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Table of contents for the manual
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INSTRUCTION MANUAL iM304 VHF MARINE TRANSCEIVER[...]
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i FOREWORD Thank you for purchasing this Icom radio. The IC-M304 VHF MARINE TRANSCEIVER is designed and built with Icom’s state of the art technology and craftsmanship. With proper care, this radio should provide you with years of trouble-free oper- ation. We hope you agree with Icom’ s philosophy of “technology first.” Many hours of resea[...]
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ii IN CASE OF EMERGENCY If your vessel requires assistance, contact other vessels and the Coast Guard by sending a distress call on Channel 16. Or , transmit your distress call using digital selective calling on Channel 70. NOTE A W ARNING STICKER is supplied with the transceiver . T o comply with FCC regulations, this sticker must be affixed in s[...]
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iii RADIO OPERA T OR W ARNING Icom requires the radio operator to meet the FCC Requirements for Radio Frequency Expo- sure. An omnidirectional antenna with gain not greater than 9 dBi must be mounted a minimum of 5 meters (measured from the lowest point of the antenna) vertically above the main deck and all possible personnel. This is the minimum s[...]
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iv FOREWORD …………………………………………………………… i IMPORT ANT …………………………………………………………… i EXPLICIT DEFINITIONS ……………………………………………… i IN CASE OF EMERGENCY…………………………………………… ii NOTE ……………………?[...]
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v PRECAUTIONS R W ARNING! NEVER connect the transceiver to an AC outlet. This may pose a fire hazard or result in an electric shock. CAUTION: Changes or modifications to this device, not ex- pressly approved by Icom Inc., could void your authority to operate this device under FCC regulations. NEVER connect the transceiver to a power source of more[...]
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1 1 OPERA TING RULES D D PRIORITIES • Read all rules and regulations pertaining to priorities and keep an up-to-date copy handy . Safety and distress calls take priority over all others. • Y ou must monitor Channel 16 when you are not operating on another channel. • False or fraudulent distress signals are prohibited and pun- ishable by law .[...]
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2 P ANEL DESCRIPTION 2 ■ Front panel q CHANNEL UP/DOWN KEYS [ Y Y ]/[ Z Z ]•[U/I/C] ➥ Selects the operating channels, Set mode settings, etc. (pgs. 5, 6, 28) ➥ While pushing and holding [SCAN] , push to adjust the brightness of the LCD and key backlight. (p. 9) ➥ Selects one of three channel groups in sequence when both keys are pushed. ([...]
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3 2 P ANEL DESCRIPTION y SCAN KEY [SCAN•T AG] (p. 1 1) ➥ Push to start or stop the Normal or Priority scan. ➥ Push and hold for 1 sec. to set or clear the displayed channel as a T AG (scanned) channel. • The favorite channels are set by the T AG channel setting. ➥ While pushing and holding [HI/LO] on the microphone, push for 3 sec. to cle[...]
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4 2 P ANEL DESCRIPTION ■ Function display q CHANNEL GROUP INDICA TOR (p. 6) Indicates whether a U.S.A. “ U ,” International “” or Cana- dian “ C ” channel is in use. w CHANNEL NUMBER READOUT ➥ Indicates the selected operating channel number . • Refer to CHANNEL LIST . (p. 36) ➥ In Set mode, indicates the selected condition. (p. [...]
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5 3 BASIC OPERA TION 2 3 ■ Channel selection ï ï Channel 16 Channel 16 is the distress and safety channel. It is used for establishing initial contact with a station and for emergency communications. Channel 16 is monitored during both Dual- watch and T ri-watch. While standing by , you must monitor Channel 16. ➥ Push [ !6 ] momentarily to se[...]
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6 3 BASIC OPERA TION ï ï U.S.A.,Canadian and international channels The IC-M304 is pre-programmed with 59 U.S.A., 59 interna- tional and 63 Canadian channels. These channel groups may be specified for the operating area. q Push [CH/WX] to select a regular channel. • If a weather channel appears, push [CH/WX] again. w Push [U/I/C] (both [ Y ] a[...]
