Uniden Solara DSC manual

SOLARA_UT600AH_ENG_0817 8/17/04 11:16 AM Page i[...]

This transmitter will operate on channels/frequencies that have restricted use in the United States. The channel assignments include frequencies assigned for exclusive use of the U.S. Coast Guard, use in Canada, and use in international waters. Operation in these frequencies without proper authorization is strictly forbidden. For frequencies/channe[...]

Uniden SOLARA DSC ............................................................................2 Included with your SOLARA DSC ..........................................................3 Controls and Indicators...........................................................................4 Installation....................................................[...]

2 The Uniden SOLARA DSC VHF marine radio has been designed to give you a rugged, reliable instrument that will provide you with years of trouble-free service. With proper care and maintenance, your marine radio could outlast your present vessel and serve you well on-board. The full features and flexibility designed into this quality transceiver wil[...]

3 Included with your SOLARA DSC SOLARA DSC Owner s Manual SOLARA DSC Radio Microphone Hanger and Screws Mounting Bracket and Knobs Spare Fuse 250V 6A Mounting Hardware SOLARA_UT600AH_ENG_0817 8/17/04 11:16 AM Page 3[...]

4 Front panel/Microphone 1. PTT Switch - Press to transmit and release to receive. 2. CHANNEL/ ▲ / ▼ - These keys are used to change the channel number up/down. These buttons are also used to move the cursor in DSC Menu mode. 3. SELECT - In the DSC Menu mode this is used to select the DSC menu options. 4. PWR/VOL (On/Off/V olume) - T urns the u[...]

5 Rear Panel Connectors 3 1 ACC Cable 1. DC Cord 2. ACC Cable 3. Antenna Connector Thick Black : DC GND Orange : External Speaker (+) Black : External Speaker (—) GND Green : GPS DA T A IN Brown : GPS GND Y ellow : NC 2 SOLARA_UT600AH_ENG_0817 8/17/04 11:16 AM Page 5[...]

6 1. TX (T ransmit) - Indicates transmitting. 2. HI (High) - Indicates transmit output is 25 W atts. 3. LO (Low) - Indicates transmit output is 1 W att. 4. SCAN - Indicates Scan Mode has been activated. 5. ALERT - Indicates Weather Alert Mode has been activated. 6. WX - Indicate Weather Channel Mode has been activated. 7. USA - Indicates US Channel[...]

7 Installation Caution : The SOLARA DSC will only operate with a nominal 13.8 volt negative ground battery system. It is important to carefully determine the most suitable location for your radio on your vessel. Electrical, mechanical, and environmental considerations must all be taken into account. Y ou should select the optimum relationship among[...]

8 Engine Noise Suppression Interference from the noise generated by the electrical systems of engines is sometimes a problem with radios. The SOLARA DSC has been designed to be essentially impervious to ignition noise and alternator noise. However , in some installations it may be necessary to take measures to further reduce the effect of noise int[...]

9 Installing the SOLARA DSC After you have carefully considered the various factors affecting your choice of location, position the radio (with the bracket, microphone, power cord, antenna and any auxiliary cables installed) into the selected location to assure there is no interference with the surrounding items. Mark the location of the mounting b[...]

10 POWER On/Off T urn the unit On by rotating the PWR/VOL control clockwise. Adjust the volume to a comfortable level. When you turn the unit On, you will hear a beep. Note: When you turn On the radio for the first time after purchase, the channel 16 will appear on the LCD. Oper ation Last Channel Memory The SOLARA DSC memorizes the last channel se[...]

11 T urn SQUELCH fully clockwise. This raises the “ Squelch Gate ” so high that only very strong signals can get through. T urn SQUELCH fully counterclockwise until you hear a hiss. This lowers the “ Squelch Gate ” so that everything gets through - noise, weak signals, and strong signals. T urn SQUELCH back clockwise until the hiss stops. N[...]

12 WEA THER CHANNELS T o select Weather Channels 0-9, press WX/ALERT/UIC . The radio will go to the last selected Weather Channel. Press CH ▲ or ▼ to select a different W eather Channel. Most areas of the US are covered by Weather Channels 1,2, and 3. T o exit from Weather Channel: ● Press WX/ALERT/UIC . The radio returns to the previous Mari[...]

13 Weather Alert The Weather Alert mode can be activated to alert you of dangerous weather . When Weather Alert is turned On, and a warning signal is received, an emergency siren will sound. When the signal stops, you will hear the active weather channel broadcast at the normal volume. Y our radio ’ s Weather Alert feature lets it monitor the loc[...]

14 SETTING THE TRANSMIT (TX) POWER The SOLARA DSC transmits on fifty-six marine frequencies and receives on eighty-one marine frequencies. Channel 70 of the USA, International, and Canadian frequencies, and channel 15 of the USA frequencies, and WX CH – are for receiving only . The radio transmits on channel 70 when sending DSC information. Y our[...]

15 RECOMMENDED EMERGENCY BROADCAST INSTRUCTIONS 1. Make sure your radio is on. 2. T une to channel 16. 3. Press the microphone button and, speaking slowly – clearly – calmly , say: a. "MA YDA Y – MA YDA Y – MA YDA Y" for situations involving Immediate Danger to Life and Property: or b. "P AN – P AN – P AN" for urgent[...]

