Getting Started, About VHF Radio | Standard Horizon Matrix GX3000E

5 GETTING STARTED

5.1 ABOUT VHF RADIO

The radio frequencies used in the VHF marine band lie between 156 and 158 MHz with some shore stations available between 161 and 163 MHz. The ma- rine VHF band provides communications over distances that are essentially “line of sight” (VHF signals do not travel well through objects such as buildings, hills or trees). Actual transmission range depends much more on antenna type, gain and height than on the power output of the transmitter. On a fixed mount 25W radio transmission expected distances can be greater than 25 km.

5.2 SELECTING AN ANTENNA

Marine antennas are made to radiate signals equally in all horizontal directions, but not straight up. The objective of a marine antenna is to enhance the signal toward the horizon. The degree to which this is accomplished is called the antenna’s gain. It is measured in decibels (dB) and is one of the major factors in choosing an antenna. In terms of effective radiated power (ERP), antennas are rated on the basis of how much gain they have over a theoretical antenna with zero gain. A 1 m, 3dB gain antenna represents twice as much gain over the imaginary antenna.

Typically a 1 m 3dB gain stainless steel whip is used on a sailboat mast. The longer 2.5 m 6dB fibreglass whip is primarily used on power boats that require the additional gain.

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Standard Horizon Matrix GX3000E owner manual Getting Started, About VHF Radio, Selecting AN Antenna

Contents

Matrix GX3000E Watt VHF/FM ITU Class D DSC Marine Transceiver Table of Contents Appendix General Information Packing ListOptions Installation Note Getting Started About VHF RadioSelecting AN Antenna Coaxial Cable Mounting the Radio InstallationLocation Desktop Mounting Overhead Mounting MMB-84 Flush Mount Installation Optional MMB-84 Flush Mount Bracket Electrical Connections Reverse polarity connections will damage the radio Accessory Cable Wire Color/Description Connection Examples Checking GPS Connections Changing the GPS Time Changing the Time Location Local Changing COG to True or Magnetic Receiver Audio Tone Control GX3000E RAM+ mic procedure Remote Mic or External Speaker Selection Controls and Indicators Basic Operation Power Switch / Volume Control VOL/PWR WX Key PA/FOG Key Distress Key Accessory Connection Cable PTT Push-To-Talk Switch 16/9 Key Memo Reception Transmit Time OUT Timer TOTBasic Operation Transmission Noaa Weather Channels INTERNATIONAL, USA, and Canada ModeSIMPLEX/DUPLEX Channel USE Noaa Weather Alert Noaa Weather Alert Testing Emergency Channel 16 USE Calling Another Vessel Channel 16 or Making Telephone Calls Operating on Channels 13 Dual Watch to Priority Channel Scanning Selecting the Scan TypeMemory Scanning M-SCAN Priority Scanning P-SCAN Operating the PA Hail mode Operating the FOG Horn mode13 PA/FOG Operation Navigation Indication Intercom Operation Communication Calling Voice Scrambler Digital Selective Calling Maritime Mobile Service Identity MmsiWhat is an MMSI? General Programming the Mmsi DSC Distress Alert Transmitting a DSC Distress Alert Transmitting a DSC Distress Alert with Nature of Distress Receiving a DSC Distress Alert Distress Relay ALL Ships Call Transmitting an All Ships Call Receiving an All Ships Call Setting up the Individual / Position Call Directory Individual Call Setting up Individual Reply Setting up the Individual/Group Call Ringer Transmitting an Individual Call Pre-Programmable Calling Manual Calling Call Waiting Directory Receiving an Individual Call To Delete the Received Log from the DSC Log Directory Setting up a Group Call Group Call Transmitting a Group Call Manual Calling Receiving a Group Call Setting up Position Reply Position Request Transmitting a Position Request to Another Vessel Pre-Programmable Request Manual Request Receiving a Position Request Automatically reply Setting up a Position Send Ringer Position SendTransmitting a DSC Position Send Call Receiving a DSC Position Send Call DSC Transmission Test Manual Inputting GPS Location LAT/LON Radio Setup Lamp AdjustingLCD Contrast Time Offset Time Location True Magnetic Change NAV display Priority Channel SET Scan Type Scan Resume Time KEY Beep ON/OFF WX Alert Channel Name Change Naming the Radio or Second Station MIC or Handset Flybridge FOG Alert Tone Frequency Squelch Control SQL Activates the squelch adjusting mode Enhanced RAM+ MIC Operation11.1 RAM+ MIC Controls Power Switch PWR PTT Push-To-TalkSWITCH Activates transmission KEY Distress KEY 11.2 PA/FOG Operation Operating the PA / HailerOperating the FOG Horn Press and hold the Dwic key while in Radio mode Manual Inputting of the GPS Location LAT/LON 11.5 DSC/RADIO Setup Mode Changing GPS Information to Vessel Position or COG 12.1 VH-310 Handset Controls PTT Push-To-Talk Switch Activates transmission12 VH-310 Handset Operation PWR key Secondary use Keypad 1DIM key Secondary use 12.2 PA/FOG Operation Intercom Operation Manual Inputting of the GPS Location LAT/LON 12.5 DSC/RADIO Setup Mode Radio SETUP-menu DSC SETUP-menu External Speaker AF Selection FOG Horn Timing Chart Type Pattern Usage Maintenance Replacement PartsFactory Service Troubleshooting Chart Symptom Probable Cause Remedy Channel Assignments VHF Marine Channel Chart Channel USE VHF Marine Channel Chart 157.075 Government Only Environmental protection operations Specifications General Declaration of Conformity Vertex Standard