User manual COBRA HH 38 WX ST

HH 38 WX ST Operating Instructions for your Cobra HH 38 WX ST Citizens Band 2-Way Handheld CB Radio Lock PwrSaver DW Func CB/WX CH9/19 Scan "Ingenious Products for Easier Communication." The CB Story The Citizens Band lies between the shortwave broadcast and 10-meter Amateur radio bands, and was established by law in 1949. The Class D two-way communications service was opened in 1959. (CB also includes a Class A citizens band and Class C remote control frequencies.) 1 FCC Regulations FCC regulations permit only "transmissions" (one party to another) rather than "broadcasts" (to a wide audience). Thus, advertising is not allowed on CB Channels because that is "broadcasting." 2 FCC Warnings All transmitter adjustments other than those supplied by the manufacturer as front panel operating controls, must be made by, or under the supervision of, the holder of an FCC-issued general Radio-Telephone Operator's License. 3 Replacement or substitution of transistors, regular diodes or other parts of a unique nature, with parts other than those recommended by Cobra, may cause violation of the technical regulations of Part 95 of the FCC Rules, or violation of Type Acceptance requirements of Part 2 of the Rules. You should read and understand Part 95 (included with this unit) of the FCC Rules and Regulations, before operating your Cobra radio, even though the FCC no longer requires you to obtain an operator's license. 4 What's Included with Your HH 38 WX ST 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. A1 High Efficiency Antenna Removable Belt Clip Wrist Strap 12 Volt Cigarette Lighter Plug Operating Manual 5 Controls and Indicators 1. BNC Antenna Connector 2. Squelch Control 3. On/Off Volume Control 4. Removable Belt Clip 5. External Speaker Jack 6. External Microphone Jack 7. 8. Charge LED NiCD Battery Charge Jack FUNC PWR SAVE WX SCAN DW EMG SIGNAL POWER Our Thanks to You Thank you for purchasing the Cobra HH 38 WX ST handheld CB. Properly used, this Cobra product will give you many years of reliable service. 1 2 3 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 SoundTracker® 14 19 20 "Cuts noise coming in...strengthens signals going out." This Patent pending technology dramatically improves transmission and reception of CB signals. The revolutionary SoundTracker® System reconfigures the transmission signal which allows it to be transferred more efficiently through cluttered airwaves. 21 5 7 DC13.8V 9. DC Power Jack 10. Light Key 11. Channel Up/Down Keys 12. PTT (Push To Talk ) Key 13. Battery Chamber 14. LCD Display Panel 15. Lock Key 16. SoundTracker® Key 17. CB/WX Weather Key and HI/LO Power Key 18. Instant Channel 9 & 19 and Dual Watch Key 19. Function Key 20. Channel Scan 21. Microphone SPK MIC 15 Lock 16 Pwr Saver DW Func CB/WX CH9/19 Scan 17 18 4 At the same time, it significantly reduces the amount of static on all incoming CB signals. 6 8 9 LIGHT CH 10 11 12 PTT The end result is a cleaner, clearer sounding reception of signals and a more powerful transmission which dramatically improves CB communications. Customer Support 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. 13 A2 A3 How to Use Your Cobra HH 38 WX ST Contents Features ..........................................................................1 The CB Story .................................................................A1 FCC Regulations Included Accessories Controls & Indicators................................................A2 Our Thanks to You......................................................A3 SoundTracker® System Customer Support Operating Your HH 38 WX ST Antenna .......................................................................2 Battery Installation...................................................3 Belt Clip ........................................................................3 Turning on Your CB ..................................................4 Setting Squelch.........................................................4 Selecting a Channel.................................................6 LCD Display.................................................................7 Transmit/Receive ......................................................8 One Touch Channel 9 & 19 ...................................10 All Channel Scan.......................................................11 Dual Watch..................................................................12 