Garmin VHF 11 Series User manual

VHF 11X/21X SERIES OWNER'S MANUAL
110, 110i, 115, 115i, 210, 210i, 210 AIS, 210i AIS, 215, 215i,
215 AIS, 215i AIS

© 2018 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries
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Administration. BoatU.S.® is a registered trademark of the Boat Owners Association of the United States. Sea Tow® is a registered trademark of Sea Tow Services International, Inc.
United States Power Squadrons® is a registered trademark of the United States Power Squadrons. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.

Table of Contents
Introduction......................................1
Radio Overview........................................ 1
Handset Overview................................... 3
Home Screen........................................... 4
System Status Icons........................... 5
Basic Operation................................ 5
Turning On and Off the Device............... 5
Adjusting the Radio Volume................... 5
Adjusting the Squelch Level................... 5
Selecting the Frequency Band................ 6
Selecting a Channel................................ 6
Transmitting with the Radio................... 6
Calling Another GHS™ 11 Handset.........6
Scanning and Saving Channels.............. 7
Scanning All Channels........................ 7
Saving a Channel................................. 7
Removing a Saved Channel................ 7
Scanning Saved Channels.................. 7
Monitoring Multiple Channels............ 8
Selecting a Different Second-Priority
Channel.................................................... 8
Switching to Priority Channels............... 8
Setting the Receiving Sensitivity............ 9
Switching Between 1 W and 25 W
Transmitting Modes................................9
Bypassing the Low Transmission Power
Setting...................................................... 9
Using the Hailer..................................... 10
Foghorn..................................................10
Sounding the Foghorn
Automatically.....................................10
Sounding the Foghorn Manually...... 10
Adjusting the Sound Frequency of the
Foghorn.............................................. 10
Entering Text......................................... 11
NOAA® Weather Broadcasts and
Alerts............................................. 11
Tuning Weather Broadcasts................. 11
Enabling and Disabling Weather
Alerts...................................................... 11
Digital Selective Calling.................. 11
Digital Selective Calling........................ 11
Entering Your MMSI Number................12
Viewing Your MMSI Number................ 12
Distress Calls.........................................12
Sending an Undesignated Distress
Call..................................................... 12
Sending a Designated Distress
Call..................................................... 13
Waiting For and Receiving and
Acknowledgment for a Distress
Call..................................................... 13
Stopping Automatic Retransmission
of Distress Calls................................ 13
Revoking a Distress Call................... 13
Placing Calls.......................................... 14
Placing Individual Calls..................... 14
Placing Group Calls........................... 14
Individual Call or Group Call
Channels............................................ 14
Placing All-Ships Calls...................... 14
Requesting a Vessel's Position........ 15
Receiving Calls...................................... 15
Receiving Distress Calls and Distress
Relay Calls......................................... 15
Receiving All-Ships Urgency and
Safety Calls........................................ 15
Receiving Individual Routine Calls... 16
Receiving Position Requests............ 16
Receiving Position Calls................... 16
Receiving Group Calls....................... 16
Position Tracking.................................. 16
Selecting Vessels and Activating
Position Tracking.............................. 17
Viewing and Deactivating Vessels on
the Position Tracking List................. 17
Deleting a Vessel From the Position
Tracking List...................................... 17
Call Log.................................................. 18
Viewing the Calls in the Call Log...... 18
Placing a Call from a Call Log.......... 18
Saving a Vessel or Station to the
Directory from the Call Log............... 19
Deleting a Call Log Entry................... 19
Directory................................................ 19
Viewing Saved Vessels and Stations in
the Directory...................................... 19
Adding an Entry to the Directory.......19
Editing an Entry in the Directory....... 19
Table of Contents i

