Garmin VHF 725e User manual

owner’s
manual
and
reference
guide
VHF 725e
submersible marine radio

© 1999 GARMIN Corporation
GARMIN International, Inc.
1200 E 151
st
Street, Olathe, Kansas 66062 U.S.A.
Tel. [phone] or 800-800-1020
Fax. [phone]
GARMIN (Europe) Ltd.
Unit 5, The Quadrangle, Abbey Park Industrial Estate,
Romsey, SO51 9AQ U.K.
Tel. [phone]
Fax. [phone]
GARMIN (Asia) Corp.
3rd Floor, No. 1, Lane 45 Pao Hsing Road,
Hsin Tien, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Tel. [phone]-4107
Fax. [phone]-1758
All rights reserved. Except as expressly provided herein, no part of this manual may
be reproduced, copied, transmitted, disseminated, downloaded or stored in any
storage medium, for any purpose without prior written consent of GARMIN
Corporation. GARMIN Corporation hereby grants permission to download a single
copy of this manual onto a hard drive or other electronic storage medium to be
viewed for personal use, provided that such electronic or printed copy of this
manual contains the complete text of this copyright notice and provided further that
any unauthorized commercial distribution of this manual is strictly prohibited.
Information in this manual is subject to change without notice. GARMIN
Coroporation reserves the right to change or improve its products and to make
changes in the content without obligation to notify any person or organization of
such changes. Visit the GARMIN website for current updates and supplemental
information concerning the use and operation of this and other GARMIN products.
Website address: www.garmin.com
GARMIN is a registered trademark and VHF 725e is a trademark of GARMIN
Corporation. Such trademarks may not be used without the express permission of
GARMIN.
November 1999 Part Number 190-00163-00 Rev. A Printed in Taiwan

i
INTRODUCTION
About This
Manual
Thank you for choosing the GARMIN VHF 725e. To get
the most from your new VHF marine radio, take time to read
through this owner’s manual in order to understand all of the
operating features. This manual is organized into three
sections for your convenience:
The Introduction to the VHF 725e Features section
gives you an overview of the unit’s functional features.
The Getting Started section gets you started on using the
VHF 725e for basic radio uses.
The Appendix section contains reference information on
items such as accessories, a channel list, a troubleshooting
guide, and the index.
Before getting started, check to be certain that your VHF
725e package includes the following items. If you are missing
anything, please contact your dealer immediately.
Standard Package:
oVHF 725e Unit Owner’s Manual
oLanyard oAntenna (SMA
oBelt Clip Connector)
oNiCad Battery Pack oCharging Unit
oCharging Stand/Mounting oAlkaline Battery tray
Bracket
Refer to Section 3, Appendix A, for a list of optional
accessories available from your GARMIN Dealer.

ii
INTRODUCTION
Compliance
Statements
CE COMPLIANCE STATEMENT
This device complies with the essential requirements of CE
for meeting standards EN301-178 and EN 300-828.
WARNING!
This transmitter will operate on frequencies (channels) that
have restricted use. Use of International, U.S., and Canadian
Bands presents frequencies that have restricted use. Operation
on these frequencies without proper authorization is strictly
prohibited.
In the United States Band, for example, the channel
assignments include frequencies assigned for exclusive use of
the U.S. Coast Guard. For frequencies (channels) that are
currently for use in the U.S. without an individual license,
please contact the FCC Call Center at 1-888-CALL-FCC.

iii
INTRODUCTION
Warnings
and
Precautions
RADIO LICENSES
The VHF 725e user accepts all responsibility for obtaining
the proper licensing before using the transmitter. In many
instances, you must have a current radio station license before
using this transceiver. It my be unlawful to operate a ship
station which is not licensed. Inquire through your dealer or
the appropriate government agency for a Ship Radiophone
license application. A government issued radio station license
is issued with the call sign which is your craft’s identification
for radio communication purposes.
OPERATOR’S LICENSE
A Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit is the license
most often acquired by radio operators of small watercraft
when the radio is not required for safety purposes.
This permit must be posted aboard the craft or kept by the
licensed operator. Only a licensed operator may operate a
marine radio (transceiver). Others may talk over a transceiver if
the operator begins, supervises and ends the transmission.
IMPORTANT!
GARMIN strongly recommends obtaining a marine radio
user’s guide appropriate for the geographical location of
intended use. Read and follow instructions for proper use of
your marine radio. Improper usage can result in fines levied on
mariners by regulatory agencies.

iv
INTRODUCTION
Warnings
and
Precautions
IMPORTANT!
Read all instructions carefully and completely before using
the VHF 725e Marine Radio. This device is intended only as an
aid to boating safety and navigation. The performance of the
VHF 725e can be affected by many factors including environ-
mental conditions and improper handling or use. It is the user’s
responsibility to exercise good safety and navigational judge-
ment and the GARMIN VHF 725e should not be relied upon in
lieu of such prudence and judgement.
CAUTIONS
For these reasons, the operator should exercise the follow-
ing precautions to ensure proper and reliable use of the
GARMIN VHF 725e.
DO NOT operate this transceiver within 1 meter of the
ship’s navigational compass.
DO NOT recharge batteries except in methods descried in
this manual
DO NOT use this transceiver for inappropriate communica-
tions. Know and observe the International Rules
for Marine Radio Operation.

