West Marine VHF50 manual Troubleshooting Guide

Page 13

19. Troubleshooting Guide

Symptom:

The radio does not respond to key presses. The channel cannot be

 

changed.

Probable Cause:

Key Lock is on.

Remedy:

Press the I key (on the left side of the case, below the PTT key) for

 

three seconds to unlock the key pad.

Symptom:

 

You have arranged to communicate with another VHF radio user on a

 

specific channel, and you can’t hear them.

Probable Cause:

You and the other user are on different Country Codes.

Remedy:

Make sure that you are both using the same Country Mode (USA,

 

International, or Canadian). Several channels have the same numeric

 

designation, but are either on different frequencies or the channels are

 

used for different purposes. Channel 16, the Distress, Safety, and

 

Calling channel, is the same on all three bands.

Symptom:

 

You cannot change the transmit power setting.

Probable Cause:

You are on a channel which is limited to 1 watt transmit power (e.g. Ch.

 

13) or you are on a “receive only” channel (e.g. WX ).

Remedy:

Change to an unrestricted TX/RX channel.

Symptom:

 

The SCAN key does not start the scan function.

Probable Cause 1:

No channels or one channel are in the SCAN memory.

Remedy 1:

Use the MEM key to enter desired channels into the SCAN memory.

Probable Cause 2:

Squelch is not adjusted correctly.

Remedy 2:

Adjust the squelch to the point that background noise just disappears.

Symptom:

 

Radio just does not seem to be operating correctly.

Probable Cause:

The radio has become “confused” by an unusual pattern of key presses.

Remedy:

Turn off the radio. Hold down the WX/DW key while turning the radio

 

on. This process will reset the radio to the original factory settings.

Symptom:

 

Radio will not power up.

Probable Cause:

The battery is exhausted.

Remedy:

Recharge the battery pack.

Symptom:

 

You can hear transmissions, but the other radio cannot hear you.

Probable Cause:

The transmit power is set to low.

Remedy:

Use the H/L key to select a higher transmit power setting.

West Marine VHF50 Radio Owner’s Manual

13

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Contents VHF50 VHF Radio Welcome ServiceRadio Licenses LCD Description Adjusting the VolumeTurning the Radio On Squelch Control Receive ModeChanging Channels Changing Between USA, International, and Canadian Modes Selecting the Transmit Power Transmitting a SignalRestricted Channels Listening to the Weather Battery Level and Low Battery DisplaysChannel 16/9 Key Dual Watch ModeScanning Channels Scan ModeAdding and removing chan- nels from memory Blinking Keypad Lock Auto Back-LightBattery Options for the VHF50 Restoring Factory SettingsMaintenance Factory SettingsTroubleshooting Guide USA Mode Frequency Chart Rx Freq Tx Freq Status Name Full Name International Mode Frequency ChartCanadian Mode Frequency Chart Accessories WX Frequency ChartPage Page Three-Year Limited Warranty