Transmitting a Signal, Restricted Channels

Fig. 6a: TX indicator

Blinking

Fig. 6b: Receive-Only Channel Display

Fig. 7a: Hi Transmit Power Display

Fig. 7b: Lo Transmit Power Display

7. Transmitting a Signal

To transmit a signal, press the Push-To- Talk (PTT) key on the side of the radio. While transmitting, the TX indicator will appear (Fig. 6a). When the PTT key is released, the radio will return to Receive Mode.

•You cannot transmit on receive-only channels like the Weather Channels or Channels 15 and 70. If you try, an error tone will sound, the Channel Number and TX indicators will blink three times, and then go back to the normal display (Fig. 6b).

•If the PTT key is pressed when the battery condition is low, one last transmission will be allowed, then an error tone will sound with BAT LO displayed. No further transmission will be allowed.

8.Selecting the Transmit Power

To change the transmit power, press and hold the H/L key for over two seconds (Fig. 7a, 7b).

Restricted Channels

Certain channels are limited by law to 1 watt transmit power (USA Mode Channel 12, 17, 67, 77; INT Mode Channel 15, 17, CAN Mode Channel 12, 15, 17, 20, 66, 77). These channels will always transmit on low (1 watt) power.

•You cannot change the transmit power setting on receive-only chan- nels (all weather channels, USA Mode Channel 15, 70, INT Mode Channel 70, CAN Mode Channel 70)

•If you press the H/L key while scan- ning or while on a receive-only chan- nel, the error tone will sound and the transmit power setting will not change.

6	West Marine VHF50 Radio Owner’s Manual