Cobra microTALK FRS 225 Operating Instructions Manual - User Manual

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2-Way Radio

Operating Instructions for your

BATT LO

lock

mode

FRS 225

Nothing comes close to a Cobra™

Family Radio Service

Ever wish you could talk to someone who wasn’t
within earshot? Like contacting ski partners back
at the lodge? Or letting a friend know how to find
you in a busy mall? Cobra®’s microTALK® FRS 225
is a great way for friends or family to have fun and
be safe by staying in touch while on the go.

The FCC (Federal Communications Commission)
has created 14 license free frequency bands,
or channels, called Family Radio Service (FRS)
frequencies. These channels are in the UHF
(Ultra High Frequency) band which means great
penetration through buildings, thick forests, hills,
and other dense structures. They are also FM
(Frequency Modulation) signals which means
crystal clear reception even in crowded, noisy
environments.

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 95 of the FCC Rules, or violation of Type
Acceptance requirements of Part 2 of the Rules.

Included with your microTALK®

Belt Clip

Wrist Strap

Two microTALK® SNAP™ removable fronts

Family Radio Service

Features of This Product

• Two-way radio with

up to a 2 mile range

• 14 channels

• 38 Privacy Codes

• 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

FCC Warnings
Included Accessories

Controls & Indicators

................................................A2

Our Thanks to You

......................................................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 Privacy Code ...................................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
microTALK® SNAP™ Removable Front..............11
External Microphone/Speaker Jack...................12

Caring for Your microTALK®

..................................14

Frequency Ranges

.....................................................16

microTALK® Specifications

....................................16

Limited Two Year Warranty

....................................18

Optional Accessories

................................................19

Order Form

....................................................................20

If You Think You Need Service

.............Back Cover

How to Use Your Cobra

2-Way Radio

Thank you for purchasing the Cobra® FRS 225
2-Way Radio. Your microTALK® radio comes with
the new microTALK® SNAP™ removable front,
which allows you to customize the appearance
of your radio! Several color choices are included
with your purchase. For instructions on removing
the microTALK® SNAP™ front, see page 11.
For additional color choices available as
accessories (sold separately), please see the
brochure and order form 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

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:
productinfo@cobra.com

Cobra® on the World Wide
Web: Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQ) can be
found on-line at:
www.cobra.com

call

BATT LOW

lock

mode

Talk

Controls and Indicators

Antenna

Microphone/Speaker
Jack

On/Off Volume Switch

L LCD Display Panel

? Light/Max Range Button

Channel Select Button

Speaker

Battery Compartment

Talk Button

10.

Call Button

11.

microTALK® SNAP™
Removeable Front

12.

Lock Button

13.

Mode Button

14.

Charge Pads

Turn

the 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 polarity markings.

Operation

Note

Batteries are not included
with microTALK® 2-way
radio. Always use 3 high
quality AA alkaline batteries
or optional battery pack
(sold separately).

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

Note

When batteries are low the

indicator willblink.

Note

Visit Cobra® Electronics
(www.cobra.com) for
information about optional
battery pack and desktop
charger accessories.

Install Batteries

Battery
Installation

Turning On Your microTALK®

call

TURN
SWITCH

BATT LOW

lock

mode

Note

Whenever the unit is on
you can receive
communications.

Turning
On Your
microTALK

Illuminating the Display

Illuminating
the Display

Push and release

LIGHT/MAX RANGE

button to illuminate display for ten seconds.

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

Select
Channel

Note

Units must be on same
channel and privacy code
to communicate.

Note

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

Note

Push and hold the channel
button for fast channel
advance.

Operation

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

Maximum Range Extender

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

call

BATT LOW

lock

mode

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.

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
privacy code 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
privacy code 1, you will
hear your friends but will
not hear anybody else on
channel 7, privacy codes 2
through 38.

Select CTCSS Privacy Code (00-38)

Press the mode button. After a short delay, small
numbers will flash next to the channel display
LCD indicating the privacy code.

Select CTCSS
Privacy Code

call

BATT LOW

lock

mode

Select sprivacy code 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.

The TX/RX indicator
will be displayed.

Operation

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 setting.

Roger Beep
Confirmation
Tone

Listening For
Another Party

Operation

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

call

BATT LOW

lock

mode

BATT LOW

call

Release

TALK

button and listen for
response.

Hold mic about 2 inches
from mouth. Speak in a
normal voice.

ush 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

Your listener will hear an
audible tone when you

release

the TALK button.

This alerts the other party
that you are finished talking
and it’s OK for them to begin
talking.

call

BATT LOW

lock

mode

Operation

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 microTALK® 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.

call

BATT LOW

lock

mode

PUSH &
HOLD

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.

5. Checking on

traveling
companions in
another car.