Deleting an Entry from the
Directory.............................................19
Adding a Group.................................. 19
Editing a Group.................................. 20
Deleting a Group................................ 20
DSC Settings..........................................20
Manual Position Information............ 20
Changing the Channel to 16
Automatically.....................................20
Sending Automatic Replies.............. 20
Automatic Transmitter Identification
System........................................... 21
Entering Your ATIS Identification
Number.................................................. 21
Turning On and Off ATIS.......................21
Viewing Your ATIS Identification
Number.................................................. 21
Automatic Identification System.....21
Turning On and Off AIS......................... 22
NMEA 0183 and NMEA 2000®........22
Additional Functionality with Other
Garmin Devices..................................... 22
Communicating Over NMEA 0183 or
NMEA 2000........................................... 22
Configuring DSC NMEA
Transmissions.......................................23
System Settings............................. 23
Number Settings................................... 23
Units Settings........................................ 24
Configuring the Time Offset............. 24
Selecting the Frequency Band..............24
Changing a Channel Name................... 24
Restoring Factory Settings................... 24
Appendix........................................ 25
Alarms and Messages.......................... 25
Channel Lists......................................... 25
Specifications........................................26
NMEA..................................................... 27
NMEA 2000 PGN Information.......... 27
NMEA 0183 Information................... 28
Cleaning the Outer Casing.................... 28
ii Table of Contents

Introduction
WARNING
See the Important Safety and Product Information guide in the product box for product warnings and other
important information.
Radio Overview
VHF 110/115
Introduction 1

VHF 210/215
Item Key Description
DISTRESS Lift the door and press to send a DSC distress call with a programmed MMSI
number (Entering Your MMSI Number, page 12).
VOL/SQ Press the dial to switch between volume or squelch.
Rotate the dial to adjust the volume or squelch level.
Select the key that corresponds to the on-screen item to select the item.
SELECT
On the home screen, rotate the dial to change the channel.
On the home screen, press the dial to toggle weather channels (NOAA® Weather
Broadcasts and Alerts, page 11).
Rotate the dial to highlight an item in a list.
Press the dial to select an item.
PWR
North America:
16/9
International: 16+
Hold to turn the radio on and off.
Press to toggle between preset channels.
DSC Select to view a menu of DSC options.
HI/LO Select to change the transmission mode and receiving sensitivity.
CLEAR Select to return to the previous menu option.
Select to cancel or mute an incoming DSC call.
MENU From the home screen, select to view configuration options.
From a menu, select to return to the home screen.
2 Introduction

Handset Overview
PTT Hold to broadcast.
or Select to change the channel on the radio.
North America: 16/9
International: 16+ Select to toggle between preset channels.
Introduction 3

Home Screen
Radio system status, settings, and alerts
International, Canadian, or USA frequency band
Latitude1
Longitude 1
Time1
Speed over ground (SOG) or course over ground (COG) 2
Soft-key functions change depending on your current activity
Working channel
1 The latitude, longitude, and time appear when the radio has a GPS signal acquired. You can enter data manually when the radio does not have a GPS signal.
2 The SOG and COG appear when the radio has a GPS signal acquired, and the option is enabled in the menu (Number Settings, page 23).
4 Introduction

System Status Icons
Icon Status
Receiving an incoming signal
Transmitting
Transmitting at 25 W
Transmitting at 1 W
Saved channel
Local receiver mode, often used in areas with radio frequency interference (harbors)
ATIS enabled
Position tracking enabled
Auto channel changing disabled
Incoming or missed DSC call
Weather alerts enabled
GPS signal acquired
Basic Operation
Turning On and Off the Device
Hold PWR.
TIP: You can set the device to turn on automatically (System Settings, page 23).
Adjusting the Radio Volume
1Set the squelch level to MIN before you adjust the radio volume (optional).
2Turn the VOL/SQ dial to increase or decrease the radio volume.
Adjusting the Squelch Level
You can adjust the sensitivity level of the squelch to filter out background noise. When you increase the squelch
level, you hear fewer weak background signals when you are receiving.
1Press the VOL/SQ dial.
SQUELCH appears on the screen.
2Turn the VOL/SQ dial counter-clockwise until you hear audio.
3Turn the VOL/SQ dial clockwise until there is no background noise.
Basic Operation 5

