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Maintenance and
Troubleshooting
Operating Your Radio
VHF Marine Radio Protocols
Intro
Operation
Customer
Warranty
Assistance
Maintenance
Very little maintenance is required to keep your CobraMarine VHF radio
in good operating condition:
Customer
Keep the radio clean by wiping with a soft cloth and mild detergent. Do not use
Installation
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Assistance
solvents or harsh or abrasive cleaners, which could damage the case or scratch
Secondary Icons
the LCD screen.
If the radio is exposed to salt water, wipe with a soft, moist cloth at least once a day to
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prevent buildup of salt deposits, which could interfere with button operation.
Notice
Caution
Warning
If the radio will be stored for a long period, such as over the winter,
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remove the batteries from the battery tray and store them in a separate
package. This is especially important if you are using alkaline batteries.
Troubleshooting
Problem
Possible Cause(s)
No display on LCD when
Batteries are exhausted
radio is turned On
Batteries not installed
properly
NiMH batteries run
Batteries are at the
down quickly
end of their life
Will transmit at .5 or 1
Batteries are low
Watt, but not at 3 Watts
Selected channel is limited
to one (1) watt
Will not transmit
Selected channel is limited
to receive only
No sound from speaker
Volume level is too low
No response to
Button lock is On
button press
No answer to calls
Out of range of
other station
Signal is blocked
by terrain
24 English
•
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Solution(s)
Recharge or
replace batteries
Remove batteries and
reinstall according to
polarity markings
Replace with new batteries
Recharge or
replace batteries
Switch to
another channel
Switch to
another channel
Re-adjust volume
Press Backlight/
Key Lock button
Switch to three watts or
move closer
Move until you have a "line-
of-sight" to the other station
VHF Marine Radio
Procedures
VHF Marine Radio Protocols
VHF Marine Radio Protocols
Intro
Operation
Customer
Warranty
VHF Marine Radio Procedures
Assistance
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.
Customer
Installation
Assistance
Power
Try 0.5 watts first, if the station being called is within a few miles. If there is no
Secondary Icons
answer, switch to 1 watt and call again. You have the ability to go up to 3 watts of
output power to increase your calling distance. Remember, the lower wattage outputs
will conserve your battery and minimize interference to other users.
Calling Coast Stations
Notice
Caution
Warning
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.
Initial Calling on Channel 16 or 9
The use of Channel 16 is permitted for making initial contact (hailing) another vessel.
The limits on calling must be followed. Be reminded, Channel 16's most important
function is for Emergency Messages. If for some reason, Channel 16 is congested, the
use of Channel 9, especially in U.S. waters, may be used as the initial contact (hailing)
channel for non-emergency communication.
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 CE call sign (if available), vessel name and the
state registration number, at both the beginning and at the end of the message.
Prohibited Communications
You MUST NOT transmit:
False distress or emergency messages.
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Messages containing obscene, indecent or profane language.
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General calls, signals or messages (messages not addressed to a particular station)
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on Channel 16, except in an emergency or if you are testing your radio.
When you are on land.
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•
Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra
®
25
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