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4 English
Recommendations For
Marine Communication
FCC Information
Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra
®
5
NOTICES
AVOID
using or storing the radio at temperatures below -4°F (-20°C) or above
140°F (55°C) .
NEVER
connect the transceiver to DC power greater than 16 volts or to
any DC source with reversed polarity . Doing so will damage the transceiver .
DO NOT
cut the power cables attached to the transceiver . Improper
reconnection with reversed polarity will damage the transceiver .
POSITION
your radio, external speakers, and cables at least three (3) feet (0 .9 m)
away from your vessel’s magnetic navigation compass . CHECK your compass
before and after installation to be sure that it has not introduced any deviation .
DO NOT
attempt to service any internal parts yourself . Have any
necessary service performed by a qualified technician .
DO NOT
drop the transceiver or microphone . Doing so may crack the
case or damage a waterproof seal . Once these items have been dropped,
the original waterproofing cannot be guaranteed .
DO NOT
use chemicals or solvents such as mineral spirits and alcohol
to clean your radio . They may damage the case surfaces .
Changes or modifications to your radio MAY VOID its compliance with FCC (Federal
Communications Commission) rules and make it illegal to use .
Recommendations For Marine Communication
•
The frequencies your radio uses are set aside to enhance safety afloat and for
vessel navigation and operational messages over a range suitable for nearshore
voyages . If the 25 watt maximum output of your radio isn’t sufficient for the distances
you travel from the coast, consider installing more powerful radio equipment such as
HF single side band or satellite radio for your vessel .
The U .S . Coast Guard does not endorse cellular telephones as substitutes for
marine radios . They generally cannot communicate with rescue vessels and,
if you make a distress call on a cellular telephone, only the party you call will
be able to hear you . Additionally, cellular telephones may have limited coverage
over water and can be hard to locate . If you don’t know where you are, the
Coast Guard will have difficulty finding you if you’re using a cellular telephone .
However, cellular telephones can have a place on board where cellular coverage
is available — to allow social conversations and keep the marine frequencies
uncluttered and available for their intended uses .
Sea Tow Automated Radio Check (ARC) System
•
Please try the Sea Tow Automated Radio Check service . Areas where the safety check
service is available include the East Coast, Gulf of Mexico, Southern California, and select
inland locations including the Great Lakes . The first and only boating safety program of its
kind, the Sea Tow Automated Radio Check service is fully automated and allows 24 hour a
day automated responses to radio check calls .
Conducting a radio check through the Sea Tow Automated Radio Check service couldn’t
be simpler . All boaters need to do is tune their VHF radio to Channel 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 or
84 (channel varies by location), then key the mic and ask for a radio check . The system
responds to each radio check with an automated reply including the location, and also
replays the boater’s original radio transmission, allowing them to assess the strength of the
signal and confirm the VHF radio is in good working order .
To find the Sea Tow Automated Radio Check service channel in an area boaters, radio
owners should visit www .seatow .com/arc . The web page allows you to search for the local
channel and has an instructional video on how to use the service step by step .
FCC LICENSING INFORMATION
•
CobraMarine VHF radios comply with the
FCC (Federal Communication Commission)
requirements that regulate the Maritime Radio Service .
This CobraMarine radio incorporates a VHF FM transceiver designed for use in
the frequency range of 156 .025 to 163 .275 MHz . It requires 13 .8 volts DC and
has a switchable RF output power of one (1) or 25 watts .
The transceiver is capable of Class-D (Digital Selective Calling) operation in accordance with
CFR Part 47, Section 80,225 .
The radio operates on all currently allocated marine channels and is switchable for use
according to U .S .A ., International, or Canadian regulations . It features instant access to
emergency Channel 16 and calling Channel 9 as well as NOAA (National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration) All Hazards Radio with Alert that can be accessed by pressing
one (1) key .
Station License
An FCC ship station license is no longer required for any vessel traveling in U .S .A . waters
which uses a VHF marine radio, RADAR, or EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio
Beacon), and which is not required to carry radio equipment . However, any vessel
required to carry a marine radio on an international voyage, carrying a HF single side band
radiotelephone, or carrying a marine satellite terminal must obtain a station license .
FCC license forms and applications for ship and land stations can be downloaded through
the Internet at www .fcc .gov/forms . Forms can also be obtained by calling the FCC at 888-
225-5322 .
International Station License
If your vessel will be entering the sovereign waters of a country other than the U .S .A . or
Canada, you should contact that country’s communications regulatory authority for licensing
information .
VHF Marine Radio Protocols
Introduction
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