
n o rmal vo i ce.

Push and hold
TALK button.

Listening For Another Party

When finished talking:

Release TALK button to receive incoming
transmissions.

Your microTALK is always in listening mode
when the TALK button is not pressed.

Adjust volume by turning the On/Off Volume
Switch

1

Your listener will hear an
audible tone when you
release the TALK button.

This alerts the other party
t h at you are finished talki n g
and it’s OK for them to be g i n
t a l ki n g.

2

FRS_225 12/29/00 2:24 PM Page 6

Operation

9

Operation

8

Lock Function

Note

To achieve maximum
range the auto squelch
can be overridden.Refer to
Maximum Range Extender
section on page 4.

microTALK
Range

Note

Call button,Range
Extender button and Talk
button do not lock and are
fully operational while the
unit is locked.

The unit cannot lock while
in function mode.

Lock Function

The purpose of the LOCK function is to lock most
buttons to avoid accidental operation.
To engage the LOCK function:

microTALK Range

Your micro TALK Radio has a range of up to 2 miles.
This effective range can be shortened under
some conditions.

Push and hold Lock button until
flashes.Channel up/down and Mode buttons
are now locked.An audible tone will also con­firm lock function.

To“unlock” push and hold Lock button
until disappears.

1

2

1. Under flat,open
conditions you
will experience
the microTALK’s
maximum range.

2. Range can be
reduced by
buildings and
foliage in the
path of the signal.

3. Range will be
further reduced by
dense foliage and
hilly terrain.

FRS_225 12/29/00 2:24 PM Page 8

11

5. Checking on travel­ing companions in
another car.

6. Agree on a meeting
spot after an event.

Making Life Easier and Safer

10

microTALK 2-Way Radios Can Make Life
Easier and Safer

As you become familiar with your microTALK
Radio you will find many of your own uses for the
unit.

Some suggestions include:

microTALK
2-Way Radios
Can Make
Life Easier
and Safer

1. Talking with fellow
hikers.

2. Keeping track
of the kids in a
shopping mall.

3. Communicating
between basement
and first,second or
third floor.

4. Talking to a
neighbor or a
friend.

TOREMOVE: Use the
slight indentation
between the SNAP
front and bottom front
of the unit to lift it off.

TO ATTACH:First
engage the tabs into
the top of the unit.
Next snap in the mid­dle tabs.Finally snap
in the bottom tab.

microTALKSNAP Removable Front

Your microTALK Radio comes with the new
microTALK SNAP removeable front.

microTALK
SNAP
Removable
Front

FRS_225 12/29/00 2:24 PM Page 10

E x t e rnal Microphone/

Speaker Jack

13

E x t e rnal Microphone/
Speaker Jack

12

Note

External microphone/
speaker is not included with
the unit.See page 19 for
optional accessories.

External Microphone/Speaker Jack

Your microTALK 2-Way Radio can be fitted with
an external microphone/speaker,(not included)
freeing your hands for other tasks.

To attach the external microphone/speaker:

External
Microphone/
Speaker Jack

Insert plug into the Spkr/Mic jack.

Open Spkr/Mic tab on top of unit.

1

2

FRS_225 12/29/00 2:24 PM Page 12

15

Caring for Your microTALK Radio

The microTALK 2-Way Radio will give you years
of service if cared for properly.

Here are some suggestions:

Caring for Your microTAL Radio

14

Caring
for Your
microTALK
Radio

Note

Modifying or tampering
with the radio’s internal
components can cause
malfunction and will
invalidate the warranty.
If your radio is not perform­ing as it should,please call
Cobra at 773.889.3087.
Do not return the unit to
the retailer.

