INSTRUCTION MANUAL iM304 VHF MARINE TRANSCEIVER FOREWORD MARINE TRANSCEIVER IMPORTANT READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS carefully and completely before using the transceiver. Thank you for purchasing this Icom radio. The IC-M304 VHF is designed and built with Icom's state of the art technology and craftsmanship. With proper care, this radio should provide you with years of trouble-free operation. We hope you agree with Icom's philosophy of "technology first." Many hours of research and development went into the design of your IC-M304. SAVE THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL -- This instruction manual contains important operating instructions for the IC-M304. EXPLICIT DEFINITIONS DEFINITION Personal injury, fire hazard or electric shock R WARNING! may occur. CAUTION NOTE Equipment damage may occur. Recommended for optimum use. No risk of personal injury, fire or electric shock. WORD D FEATURES Large 2-digit Channel with scrolling comment New Force5Audio speaker Built-in DSC meets RTCM SC101 requirement Submersible construction Favorite channel function AquaQuake water draining function Icom, Icom Inc. and the logo are registered trademarks of Icom Incorporated (Japan) in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Russia and/or other countries. FORCE5AUDIO logo is a registered trademark of Icom Incorporated (Japan) in the United States. CLEAN THE TRANSCEIVER AND MICROPHONE THOROUGHLY WITH FRESH WATER after exposure to water including salt water, otherwise, the keys and switches may become inoperable due to salt crystallization. i IN CASE OF EMERGENCY If your vessel requires assistance, contact other vessels and the Coast Guard by sending a distress call on Channel 16. NOTE A WARNING STICKER is supplied with the transceiver. To comply with FCC regulations, this sticker must be affixed in such a location as to be readily seen from the operating controls of the radio as in the diagram below. Make sure the chosen location is clean and dry before applying the sticker. (p. 32) EXAMPLE USING CHANNEL 16 DISTRESS CALL PROCEDURE 1. "MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY." 2. "THIS IS ..............." (name of vessel) 3. Your call sign or other indication of the vessel (AND 9digit DSC ID if you have one). 4. "LOCATED AT ..............." (your position) 5. The nature of the distress and assistance required. 6. Any other information which might facilitate the rescue. Or, transmit your distress call using digital selective calling on Channel 70. WARNING STICKER USING DIGITAL SELECTIVE CALLING (Ch 70) DISTRESS CALL PROCEDURE 1. While opening the key cover, push and hold [DISTRESS] for 5 sec. until you hear 5 short beeps change to one long beep. 2. Wait for an acknowledgment from a coast station. · Channel 16 is automatically selected. 3. Push and hold [PTT], then transmit the appropriate information as listed above. ii RADIO OPERATOR WARNING Icom requires the radio operator to meet the FCC Requirements for Radio Frequency Exposure. An omnidirectional antenna with gain not greater than 9 dBi must be mounted a minimum W ARN ING of 5 meters (measured from the lowest point of the antenna) vertically above the main deck and all possible personnel. This is the minimum safe separation distance estimated to meet all RF exposure compliance requirements. This 5 meter distance is based on the FCC Safe Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) distance of 3 meters added to the height of an adult (2 meters) and is appropriate for all vessels. For watercraft without suitable structures, the antenna must be mounted so as to maintain a minimum of 1 meter vertically between the antenna, (measured from the lowest point of the antenna), to the heads of all persons AND all persons must stay outside of the 3 meter MPE radius. Do not transmit with radio and antenna when persons are within the MPE radius of the antenna, unless such persons (such as driver or radio operator) are shielded from antenna field by a grounded metallic barrier. The MPE Radius is the minimum distance from the antenna axis that person should maintain in order to avoid RF exposure higher than the allowable MPE level set by FCC. iii FAILURE TO OBSERVE THESE LIMITS MAY ALLOW THOSE WITHIN THE MPE RADIUS TO EXPERIENCE RF RADIATION ABSORPTION WHICH EXCEEDS THE FCC MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE (MPE) LIMIT. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE RADIO OPERATOR TO ENSURE THAT THE MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE LIMITS ARE OBSERVED AT ALL TIMES DURING RADIO TRANSMISSION. THE RADIO OPERATOR IS TO ENSURE THAT NO BYSTANDERS COME WITHIN THE RADIUS OF THE MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE LIMITS. Determining MPE Radius THE MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE (MPE) RADIUS HAS BEEN ESTIMATED TO BE A RADIUS OF ABOUT 3M PER OET BULLETIN 65 OF THE FCC. THIS ESTIMATE IS MADE ASSUMING THE MAXIMUM POWER OF THE RADIO AND ANTENNAS WITH A MAXIMUM GAIN OF 9dBi ARE USED FOR A SHIP MOUNTED SYSTEM. TABLE OF CONTENTS FOREWORD ..................................................................... i IMPORTANT ..................................................................... i EXPLICIT DEFINITIONS ...................................................... i IN CASE OF EMERGENCY................................................... ii NOTE .............................................................................. ii RADIO OPERATOR WARNING ............................................. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ...................................................... iv PRECAUTIONS .................................................................. v 1 OPERATING RULES ...................................................... 1 2 PANEL DESCRIPTION ................................................ 2­4 I Front panel ............................................................... 2 I Microphone ............................................................... 3 I Function display ......................................................... 4 3 BASIC OPERATION ................................................... 5­9 I Channel selection ...................................................... 5 I Receiving and transmitting ............................................. 7 I Call channel programming ............................................. 8 I Channel comments ...................................................... 8 I Microphone lock function ............................................. 