Selecting the Frequency Band
You can switch between the USA, International, or Canadian frequency bands (Channel Lists, page 25).
NOTE: Not all frequency bands are available on all device models.
1Select MENU > CHANNEL > FREQUENCY BAND.
2Select a frequency band.
Selecting a Channel
You can select an International, Canadian, or USA channel (Selecting the Frequency Band, page 6).
Select an option:
• To select a channel on the device, turn the SELECT dial.
• To select a channel on the handset, select or .
Transmitting with the Radio
1Select an appropriate channel.
2Verify that the channel is clear.
NOTE: You cannot obstruct the communications of other people due to Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) and international guidelines.
3Hold PTT on the handset.
appears at the top of the screen.
4Speak into the handset.
NOTE: Five minutes is the maximum time allowed for transmission. After five minutes of transmitting, PTT is
disabled until you release PTT.
5Release PTT.
Calling Another GHS™11 Handset
After connecting at least two GHS 11 handsets to your radio, you can use the intercom feature to communicate
between the handsets. For example, you can use a handset at the helm to communicate with a user of a
handset in a below-deck engine room.
NOTE: The intercom feature is not available with VHF 110/115 models.
1Select PA > INTERCM.
2Rotate the dial on the handset to select an intercom station to call, and select SELECT.
3At the receiving intercom station, hold PTT to respond.
Either user must hold PTT to talk.
4Select EXIT to end the call.
6 Basic Operation

Scanning and Saving Channels
Scanning All Channels
When you scan channels, the radio searches for channels that are broadcasting. When a channel is
broadcasting, the radio pauses on that channel until the broadcast stops. After four seconds of inactivity on a
channel, the radio resumes scanning.
NOTE: When you turn on ATIS (Automatic Transmitter Identification System, page 21), the radio does not scan
or save channels.
1Select SCAN > ALL.
2Select an option:
• To exclude the currently active channel from subsequent passes and resume scanning, select SKIP.
• To scan channel 16 each time another channel is scanned, select +CH16.
For example, the radio scans channel 21, channel 16, channel 22, channel 16, and so on.
+CH16 appears on the device screen.
• To scan channel 16 in its usual order, select -CH16.
For example, the radio scans channel 14, channel 15, channel 16, channel 17, and so on.
• To end the scan, select EXIT.
The radio stops scanning and tunes to the last used, active channel.
Saving a Channel
You can save any channel except the weather (WX) channels. You can save an unlimited number of channels.
1Select SCAN.
2Turn the SELECT dial until you find a channel you want to save.
3Select SAV CH.
appears above a saved channel.
Removing a Saved Channel
1Select SCAN.
2Turn the SELECT dial until you find a saved channel.
NOTE: A saved channel has above it.
3Select SAV CH.
Scanning Saved Channels
You can scan only the channels you have saved. When a saved channel is broadcasting, the radio pauses on
that channel until the broadcast stops. After four seconds of inactivity on a channel, the radio resumes
scanning.
NOTE: When you turn on ATIS (Automatic Transmitter Identification System, page 21), the radio does not scan
or save channels.
1Select SCAN > SAVED.
2Select an option:
• To exclude the currently active channel from subsequent passes and resume scanning, select SKIP.
• To scan channel 16 each time another saved channel is scanned, select +CH16.
For example, the radio scans saved channel 21, channel 16, saved channel 25, channel 16, and so on.
+CH16 appears on the device screen.
• To stop scanning channel 16, select -CH16.
For example, the radio scans saved channel 21, saved channel 25, and so on.
• To end the scan, select EXIT.
The radio stops scanning and tunes to the last used active channel.
Basic Operation 7