3. Never place the
unit in water or in
a moist place.

4. Avoid exposure
to extreme
temperatures.

1. Handle unit gently. 2. Keep away
from dust.

FRS_225 12/29/00 2:24 PM Page 14

C.TRANSMITTER

UNIT NOMINAL

1. EFFECTIVE RADIATED POWER mW 500

2. CARRIER FREQ.STABILITY

+

_

H z 500

3. MODULATION LIMITING KHz 2.5

4. CARRIER ATTACK TIME mS 30

5. AUDIO FREQUENCY RESPONSE
@ 300 HZ dB -10
@ 2500 HZ dB 4

6. AUDIO DISTORTION % 3

7. HUM NOISE dB 38

8. TRANSIENT FREQ.BEHAVIOR
a) TX ON mS 30
b) TXOFF mS 5

D.POWER SUPPLY

1. BATTERY LIFE (1:1:18 RATIO) HR 24

2. BATTERY OPERATING RANGE V 3.2 - 4.5

microTALK Specifications

17

microTALK Specifications

16

I.GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

A.FREQUENCIES

CHANNEL ASSIGNMENT

CH 1: 462.5625MHz CH 8: 467.5625MHz
CH2: 462.5875MHz CH 9: 467.5875MHz
CH 3: 462.6125MHz CH 10: 467.6125MHz
CH 4: 462.6375MHz CH 11: 467.6375MHz
CH 5: 462.6625MHz CH 12: 467.6625MHz
CH 6: 462.6875MHz CH 13: 467.6875MHz
CH 7: 462.7125MHz CH 14: 467.7125MHz

B.RECEIVER

UNIT NOMINAL

1. SENSITIVITY
FOR 12 DB SINAD dBm -119
FOR CALL SIG.DETECTION dBm -121

2. MAX.AUDIO OUTPUT @10% THD mW 150

3. MAX.S/N RATIO @ 1mV RF INPUT dB 45

4. SQUELCH
a) SENSITIVITY dB m -121
b) ATTACK TIME mS 150
c) CLOSING TIME mS 200

5. AUDIO FREQUENCY RESP.
@ 300 HZ dB -3
@ 2500 HZ dB -10

6. SIGNAL DISPLACEMENT BW +/-KHZ 5

7. ADJACENT CH.REJECTION dB 55

8. INTERMODULATION REJECTION dB 55

9. SPURIOUS RESPONSE REJECTION dB 65

FRS_225 12/29/00 2:24 PM Page 16

Vox Headset Mic

VOX (Voice Operated
Transmitter) headset and
microphone allows
hands-free operation.
MA-VOX $49.95

Optional Accessories

19

Limited Two Year Warranty

18

COBRA ELECTRONICS CORPORATION warrants that its

COBRA FRS Radios,and the component parts thereof,will
be free of defects in workmanship and materials for period
of two (2) years 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 FRS 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 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, conse­q u e ntial or other damages;i n c l u d i n g,without limitat i o n ,
damages resulting from loss of use or cost of installat i o n .

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.

Cobra Electronics
Corporation

6500 West Cortland Street
Chicago,Illinois 60707

You Can Find These Fine Accessories At Your Local Cobra Dealer

If you wish, you can order directly from Cobra.

Order by phone

Call 1.773.889.3087 (Press 1 from the main menu) 8 a.m.-6 p.m. M-F CST.)

Order by mail or fax

Please fill out order form on next page,and mail/fax directly to Cobra.

Order over the Web

www.cobraelectronics.com

Ear Bud Mic with PTT

Co m p a ct earbud and micro­phone with Pu s h - to - T alk switc h .
M A-EBM $29.95

Lapel Speaker/Microphone

Remote microphone/speaker
with Push-to-Talk switch.
M A- S M $ 2 4 . 9 5

Replacement Belt Clip

FA- B C 2 $ 4 . 9 5

2 Port Desktop Charger

Charges two NiMH battery packs
(FA-AA) or two FRS 225 radios.
(Note:appearance may vary)
FA- C S $ 1 9 . 9 5

NiMH Rechargeable
Battery Pack

High performance Nickel
Metal Hydride battery pack for
multiple charging.
FA-AA $ 1 9 . 9 5

FRS_225 12/29/00 2:24 PM Page 18

Accessory Order Form

20

Please print clearly
Name
Address (No P.O.Box)

City State
Zip Telephone ( )

Credit Card No.
Exp.Date
Customer Signature
Circle One: Visa MasterCard Discover

Allow 2-3 weeks for delivery.Offer valid in Continental U.S.only.

For credit card orders fill out order form

and fax to: 1.773.622.2269

or call 1.773.889.3087

(Press 1 from the main menu)

8:00 am - 6:00 pm,M-F,CST.

Ma ke check or money order (no stamps)
payable to:
Cobra Electronics
Attn:Accessories Dept.
6500 West Co rtland St .Ch i ca g o,IL 60707

$25.00 and under $4.75
$25.01 - $40.00 $6.95
$40.01 - $80.00 $ 9 . 2 5
$80.01 - $120.00 $ 1 0 . 2 5
$120.01 - $160.00 $ 1 1 . 7 5
$160.01 and up $14.50

Amount Shipping/
of Order Handling

Shipping & Handling

For AK,HI and PR please
add an additional $15.00
for UPS shipments.

