Icom IC-M31 User manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL
iM31
VHF MARINE TRANSCEIVER
New2001

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New2001
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
If your vessel requires assistance, contact other vessels and
the Coast Guard by sending a distress call on Channel 16.
RECOMMENDATION
CLEAN THE TRANSCEIVER THOROUGHLY WITH FRESH
WATER after exposure to saltwater, and dry it before opera-
tion. Otherwise, the transceiver’s keys, switches and control-
lers may become inoperable due to salt crystallization.
NOTE: DO NOT wash the transceiver in water if there is any
reason to suspect the waterproofing may not be effective.
For example, in cases where the battery pack rubber seal is
damaged, the transceiver/battery pack is cracked or broken,
or has been dropped, or when the battery pack is detached
from the transceiver.
❍ USING CHANNEL 16
DISTRESS CALL PROCEDURE
1. “MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY.”
2. “THIS IS ...........................” (name of vessel)
3. Your call sign or other indication of the ves-
sel.
4. “LOCATED AT ..................... ” (your position)
5. The nature of the distress and assistance
required.
6. Any other information which might facilitate
the rescue.

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FOREWORD
Thank you for purchasing this Icom product. The IC-M31 VHF
MARINE TRANSCEIVER is designed and built with Icom’s
state of the art technology and craftsmanship. With proper care
this product should provide you with years of trouble-free op-
eration.
IMPORTANT
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS carefully and com-
pletely before using the transceiver.
SAVE THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL—This
instruction manual contains important operating instructions
for the IC-M31.
EXPLICIT DEFINITIONS
FEATURES
☞Waterproof construction
Built tough to withstand the punishing marine environ-
ment, the transceiver’s submersible construction meets
IPX7* requirements for waterproof protection (1 meter
depth for 30 min.).
* Only when the battery pack, top plate and flexible antenna are
attached.
☞Dualwatch and tri-watch functions
Convenient functions which allow you to monitor the
distress channel (Ch 16) while receiving a channel of
your choice—dual watch; or monitor the distress channel
and another channel while receiving a channel of your
choice—tri-watch.
☞Large, easy-to-read LCD
With dimensions of 16(H) × 32(W) mm, the function dis-
play is easy to read and shows operating conditions at a
glance. Backlighting and contrast can be adjusted to suit
your preferences.
☞Simple operation
9 large buttons on the front panel provide user-friendly
operation. The independent volume and channel buttons
are located on the front panel for convenient one-hand
operation.
WORD DEFINITION
RWARNING Personal injury, fire hazard or electric
shock may occur.
CAUTION Equipment damage may occur.
NOTE
If disregarded, inconvenience only. No risk
of personal injury, fire or electric shock.

PRECAUTION
RWARNING! NEVER connect the transceiver to an
AC outlet. This may pose a fire hazard or result in an electric
shock.
RWARNING! NEVER hold the transceiver so that
the antenna is very close to, or touching exposed parts of
the body, especially the face or eyes, while transmitting. The
transceiver will perform best if the microphone is 5 to 10 cm
away from the lips and the transceiver is vertical.
RWARNING! NEVER connect the transceiver to a
power source other than the BP-223, BP-224, or BP-252.
Such a connection will ruin the transceiver.
DO NOT use or place the transceiver in direct sunlight or
in areas with temperatures below –15°C or above +55°C.
KEEP the transceiver out of the reach of children.
KEEP the transceiver at least 0.9 meters away from your
vessel’s magnetic navigation compass.
BE CAREFUL! The transceiver’s right-side panel will
become hot when operating continuously for long periods.
BE CAREFUL! The transceiver meets IPX7* require-
ments for waterproof protection. However, once the trans-
ceiver has been dropped, waterproof protection cannot be
guaranteed because of possible damage to the transceiver's
case or the waterproof seal.
* Only when the battery pack, top plate and flexible antenna are at-
tached.
MAKE SURE the flexible antenna, top plate and battery
pack are securely attached to the transceiver, and that the
antenna, top plate and battery pack are dry before attach-
ment. Exposing the inside of the transceiver to water will
result in serious damage to the transceiver.
After exposure to water, clean the battery contacts thor-
oughly with fresh water and dry them completely to remove
any water or salt residue.
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New2001
Icom, Icom Inc. and the Icom logo are registered trademarks of Icom Incor-
porated (Japan) in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France,
Spain, Russia and/or other countries.

