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Introduction
5
Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra
®
4
English
Marine Communication,
Procedures & FCC Licensing
Marine Communication
and Radio Procedures
Introduction
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 3 watt maximum output of your radio is not sufficient for the distances you travel
from the coast, consider a higher powered handheld or installing a Cobra Marine fixed
mount radio with up to 25 watts of output power. (Visit www.cobra.com or your local
dealer for model availability.)
If traveling far offshore, you should consider adding even 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 mobile telephone, only the party you call will be able to hear you.
Additionally, mobile telephones may have limited coverage over water and can be
hard to locate. If you do not know where you are, the Coast Guard will have difficulty
finding you if you are using a mobile 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, and Southern California,
as well as in select inland regions. 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 automatic 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 radios to Channel 24, 25,
26, 27 or 28, depending on the region, key the mic, and ask for a radio check. The
Automated Radio Check system responds to each radio check with an automated
reply, and also replays to the boater’s original radio transmission, allowing him or her
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, owners
should visit http://www.seatow.com/arc. The web page links to an instructional video
demonstrating how to use the service step by step.
FCC Licensing Information
•
CobraMarine VHF radios comply with the FCC (Federal Communications Commission)
requirements that regulate the Maritime Radio Service.
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 button.
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 an 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 from the
Internet at www.fcc.gov. 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.
Radio Call Sign
Currently, the FCC does not require recreational boaters to have a license. The United
States Coast Guard recommends that the boat’s registration number and state of registry
(e.g., IL 1234 AB) be used as a call sign and be clearly visible on the vessel.
Introduction
NOTICE
Your radio is waterproof only when the batteries are properly installed.
AVOID using or storing the radio at temperatures below -4˚F (-20˚C)
or above 140˚F (60˚C).
KEEP your radio at least 3 ft (0.9 m) away from your vessel’s magnetic
navigation compass.
DO NOT attempt to service any internal parts yourself. Have any necessary
service performed by a qualified technician.
This radio is supplied with NiMH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) rechargeable batteries.
n
Use only the Cobra power cord to recharge NiMH batteries in the radio.
n
Do not short circuit the batteries.
n
When replacing the batteries, dispose of the old batteries properly. The NiMH
batteries may explode if disposed of in a fire.
n
Do not attempt to operate your radio while recharging the batteries.
Changes or modifications to your radio MAY VOID its compliance with FCC (Federal
Communications Commission) rules and make it illegal to use.
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