Monitoring Multiple Channels
Before you can monitor multiple channels, you must turn off ATIS (Automatic Transmitter Identification System,
page 21).
You can monitor priority channels and the currently selected channel for broadcasting activity. Channel 16 is the
first-priority channel on your radio. Channel 9 is the default second-priority channel. You can program a different
channel as your second-priority channel (Selecting a Different Second-Priority Channel, page 8).
Select WATCH.
Monitoring Two Channels
You can monitor your current channel and channel 16 at the same time.
Select WATCH > DUAL.
DUAL WATCH and the channels you are monitoring appear on the screen. For example, DUAL WATCH CH:,
and 16 + 9.
Monitoring Three Channels
You can monitor your current channel, channel 16, and your second-priority channel at the same time.
Select WATCH > TRI.
TRI WATCH, your current channel, channel 16, and your second-priority channel appear on the screen. For
example, TRI WATCH CH:, and 75 + 16 + 9.
Selecting a Different Second-Priority Channel
You can select a channel other than channel 9 as your second-priority channel.
1Select MENU > CHANNEL > 2ND PRIORITY.
2Select an option:
• On the radio, turn the SELECT dial to the preferred channel.
• On the handset, select or to find the preferred channel.
3Select OK.
Switching to Priority Channels
You can quickly switch between your current working channel and a priority channel. When you change to a
priority channel, the transmit power is set to high (25 W) automatically, and when you change back to your
current channel, the transmit-power setting is restored.
On North American models, you can quickly switch between channel 16, your second-priority channel, and your
original channel using the 16/9 key.
On International models, you can quickly switch between channel 16 and your original channel using the 16+
key.
1To switch from your current channel to channel 16, select 16/9 or 16+.
The transmit power changes to high (25 W) automatically. You can select HI/LO > 1W to change the transmit
power to low (1 W).
2On North American models, select 16/9 to switch to your second-priority channel.
3Select 16/9 or 16+ to return to your previous channel and transmit-power setting.
8 Basic Operation

Setting the Receiving Sensitivity
You can control the receiving sensitivity of the radio. When you have noise in high-traffic areas or areas with
electromagnetic interference, such as near cell-phone towers, you can set the receiving sensitivity to LOC to
decrease receiver sensitivity. In remote areas and on open water, you can set the receiving sensitivity to DIST to
ensure that you use the maximum range of the receiver.
1Select HI/LO.
2Select an option:
• Select LOC to enable local sensitivity.
• Select DIST to enable distant sensitivity.
Switching Between 1 W and 25 W Transmitting Modes
You can control the transmitting power of the radio. Low (1 W) is used for local transmissions, and high (25 W)
is used for distance and distress transmissions.
When two signals broadcast on the same frequency, a VHF radio receives only the stronger of the two signals.
You should transmit calls other than distress calls using the lowest power setting that allows you to
communicate, to reduce the possibility that your transmissions interfere with the transmissions of others.
In the USA channel band, transmissions on channels 13, 17, 67, and 77 must be low (1 W) by default.
In the Canadian channel band, transmissions on channels 13, 15, 17, 20, 1066, 67, 75, 76, and 77 must be low
(1 W) by default.
In the International channel band, transmissions on channels 15, 17, 75, and 76 must be low (1 W).
NOTE: In the USA and Canadian channel bands, you can bypass the power setting for these channels
temporarily during transmission (Bypassing the Low Transmission Power Setting, page 9). In the International
channel band, the radio does not permit transmissions on these channels to be changed to high (25 W).
1Select HI/LO.
2Select 1W or 25W.
3Select OK.
Bypassing the Low Transmission Power Setting
In the USA and Canadian frequency bands, transmissions on select channels are required to be low-power (1 W)
by default, because they are intended for intership (bridge-to-bridge) communication (Switching Between 1 W
and 25 W Transmitting Modes, page 9). If other radios cannot receive these channels due to the low power
setting, you can bypass the default restriction during transmission.
NOTE: In the International channel band, the radio does not permit transmissions on these select channels to be
changed to high (25 W).
1From a USA or Canadian channel set to low power by default, such a 13,17, or 77, hold PTT.
2While transmitting, select 25W.
Basic Operation 9