16 DISTRESS Note: Y ou must set the user MMSI in order to send a Distress call. Please see page 20 to set the MMSI. This feature will allow you to transmit a Distress call. 1. In order to transmit a Distress call, press and hold DISTRESS for 5 seconds. When DSC appears on the display , press SELECT to send the Distress call. 2. The Distress call is[...]

17 3. Select the individual you want to contact using CH ▲ and ▼ to select the number from 0 to 9. The number will be entered when SELECT is pressed, and blinking digit moves to the next digit. When you enter the last digit, the confirmation screen appears. Press SELECT to transmit the individual DSC signal. DIGIT AL SELECTIVE CALLING (DSC) Dig[...]

18 ALL SHIPS This radio has the ability to send 3 types of all ships calls. The following are examples of what these types of calls would be used for: Urgency - This call is for a vessel not yet in Distress, but may have a serious problem. Safety - This call is used for a reason like debris in the W ater . Routine - This call is used for normal cal[...]

19 4. Select the category of your call using CH ▲ and ▼ URGENCY , ROUTINE , SAFETY . Note: ROUTINE calls tune to the previously selected channel. 5. Press SELECT to transmit the ALL SHIPS DSC signal. When sending either an URGENCY or SAFETY message, all radios will automatically move to channel 70 until all of the data is received. 6. After sel[...]

20 USER MMSI Federal MMSI's are issued by the National T elecommunications and Information Administration. Non-Federal MMSI's are issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Y ou will need to obtain a nine digit MMSI number and program it into the SOLARA DSC . The information obtained from the application is useful to the U.S. [...]

21 • Flush mounting bracket for “ in dash ” installation. (White = FMB322W , Black = FMB322B) Contact your Uniden Dealer for information. Optional Accessories NMEA T echnical Setup SOLARA DSC NMEA0183 GPS Input Connection Specification This section is useful when attaching an external GPS to the SOLARA DSC radio. Many GPS units have a setup m[...]

22 VHF FM Marine Radio T elephone Channel and Functions (USA Channels) CHANNEL FREQUENCY (MHz) TYPE OF SHIP SHIP DESIG TRANSMIT RECEIVE TRAFFIC TO SHIP TO SHORE WX0 — 163.275 NOAA Weather RX Only RX Only WX1 — 162.550 NOAA Weather RX Only RX Only WX2 — 162.400 NOAA Weather RX Only RX Only WX3 — 162.475 NOAA Weather RX Only RX Only WX4 — 1[...]

23 VHF FM Marine Radio T elephone Channel and Functions (International Channels) CHANNEL FREQUENCY (MHz) TYPE OF SHIP SHIP DESIG TRANSMIT RECEIVE TRAFFIC TO SHIP TO SHORE WX0 — 163.275 NOAA Weather RX Only RX Only WX1 — 162.550 NOAA Weather RX Only RX Only WX2 — 162.400 NOAA Weather RX Only RX Only WX3 — 162.475 NOAA Weather RX Only RX Only[...]

24 VHF FM Marine Radio T elephone Channel and Functions (Canadian Channels) CHANNEL FREQUENCY (MHz) TYPE OF SHIP SHIP DESIG TRANSMIT RECEIVE TRAFFIC TO SHIP TO SHORE WX0 — 163.275 NOAA Weather RX Only RX Only WX1 — 162.550 NOAA Weather RX Only RX Only WX2 — 162.400 NOAA Weather RX Only RX Only WX3 — 162.475 NOAA Weather RX Only RX Only WX4 [...]

25 General Channels : All International, U.S.A. and Canadian channels, plus 10 Weather channels Controls : On-Off/V olume, Squelch Status Indicators : TX (Transmit), HI (High), LO (Low), SCAN, ALERT , WX, USA, INT , CAN, DSC, (GPS), and Channel Display Channel Display : LCD with Orange backlight Buttons : 16/9, DISTRESS, DSC, SELECT , HI/LO/SCAN/UI[...]

26 If the SOLARA DSC does not perform to your expectations, try the suggestions listed below . If you cannot get satisfactory results, call the Uniden T echnical Support at (800) 586-0409, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Central Standard T ime, Monday through Friday . T roubleshooting CAUSE No or low voltage. Bad mic element. A source of noise is nearby . [...]

27 Y our SOLARA DSC is a precision of electronic equipment and you should treat it accordingly . Due to the rugged design, very little maintenance is required. However , a few precautions should be observed: • If the antenna has been damaged, you should not transmit except in the case of an emergency . A defective antenna may cause damage to your[...]

28 Note : SOLARA_UT600AH_ENG_0817 8/17/04 11:16 AM Page 28[...]

29 W ARRANTOR: UNIDEN AMERICA CORPORA TION ( “ Uniden ” ) ELEMENTS OF W ARRANTY : Uniden warrants, for three years, to the original retail owner , this Uniden Product to be free from defects in materials and craftsmanship with only the limitations or exclusions set out below . W ARRANTY DURA TION: This warranty to the original user shall termin[...]

UTZZ01600ZZ SOLARA_UT600AH_ENG_0817 8/17/04 11:16 AM Page b[...]