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Cobra Marine MRF45 User Manual

Cobra Marine MRF45
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A1
English
Our Thanks To You
Introduction
VHF MARINE RADIO
MR F45
Owner’s Manual
Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra
®
English
Thank you for purchasing a CobraMarine
®
VHF radio.
Properly used, this Cobra
®
product will give you
many years of reliable service.
How Your CobraMarine VHF Radio Works
This radio is a VHF transceiver for fixed mounting on your boat. It gives you 2-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 2-way communications, in the U.S.A., the radio can provide quick
access to receive seven NOAA (National Oceanographic and Atmospheric
Administration) and two Canadian weather channels for alerting you to weather
emergencies with a tone on a weather channel you can select for your area.
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. 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
Customer Assistance
©2006 Cobra Electronics
Corporation
6500 West Cortland Street
Chicago, Illinois 60707 USA
Printed in China Part No. 480-354-P
Revised 8-22-06

Table of Contents

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Cobra Marine MRF45 Specifications

General IconGeneral
ModelMRF45
Frequency Range156.050 - 163.275 MHz
Waterproof RatingIPX7
GPSYes
NOAA Weather AlertYes
Instant Channel 16/9Yes
DSC (Digital Selective Calling)Yes
Battery LifeUp to 10 hours
DisplayLCD
TypeVHF Marine Radio
ChannelsUSA, International, Canada
Output Power1W/5W

Summary

Introduction and Support

Product Welcome and Overview

Expresses gratitude for purchasing the CobraMarine VHF radio and provides a brief product overview.

Customer Assistance and Contact

Offers detailed customer support contact information and services available in the U.S.A. and internationally.

Radio Controls and Features

Transceiver Controls and Indicators

Details the physical controls, indicators, and connection ports on the VHF radio transceiver unit.

Microphone and Product Features

Describes the microphone controls and outlines the key features and capabilities of the CobraMarine VHF radio.

VHF Radio Protocols and Licensing

FCC Licensing and Station Requirements

Explains FCC regulations, station licensing needs, and call sign usage for VHF marine radio operation.

VHF Marine Radio Procedures

Covers essential operating procedures, including maintaining a radio watch and making calls.

Important Safety Information

General Safety Precautions and Warnings

Provides critical safety guidelines for radio installation, operation, and potential hazards.

RF Exposure and Compliance

Details specific warnings and compliance information related to radio frequency (RF) energy exposure limits.

Marine Communication Best Practices

Recommendations for Marine Communication

Offers advice on effective VHF radio use for safety and navigation, and compares it to cellular communication.

FCC Licensing Information and Procedures

Provides details on FCC licensing requirements and how to obtain necessary station licenses.

VHF Radio Operation Protocols

User Responsibilities and Operating Rules

Outlines user responsibilities, FCC compliance, and operational restrictions for VHF marine radios.

Voice Calling Procedures and Etiquette

Details the correct procedures for making voice calls, including channel selection and calling limits.

Digital Communications and Identification

Digital Selective Calling (DSC) System

Explains the DSC system for establishing calls, its role in GMDSS, and its distress communication capabilities.

Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI)

Defines MMSI, its importance for DSC, and sources for obtaining an MMSI number.

Emergency and Distress Communication

Radiotelephone Calls and Transmission Privacy

Discusses making radiotelephone calls and the lack of privacy in VHF transmissions.

Emergency Signals and Distress Procedures

Covers international emergency signals (MAYDAY, PAN, SECURITE) and procedures for distress calls.

Distress Call Procedures

Voice Distress Call Procedure

Provides a step-by-step guide for making a voice distress call, including essential information to convey.

DSC Distress Call Initiation

Explains how to initiate a DSC distress call using the radio's features and GPS connectivity.

VHF Channel Assignments Overview

Channel Usage in the USA

Outlines the general use of VHF channels in the USA for distress, calling, safety, and commercial purposes.

Specific Channel Applications

Details the intended uses of channels for port operations, navigation, and digital selective calling.

VHF Channel Assignments Detailed

Channel Assignments Table (1-17)

Lists VHF channels 1 through 17 with their frequencies, maps, and primary functions.

Channel Use Descriptions (1-17)

Provides detailed descriptions of the purpose and usage for VHF channels 1 through 17.

VHF Channel Assignments Detailed

Channel Assignments Table (18-62A)

Lists VHF channels 18 through 62A with their frequencies, maps, and primary functions.

Channel Use Descriptions (18-62A)

Details the purpose and usage for VHF channels 18 through 62A, including port operations and commercial use.

VHF Channel Assignments Detailed

Channel Assignments Table (63-77)

Lists VHF channels 63 through 77 with their frequencies, maps, and primary functions.

Channel Use Descriptions (63-77)

Provides detailed descriptions of channel usage for 63 through 77, including non-commercial and bridge-to-bridge.

VHF Channel Assignments Detailed

Channel Assignments Table (78-88A)

Lists VHF channels 78 through 88A with their frequencies, maps, and primary functions.

Channel Use Descriptions (78-88A)

Details the purpose and usage for VHF channels 78 through 88A, including public correspondence and commercial intership.

Time Zones and Weather Monitoring

World City Time Zone Chart

Presents a chart of cities and their corresponding time zone offsets from GMT.

NOAA Weather Channels and Alert System

Explains the operation of NOAA weather channels and the emergency weather alert feature for warnings.

Installation and Setup

Package Contents and Components

Lists all items included in the CobraMarine VHF radio package for initial setup.

