Fig. 2: Busy Indicator
Fig. 3 Squelch Display
Fig. 4 Channel Display
3. Receive Mode
When the radio is receiving a signal, the BUSY indicator will be displayed (Fig. 2). This indicates that you should not trans- mit until the BUSY indicator is no longer displayed.
4. Squelch Control
The Squelch Control reduces the static and noise heard on the radio, but allows strong signals to be heard clearly. To adjust the squelch setting, press the SQL/HL key briefly. The radio’s display will show SQL (Fig. 3). Press the ▲ or ▼ keys to increase or decrease the squelch level bar. Three seconds after the last key stroke, the Squelch Display will show the squelch. The radio will automatically return to Channel Selection Mode. If the VOL key is pressed and released when in Squelch Control Mode, the radio will return to Channel Selection Mode.
•Higher settings allow only strong sig- nals to be heard.
•Lower settings allow weak signals to be heard, and possibly static.
•Generally, the squelch control should be set for the lowest setting that elim- inates unwanted static.
•The lowest setting allows all signals to be heard.
5. Changing Channels
To change channels, press the ▲ or ▼ keys.
•If the ▲ or ▼ keys are pressed for more than one second, the channel will change rapidly.
•The radio displays the channel num- ber, memory status (MEM) and TX power status of the channel as you change the channels (Fig. 4).
4 | West Marine VHF50 Radio Owner’s Manual |