Using the Hailer
Before you can use the hailer function, you must provide and install a hailer horn on your boat deck or tower
(optional). For more information, see the Installation Instructions.
The hailer allows you to make on-boat or ship-to-shore announcements, and allows two-way communications
between connected radios. You can address the ship using the radio or handset, and sounds received through
the horn can be heard through the radio speaker. For vessels with enclosed cabins, the hailer allows you to hear
sounds from the deck.
NOTE: Hailer functionality is not available on all VHF radio models.
NOTE: When the radio is in hailer mode, it does not receive broadcasts from the currently active channel.
1Select PA > HAILER.
Sounds received through the horn are heard through the radio speaker.
2Hold PTT.
3Select an option:
• To make an announcement, speak into the handset.
• To adjust the volume of the hailer broadcast, turn the SELECT dial on the radio, or select or on the
handset.
4Release PTT to stop broadcasting and listen for broadcasts from other connected radios on the ship.
Foghorn
NOTE: Foghorn functionality is not available on all VHF radio models.
Before you can use the foghorn, you must provide and install a hailer horn (optional) on the deck or tower of
your boat. For more information, see the Installation Instructions.
The foghorn is part of the public address system of your radio. You can sound the foghorn through a hailer horn
or an external speaker. Your radio can sound the horn automatically using standard patterns, or you can sound
the horn manually. When you manually operate the foghorn, sounds received through the horn can be heard
through the radio speaker between soundings.
Sounding the Foghorn Automatically
1Select PA > FOG > AUTO.
2Select a foghorn-type option.
The radio alternates between sounding the pattern of tones or rings and receiving radio broadcasts.
3Turn the SELECT dial to adjust the volume of the horn (optional).
Sounding the Foghorn Manually
NOTE: When you sound the horn manually, the radio does not receive broadcasts between horn soundings.
1Select PA > FOG > MANUAL.
Sounds are received through the horn and heard through the radio speaker.
2Hold PTT.
NOTE: The horn stops sounding when you release PTT.
3Turn the SELECT dial to adjust the volume of the horn (optional).
Adjusting the Sound Frequency of the Foghorn
You can increase or decrease the sound frequency of the foghorn. The pitch of the tone rises with an increase in
frequency, and falls with a decrease in frequency. The minimum setting is 200 Hz, and the maximum setting is
850 Hz. The default setting is 350 Hz. Regulations dictate the correct frequency of foghorns, which correlate
with the size of your vessel.
1Select MENU > SYSTEM > FOG FREQUENCY.
2Turn the SELECT dial to adjust the frequency in 50 Hz increments.
3Select ACCEPT.
10 Basic Operation

Entering Text
You may need to enter a name, a number, or other text on the radio.
1From a number or text field, turn the SELECT dial to change the number, letter, or character.
2Press the SELECT dial to accept the number, letter, or character and move to the next space in the sequence.
3Repeat this process for each number, letter, or character.
NOTE: You can select to return to the previous entry in the sequence.
4Select ACCEPT.
NOAA®Weather Broadcasts and Alerts
NOTE: This feature is not available on all radio models.
NOAA weather broadcasts on the weather (WX) channels are available only in the USA and certain regions in
Canada.
Compatible radio models are programmed with 10 WX channels to monitor weather broadcasts from the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Organization (NOAA). WX channels are listen-only channels that broadcast
in a continuous loop and are updated regularly. NOAA broadcasting information is regional and relevant to your
broadcast area.
Tuning Weather Broadcasts
1From the home screen, press the SELECT dial.
WX appears on the screen.
2Turn the SELECT dial to change the weather channel.
Enabling and Disabling Weather Alerts
You can enable weather (WX) alerts to sound when you are using standard radio channels.
1When tuning weather broadcasts, select ALERT to enable or disable weather alerts.
indicates that weather alerts are enabled.
2Select EXIT.
The radio returns to normal operation while continuing to monitor weather alerts.
Digital Selective Calling
Digital Selective Calling
NOTE: Before you can use DSC capabilities, you must enter a Mobile Marine Safety Identity (MMSI) number
(Entering Your MMSI Number, page 12). An MMSI number identifies each DSC radio, like a telephone number.
Digital Selective Calling (DSC) is a key component of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).
DSC enables VHF radios to place and receive digital calls directly with other vessels and shore stations,
including the USA and Canadian Coast Guards. Your radio includes full Class-D DSC capabilities.
If you have a GPS device connected to the transceiver, your latitude, longitude, and the current time are
transmitted when you send a distress call or other type of DSC call. If you enter your position information
manually, your latitude, longitude, and time of entry are transmitted with the call. Transmitting your location
automatically speeds help in an emergency situation.
Channel 70 is reserved exclusively for DSC calls, and your device uses a dedicated receiver to maintain a
constant watch on Channel 70. You do not need to change the channel to make a DSC call. Your device changes
to Channel 70 automatically to transmit a DSC call. Your radio sends the DSC data over Channel 70 in less than
one second, and then tunes to an appropriate channel for voice communications.
appears on the device screen when you have an incoming or missed DSC call.
NOTE: The device disables DSC automatically when you turn on ATIS (Automatic Transmitter Identification
System, page 21).
NOAA® Weather Broadcasts and Alerts 11

