Mikenda
Member
Can someone please let me know where I can obtain a manual for a Shipmate RS 8300 VHF receiver? Just taken over a boat and it is missing.
Shipmate RS 8300
- Thread starter Mikenda
- Start date
pvb
Well-known member
A
Anonymous
Guest
It's available for d/l here:- Simrad 8300 manual I'm in the same situation but mine doesn't have the DSC controller, just a half way house alert sender (don't really understand it) so I've just ordered a new DSC VHF and will keep the 8300 as a backup.
David
David
Mikenda
Member
Thanks for the Download info successfully received
A
Anonymous
Guest
How do I test it?
I've finally got my 8300 working - the original installer (professional) had wired the NMEA incorrectly. As far as I can see from the manual, it sends a distress call on ch 70 in the correct DSC format with lat/long, MMSI and time. The advantage of this over a proper DSC set is that you don't get any DSC incoming alerts, it is just like an ordinary VHF with the ability to send DSC Distress calls. Neat.
However, does anyone know how I should test the Distress function? It isn't a standard DSC controller and there is no obvious test facility or any mention of testing in the manual. Maybe I should just call the coastguard on his working channel as see if they will let me test it?
I've finally got my 8300 working - the original installer (professional) had wired the NMEA incorrectly. As far as I can see from the manual, it sends a distress call on ch 70 in the correct DSC format with lat/long, MMSI and time. The advantage of this over a proper DSC set is that you don't get any DSC incoming alerts, it is just like an ordinary VHF with the ability to send DSC Distress calls. Neat.
However, does anyone know how I should test the Distress function? It isn't a standard DSC controller and there is no obvious test facility or any mention of testing in the manual. Maybe I should just call the coastguard on his working channel as see if they will let me test it?
Wiggo
New member
Re: How do I test it?
I'm confused, as we have the same set. When I spoke to Simrad, they told me I needed a second box and antenna in order to make this work. I presume you have this second (DSC) box. Simrad reckoned it was the thick end of £700, and as it needed its own antenna (just for ch70) I would be better off putting in a second (DSC) radio.
I'd rather have a single, integrated set, but it sounds and reads like the second unit does not give me true DSC, only distress calling. Is this right?
I'm confused, as we have the same set. When I spoke to Simrad, they told me I needed a second box and antenna in order to make this work. I presume you have this second (DSC) box. Simrad reckoned it was the thick end of £700, and as it needed its own antenna (just for ch70) I would be better off putting in a second (DSC) radio.
I'd rather have a single, integrated set, but it sounds and reads like the second unit does not give me true DSC, only distress calling. Is this right?
A
Anonymous
Guest
Re: How do I test it?
No, I only have the standard 8300 and according to the manual (see the download in an earlier posting) it is supposed to work as is, without any extras or an extra antenna. Furthermore, by following the instructions, I have entered my MMSI number and am getting lat and long correctly. I have no reason to doubt that it would send a distress alert if I were to press the 'SOS' button three times at one second intervals, which is what they tell you to do. But then it might not, and I would like to know now rather than when I am in a Distress condition!
Could you confirm whether you are using the manual from the link I posted earlier, or a different manual?
I might put a dummy load on the output and check to see what happens but I'd have to order one which will cost a bit.
No, I only have the standard 8300 and according to the manual (see the download in an earlier posting) it is supposed to work as is, without any extras or an extra antenna. Furthermore, by following the instructions, I have entered my MMSI number and am getting lat and long correctly. I have no reason to doubt that it would send a distress alert if I were to press the 'SOS' button three times at one second intervals, which is what they tell you to do. But then it might not, and I would like to know now rather than when I am in a Distress condition!
Could you confirm whether you are using the manual from the link I posted earlier, or a different manual?
I might put a dummy load on the output and check to see what happens but I'd have to order one which will cost a bit.
Wiggo
New member
Re: How do I test it?
pretty sure I downloaded mine from the same site as you. The info I got was from talking to Simrad direct in the UK, though. I specifically asked them did the set 'as is' have DSC capability, and they said no, I needed the extra box. Now that's not the same as 'will it send a distress signal', of course...
pretty sure I downloaded mine from the same site as you. The info I got was from talking to Simrad direct in the UK, though. I specifically asked them did the set 'as is' have DSC capability, and they said no, I needed the extra box. Now that's not the same as 'will it send a distress signal', of course...
A
Anonymous
Guest
Re: How do I test it?
I'm working on the basis that the manual is the correct one for the equipment (it says that it is for the basic 8300) and it accepts the MMSI and Lat/Long input from the NMEA bus. There is no reason why it should want the MMSI or position information unless it could use it. The manual says that it sends a DSC distress call on ch 70. The real weakness is that it is untestable and could be worse than useless if it doesn't work.
I'm working on the basis that the manual is the correct one for the equipment (it says that it is for the basic 8300) and it accepts the MMSI and Lat/Long input from the NMEA bus. There is no reason why it should want the MMSI or position information unless it could use it. The manual says that it sends a DSC distress call on ch 70. The real weakness is that it is untestable and could be worse than useless if it doesn't work.
Wiggo
New member
Re: How do I test it?
I'd call Simrad in Margate: (01843) 290290. They were very helpful when I spoke to them last.
I'd call Simrad in Margate: (01843) 290290. They were very helpful when I spoke to them last.
jstalpaert
New member
Re: How do I test it?
I have a Shipmate RS8300 on my boat. On page one (Introduction for RS8400, RS8300,...), the manual refers to the "RS8300 SOS version".
I don't have the "SOS version", so there is no SOS key but a blank key instead.
I have a Shipmate RS8300 on my boat. On page one (Introduction for RS8400, RS8300,...), the manual refers to the "RS8300 SOS version".
I don't have the "SOS version", so there is no SOS key but a blank key instead.
A
Anonymous
Guest
Re: How do I test it?
Ah! - Mine has an SOS key. I'll call Simrad next week to ask about testing.
Ah! - Mine has an SOS key. I'll call Simrad next week to ask about testing.
A
Anonymous
Guest
Re: How do I test it?
Thanks, I'll give them a call
David
Thanks, I'll give them a call
David
A
Anonymous
Guest
Re: How do I test it?
Phoned Simrad and the answer is that you cannot test a live transmission on ch 70 but provided the VHF functions correctly on normal telephony then when the SOS button is pressed once, the display should say "Push SOS". This is supposed to prove that the setup is OK and would transmit if you were to send an SOS command (push SOS button once per second three times). I'll have to make up a custom instruction label to fix nearby.
Phoned Simrad and the answer is that you cannot test a live transmission on ch 70 but provided the VHF functions correctly on normal telephony then when the SOS button is pressed once, the display should say "Push SOS". This is supposed to prove that the setup is OK and would transmit if you were to send an SOS command (push SOS button once per second three times). I'll have to make up a custom instruction label to fix nearby.