Operating Instructions for your

2-Way Radio

FRS 120

BATT LO

W

Nothing comes close to a Cobra™

Family Radio Service

How to Use Your Cobra

®

2-Way Radio

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 120 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.

A1

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®

1.

Belt Clip

2.

Wrist Strap

3.

Two microTALK® SNAP™™ removable fronts.

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

Calling Another Party .............................................6

Talking To Another Party .......................................7

Roger Beep Confirmation Tone...........................8

Listening For Another Party .................................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

Features of This Product

• Two-way radio with up to a 2 mile range

• 14 channels

• Backlit LCD

• Roger beep confirmation tone

• Call feature

• SuperFlex™ antenna

• Speaker/Microphone jacks

• Belt clip

• Wrist strap

1

Controls and Indicators

1.

Antenna

2.

Microphone/Speaker

Jack

3.

On/Off Volume Switch

4.

L LCD Display Panel

5.

? Light/Max Range Button

6.

Channel Select Button

7.

Speaker

8.

Battery Compartment

9.

Talk Button

10.

Call Button

11.

microTALK® SNAP™

Removeable Front

8

1

1

3

2

9

5

6

4 BATT LOW call

10

7

11

6

9

5

Talk

A2

3

Our Thanks to You

Thank you for purchasing the Cobra® FRS 120

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.

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: [email protected]

Cobra® on the World Wide

Web: Frequently Asked

Questions (FAQ) can be found on-line at: www.cobra.com

A3

Operation Operation

Battery

Installation

Note

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

(sold separately).

Install Batteries

+ -

+ -

+

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.

1 Pull lock tab down to remove battery cover.

2 Insert three “AA” batteries. Position batteries according to polarity markings.

Turning On Your microTALK®

BATT LOW

TURN

SWITCH

Turning

On Your microTALK

®

Note

Whenever the unit is on you can receive communications.

1 Turn the On/Off/Volume switch. An audible

Illuminating the Display Illuminating the Display

1 Push and release LIGHT/MAX RANGE button to illuminate display for ten seconds.

2 3

Operation Operation

Auto Squelch

Maximum

Range

Extender

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.

Maximum Range Extender

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

Note

To learn more about the range of your microTALK®, see page 9.

Range is dependent on battery condition and geographic terrain.

1 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.

4

Select Channel

1 Turn on the microTALK® 2-Way Radio.

BATT LOW

2 Select any of the 14 channels by pushing the channel up or down buttons.

5

Select

Channel

Note

Units must be tuned to the same channel number in order to communicate.

Operation

Calling

Another

Party

Calling Another Party

To alert another party that you wish to communicate:

BATT LOW

Note

Both units must be ON and tuned to the same channel.

Your incoming “Call” signal volume is dependent on the unit volume setting.

call

1 Push and release call

CALL button. The unit you are calling will hear a two second ringing tone.

Operation

Talking To Another Party

1 Push and hold

TALK button.

2 The TX/RX indicator will be displayed.

Talking To

Another Party

Note

While the TALK button is depressed you cannot receive incoming calls.

3 Hold mic about

2 inches from mouth. Speak in a normal voice.

4 Release TALK button and listen for response.

6 7

Operation

Roger Beep

Confirmation

Tone

Roger Beep Confirmation Tone

Your listener will hear an audible tone when you

release the TALK button.

BATT LOW call

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

Listening For

Another Party

Listening For Another Party

When finished talking:

Note

While the TALK button is depressed you cannot receive incoming calls.

1 Release TALK button to receive incoming transmissions.

Your microTALK® is always in listening mode when the TALK button is not pressed.

2 Adjust volume by turning the On/Off Volume

Switch

8

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.

9

Operation microTALK® Range

Your microTALK® Radio has a range of up to

2 miles. This effective range can be shortened under some conditions.

microTALK

®

Range

Note

To achieve maximum range the auto squelch can be overridden. Refer to

Maximum Range Extender section on page 4.

Making Life Easier and Safer microTALK

®

2-Way Radio

Can Make

Life Easier and Safer microTALK® 2-Way Radio 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:

1. Talking with fellow hikers.

2. Keeping track of the kids in a shopping mall.

5. Checking on traveling companions in another car.

6. Agree on a meeting spot after an event.

microTALK® SNAP™ Removable Front

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

microTALK

®

SNAP™

Removable

Front

10

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.

11

External Microphone/

Speaker Jack

External

Microphone/

Speaker Jack

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:

Note

External microphone/ speaker is not included with the unit. See page 19 for optional accessories.