Weather Channels ....................................................14 Power High/Low .......................................................16 Battery Capacity Level ............................................18 SoundTracker® System ...........................................19 Lighted Display .........................................................23 Lock Key.......................................................................24 In Vehicle Use.............................................................25 How Your CB Can Serve You ..................................26 A Few Rules You Should Know............................26 Weather Channel Messages .................................27 Channel 9 Emergency Messages........................28 CB 10 Codes ...............................................................30 Frequency Ranges .....................................................32 HH 38 WX ST Specifications ..................................33 Warranty Information..............................................34 Optional Accessories ................................................35 Order Form ....................................................................36 If You Think You Need Service.............Back Cover 1 Features of This Product · 40 CB Channels · 10 Weather Channels · Full Feature LCD Display · Dual Channel Watch · Full Channel Scan · Battery Level Meter · External Speaker/ Microphone Jack · Instant Channel 9 & 19 · High/Low Power Saver Switch · BNC Antenna Connector · Lock Key Operation Attach Antenna Note To increase range as a portable, use CA41 telescopic loaded long range antenna. (See Accessory Page 35). Operation Attach Antenna 1 Install Batteries Press and hold down on arrow and slide Insert. Battery Installation Note Ignoring polarity markings (+/-) can cause damage to both the unit and the batteries. The HH 38 WX ST requires 9 "AA"alkaline or NiCD batteries (not included with the unit). 1 Remove battery chamber cover. Press down on When batteries are low or need arrow and slide. charging the BATTERY icon Install batteries by polarity markings. Replace cover. NiCD rechargeable batteries should be charged a minimum of 12 hours with a CA-45C charger. will flash on the LCD display. Replace alkaline batteries or recharge NiCD batteries. NiCD rechargeable batteries should be charged a minimum of 12 hours with a CA-45C charger. NiCD rechargeables should have a rating of 1.2 vdc, 750 Mah. 2 3 2 Turn clockwise. 1/4 turn. 40 Lock FUNC PWR SAVE WX SCAN DW EMG SIGNAL POWER Pwr Saver DW Func CB/WX CH9/19 Scan Attach Belt Clip Attach Belt Clip Note Clip slides up to attach and slides down to remove. 1 Slide belt clip up on rails of base until tab locks. 2 To remove belt clip, lift tab out and slide belt clip down. 3 2 Operation Turning On Turning On Rotate ON - OFF Volume Control clockwise. Operation Gate open Note When you turn on the HH 38 WX ST , a series of tones will be heard and the icons will briefly appear on the LCD display. LCD lights on for 5 seconds. Squelch Volume MEDIUM SIGNALS STRONG SIGNALS Squelch Volume Off WEAK SIGNALS Off 2 Fully counterclockwise opens the "gate" and all signals enter. NOISE Setting Squelch Gate closed STRONG SIGNALS Setting Squelch Squelch is the "control gate" for incoming signals. Squelch Volume Gate set to Desired Squelch Setting (DSS) STRONG SIGNALS Squelch Volume Squelch Volume Off MEDIUM SIGNALS MEDIUM SIGNALS GATE CLOSED Off Off 3 WEAK SIGNALS 1 NOISE 4 5 G AT E Turn volume up louder than normal. 2 Fully clockwise closes the "gate" , allowing no incoming signals. 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. ;;;; ;;;; WEAK SIGNALS GATE OPEN Operation Select Channel Select Channel 1 Operation LCD Display All needed information is displayed on LCD display panel. LCD Display Turn power ON. 2 For higher channel, push UP arrow key. 3 For lower Channel, push DOWN arrow key. 2 Digit Channel Display FUNC Function Key Indicator Note For quick advance, push and hold arrow key(s). LIGHT LIGHT PWR SAVE WX SCAN DW EMG Lock Key Battery Save Indicator Weather Mode Indicator Scan Mode Indicator Dual Watch Indicator Emergency Channel 9 LIGHT CH CH or Battery Capacity Level Indicator PTT PTT 40 FUNC PWR SAVE WX SCAN DW EMG SIGNAL POWER Note When switching from one channel to another, squelch will need to be reset. See Setting Squelch on pages 4 and 5. SoundTracker SystemTM