Welcome!
Thank you for purchasing the West Marine VHF50. This product was designed and built for boaters to use in the harsh marine environment. With prop- er care this product should provide you with years of
Your satisfaction with this product is backed by the entire West Marine organi- zation worldwide.
Remember:
•Safety and distress calls take priority over all others.
•You must monitor Channel 16 when you are not operating on another channel.
•False or fraudulent distress calls are prohibited under law.
•Information overheard but not intend- ed for you cannot lawfully be used in any way.
•Indecent or profane language is pro- hibited.
Service:
In the event that the radio fails to per- form, or needs servicing, please send directly to our Electronics Repair Center in Hollister, CA. Be sure to include your return mailing information and a detailed accounting of the problems experienced and/or the service requested.
West Marine
Electronics Repair Center 2395 Bert Court Hollister, CA 95023 repair@westmarine.com
Radio Licenses:
1. Ship Station License
An FCC ship station license is no longer required for any vessel traveling in US waters which uses a VHF marine radio, RADAR, EPIRB, and which is not required to carry radio equipment. A license is necessary however for a DSC MMSI number, or for any vessel required to carry a marine radio on an international voyage, carrying a HF single side band radiotelephone or marine satellite termi- nal. For more information, see the FCC’s Fact Sheet PR 5000 #14. FCC license forms, including applications for ship
(506)and land station licenses can be downloaded via the Internet at www.fcc.gov/forms. To obtain a form from the FCC, call (888)
2. Radio Call Sign
Currently the FCC does not require recre- ational boaters to have a Ship Radio Station License. The USCG recommends that the boat’s registration number and the state to be used.
3.Canadian Ship Station Licensing
You do not need a license if your vessel is not operated in sovereign waters of a country other than Canada or the USA. If you do need a license, contact their near- est field office or regional office or write:
Industry Canada
Radio Regulatory Branch
Attn: DOSP
300 Slater Street
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada, K1A OCA
2 | West Marine VHF50 Radio Owner’s Manual |