1 Open Spkr/Mic tab on top of unit.

External Microphone/

2 Insert plug into the Spkr/Mic jack.

Speaker Jack

12 13

Caring for Your Radio

Caring for Your microTALK

®

Radio

Caring for Your microTALK® Radio

The microTALK® 2-Way Radio will give you years of service if cared for properly.

Here are some suggestions:

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.

1. Handle unit gently.

2. Keep away from dust.

3. Never place the unit in water or in a moist place.

4. Avoid exposure to extreme temperatures.

14 15

16

Specifications

I. GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

A. FREQUENCIES

CHANNEL ASSIGNMENT

CH 1: 462.5625MHz

CH 2: 462.5875MHz

CH 3: 462.6125MHz

CH 4: 462.6375MHz

CH 5: 462.6625MHz

CH 6: 462.6875MHz

CH 7: 462.7125MHz

CH 8: 467.5625MHz

CH 9: 467.5875MHz

CH 10: 467.6125MHz

CH 11: 467.6375MHz

CH 12: 467.6625MHz

CH 13: 467.6875MHz

CH 14: 467.7125MHz

B. RECEIVER

UNIT NOMINAL

1. SENSITIVITY

FOR 12 DB SINAD

FOR CALL SIG. DETECTION dBm -119 dBm -121

2. MAX. AUDIO OUTPUT @10% THD mW 150

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

4. SQUELCH a) SENSITIVITY b) ATTACK TIME c) CLOSING TIME dB m mS mS

45

-121

150

200

5. AUDIO FREQUENCY RESP.

@ 300 HZ

@ 2500 HZ

6. SIGNAL DISPLACEMENT BW dB dB

-3

-10

+/-KHZ 5

7. ADJACENT CH. REJECTION

8. INTERMODULATION REJECTION dB dB

9. SPURIOUS RESPONSE REJECTION dB

55

55

65

C. TRANSMITTER

1. EFFECTIVE RADIATED POWER

2. CARRIER FREQ. STABILITY

3. MODULATION LIMITING

4. CARRIER ATTACK TIME

5. AUDIO FREQUENCY RESPONSE

@ 300 HZ

@ 2500 HZ

6. AUDIO DISTORTION

7. HUM NOISE

8. TRANSIENT FREQ. BEHAVIOR a) TX ON b) TX OFF

D. POWER SUPPLY

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

2. BATTERY OPERATING RANGE dB dB

% dB

UNIT NOMINAL mW 500

+

500

KHz 2.5

mS 30

-10

4

3

38 mS 30 mS 5

HR

V

24

3.2 - 4.5

Specifications

17

Limited Two Year Warranty Optional Accessories

2

Ye ar Warran ty

QUALITY SEAL

Cobra® Electronics

Corporation

6500 West Cortland Street

Chicago, Illinois 60707 USA

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, accompanied 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.

18

Vox Headset Mic

VOX (Voice Operated

Transmitter) headset and microphone allows hands-free operation.

MA-VOX

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

FA-AA

Insert with charging contacts below facing out

NiMH Rechargeable

Battery Pack

High performance Nickel

Metal Hydride battery pack for multiple charging.

FA-AA

2 Port Desktop Charger

Charges two NiMH battery packs.

Battery pack must be removed from FRS120 for recharging.

(Note: appearance may vary)

FA-CS

Replacement Belt Clip

FA-BC2

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

19

Accessory Order Form

Shipping & Handling

Amount Shipping/ of Order Handling

$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

For AK, HI and PR please add an additional $15.00

for UPS shipments.

Item # Description

MA-VOX Vox Headset Mic

MA-EBM Ear Bud Mic with PTT

MA-SM

FA-AA

Lapel Speaker/ Microphone

Battery

FA-CS

FA-BC2

Charger

Replacement Belt Clip

Prices subject to change without notice.

Tax Table

Illinois residents add 8.75%

Indiana residents add 5%

Michigan residents add 6 %

Ohio residents add 5%

Wisconsin residents add 5%

Cost Ea.

Qty.

Amount

Subtotal

(Tax if applicable)

Shipping/handling

Total

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

Please print clearly

Name

Address (No P.O. Box)

City State

Zip

Credit Card No.

Exp. Date

Customer Signature

Telephone ( )

Circle One: Visa MasterCard Discover

Allow 2-3 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in Continental U.S. only.

20

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

If You Think You Need Service

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 [email protected]

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.

© 2002 Cobra® Electronics Corporate

Printed in Thailand.

Part No. 480-370-P-001