Subtotal
(Tax if applicable)
Shipping/handling

Total

Tax Table

Illinois residents add 7%
Cook Co.residents add .75% (7.75% total)
Chicago residents add 1% (8.75% total)
Indiana residents add 5%
Michigan residents add 4 %
Ohio residents add 6%
Wisconsin residents add 5%

M A - VOX Vox Headset Mi c $ 4 9 . 9 5
M A - E B M Ear Bud Mic with PTT $ 2 9 . 9 5
MA-SM Lapel Speaker/ Microphone $24.95
FA - A A NiMH Re c h a rgeable Bat te ry Pa c k $ 1 9 . 9 5
FA - C S 2 Po rt De s k top Ch a rg e r $ 1 9 . 9 5
FA - B C 2 Re p l a ce m e nt Belt Cl i p $ 4 . 9 5

Item # Description Cost Ea. Qty. Amount

Prices subject to change without notice.

FRS_225 12/29/00 2:24 PM Page 20

2-Way Radio

O pe rating Instru ctions for your

Nothing comes close to a Co b ra ™

Cobra Electronics Corporation
6500 West Cortland Street
Chicago, IL 60707

Cobra Electronics Corp.© 2000
Printed in China.

Part No. 480-004-P

For te c h n i cal assistance,please call our Au to m a ted Help Desk which can assist
you by answering the most fre q u e n t ly asked questions about Co b ra prod u ct s.

[phone]

24 hours a day,7 days a week.

A Consumer Service Representative can be reached through this same number

8:00 am - 6:00 pm,Monday through Friday,CST.

Technical assistance is also available on-line in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section at

www.cobraelectronics.com or by e-mail to [e-mail]

If you think you need service call 1.773.889.3087

“If your product should require factory service please call Cobra first before sending your

unit in.This will ensure the fastest turn-around time on your repair.”

You may be asked to send your unit to the Cobra factory.It will be necessary to furnish the follow­ing in order 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 unit.Include a typed or clearly printed name
and address of where the unit is to be returned.

4. Pack unit 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
W.Cortland St., Chicago,IL 60707.

6. If the unit is in warranty,upon receipt of your unit it will either be repaired or exchanged
depending on the model. Please allow approximately 3 to 4 weeks before contacting us for
status.If the unit is out of warranty a letter will automatically be sent informing you of the
repair charge or replacement charge.If you have any questions, please call 1.773.889.3087 for
assistance.

IfYou Think You Need Service

FRS 225

FRS_225 12/29/00 2:25 PM Page 21

Thank you for purchasing the Cobra FRS 225
2-Way Radio.Your microTALKradio comes with
the new microTALK SNAPremovable front,
which allows you to customize the appearance
of your radio! Several color choices are included
with your purc h a s e.For instru ctions on re m ov i n g
the microTALKSNAP front,see page 11.
For additional color choices available as acce s­s o ries (sold separate l y ),please see the broc h u re
and order fo rm included.

Customer Support

Properly used,this Cobra product will give you
years of reliable service. Should you encounter
any problems with the product or not under­stand its many features,please refer to this
owner’s manual.If,after referring to the manual,
you still need help,call Cobra Customer Service
at 773.889.3087.

Our Thanks to You

A3

Cobra Customer Service

Live operators are available
M-F 8:00 am - 6:00 pm CST
at: 773.889.3087

Automated Technical
Assistance available 24
hours a day,seven days a
week.E-mail questions to:
p rod u ct i n fo @
co b ra e l e ct ro n i c s. co m

Co b ra on the Wo rld Wi d e
We b : Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQ) can be
found on-line at:
www.cobraelectronics.com

Controls and Indicators

A2

1. Antenna

2. Microphone/Speaker

Jack

3. On/Off Volume Switch

4.L LCD Display Panel

5.? Light/Max Range Button

6. Channel Select Button

7. Speaker

8 . Battery Compartment

9. Talk Button

10. Call Button

11. microTALK SNAP

Removeable Front

12. Lock Button

13. Mode Button

14. Charge Pads

7

9

5

1

2

8

1 4

4

1

3

9

1 2 1 3

5

1 1

6

1 0

3

6

FRS_225 12/29/00 2:25 PM Page 24