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New2001
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY ............................................... i
RECOMMENDATION .......................................................... i
FOREWORD ...................................................................... ii
IMPORTANT ...................................................................... ii
EXPLICIT DEFINITIONS .................................................... ii
FEATURES ......................................................................... ii
PRECAUTION ................................................................... iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS ..................................................... iv
1 OPERATING RULES ����������������������������������������������������� 1
2 SUPPLIED ACCESSORIES AND ATTACHMENTS ��� 2–3
■Supplied accessories................................................... 2
■Attachments................................................................. 2
3 PANEL DESCRIPTION ���������������������������������������������� 4–6
■Front, top and side panels ........................................... 4
■Function display .......................................................... 5
4 BASIC OPERATION ������������������������������������������������ 7–12
■Channel selection ....................................................... 7
■Adjusting the volume level .......................................... 9
■Adjusting the squelch level ......................................... 9
■Receiving and transmitting ....................................... 10
■Call channel programming ........................................ 11
■Lock function ............................................................. 12
■Automatic backlighting .............................................. 12
■Monitor function ........................................................ 12
5 SCAN OPERATION ����������������������������������������������� 13–14
■Scan types ................................................................ 13
■Setting tag channels ................................................. 14
■Starting a scan .......................................................... 14
6 DUALWATCH/TRI-WATCH ������������������������������������������ 15
■Description ................................................................ 15
■Operation .................................................................. 15
7 SET MODE ������������������������������������������������������������� 16–20
■SET mode programming ........................................... 16
■SET mode items ....................................................... 17
8 BATTERY CHARGING ������������������������������������������� 21–24
■Battery charging ........................................................ 21
■Battery cautions ........................................................ 21
■Optional battery case ................................................ 22
■Optional battery chargers ......................................... 23
9 OPTIONAL SWIVEL BELT CLIP ��������������������������������� 25
■MB-87 contents ......................................................... 25
■To attach ................................................................... 25
■To detach .................................................................. 25
10 TROUBLESHOOTING ������������������������������������������������� 26
11 CHANNEL LIST ���������������������������������������������������������� 27
12 SPECIFICATIONS�������������������������������������������������������� 28
13 OPTIONS ��������������������������������������������������������������������� 29
14 DOC������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 30
TABLE OF CONTENTS

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OPERATING RULES
1
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.
• You must monitor Channel 16 when you are not operating
on another channel.
• False or fraudulent distress calls are prohibited under law.
D Privacy
• Information overheard but not intended for you cannot law-
fully be used in any way.
• Indecent or profane language is prohibited.
D Radio licenses
(1) SHIP STATION LICENSE
When your craft is equipped with a VHF FM transceiver, you
must have a current radio station license before using the
transceiver. It is unlawful to operate a ship station which is
not licensed.
Inquire through your dealer or the appropriate government
agency for a Ship-Radiotelephone license. This license
includes the call sign which is your craft’s identification for
radio purposes.
(2) OPERATOR’S LICENSE
A restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit is the license
most often held by small vessel radio operators when a radio
is not required for safety purposes.
The Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit must be
posted near the transceiver or be kept with the operator.
Only a licensed radio operator may operate a transceiver.
However, non-licensed individuals may talk over a trans-
ceiver if a licensed operator starts, supervises, ends the call
and makes the necessary log entries.
A current copy of the applicable government rules and regu-
lations is only required to be on hand for vessels in which a
radio telephone is compulsory. However, even if you are not
required to have these on hand it is your responsibility to be
thoroughly acquainted with all pertinent rules and regula-
tions.

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2
SUPPLIED ACCESSORIES AND ATTACHMENTS
1
2
■Supplied accessories
The following accessories are supplied: Qty.
• Flexible antenna ................................ 1
•Handstrap..................................... 1
• Belt clip....................................... 1
•Batterypack................................... 1
• Battery charger (with 2 screws) .................... 1
• AC adapter*1.................................. 1
• Top plate (double-sided tape)*2.................... 1
*1Not supplied with some versions.
*2Use the top plate as a spare. Ask your dealer for details.
■Attachments
DFlexible antenna
Connect the supplied flexible an-
tenna to the antenna connector.
CAUTION:
•
NEVER carry the transceiver
by holding the antenna.
• Transmitting without an an-
tenna may damage the trans-
ceiver.
DHandstrap
Pass the handstrap through
the loop on the side of the
transceiver as illustrated at
right. Facilitates carrying.
DBelt clip
Attach the belt clip to the transceiver as illustrated below.
To attach the belt clip
To remove the belt clip
Top plate

