West Marine VHF460 How It Works, Reading the display, Menus, Display icons and what they mean

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Reading the display

The LCD display shows different information depending on what you are doing. Not all icons display on every screen. This dummy screen displays many of the possible icons. Not all icons are displayed at the same time. The table below shows possible icons and what they mean.

 

Channel

Weather Alert

Transmit

Current channel

Keylock is

mode

 

 

Watch is on

 

power level

number

active

 

 

 

 

 

 

Speed over

USA

HI

 

 

 

45.7KT

MEM

 

 

Battery

Ground

 

 

 

11:00AM

 

 

 

status

Time

35˚

40.610 N

 

 

A

 

139˚

46.564 E

 

 

GPS data

COMMERCIAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Channel name

This channel is

 

 

 

in Memory

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Display icons and what they mean

 

 

 

 

Icon

What it means

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The keys are locked.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weather Alert Watch is turned on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The battery is fully charged, mostly charged, half charged, mostly empty, or

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

completely empty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BRG

Bearing from boat’s position to destination from Favorite’s list.

 

 

 

 

COG

Current course (Course over Ground). COG displays when Favorite mode or

 

 

 

 

Compass mode is active, or when a DSC distress call is received.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DIST

Distance from boat’s position to destination.

 

LOW / MID / HI

The transmitter power is set to LOW (1W), MID (2.5W), or HI (6W).

 

USA / CAN / INT

Indicates Channel mode: US, CANadian, or INTernational channels.

 

 

 

 

MEM

The current channel is saved in memory.

How It Works

Menus

Various menus let you establish guidelines and parameters for sending and receiving calls. Menus also let you set your radio’s characteristics such as brightness, Code selection, and contrast.

The MENU/CALL button accesses menus that let you set the way your radio operates. The GPS/ENT/H/M/L button lets you set up your GPS features and save GPS locations to a favorites list to use again later.

MENU/CALL Menus

You can set up the radio’s physical displays and operation modes (Normal menu) and how you want to receive and send various types of calls (Call menu), The Call menu provides access to the DSC Setup submenu.

Normal Menu

Press MENU/CALL to display the following Normal menu options:

West Marine VHF460 Radio Owner’s Manual

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Contents VHF460155 Making a Distress Call Faire UN Appel DE Détresse Table of Contents Introduction FeaturesXx Battery level display and low battery alert What’s included Getting StartedParts of the VHF460 Front viewButton Press to Press and hold to Back viewReading the display How It WorksMenus Display icons and what they meanCall Menu DSC Setup MenuMenu Option What it does Menu Option What it does DirectoryMode What it does Use it when you want to To turn it on/off GPS Setup MenuOperation Modes GPS MenusNormal Mode with Triple Watch or Dual Watch Normal Mode with Weather Alert WatchWatch mode What it does To turn it on/off NormalScan Mode with Weather Alert Watch Using the Radio in Scan ModeScan Memory Channel ScanWeather Installing the Battery Setting Up the HardwareUsing Rechargeable Batteries Attaching the AntennaCharging the Battery Setting Up Your RadioInstalling the External Speaker/Mic Turning It OnSetting It Up Operating the Radio What is DSC? Digital Selective Calling FeaturesUsing the Strobe/Flashlight Changing the ChannelAdvanced DSC features Feature Menu Item FunctionMmsi Numbers Entering Mmsi numbers Entering Your User Mmsi NumberEntering a group Mmsi number Entering an individual Mmsi number Using the DirectoryMaking DSC Calls Call type What it does When to use itCalling a single station Individual Call All ships callSelect Individual Making an automatic distress call Calling a particular group of stations Group CallCalling all stations All-Ships Call Receiving a DSC call Canceling an automatic distress callReceive log Select Receive LogReturning a call from the Receive Log Test CallsMaking Test Calls Test DSC Call Type Receive Log InformationSelect DSC Setup and then Test Reply Receiving Test Call SetupAcknowledging Test Call Receipt If Test Reply is set to AutoPosition Request and Reply Select DSC Setup and then Position ReplyEnabling Automatic Position Reply POS RequestDisabling automatic channel switching Putting the radio into standbyPosition Send Select DSC Setup, then Auto CH SW GPS FeaturesGPS Operation Overview Goto MenuNmea Features To input coordinatesTo select a Goto entry Renaming Channels Maintenance and TroubleshootingProblem Things to Try SpecificationsCommon Questions GeneralUS channel frequencies and names Channels and Frequencies MHzTransmitter ReceiverRX Freq TX Freq Status Name US Marine ChannelsCanadian channel frequencies and names Simplex Commercial Ship-ShipCanadian Marine Channels RX Freq TX Freq Status Name RX Freq TX Freq Status Name on display International channel frequencies and names156.5750 Simplex Non commercial Maritime Radio Services Operation Regulations and Safety WarningsWeather channel frequencies and names ChannelFCC/Industry Canada Information Basic Radio GuidelinesLithium Ion Battery Warning What Must I Do To Keep the Warranty in Effect? What Will West Marine Do? Page Boating

VHF460, VHF155 specifications

West Marine VHF155 and VHF460 are two prominent marine VHF radios designed to enhance communication for boaters and ensure safety on the water. These devices come packed with features that cater to both recreational and commercial vessel operators, making them invaluable tools for any maritime adventure.

The West Marine VHF155 is a compact and cost-effective model that provides essential communication capabilities. One of its main features is a built-in DSC (Digital Selective Calling) functionality, which allows users to send distress signals directly to the Coast Guard or nearby vessels with just a push of a button. This feature significantly improves safety, as it can alert others of emergencies without needing to communicate verbally.

The VHF155 offers a user-friendly interface with a large, easy-to-read LCD display, making it simple to navigate through channels and settings. It operates on the international VHF marine band and has access to all US, Canadian, and international channels, ensuring that users can communicate effectively regardless of their location. Additionally, the VHF155 is rated IPX7 for water resistance, meaning it can withstand splashes and brief submersion, providing peace of mind in challenging weather conditions.

On the other hand, the West Marine VHF460 boasts advanced features that appeal to professional mariners and avid boaters alike. It includes an integrated GPS receiver, allowing users to send their position during a distress call accurately. This feature is crucial for ensuring rapid assistance from search and rescue teams. The VHF460 supports both analog and digital communication, offering versatility in transmission methods.

Another notable characteristic of the VHF460 is its powerful built-in speaker, which delivers clear audio even in noisy marine environments. The radio also supports multiple scanning features, including Priority Scan, enabling users to monitor various channels effectively. This ensures that operators never miss important communications while engaged in other tasks on board.

Both models supportNMEA0183, which facilitates interoperability with other marine electronics, allowing for seamless integration with plotters and other navigational devices. The devices are designed for easy installation, with intuitive mounting options and clear instructions.

In summary, West Marine VHF155 and VHF460 marine radios bring crucial communication technology to boaters. Whether prioritizing essential safety features or seeking advanced capabilities, these radios provide reliability, ease of use, and enhanced safety, making them go-to choices for anyone who spends time on the water.