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7 3 BASIC OPERA TION 3 ■ Receiving and transmitting CAUTION: T ransmitting without an antenna will damage the transceiver . q Rotate [VOL] to turn power ON. w Set the audio and squelch levels. ➥ Rotate [SQL] fully counterclockwise in advance. ➥ Rotate [VOL] to adjust the audio output level. ➥ Rotate [SQL] clockwise until the noise disappear[...]
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8 3 BASIC OPERA TION ■ Call channel programming Call channel is used to select Channel 9 (default), however , you can program the call channel with your most often-used channel in each channel group for quick recall. q Push [U/I/C] (both [ Y ] and [ Z ]) on the transceiver several times to select the desired channel group (U.S.A., Interna- tional[...]
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9 3 BASIC OPERA TION 3 ■ Microphone lock function The microphone lock function electrically locks [ Y ] and [ Z ] keys on the supplied microphone. This prevents accidental channel changes and function access. ➥ While pushing and holding [HI/LO] on the microphone, turn power ON to toggle the Microphone lock function ON and OFF . ■ Display back[...]
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10 SCAN OPERA TION 4 ■ Scan types Scanning is an efficient way to locate signals quickly over a wide frequency range. The transceiver has Priority scan and Normal scan. When the Weather alert function is turned ON, the previously selected (last used) weather channel is also checked while scanning. (p. 29) Set the T AG channels (scanned channels)[...]
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11 4 SCAN OPERA TION 4 ■ Setting T AG channels For more efficient scanning, add desired channels as T AG channels or clear the T AG for unwanted channels. Channels that are not tagged will be skipped during scanning. T AG channels can be assigned to each channel group (U.S.A., International and Canada) independently . q Push [U/I/C] (both [ Y ] a[...]
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12 DUAL W A TCH/TRI-W A TCH 5 ■ Description Dualwatch monitors Channel 16 while you are receiving on another channel; T ri-watch monitors Channel 16 and the call channel while receiving another channel. Dualwatch/T ri- watch are convenient for monitor Channel 16 when you are operating on another channel. ■ Operation q Select Dualwatch or T ri-w[...]
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13 6 DSC OPERA TION 5 6 ■ MMSI code programming The 9-digit MMSI (Maritime Mobile Service Identity: DSC self ID) code can be programmed at power ON. This code programming can be performed only twice. q T urn power OFF . w While pushing and holding [DSC] , turn power ON to enter MMSI code programming condition. e After the display appears, release[...]
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14 6 DSC OPERA TION ■ DSC address ID A total of 30 DSC address IDs (9-digit) can be programmed and named with up to 5 characters. D Programming address ID q Push [DSC] to enter the DSC menu. w Push [ Y ] or [ Z ] to select “ ,” and push [DSC] . e Push [ Y ] or [ Z ] to select “ ,” and push [DSC] . r Push [ Y ] or [ Z ] to input 9-digit of[...]
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15 6 DSC OPERA TION 6 D Deleting address ID q Push [DSC] to enter the DSC menu. w Push [ Y ] or [ Z ] to select “ ” and push [DSC] . e Push [ Y ] or [ Z ] to select “ ”, then push [DSC] . • When no address ID is programmed, “ ” is displayed. r Push [ Y ] or [ Z ] to select the desired ID name for deleting and push [DSC] . • “ ” [...]
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16 6 DSC OPERA TION ■ Distress call A Distress call should be transmitted if, in the opinion of the Master , the ship or a person is in distress and requires imme- diate assistance. NEVER USE THE DISTRESS CALL WHEN YOUR SHIP OR A PERSON IS NOT IN AN EMERGENCY . A DISTRESS CALL CAN BE USED ONL Y WHEN IMMEDIA TE HELP IS NEEDED. q Confirm no Distre[...]
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17 6 DSC OPERA TION 6 ■ T ransmitting DSC calls T o ensure correct operation of the DSC function, please make sure you set the squelch correctly . (p. 7) D T ransmitting Individual call The Individual call function allows you to transmit a DSC sig- nal to a specific ship only . q Push [DSC] to enter the DSC menu. • “ ” scrolls at the chann[...]
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18 6 DSC OPERA TION t After transmitting the Individual call, standby on Channel 70 until an acknowledgement is received. • “ ” scrolls at the channel comment indicator . y When the acknowledgement ‘Able to comply’ is received, the specified channel (in step e ) is selected with beeps automatically . Or , when the acknowledgement ‘Unabl[...]
