How to Use Your Cobra 18WXST II Contents Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 The CB Story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A1 Licensing/Warning/Included Accessories . . . . . . . A1 Controls and Indicators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A2 Our Thanks to You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A3 Customer Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A3 Operating Your CB Mobile Radio Installation/Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Turning On. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 CB Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Microphone Connector. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Squelch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Setting Squelch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Channel Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Channel 9/19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 CB/Weather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Dual Watch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Scan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Soundtracker System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Activating Soundtracker System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 S/RF Power Meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 RX/TX Indicator LED. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Antenna Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 External Speaker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Ignition Noise Interference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Temporary Mobile Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Operation to Receive/Transmit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Frequency Ranges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20, 21 Accessories Order Info . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 If You Think You Need Service . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover Features of This Product · 40 CB Radio Channels · 10 Weather Channels · SoundtrackerTMSystem · Instant Channel 19 and 9 · 40 Channel Scan · Dual Watch · Front Firing Speaker · Channel Saver Circuitry · Dynamic Microphone · 9 Foot Mic Cord · Front Panel Microphone Connector 1 Installation Operation Mounting and Connections Note The transceiver is held in the universal mounting bracket by two thumb screws, permitting adjustment at the most convenient angle. A universal mounting bracket is supplied along with self tapping screws and star washers. To mount the transceiver: Mounting and Connections Select a location for the transceiver and microphone bracket that is convenient for operation. In automobiles, the transceiver is usually mounted to the underneath of the dash panel, with the microphone bracket beside it. Hold the radio with mounting bracket in the exact location desired. Remove the mounting bracket and use it as a template to mark the location for the mounting screws. CB Tranceiver CB Transceiver Drill necessary holes and secure mounting bracket in location. Connect the antenna cable plug to the receptacle marked "ANT" on the back of the unit. EXT. SPKR. ANTENNA POWER 13.8V DC 2 Installation Operation Connect the red lead of DC power cord to an accessory 12 volt fuse. Connect the orange lead to a constant 12v fuse (ie: cigarette lighter or direct to battery) Connect the black lead to the negative side of the automobile.This is usually the chassis. Any convenient location with good electrical contact (remove paint) may be used. Mounting and Connections Note Before installing the CB radio, visually check the vehicle battery connections to determine which battery terminal, positive or negative (positive is the larger of the two) is grounded to the engine block (or chassis). Mount the microphone bracket on right side of the transceiver or near it using two screws supplied.When mounting in an automobile, place the bracket under the dash so the microphone is readily accessible. Attach the 4-pin microphone cable to recepta- +30 DW SCAN S 1 3 5 9 cle on front of unit and install unit in bracketP .5 1 2 3 4 securely. VOLUME SQUELCH CH 9 / 19 CB / WEATHER 1 3 Operation Turning on Your Radio Turning on Turn volume control clockwise to turn power on and set the desired listening volume. OFF CB Antenna Note Cobra loaded-type antenna models HGA 1000, HGA 1500, and HGA 2000 are highly recommended for most installations. Consult your Cobra dealer for further details (or see order form at the back of this book). 3-Way Combination Antennas are available which allow operation of all three bands (AM-FM & CB), using a single antenna. However, use of this type of antenna usually results in less than normal transmit and receive range when compared to a standard-type "Single Band" antenna designed for CB only. CB Antenna Only a properly matched antenna system will allow maximum power output. In mobile installations (cars, trucks, boats, etc.), an antenna system that is non-directional should be used. When installed in a boat, the transceiver will not operate at maximum efficiency without a ground plate unless the vessel has a steel hull. Before installing the transceiver in a boat, consult your dealer for information regarding an adequate grounding system. 4 Operation Microphone Connector Allows for convenient removal of the microphone plug when storage is required.The microphone MUST be connected to the unit at all times when in use, for proper operation. Microphone Connector RX 4 3 1 2 SHIELD TX OFF AUDIO Squelch This control is used to cut off or eliminate receiver background noise in the absence of an incoming signal. Adjust until the receiver noise disappears. This will require the incoming signal to be slightly stronger than average receiver noise. Further clockwise rotation will increase the threshold level which a signal must overcome in order to be heard. Only strong signals will be heard at a maximum clockwise setting. Squelch OFF 5 Operation Setting Squelch Gate closed STRONG SIGNALS Setting Squelch Squelch is the "control gate" for incoming signals. 