icon SIGNAL Incoming Strength of Signal Meter POWER Outgoing Transmission Power Meter 6 7 Operation Transmit/Receive Transmit / Receive 3 Operation Stop Antenna must be installed before TX 2 inches away LIGHT CH Hold mic about 2 inches from mouth. Speak in a normal voice. Note While PTT button is depressed you cannot receive transmissions. PTT PUSH & HOLD PTT button. CH 1 To transmit, push and hold 40 2 FUNC PTT PWR RELEASE Note Your HH38 WX ST is always ready to receive incoming signals when the PTT button is released. When you are receiving an incoming signal, the strength of that signal will be displayed on the bar graph. The TRANSMISSION POWER METER will be displayed when transmitting. 3 Release PTT button to receive incoming transmissions. Note During transmit, your outgoing transmission power is measured in watts and displayed on the bar graph. 40 8 FUNC SIGNAL The INCOMING SIGNAL STRENGTH METER will be displayed when a signal is received. 9 Operation One Touch for Channel 9 and Channel 19 One Touch For Channel 9 and Channel 19 To gain instant access to Channels 9 (emergency) and 19 (information) from other channels: Operation 7 FUNC PWR SAVE WX SCAN DW SIGNAL 9 FUNC PWR SAVE WX SCAN DW EMG SIGNAL Lock Pwr Saver DW Func CB/WX CH9/19 Scan PUSH A 3RD TIME DW Lock Pwr Saver DW 3 Func CB/WX CH9/19 Scan DW PUSH & RELEASE To return to original channel, push CH 9/19 a third time. All Channel Scan To scan all 40 channels: 1 All Channel Scan Note When an incoming transmission is received the HH 38 WX ST will stop scanning. 10 seconds after scan stops, scanning will resume. 1 Push CH 9/19 once for channel 9. Set Desired Squelch Setting (DSS). Note Pressing CHANNEL UP/DOWN key will exit you from this mode. FUNC PWR SAVE WX SCAN DW SIGNAL 40 Lock Pwr Saver DW Func CB/WX CH9/19 Scan DW FUNC PWR SAVE WX SCAN DW EMG SIGNAL PUSH & RELEASE Note Lock Pwr Saver DW Func 2 Push CH 9/19 twice for Channel 19. 2 3 CB/WX CH9/19 Scan PUSH & RELEASE To set Desired Squelch Setting (DSS) see Setting Squelch on pages 4 and 5. Pressing PTT key or scan key will terminate scan mode. Push Scan SCAN key. The channels will index. Scan To stop scanning, push SCAN key again. 10 11 Operation Dual Watch Dual Watch Dual Watch allows simultaneous monitoring of two preselected channels. To monitor Channel 11 and 17 for incoming transmissions: Note To set Desired Squelch Setting (DSS) see Setting Squelch on pages 4 and 5. 1 2 5 Operation Select Channel 17 with UP/DOWN key. CHANNEL Set Desired Squelch Setting (DSS). Select Channel 11 with DOWN key. FUNC PWR SAVE WX SCAN CHANNEL UP/ FUNC PWR SAVE WX SCAN DW SIGNAL Lock Pwr Saver DW Func PUSH Lock Pwr Saver DW Func PRESS & RELEASE 6 CB/WX CH9/19 Scan DW Push key until "beep" is heard. Note When a transmission is received the HH 38 WX ST will stop monitoring. 10 seconds after the DW stops, monitoring will continue between the two channels. CB/WX CH9/19 Scan The DW icon will stay on. 3 Push and release Func FUNCTION key. FUNC FUNCTION icon will be displayed. FUNC PWR SAVE WX SCAN DW 9 flashing icon 7 FUNC PWR SAVE WX SCAN DW SIGNAL Note At a later time you can recall your preset DW channels by pushing and releasing the Func FUNCTION key and quickly pushing and releasing the DW key. Lock Pwr Saver DW Func CB/WX CH9/19 Scan DW PUSH & HOLD The HH 38 WX ST display will switch between the selected channels. To stop dual watch, push CHANNEL UP/ DOWN key on the HH 38 WX ST. 8 4 Push and hold key until "beep" is heard. FUNC The DW icon will flash and the will disappear. 12 FUNCTION icon 13 Operation Weather Channels Note The 10 National Weather Channels include 7 NOAA and 3 Canadian channels. These channels provide full coverage to keep you informed of weather conditions, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For a list of weather frequencies see specifications in the Frequency Ranges section on page 36. Note Your HH 38 WX ST has a special auto squelch circuit for weather transmission which disables your squelch control. Operation Weather Channels 10 National Weather Channels provide weather transmission reception. Note An agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA operates 380 stations which reach about 90% of the U.S. population. If you cannot receive a weather station, you may not have one in your area. If you wish to receive a listing of NOAA Weather Radio Transmitter locations, contact your nearest National Weather Service Office, or write to: National Weather Service (Attn: W/OM11), NOAA Silver Spring, MD 20910 LIGHT 09 PUSH & RELEASE PWRS FUNC PWR SAVE WX SCAN DW SIGNAL 2 To change weather channels push the CHANNEL UP/DOWN arrow keys. Lock Pwr Saver DW At times, different channels can be received. Select the one with the clearest audio quality. Func CB/WX CH9/19 Scan FUNC PWR SAVE WX SCAN DW SIGNAL 1 Push and release the CB/WX key and the current weather channel will appear. Lock Pwr Saver DW PUSH & RELEASE 3 PWRS Func CB/WX CH9/19 Scan To return to normal CB operation, push and release the CB/WX key again. The WX icon will disappear. 