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19 6 DSC OPERA TION 6 r Push [DSC] to enter the standby condition for Individual acknowledgement call. • “ ” appears at the channel comment indicator . t Push [DSC] to transmit the acknowledgement to the se- lected station. y After the Individual acknowledgement has been transmit- ted, the display changes to the channel specified by the calli[...]
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r Push [ Y ] or [ Z ] to select the desired intership channel, and push [DSC] . • Channel 70 is selected and “ ” appears. t Push [DSC] to transmit the Group call. • If Channel 70 is busy , the transceiver stands by until the channel becomes clear . • Routine category only is available. y After the Group call has been transmitted, the disp[...]
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21 6 DSC OPERA TION 6 D T ransmitting All Ships call Large ships use Channel 70 as their ‘listening channel.’ When you want to announce a message to these ships, use the ‘ All Ships call’ function. q Push [DSC] to enter the DSC menu. w Push [ Y ] or [ Z ] to select “ .” e Push [DSC] to enter the standby condition for All Ships call. •[...]
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22 6 DSC OPERA TION D T ransmitting Position Request call T ransmit a Position Request call when you want to know a specified ship’s current position, etc. q Push [DSC] to enter the DSC menu. w Push [ Y ] or [ Z ] to select “ ,” then push [DSC] . e Push [ Y ] or [ Z ] to select the desired pre-programmed in- dividual address. • The ID code[...]
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23 6 DSC OPERA TION 6 D T ransmitting Position Report call T ransmit a Position Report call when you want to announce your own position to a specific ship and to get an answer , etc. q Push [DSC] to enter the DSC menu. w Push [ Y ] or [ Z ] to select “ ,” and push [DSC] . e Push [ Y ] or [ Z ] to select the desired pre-programmed in- dividual [...]
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24 6 DSC OPERA TION ■ Receiving DSC calls D Receiving a Distress call While monitoring Channel 70 and a Distress call is received: ➥ The emergency alarm sounds. • Push any key to stop the alarm. ➥ “ DSC ” appears and “ ” scrolls at the channel comment indicator , then Channel 16 is automatically se- lected. ➥ Continue monitoring C[...]
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25 6 DSC OPERA TION 6 D Receiving an Individual call While monitoring Channel 70 and an Individual call is re- ceived: ➥ The emergency alarm or beeps sound depending on the received category . ➥ “ DSC ” appears and “ ” scrolls at the channel comment indicator . ➥ Push any key to stop beep, then push [DSC] to reply the call and select [...]
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26 6 DSC OPERA TION D Receiving an All Ships call While monitoring Channel 70 and an All Ships call is received: ➥ The emergency alarm sounds when the category is ‘Dis- tress’ or ‘Urgency’; 2 beeps sound for other categories. ➥ “ DSC ” appears and “ ” scrolls at the channel comment indicator . ➥ Push any key to stop beep, then[...]
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27 6 DSC OPERA TION 6 D Receiving a Position Request call While monitoring Channel 70 and a Position Request call is received: ➥ “ DSC ” appears and “ ” scrolls at the chan- nel comment indicator . ➥ Push any key to stop the beep, then push [DSC] to reply to the call; push any other key to ignore the call. D Receiving a Position Report [...]
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28 SET MODE 7 ■ Set mode programming Set mode is used to change the conditions of the trans- ceiver ’s functions: Scan type (Normal or Priority ,) Scan re- sume timer , Weather alert, Dual/T ri-watch, DSC watch, Beep tone, Auto acknowledgement and Favorite channel function. Available functions may dif fer depending on dealer setting. D Set mode[...]
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29 7 SET MODE 7 ■ Set mode items D Scan type The transceiver has 2 scan types: Normal scan and Priority scan. Normal scan searches all T AG channels in the selected channel group. Priority scan searches all T AG channels in se- quence while monitoring Channel 16. D D Scan resume timer The scan resume timer can be selected as a pause (OFF) or time[...]
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30 7 SET MODE D D DSC watch DSC watch monitors Channel 70 while you are receiving an- other channel. If a distress signal is received on Channel 70, the transceiver monitors Channel 16 and 70 alternately until the distress sig- nal disappears. If a signal is received on another channel, DSC watch pauses until the signal disappears. This function ma[...]