Entering Your MMSI Number
NOTICE
You can enter your MMSI number only once. If you must change your MMSI number after entering it, you must
take your radio to your Garmin® dealer for reprogramming.
The Mobile Marine Safety Identity (MMSI) number is a nine-digit code that acts as a DSC self-identification
number, and it is required to use the DSC capabilities of your radio. You can obtain an MMSI number from the
telecommunications authority or ship registry for your country. In the USA, you can obtain an MMSI number
from these sources:
• Federal Communications Commission (FCC): assignments are recognized internationally
• BoatU.S.®, Sea Tow®, or United States Power Squadrons®: assignments are for USA waters only.
1Select MENU > DSC > MY MMSI.
2Enter your MMSI number (Entering Text, page 11).
3Select ACCEPT.
The radio prompts you to confirm your identity.
4Enter your MMSI number again, and select ACCEPT.
If the MMSI numbers you entered do not match, a message appears.
5If necessary, select RETRY, and enter the number again.
Viewing Your MMSI Number
Select MENU > DSC > MY MMSI.
Distress Calls
When you make a distress call, your call is transmitted to all DSC-capable radios within receiving range. Your
current GPS position (latitude and longitude) and the current time are included in the transmission if you have a
GPS device connected to your transceiver. If you manually entered your position information with the time, that
data is transmitted with the call.
NOTE: You should familiarize yourself with the standard distress-call format and protocol to ensure your calls
are clear and effective.
Sending an Undesignated Distress Call
When you send an undesignated distress call, the nature of your emergency is not transmitted to the receiving
stations. Sending an undesignated distress call is a faster procedure that can save you time during an
emergency.
1Lift the spring-loaded door, and hold DISTRESS for at least 3 seconds.
The radio beeps and counts down the seconds. DISTRESS CALL COUNTING DOWN appears on the screen.
The radio sounds an alarm, switches to channel 70, and transmits your call on high (25 W) power.
2Press any key to silence the alarm sound.
The radio tunes to channel 16 on high (25 W) power.
3Hold PTT on the handset or radio to relay your distress message.
The radio waits for an acknowledgment (ACK) on channel 70 from a listening station.
12 Digital Selective Calling

