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VHF Marine Radio Protocols
31
Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra
®
VHF Marine Radio
Procedures
Operating Your Radio
30
English
Maintenance and
Troubleshooting
VHF Marine Radio Procedures
•
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.
Power
Try 1 watt first, if the station being called is within a few kilometers. If there is
no answer, switch to 3 watts and call again. You have the ability to go to high
(maximum) power to increase your calling distance. Remember, the lower wattage
outputs will conserve your battery and minimize interference to other users.
Calling Coast Stations
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. You may also call on ship-to-ship channels
when you know that the vessel is listening on a ship-to-ship channel.
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 (2) minutes before calling again.
After three (3) 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 your station by your call sign, vessel name and the state registration number,
at both the beginning and at the end of the message.
Prohibited Communications
You MUST NOT transmit:
n
False distress or emergency messages.
n
Messages containing obscene, indecent or profane language.
n
General calls, signals or messages (messages not addressed to a particular
station) on Channel 16, except in an emergency or if you are testing your radio.
n
When you are on land.
No display on LCD when
radio is turned On
Batteries are exhausted
Batteries not installed
properly
Recharge or
replace batteries
Remove batteries and
reinstall according to
polarity markings
Batteries run
down quickly
Batteries are at the
end of their life
Replace with new
batteries
Will transmit at
low or medium power,
but not at
high power
Batteries are low
Selected channel is imited
to one (1) watt
Recharge or
replace batteries
Switch to
another channel
Will not transmit Selected channel is
limited to receive only
Switch to
another channel
No sound from speaker Volume level is too low or
squelch level is too deep
Re-adjust volume
and squelch
No response to
button press
Button lock is On Press Backlight/
Key Lock button
No answer to calls Out of range of
other station
Signal is blocked
by terrain
Switch to three (3) or maxi-
mum watts or move closer
Move until you have a “line-
of-sight” to the other station
Problem Possible Cause(s) Solution(s)
Maintenance
•
Very little maintenance is required to keep your CobraMarine VHF radio
in good operating condition:
n
Keep the radio and charger clean by wiping with a soft cloth and mild detergent.
Do not use solvents or harsh or abrasive cleaners, which could damage the case
or scratch the LCD screen.
n
If the radio is exposed to salt water, wipe with a soft, moist cloth at least once a day to
prevent buildup of salt deposits, which could interfere with button operation.
n
If the radio will be stored for a long period, such as over the winter,
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
•
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