West Marine VHF580 Making a voice Mayday call, Setting the volume, Setting the squelch level

Page 17

Making a voice MAYDAY call

(see inside front cover)

Setting the volume

Turn the volume knob clockwise to increase the speaker volume; turn it counter-clockwise to decrease the volume.

Setting the squelch level

The squelch feature reduces the level of static on the speaker by filtering out the background channel noise. At the lowest squelch level, the speaker plays all radio signals, including any noise on the channel. Setting the squelch level higher filters out channel noise and lets only actual radio transmissions through.

Strong signals

Weak signals
Noise
No	Medium	High
Squelch	Squelch	Squelch

While listening to a channel, adjust the SQUELCH knob until the noise is filtered out and you can only hear the transmission. If you switch to a channel with a lot of noise or with a weak transmission, you may need to adjust the squelch level again.

##NOTE: Setting the squelch level too high may prevent you from hearing weaker transmissions. If you are having difficulty hearing a transmission, try setting the squelch level lower.

Changing the channel

Press CHANNEL UP and CHANNEL DOWN briefly to scroll through the channels one channel at a time. Press and hold CHANNEL UP or CHANNEL DOWN to quickly scroll through the channels.

Making a transmission

To make a transmission, press and hold the microphone PUSH TO TALK button. Release the PUSH TO TALK button when you’re finished talking to let the other party respond.

xx To prevent stuck microphone problems or situations where PUSH TO TALK is pushed

accidentally, the radio limits your talk time to 5 minutes in a single transmission. If you talk for over 5 minutes continuously, the display shows RELEASE MIC BUTTON.

xx For the best sound quality, hold the microphone about two inches away from your mouth. xx You cannot transmit while the radio is in weather mode or scan mode.

xx See the channel lists beginning on page 41 for a list of receive-only channels.

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Contents DSC Marine Radio Making a Voice Distress Call Making a Distress CallFaire un appel de détresse vocal Faire un appel de détresseCómo hacer una llamada de apuro por voz Cómo hacer una llamada de apuroContents Introduction FeaturesManual overview ConventionsWhat’s included Getting StartedButton Press to Press and hold to Parts of the RadioButton Press to Press and hold Connector/Cable Connects to For details, seeParts of the Microphone Mode What It Does Use It When To Turn it on./off Setting the UIC Channel Mode USA/CAN/INTHow It Works Turning on the RadioWatch Mode What It Does Use It When To Turn it on./off Normal mode operationNormal mode with Weather Alert Watch Using the radio in normal modeNormal mode with Triple and Dual Watch Message Meaning08 10 11 12 13 15 17 Scan modeNormal mode with both Weather Alert and Triple/Dual Watch Scan mode with Weather Alert Watch Using the radio in scan modeScan mode with Triple and Dual Watch Scan mode with both Weather Alert and Triple/Dual WatchWeather mode with Weather Alert Watch Weather modeUsing the radio in weather mode Using Your Radio Using Your RadioSetting the squelch level Setting the volumeMaking a voice Mayday call Changing the channelChoosing Triple Watch or Dual Watch Boosting the transmission powerUsing Fips codes for weather alerts Lamp adjust Setting the GPS position manuallyChanging display and sound options ContrastWhat is DSC? Using Digital Selective Calling DSC FeaturesAdvanced DSC features What is an Mmsi number?Individual or User Mmsi Number Entering Mmsi numbersGroup Mmsi number Using the DirectoryChannel Up Button Channel Down Button Call type What it does When to use itMaking DSC Calls Select Individual Calling a single station Individual CallCalling all stations All-Ships Call Making an automatic distress callCalling a particular group of stations Group Call Receiving a DSC call Canceling an automatic distress callReceive log DSC Call Type Receive Log InformationMaking Test Calls Test Test CallsReturning a call Receiving Test Calls Position Request and ReplyEnabling automatic test call reply Requesting another station’s position POS RequestSending your own position Position Send Receiving a position request Position ReplyEnabling automatic position reply Renaming Channels Disabling automatic channel switchingPutting the radio into standby ENT-1W/25W Mounting the radio Installing the HardwarePower Supply Requirements VHF Antenna Requirements Connecting the radioGround Wire Color Connecting to a GPS receiverGPS Data External Configuring the GPSConnecting to an External Speaker Connecting to a ChartplotterProblem Things to Try Maintenance and TroubleshootingEngine Noise Suppression Transmitter SpecificationsRadio Specifications Channel descriptions and what they mean Reference TablesReceiver Channel name/description Used forCh No RX Freq TX Freq Status Name on display US Marine Channels and FrequenciesCanadian Marine Channels and Frequencies Ch No RX Freq TX Freq Status Name on display International Marine Channels and Frequencies Ch No RX Freq TX Freq Status Name on display Emergency Alert System Same Information Weather Channels and Frequencies US, CAN, and INTCh No RX Freq Name on display Types of eventsFFW WFW No Response Event CodeNmea Input Nmea OperationNmea Output Basic radio guidelines Three Year Limited Warranty Page QUESTIONS?