Sending a Designated Distress Call
When you send a designated distress call, the nature of your emergency is transmitted to the receiving stations.
1Lift the spring-loaded door, and press DISTRESS.
2Turn the SELECT dial, and select the type of distress call.
TIP: You can select CLEAR to exit the screen without sending a distress call.
3Hold DISTRESS for at least three seconds.
The radio beeps and counts down the seconds. DISTRESS CALL COUNTING DOWN appears on the screen.
The radio sounds an alarm, switches to channel 70, and transmits your call on high (25 W) power.
4Press any key to silence the alarm sound.
The radio tunes to channel 16 on high (25 W) power.
5Hold PTT on the handset or radio to relay your message.
The radio waits for an acknowledgment (ACK) on channel 70 from a listening station.
Waiting For and Receiving and Acknowledgment for a Distress Call
If the radio does not receive an acknowledgment for a distress call, the radio retransmits the distress call
randomly between 3.5 to 4.5 minutes later, and continues to retransmit the distress call at random intervals
until the radio receives an acknowledgment.
When the radio receives the acknowledgment, it begins beeping and DISTRSS ACK appears on the screen.
1Press any key to turn off the beeping.
2Select to view additional information.
TIP: If the MMSI of the station transmitting the acknowledgment signal is an entry in your directory, the
name associated with the MMSI number appears on the screen. If the MMSI of the station is not in your
directory, the MMSI number appears on the screen.
3Select ACCEPT.
Stopping Automatic Retransmission of Distress Calls
Select CANCEL.
The radio remains tuned to channel 16.
NOTE: Selecting CANCEL ends the automatic repetition of the call, but does not communicate to other
stations that you no longer have an emergency. If you no longer have an emergency, you should revoke the
distress call (Revoking a Distress Call, page 13).
Revoking a Distress Call
You do not transmit a distress call until you hold DISTRESS for at least three seconds. If you inadvertently make
a distress call, or are no longer in distress, you should cancel the call immediately by transmitting a voice
message to all stations on channel 16.
1Select CANCEL > YES, and wait until DISTRESS CANCEL HAS BEEN SENT appears on the screen.
2Select OK.
3Hold PTT on the handset, and transmit an appropriate voice message to cancel the distress call (Distress
Call Cancellation Script, page 13).
4Select an option:
• Select END to complete the distress-call cancellation and return to normal radio operation.
• Select RESEND to resend the distress-call cancellation and start the process again.
Distress Call Cancellation Script
When you revoke a DSC distress call (Revoking a Distress Call, page 13), you should transmit an appropriate
cancellation message.
For example, "All stations, all stations, all stations, this is _____(vessel name), MMSI number ____, position
____(North or South), ____(West or East). Cancel my distress alert of ____(date and time). This is ____(vessel
name), MMSI number ____. Out."
Digital Selective Calling 13

Placing Calls
Placing Individual Calls
1Select DSC > INDIVIDUAL.
2Select an option:
• To enter the MMSI number manually, select MANUAL, enter the MMSI number, and select ACCEPT.
• To select an entry from the directory, select DIRECTORY, and select an entry.
• To select a recent call, select RECENT CALLS.
3Select a channel (Individual Call or Group Call Channels, page 14).
The radio transmits the request with your call.
4Select CALL.
The radio transmits the call on channel 70, and returns to the previous channel while listening for an
acknowledgment on channel 70. After an acknowledgment is received, the radio changes to the channel you
selected for the call.
Placing Group Calls
Before you can place a call to a group, you must enter the MMSI number of the group into the directory (Adding
a Group, page 19).
You can contact a group of specific vessels, such as a sailing club or flotilla, by making a group call.
1Select DSC > GROUP > CALL.
2Select a saved group.
3Select a channel (Individual Call or Group Call Channels, page 14).
The radio transmits the channel request with your call.
4Select CALL.
The radio transmits the call on channel 70, then changes to the selected channel.
Individual Call or Group Call Channels
When placing an individual or group call, you should select from designated DSC channels. The radio transmits
this request with your call.
• USA: channels 6, 8, 9, 10, 13, 17, 67, 68, 69, 71, 72, 73, and 77.
• Canada and International: all USA channels, plus channel 15
DSC channels are limited to channels that are available in all frequency bands. You can select CUSTOM to
select a channel that is not listed. If you select a custom channel, the station you are calling may not be able to
comply with the specified channel. You should select a channel that is appropriate for communication.
Placing All-Ships Calls
All-ships calls are transmitted to all stations within receiving distance of your radio. You can make two types of
all-ships calls. Safety calls broadcast significant navigational or weather-related information. Urgency calls
communicate situations about the safety of a vessel or person when danger is not imminent. The captain
should discern whether a situation warrants a safety call or an urgency call.
1Select DSC > ALL SHIPS.
2Select SAFETY or URGENCY.
3Select a channel (Individual Call or Group Call Channels, page 14).
The radio transmits the channel request with your call.
4Select CALL.
The radio transmits the call on channel 70, then changes to the selected channel.
14 Digital Selective Calling

