Help a Newby

[prv]

A single press ( maybe held briefly) on the 3, 4, 5, and 9 buttons will take you to the alternative function because there are no channels beginning with those numbers . Only 0, 1 2, 6, 7, and 8 are the first digits of channel numbers.

Ooh, good spot. That's clever, and explains why it's those particular numbers that have secondary functions. So no shift key needed, just press the button :encouragement:

I'll go with the suggestion of speaker mute for the number 3 button. Would be used when there's a remote cockpit speaker installed, so that people in the cabin can get some peace.

Pete

 

[William_H]

Re "Ships licence" here in Oz the licencing authorities ina fit of good sense issued a "Class Licence" for all small pleasure boats. It means that I have a licence for my VHF radio as requied by international convention but I share the licence with all small boat owners. Or in practical terms I don't need a ships licence. I do need an operators certicicate coming after training and examination.
I like the fact on OP's radio that he can select the channel number by key pad. My very simple cheap old VHF goes striaght to ch 16 when turned on. I then have to toggle with the up key to get to ch 77 the one I use for club racing frequency. No memory.
One trap with more modern sophisticated VHF made in Asia for world markets (like Icom) is that they can be set up for USA or international channels. This means that some duplex channels are different in USA and some like our ch 77 are restricted to low power. You really need the manual to get the radio to switch to the correct (International) channels. Inadvertently push 2 buttons at onec and it can change from Int. to USA only indicated by a tiny logo on the screen. So I am sure OP can get his new radio working usefully. Still a manual might be useful for tiny nuances. good luck olewill

 

[prv]

Re "Ships licence" here in Oz the licencing authorities ina fit of good sense issued a "Class Licence" for all small pleasure boats. It means that I have a licence for my VHF radio as requied by international convention but I share the licence with all small boat owners. Or in practical terms I don't need a ships licence. I do need an operators certicicate coming after training and examination.

How do they handle issuing MMSI numbers in that scheme? Or is VHF DSC not really used in Oz, I had heard something like that?

I think on balance I prefer Ofcom's (our radio authority) approach - it's free and instant, but it does mean that there are some details recorded against each station which (in theory at least) the Coastguard can see if a distress alert from that radio comes in. In practice nobody actually polices it, so it's not as if the bureaucracy hinders day to day activities.

Pete

 

[Seajet]

Thank you one and all i is my intention to sit the exams for radio use..... i just felt it would be useful to be able to operate the radio and yes it seems straight forward but there are some operations that are not obvious. and yes it is the model in to above pics only its new and still in its box but no manual.
i do however appreciate you help and advise.

Dave

Dave,

in the meantime before you do your exam please don't hesistate to call on Channel 16 if you have an emergency ( ie sinking, not wotsit stuck in zip ) - most marinas work on Channel 80 and as you trundle up there's a post or something saying ' call on 80 ' - so one slows down ( partly to hear above the engine noise ) and says something like ' Port Solent Port Solent this is - ( insert your boat name ) - Request Visitor's berth - ( length of your boat ) - one night please "

The marina should hopefully respond with something like " Yacht X that is berth B42, Starboard side to "

So you know where to put most of your fenders, but in marinas I put them both sides in case of engine failure or a cock-up on my part !

If off Portsmouth select Channel 11 ' QHM ' - Queen's Harbour Master - which gives a good clue if there's any big ship going in or out, with Dual Watch on 16.