14 15 Operation Power Saver (HI/LOW) Power Saver (HI/LOW) Reduces transmit power output to 1 watt to extend battery life. Operation 40 PUSH & RELEASE 2 FUNC PWR SAVE WX SAVE SCAN DW SIGNAL Note Battery life is increased approximately 50% while in Battery Power Save Mode is activated. This reduces transmit power output to 1 watt. 40 Note The low power setting cuts the transmitting range in half, but the receiving range is not affected. 1 FUNC PWR SAVE WX SCAN Lock Pwr Saver DW Func Lock Pwr Saver DW Func PRESS & RELEASE CB/WX CH9/19 Scan Push and release the PWRS key. FUNC CB/WX CH9/19 Scan Push and release the Func FUNCTION key. FUNC FUNCTION icon will be displayed. 1 The PWR Save icon will appear and the FUNCTION icon will disappear. To exit Power Saver (HI/LOW) mode: Push and release FUNC Func FUNCTION key. FUNCTION icon will be displayed. PWRS 2 3 Push and release the key. FUNCTION and PWR Save icon will disappear 16 17 Operation Battery Capacity Level Battery Capacity Level To monitor the remaining power level of the HH 38 WX ST battery: check battery icon bands. Operation The SoundTracker® System While previous systems only "blanket out" or limit noise in higher sound frequencies, the revolutionary new SoundTracker® System actually reduces noise while leaving the signal intact in the reception mode. In the transmission mode, it actually strengthens the signal, providing you with a significant reduction in noise on reception and transmission. Note SoundTracker® gives you clearer, cleaner reception to improve CB communications while on the air. Note Battery life is approximately 20 hours under normal use conditions. FUNC PWR SAVE WX SCAN DW SIGNAL flashing icon Lock HI/LO BAT Func DW CB/WX CH9/19 Scan Sound clarity is measured by the ratio of the signal level to the noise level. The higher the signal-to-noise ratio, the better the sound. 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 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. 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. BATTERY icon will flash if batteries are low. Replace batteries as soon as possible. 18 19 Operation Activating SoundTracker® Activating SoundTracker® Testing SoundTracker® Operation Testing SoundTracker® 40 Note This engages the SoundTracker® system and reduces the noise level. FUNC PWR SAVE WX SCAN DW SIGNAL 40 1 FUNC PWR SAVE WX SCAN DW SIGNAL Lock Pwr Saver DW PUSH & RELEASE 1 Func Select any unused channel on your CB. CB/WX CH9/19 Scan Push and release the ST key. Squelch Volume Off 40 The FUNC 2 SIGNAL Fully counterclockwise opens the "gate" and all signals enter. Turn the knob until it stops. Deactivate soundtrack mode by pressing key if the icon is displayed 3 SOUNDTRACKER icon will appear. continued 20 21 Operation Operation 40 Squelch Volume Off FUNC PWR SAVE WX SCAN DW SIGNAL Lock Pwr Saver DW 3 Turn the volume up louder than your normal listening level. PUSH & RELEASE 5 Func CB/WX CH9/19 Scan 40 Note At times you may experience different levels of noise reduction. Different terrains and environments will effect the SoundTracker® System's performance. FUNC PWR SAVE WX SCAN DW SIGNAL To disengage SoundTracker® push and release ST key again. icon will disappear. 6 Lock Pwr Saver DW Lighted Display Func Lighted Display PUSH & RELEASE 4 CB/WX CH9/19 Scan Push and release the ST key. PUSH & RELEASE LIGHT CH The SOUNDTRACKER icon will appear. *Notice the significant reduction in noise. PTT 1 To illuminate display, push and release light key. Light will remain on for 10 seconds. 22 23 Operation Lock Key Lock Key Purpose is to lock most functions to avoid accidental actuation. Operation In Vehicle Use The HH 38 WX ST can be connected to your cigarette lighter with the provided adapter. This power connection does NOT charge the batteries.