Radio Mounting and Power Connection

Provides guidance on physically mounting the radio and connecting it to the vessel's power source.

Installation Details

Microphone Bracket and Flush Mounting

Details the installation of the microphone bracket and the process for flush mounting the transceiver.

Warning Sticker and Electrical Connection

Explains the required placement of the warning sticker and how to properly connect the radio's power cables.

Antenna Requirements and Safety

External Antenna Requirements

Covers the necessity of an external marine antenna and advice on selecting quality components.

RF Exposure Limits and Antenna Placement

Details FCC RF exposure limits and critical guidelines for safe antenna installation and placement.

Connecting Peripherals

Microphone and Speaker Connections

Explains how to connect the microphone and an optional external speaker to the VHF radio.

GPS Interface for DSC Calls

Details the connection of a GPS device to enable automatic position reporting for DSC distress messages.

Getting Started with Your VHF Radio

Understanding Radio Tones and Alarms

Describes the various audible tones and alarms produced by the radio for different operational events.

Powering the Radio On and Off

Provides instructions on how to turn the radio's power on and off using the main control knob.

Basic Radio Operation

Adjusting Volume and Squelch

Explains how to control speaker volume and use the squelch to filter unwanted noise and signals.

Standby, Receive, and Channel Selection

Covers operating in standby mode and changing listening channels, including using the 16/9 and Weather/UIC buttons.

Radio Settings and Configuration

Navigating the Settings Menu

Guides users on accessing and navigating the radio's settings menu for customization.

LCD Backlight and Contrast Adjustment

Details how to adjust the LCD's backlight brightness and contrast for optimal viewing.

Radio Configuration Options

Confirmation Tone and Time Offset

Explains how to enable/disable confirmation tones and set the time offset for local time display.

Selecting Channel Maps for Regions

Covers the process of selecting the appropriate VHF channel map for the USA, International, or Canadian regions.

Voice Transmission Guide

Channel Selection for Voice Transmission

Details how to select the correct VHF channel for initiating voice communications.

Transmit Power and Message Sending

Explains how to adjust transmit power and the procedure for sending voice messages.

Weather Alerts and Quick Access

NOAA Weather Channels and Alert Setup

Guides on using NOAA weather channels and configuring the weather alert system for warnings.

Channel 16/9 Quick Access Function

Explains the function of the Channel 16/9 button for rapid switching between these important calling channels.

Advanced Radio Features

Dual-Watch Operation

Describes how to use the Dual-Watch function to monitor two selected channels simultaneously.

Scan Operation

Explains how to activate and use the scan feature to automatically search through channels.

DSC Setup and MMSI Entry

Entering Your User MMSI Number

Details the essential process of entering the Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number for DSC functionality.

MMSI Entry Errors and Limitations

Explains how to correct MMSI entry errors and the limitations imposed on multiple entries.

DSC Setup: MMSI and Group Calls

Viewing MMSI and DSC Scan Settings

Covers how to view your MMSI number and configure the DSC scanning feature.

Setting Up Group MMSI Numbers

Explains how to enter Group MMSI numbers for efficient communication with multiple vessels or stations.

DSC Setup: Call Management

Position Request Reply Type Configuration

Allows users to set automatic or manual responses to incoming position request calls.

Individual Directory for DSC Calls

Details how to store and manage names and MMSI numbers for direct DSC calling.

DSC Operation: Distress Calls

Sending DSC Distress Calls

Provides comprehensive instructions for initiating automatic or manual DSC distress calls and managing alarms.

Understanding Distress Alarms

Explains the alarms associated with DSC distress calls and how to respond to them.

DSC Operation: Receiving and Sending Calls

Receiving and Responding to Distress Calls

Details how the radio handles received distress calls, including alarms and switching to Channel 16.

Sending All Ships Calls

Guides on using the All Ships call feature for urgent, safety, or routine broadcasts to all stations.

DSC Operation: Various Call Types

Receiving All Ships Calls

Describes how the radio alerts users to incoming All Ships calls and the required actions.

Geographical Call Handling

Explains the purpose of geographical calls and how the radio receives and displays them.

DSC Operation: Individual and Group Calls

Sending and Receiving Individual Calls

Details the process of sending and receiving individual DSC calls using stored directory information.

Sending and Receiving Group Calls

Explains how to send and receive group DSC calls using the Group MMSI feature.

DSC Operation: Position Exchange

Sending and Responding to Position Requests

Covers initiating position requests and managing responses like position data or no reply.

Managing Position Request Outcomes

Details how to handle different outcomes of position requests, such as resending or exiting.

DSC Operation: Position Sending

Receiving Position Requests and Replies

Explains how the radio handles incoming position requests based on auto or manual reply settings.

Sending Vessel Position Information

Describes the procedure for using the Position Send function to transmit your vessel's GPS location.

Maintenance, Troubleshooting, and Specifications

Radio Maintenance and Troubleshooting Guide

Provides guidance on maintaining the radio and a troubleshooting table for common issues.

Technical Specifications

Lists the detailed technical specifications for the radio's general, receiver, and transmitter components.

Warranty and Product Service

Limited 3-Year Warranty Details

Outlines the terms, conditions, and exclusions of the limited 3-year warranty for U.S.A. purchases.

Product Service and Customer Support

Provides instructions for obtaining factory service and contacting customer support for assistance.

Accessories and Ordering Information

Optional Accessories for Your Radio

Lists optional accessories available for the CobraMarine VHF radio, such as mounting kits.

How to Order Cobra Products

Provides contact details and ordering information for purchasing Cobra accessories and products.

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