9 I Display backlighting...................................................... 9 I AquaQuake water draining function ................................. 9 4 SCAN OPERATION ................................................ 10­11 I Scan types ............................................................... 10 I Setting TAG channels ................................................ 11 I Starting a scan ......................................................... 11 5 DUALWATCH/TRI-WATCH ............................................. 12 I Description ............................................................... 12 I Operation ............................................................... 12 6 DSC OPERATION ................................................... 13­27 I MMSI code programming ............................................. 13 I MMSI code check ...................................................... 13 I DSC address ID ......................................................... 14 I Position indication ...................................................... 15 I Distress call ............................................................ 16 I Transmitting DSC calls ................................................ 17 I Receiving DSC calls ................................................... 24 7 SET MODE ............................................................ 28­30 I Set mode programming ............................................. 28 I Set mode items ......................................................... 29 8 CONNECTIONS AND MAINTENANCE ........................ 31­34 I Connections ............................................................ 31 I Supplied accessories ................................................ 32 I Antenna .................................................................. 32 I Fuse replacement ...................................................... 32 I Cleaning .................................................................. 32 I Mounting the transceiver ............................................. 33 I Optional MB-92 attachment .......................................... 33 I Optional MB-69 installation .......................................... 34 9 TROUBLESHOOTING ................................................... 35 10 CHANNEL LIST............................................................ 36 11 SPECIFICATIONS AND OPTIONS ........................... 37­38 I Specifications ............................................................ 37 I Options .................................................................. 38 12 TEMPLATE ............................................................... 39 iv PRECAUTIONS RWARNING! NEVER connect the transceiver to an AC outlet. This may pose a fire hazard or result in an electric shock. BE CAREFUL! The transceiver rear panel will become hot when operating continuously for long periods. Place the transceiver in a secure place to avoid inadvertent use by children. CAUTION: Changes or modifications to this device, not expressly approved by Icom Inc., could void your authority to operate this device under FCC regulations. BE CAREFUL! The transceiver (except cables) and hand microphone employ waterproof construction, which corresponds to IPX7 of the international standard IEC 60529 (2001). However, once the transceiver has been dropped, waterproofing cannot be guaranteed due to the fact that the case may be cracked, or the waterproof seal damaged, etc. NEVER connect the transceiver to a power source of more than 16 V DC or use reverse polarity. This will ruin the transceiver. NEVER cut the DC power cable between the DC plug and fuse holder. If an incorrect connection is made after cutting, the transceiver may be damaged. NEVER place the transceiver where normal operation of the vessel may be hindered or where it could cause bodily injury. KEEP the transceiver at least 3.3 ft (1 m) away from the ship's navigation compass. DO NOT use or place the transceiver in areas with temperatures below ­4°F (­20°C) or above +140°F (+60°C) or, in areas subject to direct sunlight, such as the dashboard. AVOID the use of chemical agents such as benzine or alcohol when cleaning, as they may damage the transceiver surfaces. v OPERATING RULES D PRIORITIES · Read all rules and regulations pertaining to priorities and keep an up-to-date copy handy. Safety and distress calls take priority over all others. · You must monitor Channel 16 when you are not operating on another channel. · False or fraudulent distress signals are prohibited and punishable by law. 1 1 (2) OPERATOR'S LICENSE A Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit is the license most often held by small vessel radio operators when a radio is not required for safety purposes. The Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit must be posted or kept with the operator. Only a licensed radio operator may operate a transceiver. However, non-licensed individuals may talk over a transceiver if a licensed operator starts, supervises, ends the call and makes the necessary log entries. Keep a copy of the current government rules and regulations handy. D PRIVACY · Information overheard but not intended for you cannot lawfully be used in any way. · Indecent or profane language is prohibited. D RADIO LICENSES (1) SHIP STATION LICENSE You must have a current radio station license before using the transceiver. It is unlawful to operate a ship station which is not licensed. Inquire through your dealer or the appropriate government agency for a Ship-Radiotelephone license application. This government-issued license states the call sign which is your craft's identification for radio purposes. Radio license for boaters (U.S.A. only) The Telecommunications Act of 1996 permits recreational boaters to have and use a VHF marine radio, EPIRB, and marine radar without having an FCC ship station license. Boaters traveling on international voyages, having an HF single sideband radiotelephone or marine satellite terminal, or required to carry a marine radio under any other regulation must still carry an FCC ship station license. For further information, see the FCC Ship Radio Stations Fact Sheet. 1 2 Speaker PANEL DESCRIPTION I Front panel q Function display (p. 4) w w POWER/VOLUME CONTROL [VOL] (p. 7) Rotate to turn the transceiver power ON and OFF and adjusts the audio level. e SQUELCH CONTROL [SQL] (p. 7) Rotate to set the squelch threshold level. r CHANNEL 16/CALL CHANNEL KEY [!6·9] Push to select Channel 16. (p. 5) Push and hold for 1 sec. to select call channel. (p. 5) · "CALL" appears when the call chan ...