3
2SUPPLIED ACCESSORIES AND ATTACHMENTS
New2001
D Battery pack
To remove the battery pack:
Turn the screw counterclockwise, then pull the battery pack
in the direction of the arrow as shown below.
To attach the battery pack:
Insert the battery pack in the IC-M31 completely, then turn
the screw clockwise.
NEVER remove or insert the battery pack when the
transceiver is wet or soiled. This may result water or dust
getting into the transceiver/battery pack and may result in
the transceiver being damaged.
NOTE: When removing or attaching the battery pack, use
a coin or flat-blade screwdriver to loosen or tighten the
bottom screw.
CAUTION:
When attaching or removing a battery pack, make sure
the rubber seal is set in the groove of the battery pack
correctly. If the seal is not neatly in the groove it may be
damaged when attaching the battery pack.
If the seal is damaged, waterproofing is not guaranteed.
OPEN
LOCK
Screw position
when removing battery
OPEN
LOCK
Screw position
when attaching battery
Make sure both the rubber seal (purple) is set to the groove
correctly and dust or else does not adhere to it.
Battery pack Battery pack
Rubber seal
Groove
Correct position Incorrect position
NOTE:
When attaching a battery pack, make sure dust or else does
not adhere to the rubber seal. If dust or else is on the seal
when attaching a battery pack, the water resistant may be
reduced.

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3
PANEL DESCRIPTION
2
3
■Front, top and side panels
qPOWER SWITCH [PWR]
Push and hold to turn power ON and OFF.
wANTENNA CONNECTOR (p. 2)
Connects the supplied antenna.
eSCAN/DUAL KEY [SCN•DUAL]
• Starts and stops normal or priority scan. (p. 14)
• Enters watch mode when pushed for 1 sec. (p. 15)
• Exits watch mode when pushed during watch operation.
(p. 15)
rTRANSMIT POWER/LOCK KEY [H/L•LOCK]
• Selects high or low power when pushed. (p. 10)
• Toggles the lock function ON/OFF when pushed for 1
sec. (p. 12)
tVOLUME UP/DOWN KEYS [+]/[–]•[VOL]
• Adjusts the volume level. (p. 9)
• After pushing [SQL•MONI], push to adjust the squelch
level. (p. 9)
y SQUELCH KEY [SQL•MONI]
• Push this key, then adjust the squelch level with [+]/[–].
(p. 9)
• Manually opens the squelch for monitoring the channel
while pushed and held. (p. 12)
• While pushing this key, turn power ON to enter the set
mode. (p. 16)
☞Continue to the next page.
r
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!0
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Microphone
Function display
(p. 5)
Speaker

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3PANEL DESCRIPTION
New2001
■Front, top and side panels (Continued)
uCHANNEL UP/DOWN KEYS [Y]/[Z]•[TAG]
• Selects an operating channel. (pgs. 7, 8)
• Selects the SET mode condition of the item. (p. 16)
• Checks tag channels or changes scanning direction dur-
ing scan. (p. 14)
• Sets or clears the displayed channel as a tag (scanned)
channel when pushed both keys for 1 sec. (p. 14)
• While pushing this key, turn power ON to clear all tag
channels in the channel group. (p. 14)
iDIAL/CHANNEL GROUP KEY [DIAL]
• Push to return to the channel selection before selecting
the channel 16 or the call channel with [16•C].
• Selects one of 2 regular channel groups in sequence
when pushed for 1 sec. (p. 8)
- International, U.S.A.*1(or ATIS*2) channels are available.
*1Available for the UK version only
*2Available for the German version only
oCHANNEL 16 KEY [16•C]
• Selects Channel 16 when pushed. (p. 7)
• Selects the call channel when pushed for 1 sec. (p. 7)
• Enters call channel programming condition when the
call channel is selected and this key is pushed for 3 sec.
(p. 11)
• Exits set mode when pushed during set mode operation.
(p. 16)
!0 PTT SWITCH [PTT]
Push and hold to transmit; release to receive.
■Function display
q TRANSMIT INDICATOR (p. 10)
Appears while transmitting.
w BUSY INDICATOR
Appears when receiving a signal or when the squelch
opens. (p. 10)
“ ” blinks while monitoring. (p. 12)
e TAG CHANNEL INDICATOR (p. 14)
Appears when a tag channel is selected.
r CALL CHANNEL INDICATOR (p. 7)
Appears when the call channel is selected.
q e r yt w
!5 !3!4
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!2
!1
!0
!7
!6