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31 8 CONNECTIONS AND MAINTENANCE 7 8 ■ Connections q EXTERNAL SPEAKER LEAD Connects to an external speaker . w GPS RECEIVER LEAD Connects to a GPS receiver for position indication. • An NMEA0183 ver . 2.0 or 3.01 (sentence formatters RMC, GGA, GNS, GLL) compatible GPS receiver is required. Ask your dealer about suitable GPS receivers. e DC POWE[...]
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32 8 CONNECTIONS AND MAINTENANCE ■ Supplied accessories The following accessories are supplied: ■ Antenna A key element in the performance of any communication sys- tem is the antenna. Ask your dealer about antennas and the best place to mount them. ■ Fuse replacement One fuse is installed in the supplied DC power cable. If a fuse blows or th[...]
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33 8 CONNECTIONS AND MAINTENANCE ■ Mounting the transceiver D D Using the supplied mounting bracket The universal mounting bracket supplied with your transceiver allows overhead or dashboard mounting. • Mount the transceiver securely with the 2 supplied screws (5 × 20) to a surface which is more than 10 mm thick and can support more than 5 kg.[...]
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34 8 CONNECTIONS AND MAINTENANCE ■ Optional MB-69 installation An optional MB-69 FLUSH MOUNT is available for mounting the transceiver to a flat surface such as an instrument panel. CAUTION: KEEP the transceiver and microphone at least 1 meter away from your vessel’s magnetic navigation com - pass. q Using the template on p. 39, carefully cut [...]
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35 9 TROUBLESHOOTING PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSE SOLUTION REF . No sound from speaker . • Squelch level is too high. • V olume level is too low . • Speaker has been exposed to water . p. 7 p. 7 p. 9 • Set squelch to the threshold point. • Set [VOL] to a suitable level. • Drain water from the speaker . The transceiver does not turn ON. • Ba[...]
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36 CHANNEL LIST 10 NOTE: Simplex channels, 3, 21, 23, 61, 64, 81, 82 and 83 CANNOT be lawfully used by the general public in U.S.A. waters. * 1 Low power only. * 2 Momentary high power. * 3 DSC operation only. Channel number Frequency (MHz) 03 156.150 160.750 03 03A 156.150 156.150 156.200 160.800 04 02 156.100 160.700 02 04A 156.200 156.200 156.25[...]
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37 11 SPECIFICA TIONS AND OPTIONS 10 11 ■ Speci fi cations ï ï General • Frequency coverage : T ransmit 156.025–157.425 MHz Receive 156.050–163.275 MHz • Mode : FM (16K0G3E) DSC (16K0G2B) • Channel spacing : 25 kHz • Current drain (at 13.8 V) : TX (at 25 W) 5.5 A max. Max. audio 1.5 A max. • Power supply requirement : 13.8 V DC ?[...]
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38 11 SPECIFICA TIONS D D Dimensions ■ Options • MB-69 FLUSH MOUNT KIT For mounting the transceiver to a panel. • MB-92 DUST COVER For attaching to the front panel of the transceiver to protect it when not in use. Unit: mm (inch) 153.0 (6 1 ⁄ 32 ) 67.0 (2 5 ⁄ 8 ) 143.5 (5 21 ⁄ 32 ) 51.0 (2) 42.2 (1 21 ⁄ 32 ) 86.3 (3 13 ⁄ 32 ) 137.0 [...]
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39 12 TEMPLA TE 11 12 Unit: mm (inch) 153.0 (6 1 ⁄ 32 ) 139.0 (5 15 ⁄ 32 ) 67.0 (2 5 ⁄ 8 ) 53.0 (2 3 ⁄ 32 ) Cut here NOTE: The solid line is the line to use when cutting into the dash/helm. The dotted line shows the outline of the IC-M304’s front panel once the radio is fitted into the hole. Do not follow the dotted line when making the [...]
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MEMO[...]
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1-1-32 Kamiminami, Hirano-ku, Osaka 547-0003, Japan A-6542D-1US Printed in Japan © 2006 Icom Inc.[...]