6. Agree on a meeting

spot after an event.

Making Life Easier and Safer

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.

TO REMOVE: 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.

microTALK® SNAP™ Removable Front

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

microTALK

SNAP™
Removable
Front

External Microphone/

Speaker Jack

External Microphone/
Speaker Jack

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, 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.

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
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.

Caring for Your

Radio

C. TRANSMITTER

UNIT NOMINAL

1. EFFECTIVE RADIATED POWER

500

2. CARRIER FREQ. STABILITY

_Hz

500

3. MODULATION LIMITING

KHz

2.5

4. CARRIER ATTACK TIME

5. AUDIO FREQUENCY RESPONSE

@ 300 HZ

-10

@ 2500 HZ

6. AUDIO DISTORTION

7. HUM NOISE

8. TRANSIENT FREQ. BEHAVIOR

a) TX ON

mS 30

b) TX OFF

D. POWER SUPPLY

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

2. BATTERY OPERATING RANGE

3.2 - 4.5

I. GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

A. FREQUENCIES

CHANNEL ASSIGNMENT

CH 1: 462.5625MHz

CH 8: 467.5625MHz

CH 2: 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

150

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

4. SQUELCH

a) SENSITIVITY

dB m

-121

b) ATTACK TIME

150

c) CLOSING TIME

200

5. AUDIO FREQUENCY RESP.

@ 300 HZ

-3

@ 2500 HZ

-10

6. SIGNAL DISPLACEMENT BW

+/-KHZ 5

7. ADJACENT CH. REJECTION

8. INTERMODULATION REJECTION

9. SPURIOUS RESPONSE REJECTION

Specifications

Vox Headset Mic

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

Optional Accessories

Limited Two Year Warranty

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.

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, ac-
companied 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
mayalso 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.

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.

Cobra® Electronics
Corporation

6500 West Cortland Street
Chicago, Illinois 60707 USA

QUALITY SEAL

ar Warran

You Can Find These Fine Accessories At Your Local Cobra® Dealer

If you wish, you can order directly from Cobra®.

Order by phone

Call 773.889.3087 (Press 1 from the main menu) 8 a.m.-6 p.m. M-F CST. )

Order by mail or fax

Call 773.889.3087 for pricing. Fill out order form on next page, and mail/fax directly to Cobra®.

Order over the Web

www.cobra.com

Ear Bud Mic with PTT

Compact earbud and microphone
with Push-to-Talk switch.
MA-EBM

Lapel Speaker/Microphone

Remote microphone/speaker
with Push-to-Talk switch.
MA-SM

Replacement Belt Clip

FA-BC2

FA-AA

Insert with charging contacts

below facing out

2 Port Desktop Charger

Charges two NiMH battery packs
(FA-AA) or two FRS 225 radios.
(Note: appearance may vary)
FA-CS

NiMH Rechargeable
Battery Pack

High performance Nickel
Metal Hydride battery pack for
multiple charging.
FA-AA

Accessory Order Form

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: 773.622.2269
or call 773.889.3087
(Press 1 from the main menu)
8:00 am - 6:00 pm, M-F, CST.

Make check or money order (no stamps)
payable to:
Cobra® Electronics
Attn: Accessories Dept.
6500 West Cortland Street
Chicago, IL 60707 USA

$25.00 and under $4.75
$25.01 - $40.00

$6.95

$40.01 - $80.00

$9.25

$80.01 - $120.00

$10.25

$120.01 - $160.00

$11.75

$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 8.75%
Indiana residents add 5%
Michigan residents add 6 %
Ohio residents add

Wisconsin residents add 5%

MA-VOX

Vox Headset Mic

MA-EBM

Ear Bud Mic with PTT

MA-SM

Lapel Speaker/ Microphone

FA-AA

NiMH Rechargeable Battery Pack

FA-CS

2 Port Desktop Charger

FA-BC2

Replacement Belt Clip

Item #

Description

Cost Ea.

Qty.

Amount

Prices subject to change without notice.

The Cobra® line of quality products
also includes:

• Citizens Band Radios

• microTALK® Radios

• Radar/Laser Detectors

• GPS

• SafetyAlert®

Traffic Warning Systems

• Accessories

• HighGear™ Accessories

Nothing comes close to a Cobra

™

Cobra® Electronics Corporation
6500 West Cortland Street
Chicago, IL 60707 USA

Part No. 480-004-P

For technical assistance, please call our Automated Help Desk which can assist

you by answering the most frequently asked questions about Cobra® products.

(773) 889-3087

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.cobra.com or by e-mail to productinfo@cobra.com

If you think you need service call 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 West Cortland Street, Chicago, IL 60707 USA.

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 773.889.3087 for
assistance.

If You Think You Need Service

Ask a Question ?