1
GETTING
STARTED
Table of
Contents
SECTION ONE Introduction
Packing List....................................................................i
Regulatory Agency Compliance Statement........................ii
Cautions.....................................................................iii-iv
SECTION TWO Getting Started
Unit Description...............................................................2-3
Keys and Function Displays............................................4-9
Maritime Radio Services Operation.............................10-14
Installing the Antenna.........................................................15
Installing Batteries..........................................................15-16
Selecting a Channel.......................................................16-17
Setting the Squelch Threshold..............................................17
Adjusting the Volume...........................................................18
Scanning Channels.........................................................18-19
Tri-Watch........................................................................19-20
Programming a Call Channel.......................................20
Receiving and Transmitting...........................................21-23
Backlighting the LCD Display and Keypad..........................24
Using the Key Lock Feature..................................................24
SECTION THREE Appendices
Appendix A - Optional Accessories...........................25-26
Appendix B - Specifications...........................................27
Appendix C - VHF Channel List.............................28-29
Appendix D - Maintenance and Troubleshooting........30-32
Appendix E - Messages...................................................33
Appendix F - Glossary.....................................................34
Appendix G - Index.........................................................35
Appendix H - Warranty and Service Information................36

2
GETTING
STARTED
Unit
Description
Flexible Antenna
LCD Display Screen
Scan Key
Memory Key
Channel Band
Selection Key
+/- Volume Control
Keys
UP/DOWN Arrow
Channel Selection
Keys
Microphone
Speaker
Squelch Key
Press To Talk (PTT)
Key
Hi/Low Power-Lock
Key
Tri-Watch -
Channel 16 Key
Power/Backlighting
Key
Call Programming/
Call Key
Battery Pack

3
GETTING
STARTED
Unit
Description
The VHF 725e is a 5 watt marine VHF communications
transceiver in a convenient handheld package.
A keypad located on the front of the unit provides one-
hand control of communication features. The knobless
design allows push-button Squelch and Volume adjust-
ment. A single button press provides a manual Squelch
Override function. Tri-Watch monitoring mode allows
simultaneous monitoring of emergency channel (16), Call
channel and a working channel programmed by the user.
The channel 16 key allows you to toggle between emer-
gency and working channels.
A 1” high by 1-3/8” wide LCD display provides
indication of all features and functions of the VHF 725e.
The scan feature allows the operator to select up to 10
channels for continuous monitoring in any combination of
U.S.A., Canadian, and International bands.
Call Channel programming allows you to select and
program a channel for regular conversation for instant
access by pressing the Call key. The high/low key toggles
the transmitter power level from between five watts and
one watt. When held for more than one second, it locks
and unlocks the “Key Lock” function to prevent inadvert-
ent changing of unit settings and modes.
The power key turns the unit off and on and, when
pressed briefly after the unit is powered on, enables the
display backlighting feature and illuminates the keys on
the front of the unit.
Small size and light weight characterize the portability
of the GARMIN VHF 725e.

4
GETTING
STARTED
Keys &
Function
Displays
Eleven keys provide access to all of the
unit’s features and functions. When any key
(except the PTT key) is pressed, the unit will
acknowledge by emitting a single beep confir-
mation tone. Some keys have dual functions
and those keys on the front of the unit are
illuminated when the display backlighting
feature is active.
Power/Backlighting Key - This key turns on
the unit when pressed and released, and turns
the unit off when pressed and held for more
than one second. Briefly pressing and releasing
the power key when the unit is on will activate
the backlighting feature and will last for five
seconds after the last key is pressed.
Channel Up and Channel Down Keys -
Pressing these CH arrow keys sets the operating
channel. Pressing these keys while the Squelch
key is pressed and held, sets the squelch
threshold level.
Call Channel Programming/Call Key -
Pressing this key for longer than 1 second after
selecting a channel from one of the channel bands
will store that channel as the calling channel to
be accessed whenever the Call key is pressed. You
can program a Call channel for each of the three
bands (USA/Canadian/International).
NOTE: Selection of appropriate call channels is
based on a working knowledge of available
channels and their designated uses.
Volume Increase and Volume Decrease Keys -
Pressing the plus and minus keys increases or
decreases the volume of received transmissions
and audio tones.
Power/Backlighting
Key
Channel Up &
Channel Down Keys
Call Channel
Programming/
Call Key
Volume Increase &
Volume Decrease
Keys
C PGM