West Marine VHF580 manual Using Fips codes for weather alerts

Page 19

Using FIPS codes for weather alerts

The US National Weather Service established 6-digit Federal Information Processing System (FIPS) codes to issue weather alerts in specific areas. You can choose which areas you want to hear alerts for by entering these FIPS codes in your radio. This can prevent you from being bothered by events that are far from where you are boating. The radio only sounds the alert tone if an incoming FIPS code matches one of the areas you selected.

xx For more information about how the NWS uses FIPS codes, see the NWS website: www. nws.noaa.gov/nwr/nwsfipschg.htm.

xx To see an index of FIPS codes by state, see the website of the

xx National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): www.itl.nist. gov/fipspubs/co- codes/states.htm.

xx For information on the Canadian implementation of FIPS codes, called Canadian Location Codes, see the website of the Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC): http://www.msc. ec.gc.ca/msb/weatheradio/transmitter/index_e.cfm

##NOTE: If you travel outside the areas you have entered into your radio, you may not hear alerts that affect your new location. Be sure to enter the FIPS codes of all the areas you plan to travel to during this trip.

Follow the steps below to edit the list of FIPS codes. You can store up to 30 different FIPS codes in your radio.

Press and hold -

Setup

Use the up and down arrows

 

 

FIPS Code

16

to adjust each of the six

 

digits in turn.

00000

FIPS Codes

 

 

 

[New]

Back[CLR] Forward[ENT]

1.Display the normal menu and choose the Setup sub-menu.

2.Select FIPS Codes. The screen displays any previously-entered FIPS codes.

3.To add a new FIPS code, select New.

4.Use CHANNEL UP and CHANNEL DOWN to change the first of the six digits; CHANNEL UP increases the number and CHANNEL DOWN decreases it.

5.When the first digit is correct, press ENT-1W/25W. The cursor moves to the next digit. Enter the remaining five digits of the FIPS code in the same way. If you make a mistake while entering a digit, press CLR-SCANto erase the wrong number and moved the cursor to the left digit.

6.When the sixth digit is correct, press ENT-1W/25W. The radio displays the new FIPS code and asks you to confirm. To save this code, select Yes; to cancel this code, select No. The radio returns to the list of FIPS codes.

7.To change an existing FIPS code, select the code you want to change.

8.To delete the FIPS code, select Delete. To edit the code, select Edit, then use CHANNEL UP and CHANNEL DOWN buttons to change each of the six digits.

9.When you are satisfied with the list of FIPS codes, select Exit to close the menu screen.

19

Image 19
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 Conventions FeaturesIntroduction Manual overviewWhat’s included Getting StartedButton Press to Press and hold to Parts of the RadioParts of the Microphone Connector/Cable Connects to For details, seeButton Press to Press and hold Turning on the Radio Setting the UIC Channel Mode USA/CAN/INTMode What It Does Use It When To Turn it on./off How It WorksWatch Mode What It Does Use It When To Turn it on./off Normal mode operationMessage Meaning Using the radio in normal modeNormal mode with Weather Alert Watch Normal mode with Triple and Dual WatchNormal mode with both Weather Alert and Triple/Dual Watch Scan mode08 10 11 12 13 15 17 Scan mode with both Weather Alert and Triple/Dual Watch Using the radio in scan modeScan mode with Weather Alert Watch Scan mode with Triple and Dual WatchUsing the radio in weather mode Weather modeWeather mode with Weather Alert Watch Using Your Radio Using Your RadioChanging the channel Setting the volumeSetting the squelch level Making a voice Mayday callChoosing Triple Watch or Dual Watch Boosting the transmission powerUsing Fips codes for weather alerts Contrast Setting the GPS position manuallyLamp adjust Changing display and sound optionsWhat is an Mmsi number? Using Digital Selective Calling DSC FeaturesWhat is DSC? Advanced DSC featuresIndividual or User Mmsi Number Entering Mmsi numbersGroup Mmsi number Using the DirectoryMaking DSC Calls Call type What it does When to use itChannel Up Button Channel Down Button Select Individual Calling a single station Individual CallCalling a particular group of stations Group Call Making an automatic distress callCalling all stations All-Ships Call DSC Call Type Receive Log Information Canceling an automatic distress callReceiving a DSC call Receive logReturning a call Test CallsMaking Test Calls Test Requesting another station’s position POS Request Position Request and ReplyReceiving Test Calls Enabling automatic test call replyEnabling automatic position reply Receiving a position request Position ReplySending your own position Position Send Putting the radio into standby Disabling automatic channel switchingRenaming Channels 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 Radio Specifications SpecificationsTransmitter Channel name/description Used for Reference TablesChannel descriptions and what they mean ReceiverCh 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 Types of events Weather Channels and Frequencies US, CAN, and INTEmergency Alert System Same Information Ch No RX Freq Name on displayFFW WFW No Response Event CodeNmea Output Nmea OperationNmea Input Basic radio guidelines Three Year Limited Warranty Page QUESTIONS?