Note: Do not operate the Humminbird VHF radio without a 50 ohm marine band antenna.
Attempting to do so may damage the unit. Humminbird is not responsible for damage caused by operation without an antenna or with an inappropriate antenna.
Setting Up for Communications
To begin operating your Humminbird VHF radio, follow the steps below:
1.Turn the VOLUME ON/OFF knob to the tight to turn power on. The LCD screen indicates that Channel 16 (USA) is selected.
2.Turn the SQUELCH knob all the way to the left, and adjust the VOLUME ON/OFF knob until the desired volume level is reached.
3.Turn the SQUELCH knob to the right just until the background noise disappears. This is the optimum point for receiving signals with a minimum of background noise.
The radio remains silent at this point until a signal is received.
4.If you need to communicate in the International frequency band (for use 14 miles or more outside the U. S. coastline), press the USA/INT button. To communicate in the USA frequency band (in domestic waters or within 14 miles of the U. S. coastline), skip this step- USA is protected when the radio is powered up.
5.If you are in port, press the HI/LO button to set the radio for
You can now proceed with any of the operation described in the following pages. Note that you should typically have the VHF radio ready to receive on Channel 16, either by leaving it set to Channel 16 when idle or by using the dual watch function as described on the following page. Channel 16 is the only channel used for establishing calls from marine VHF radios.
Note: Some channels have specific functions assigned to them. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the “Table of Marine Channels” that appears later in this manual before transmitting on any channel.
Receiving Weather Transmissions
To receive weather transmissions with your VHF radio, press the WX button to select the Weather frequency band. Rotate the CHANNEL knob left or right until the desired channel number appears on the LCD screen.
To leave the weather band, press the WX button to select the Weather frequency band. Rotate the CHANNEL knob left or right until the desired channel number appears on the LCD screen.
To leave the Weather band, press the WX button again. You are returned to the last channel you selected before switching to Weather.
Using Dual Watch
When you are receiving on another channel, use the VHF radio’s dual watch function to monitor Channel 16 for emergency calls.