Charge the Battery

Cobra Two-Way Radios come with several types of batteries across the product range. Please consult your manual for additional information about the size and type of battery that your radio requires. See our FRS Battery Guide for more information on battery types.


Before Charging

Check that the batteries are inserted properly in the radio before charging.

  • To verify that the batteries are inserted properly, see your manual for details on properly inserting your batteries or battery packs

  • Radios that use replaceable AA or AAA batteries should only attempt to charge using NiMH batteries. Other battery chemistries should not be charged in your radios

  • PX650 and RX80 radios should only use their official battery packs, using either their charging docks or a compatible Micro-USB cable

  • PX280 radios can only use their included charging dock

Power Requirements

Each radio needs a minimum of 1 Amp of power to charge within the timeframes set out in the manual. Larger power sources can be used safely, as the docks and USB charging ports on the radios will self-regulate the amperage to acceptable levels.

Desktop Charger

Many models offer the option of a drop-in charging dock. For those radios, dock charging offers a convenient way to keep radios charged and accessible.

  1. Connect the charging dock to its power source

  2. Power off your radio(s)

  3. Insert radio(s) into desktop charger


If the charging light is not on, check the position of the radio. The radio should be inserted completely. On most docks, the charge indicator LED on the desktop charger will stay on (Red) as long as the radio is in the charging well, and the LED will either change to Green when the charging is complete, or the LED will turn off entirely.

USB Cable Charging

  1. Connect the Micro-USB cable to a power source.
    • If you are not using the officially included Micro-USB cable, ensure that the cable is properly rated for 1 Amp of power draw. We recommend that you use the official Micro-USB cable that should be included with your radio
  2. Power off your radio(s) before charging
  3. Plug the Micro-USB power cable into the radio's Micro-USB port. See your manual for details on the location of this port. Most are located underneath a rubberized flap on the right side or top of the radio
    • The PX280 does not have a USB Cable charging option


While your radio is charging, the power indicator icon will generally animate in some way, such as showing bars or progression or blinking. Consult your manual for charging time. If the charging indicator is still blinking after a sufficient period of time has passed, removed the radio from the charger and 

Radio Setup and First Use

Follow this guide to get your radio set up for first use after charging and make your first transmission to another radio.


Powering on the Radio

  1. Power on the radio, either using the power button on the front, the top, or the knob for select models. For models with a display, the display should show you your channel. For models without a display, the unit will typically make a chime, chirp, tones, or other audible boot-up indication such as speaking the current channel and privacy code (if any), and an LED will usually illuminate. See your manual for further details about your specific model
  2. Your radio is now in Standby mode and is ready to receive transmissions
    • While it is turned on, the radio is always in Standby mode except when the Talk or functionality buttons are pressed
  3. Models without a display will usually have an LED light that blinks periodically to indicate that they are in standby mode. See your manual for further detail

Battery Save Mode

If there are no transmissions within 10 seconds, the radio will automatically switch to Battery Save mode. This will not affect the radio’s ability to receive incoming transmissions. Radios with range-boosting modes will consume battery life at a faster rate when that feature is enabled. To conserve battery life, only use range-boosting when absolutely necessary.

Select a Channel

The radio has 22 Channels that preset with customized privacy codes, see Channel and Default Privacy Code Table in the manual

  1. During Standby mode (while not actively transmitting) you can change the channel on most models using the up and down arrow keys, or the knob on top. Some models may require you to enter into a special channel-changing mode before these features function to change channels. Consult your manual for further detail
  2. When the desired channel selected, you are ready to transmit your message.

Communicate with Another Radio

To communicate with another radio, ensure that they are within range. For 2-Watt FRS radios, range can be variable, but it can be presumed that if you're within sight of the other radio's antenna, the radios should be able to communicate with one-another provided there are no obstacles (buildings, trees, walls, hills, vehicles, etc.) between the radios that are blocking the radio signal.


Transmitting your Message

  1. Hold the radio upright, with the antenna perpendicular to the ground, straight up and down.
    • Angling the antenna will result in poor range.
  2. Press and hold the Push-To-Talk (PTT) button.
  3. With the microphone about two inches (5 cm) from your mouth, speak in a normal voice.
  4. Release the PTT button when you finished talking and listen for a response.
    You cannot receive incoming calls while pressing the PTT button.


Listening for a Response

  • Release the Push-To-Talk (PTT) button to receive incoming transmissions. Your two-way radio is always in Standby mode while the PTT button is not pressed.

Further Reading