Requesting a Vessel's Position
Position data received from stations that respond to position request calls is sent over the NMEA® network. You
can track the vessels on your Garmin chartplotter.
1Select DSC > POS. REQUEST.
2Select an option:
• To enter the MMSI number manually, select MANUAL, enter the MMSI number, and select ACCEPT.
• To select an entry from the directory, select DIRECTORY, and select an entry.
3Select CALL.
The radio transmits the call on channel 70 and returns to the previous channel. WAITING FOR
ACKNOWLEDGE appears on the screen.
Receiving Calls
Receiving Distress Calls and Distress Relay Calls
When receiving a distress call or a distress relay call, DISTRESS or DISTR RELAY, and information about the call,
such as MMSI number and the nature of the distress, appear on the radio screen. A distress call is sent from a
vessel in need of assistance, and a distress relay call is sent from either another vessel or a station on behalf of
a vessel in need of assistance.
The radio sends data related to the call over the NMEA network based on how you configure MMSI filters
(Configuring DSC NMEA Transmissions, page 23).
NOTE: When a distress call is received, the radio switches to channel 16 automatically after ten seconds.
When a distress call is received, select an option:
• To view additional information about the distress call and switch to channel 16, select .
• To accept the distress call and switch to channel 16, select OK.
• To review information about the distress call without switching to channel 16 automatically, select
PAUSE.
• To ignore the distress call and stay on the current channel, press CLEAR.
Receiving All-Ships Urgency and Safety Calls
When you receive an all-ships urgency or safety call, ALL SHIPS appears on the screen, and URGENCY or
SAFETY appears as the type of call. If the channel request is for an invalid channel, INVALID CH REQUEST
appears on the screen.
NOTE: When an all-ships call is received, the radio switches to the requested channel automatically after ten
seconds.
When an urgency or safety call is received, select an option:
• To view additional information about the call and switch to the requested channel, select .
• To accept the call and switch to the requested channel, select OK.
• To review information about the call without switching to the requested channel automatically, select
PAUSE.
• To ignore the call and stay on the current channel, press CLEAR.
Digital Selective Calling 15

Receiving Individual Routine Calls
When you receive an individual routine call, INDIVIDUAL appears on the screen, and ROUTINE appears as the
type of call. If the channel request is for an invalid channel, INVALID CH REQUEST appears on the screen.
NOTE: When an individual call is received, the radio switches to the requested channel automatically after ten
seconds.
When a call is received on a valid channel, select an option:
• To accept the call and switch to the requested channel, select OK.
• To review information about the call without switching to the requested channel automatically, select
PAUSE.
• To ignore the call and stay on the current channel, press CLEAR.
Receiving Position Requests
You can configure the radio to reply automatically to incoming position requests, or prompt you to review and
approve the incoming requests before replying (Sending Automatic Replies, page 20).
When you receive a position request with automatic position replies enabled, SENDING ACKNOWLEDGE
appears on the screen, and the radio sends your position automatically. After the position successfully
transmits, POSITION SENT appears on the screen.
When you receive a position request with automatic position replies disabled, POS. REQUEST appears on the
screen.
When you receive a position request with automatic position replies disabled, select OK, and select an
option:
• To reply to the position request with your current position, select OK.
If GPS-position or manual-position data is available, the radio transmits your position to the other vessel.
• To ignore the position request, press CLEAR.
Receiving Position Calls
When you receive a position call, POS. SEND and the position data appear on the screen.
Select OK.
The radio saves the position report in the call log.
Receiving Group Calls
When you receive a group call, GROUP appears on the screen, and the radio prompts you to change to the
requested channel. If the channel requested is invalid, INVALID CH REQUEST appears on the screen.
1Select OK.
2Turn the SELECT dial to select the requested channel.
3Select OK.
Position Tracking
When you enable position tracking, the radio uses interval-based position requests to track up to three vessels.
Your radio transmits received position data over the NMEA network, and you can track the vessels using your
Garmin chartplotter (Configuring DSC NMEA Transmissions, page 23).
16 Digital Selective Calling