User manual RAYMARINE RAY54 VHF RADIO

[. . . ] Ray54 Marine VHF Radio Owner's Handbook Document number: 81231-2 Date: July 2004 iii About this Handbook Introduction This handbook describes the Ray54 fixed VHF marine radio. The Ray54 provides two-way communications on all US, Canadian and International marine channels and weather watch on ten weather channels. The Ray54 includes equipment for Class "D" Digital Selective Calling (DSC). Conventions Used Throughout this handbook, the dedicated (labelled) keys are shown in bold capitals (for example: SCAN/SAVE). The LCD indicators and functions are shown in normal capitals (for example: TX). Operating procedures, which may consist of a single key-press or a sequence of numbered steps, are indicated by an arrow icon shown in the margin. Technical Accuracy To the best of our knowledge, the information in this handbook was correct as it went to press. [. . . ] Otherwise, your Raymarine dealer can program or change the number for you. The Ray54 includes a separate dedicated receiver just for DSC communications on channel 70. When a DSC call is received, the Ray54 automatically responds based on the type of call. When receiving a DSC call from another vessel or a coast station, an alert sounds and DSC data appears in the LCD ­ such as time of a call, the caller and the type and priority of a call. The Ray54 can make the following type of DSC calls: · INDIVIDUAL (routine) Calls are made to a specific station identified by its MMSI number. · GROUP (routine) Calls send transmissions that are only received by radios that share a common Group MMSI number. · ALL SHIPS Calls send out a message to all vessels within range. URGENCY when the assistance is required but the situation is not serious enough for a Distress Call · DISTRESS Calls send your vessel's position and time information to other ships and shore stations, along with (optionally) the nature of your Distress situation. · POSITION REQUEST calls enable you to request GPS position information from any station for which an MMSI number is known. You can also send out your position to others. 32 Ray54 VHF Radio 5. 1 DSC Call Function DSC Call Mode is used to initiate DSC Individual, Group, All Ships, Distress and Position Request calls and to access the DSC Call Logs and Phonebook. The channel remains unchanged and you can perform normal TX operation. Press and release the CALL/MENU key while in normal operation mode to enter DSC Call Mode. Note: Distress calls are made using the DISTRESS key. The Ray54's DSC Call type and structure are as follows: DSC Call Type Description INDIVIDUAL GROUP Makes a ROUTINE DSC call to a specific station identified by its MMSI number. Sends transmissions that are only received by radios that share a common Group MMSI number. Sends out a message to all ships within range that you need assistance but the situation is not serious enough for a Distress Call. All Ships calls should only be used if hailing for assistance on channel 16 fails. There are two types of All Ships Calls: SAFETY for advisory alerts and URGENCY for assistance when life is not in immediate danger. Sends out the position and time information from the input NMEA data along with your MMSI number. This digital information lets other ships and shore stations equipped with appropriate DSC equipment know where you are and that you are in a Distress situation. ALL SHIPS DISTRESS Chapter 5: Digital Selective Calling (DSC) 33 DSC Call Type Description POSITION REQUEST This option enables you to request GPS position information from any vessel for which an MMSI number is known. You can specify the target vessel either by selecting it from your MMSI phonebook or by manually entering its MMSI number. A list of all received DSC Call types (except Distress calls) by number and time of call. The log maintains up to 20 calls; the earliest call is stored at the end of the list. [. . . ] Operations are different from that of international operations on that channel. Channel 16 is used for calling other stations or for distress alerting. The letter "B" following a channel number indicates simplex use of the coast station transmit side of an international duplex channel. Channel 70 is used exclusively for Digital Selective Calling (DSC) and is not available for regular voice communications. [. . . ]