1. Full clockwise rotation closes the gate allowing only very strong signals to enter. MEDIUM SIGNALS G AT E C L O S E D WEAK SIGNALS OFF NOISE 2. Full counterclockwise rotation opens the "gate" allowing all signals in. Gate open STRONG SIGNALS OFF MEDIUM SIGNALS WEAK SIGNALS NOISE G AT E OPEN 6 Operation 3. To achieve the Desired Squelch Setting (DSS), turn the Squelch control counterclockwise until you hear noise. Now turn the control clockwise just until the noise stops. This is the DSS setting. Gate set to Desired Squelch Setting (DSS) STRONG SIGNALS MEDIUM SIGNALS WEAK SIGNALS OFF NOISE 7 G AT E Operation Channel Selection Set CB or WX Mode Set on CB mode. Rotate channel knob clockwise until desired channel is displayed. Channel 9/ Channel 19 OFF Channel 9/Channel 19 Press CH 9/19 to obtain instant access to emergency channel 9. Press again for information CH 19. PRESS AND RELEASE OFF CB Weather CB/Weather CB mode is for normal CB operation. Press CB/Weather again and select active Weather channel in your area. OFF PRESS AND RELEASE 8 Operation Dual Watch This features allows the user to scan between two selected channels. 1. Select first channel, CB mode. Dual Watch Note The radio needs to be squelched before DW can monitor both channels. PRESS AND HOLD OFF 2. Press and hold DW until LED begins flashing and beeps once. 3. Select second channel. Press DW until LED lights steady and radio beeps twice. Two channels are now stored in DW memory. Scan Press and release SCAN button to activate CB scan mode. If the radio is squelched, radio begins to scan. PRESS AND RELEASE Scan Note On some channels squelch setting might have to be re-set. When scan is interrupted by a signal, scan stops and holds until loss of signal. Press PTT on mic to stop OFF scan function. Press Scan to restart CB scan. 9 Operation Soundtracker System The SoundTracker System reduces noise while leaving the signal intact in the reception mode. In the transmission mode, it strengthens the signal, providing you with a significant reduction in noise on reception and transmission. How SoundTracker works On Reception­"Cuts Noise Coming In" With a normal CB, distant signals fall below the squelch level and are unintelligible. With a SoundTracker CB, the noise level is cut by up to 90%, which increases the signal-to-noise ratio and dramatically improves signal clarity. This also allows you to significantly reduce the squelch level, which greatly expands your listening range. USPat. No. 6,038,429 On Transmission­"Strengthens Signals Going Out" A SoundTracker CB strengthens the transmit signal by more effectively using the available RF power output of the CB. The result is improved transmission signal clarity and an expanded transmission range. 10 Operation Activating Soundtracker 1. Press the SoundTracker button on the upper left side of front panel. A red indicator will illuminate when the SoundTracker system is engaged. PUSH AND RELEASE Activating Soundtracker OFF 11 Operation S/RF PowerMeter S/RF Power Meter Shows relative transmitter RF output power and input signal strength when receiving.The LED (Light Emitting Diode) segments glow green to amber to red...this indicates receive or transmit activity. RX/TX Indicator LED RX/TX Indicator LED RX indicator will light when in the receive mode. TX indicator lights when in transmit mode. OFF When weather channel is selected,WX indicator is illuminated, and the channel is displayed. OFF 12 Operation Rear Panel Antenna Connector. This female connector permits connection of the transmission line cable male connector to the transceiver. EXT. SPKR. ANTENNA Antenna Connector POWER 13.8V DC External Speaker. The External Speaker Jack is used for an external speaker. The external speaker should have 8-ohm impedance and be rated to handle at least 4.0 watts. When the external speaker is plugged in, the internal speaker is automatically disconnected. Power: This cable is permanently attached to the radio. If you wish to remove the radio after installation, disconnect at fuse holder and ground connector. External Speaker Note Cobra external speakers are rated 15 watts Power 13 Operation Ignition Noise Interference Note When using the unit with cigarette adapter, turn off when not in use to avoid draining the battery. Ignition Noise Interference Use of a mobile receiver at low signal levels is normally limited by the presence of electrical noise. Under most operating conditions, when signal level is adequate, the background noise does not present a serious problem. Also, when extremely low level signals are being received, the transceiver may be operated with vehicle engine turned off. The unit requires very little current and therefore will not significantly discharge the vehicle battery. Even though this radio has an automatic noise limiter, in some installations ignition interference may be high enough to make good communications impossible. Consult your COBRA dealer or a 2-way radio technician for help in locating and correcting the source of severe noise. Temporary Mobile Operation For temporary mobile operation, you may want to purchase an additional cigarette lighter adapter from your COBRA dealer.This adapter and a magnetic mount antenna allow you to quickly "install" your transceiver for temporary use. PA ANT EXT Temporary Mobile Operation Note Red and Orange wires are connected to positive side of socket center tip. Black wire is connected to negative side contacts. 13.8V DC Note Radio resets to CH 9 when connected to cigarette lighter plug. 14 Operation Operating Procedure to Receive 1. Be sure that power cord, antenna and microphone are connected to the proper connectors before proceeding further. The weather switch should be in the "CB" position. 2. Turn the radio ON by rotating the VOLUME CONTROL clockwise. 3. Rotate SQUELCH CONTROL counterclockwise unt ...