< Select Your Region

This guide will give you step-by-step instructions for getting up and running with your new radio, including going over its special features. See the video above for a full run-down of all the features or see below for help with transmitting your first message.


If you have questions about the radio, consult your manual at the link above, or check our Troubleshooting & Support guides.


Initial Setup and Transmitting

  1. Make sure that your radio is fully charged before you begin.
    • You can charge the included AAA batteries using the provided USB-C cable.
    • You can also use your own AAA batteries, either rechargeable or disposable.
    • Do not mix battery brands, or types.
  2. Turn on the radio by pressing and holding the Power key on the front panel for several seconds.
    • If you will not be using the default configuration, hold the VOL & 16+ keys at the same time to select your local country configuration.
    • The radio will power on and the middle channel numbers will be flashing along with the "I" channel map icon also flashing.
    • Press the UP/DOWN arrow keys to select a number that corresponds to your country (see below).
      1. Other
      2. UK
      3. Denmark
      4. Finland/Sweden/Norway
      5. Netherlands
      6. Belgium
      7. Italy
      8. Iceland
      9. Default

        For additional countries not listed in the table above, please contact your local Cobra dealer or distributor for additional programming support.
    • Press the Enter/Setup key to save your selection and return to VHF standby mode and continue following the instructions below.
      • If no action is taken by the user after 10 seconds, the radio will automatically return to VHF standby mode as default.
  3. Choose your channel using the up/down arrow key on the front keypad button cluster.
    • Check your local/regional guidelines for casual use channels.
    • In all channel mappings, channel 16 is the distress and safety channel and should be monitored at all times but only transmitted on if you have a genuine emergency.
    • If you have additional local/regional frequencies you need added to the radio, please contact your Cobra dealer for help in locating regional partners with our programming cables and software.
  4. Toggle broadcast power between High (3 Watts), Medium (1 Watt), or Low (0.5 Watts) by pressing the H-M-L key repeatedly.
  5. Vary your wattage based on how far away the receiving radio will be. Start with the lowest wattage and move your way up to the next higher wattage until you can be heard.
    1. Press the VOL key and use the arrow keys to change the reception volume of the radio.
    2. To transmit your first message:
      • Hold the radio around 2 inches (5cm) from your mouth.
      • Press and hold the Push-to-Talk (PTT) Button (the largest button) on the left side of the radio.
      • Keep the button held while you talk at a normal volume.
      • Release the PTT button when you are done speaking.