Icom IC-M87 User manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL
iM87
VHF MARINE TRANSCEIVER

i
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
If your vessel requires assistance, contact other vessels and
the Coast Guard by sending a distress call on Channel 16.
❍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 re-
quired.
6. Any other information which might facilitate
the rescue.
RECOMMENDATION
CLEAN THE TRANSCEIVER THOROUGHLY WITH FRESH
WATER after exposure to saltwater. Otherwise, the trans-
ceiver’s keys, switches and controllers may become inopera-
ble 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 dam-
aged, the transceiver/battery pack is cracked or broken, or
has been dropped, or when the battery pack is detached from
the transceiver.

ii
FOREWORD
Thank you for purchasing this Icom product. The IC-M87 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 operation.
IMPORTANT
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS carefully and com-
pletely before using the transceiver.
SAVE THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL—This in-
struction manual contains important operating instructions for
the IC-M87.
EXPLICIT DEFINITIONS
FEATURES
☞22 free channels for PMR use
The IC-M87 has 22 free channels reserved for PMR use
(146–174MHz). Wide/narrow
channel spacing is program-
mable for each channel, and CTCSS and DTCS signaling
is included.
*Appropriate license will be required.
☞Tough waterproof construction
The IC-M87 is built tough to withstand hazardous and un-
hospitable environments at sea and on land. Even if the
IC-M87 is dropped into water, it’s waterproofing* will pro-
tect it from harm. The compact and durable body meets
the military specifications (MIL-STD).
* Equivalent to JIS waterproof grade 7 or IPX7 of the corre-
sponding International Standard IEC 529 (1989). (1m depth for
30 minutes)
☞Simple operation
6 clearly labelled buttons on the front panel and the vol-
ume/power knob maximize simplicity of operation. Even
when wearing gloves, the large buttons are easy to oper-
ate. A large, clear LCD with backlighting and backlit but-
tons make night time operation simple.
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.
NEVER connect the transceiver to a power source other
than the BP-227AX. Such a connection will ruin the trans-
ceiver.
NEVER use non-Icom battery packs/chargers to prevent
the loss of the transceiver’s good performance and warranty.
DO NOT use or place the transceiver in direct sunlight or
in areas with temperatures below –15°C or above +55°C: Ma-
rine, below –20°C or above +55°C: PMR.
KEEP the transceiver out of the reach of children.
KEEP the transceiver at least 0.9 meter away from your
vessel’s magnetic navigation compass.
iii
BE CAREFUL! The IC-M87 employs waterproof con-
struction, which corresponds to JIS waterproof specification,
Grade 7 (1 m depth for 30 min.). However, once the trans-
ceiver has been dropped, waterproofing cannot be guaran-
teed due to the fact that the transceiver may be cracked, or
the waterproof seal damaged, etc.
MAKE SURE the flexible antenna and battery pack are
securely attached to the transceiver, and that the antenna and
battery pack are dry before attachment. Exposing the inside
of the transceiver to water will result in serious damage to the
transceiver.
Icom optional equipment is designed for optimal performance
when used with this transceiver. We are not responsible for
the transceiver being damaged or any accident caused when
using non-Icom optional equipment.
Icom, Icom Inc. and are registered trademarks of Icom Incorporated
(Japan) in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Russia
and/or other countries.

iv
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY ................................................ i
RECOMMENDATION ........................................................... i
FOREWORD ....................................................................... ii
IMPORTANT ........................................................................ ii
EXPLICIT DEFINITIONS ..................................................... ii
FEATURES .......................................................................... ii
PRECAUTION .................................................................... iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS ...................................................... iv
INTRINSIC SAFETY ........................................................... v
1 OPERATING RULES ..................................................... 1
2 SUPPLIED ACCESSORIES AND ATTACHMENTS... 2–3
3 PANEL DESCRIPTION .............................................. 4–7
■Front, top and side panels ........................................... 4
■Function display .......................................................... 6
4 BASIC OPERATION ................................................ 8–12
■Channel selection ....................................................... 8
■Receiving and transmitting ....................................... 10
■Adjusting the squelch level ........................................ 11
■Automatic backlighting .............................................. 11
■Lock function ............................................................. 11
■Call channel programming ........................................ 12
■Voice scrambler operation ........................................ 12
5 SCAN OPERATION ............................................... 13–14
■Scan types ................................................................ 13
■Setting tag channels ................................................. 14
■Starting a scan .......................................................... 14
TABLE OF CONTENTS
6 DUALWATCH/TRI-WATCH .......................................... 15
■Description ................................................................ 15
■Operation .................................................................. 15
7 LAND (PMR) CHANNEL OPERATION ....................... 16
■LAND (PMR) Channel Group .................................... 16
■Function display......................................................... 16
8 SET MODE ............................................................. 17–21
■SET mode programming ........................................... 17
■SET mode items ....................................................... 18
9 BATTERY CHARGING .......................................... 22–25
■Battery charging ........................................................ 22
■Cautions .................................................................... 22
■AD-100 installation .................................................... 24
■Optional battery chargers ......................................... 25
10 SPEAKER-MICROPHONE .......................................... 26
■HM-138 Description .................................................. 26
■Attachments .............................................................. 26
11 TROUBLESHOOTING ................................................. 27
12 VHF MARINE CHANNEL LIST .................................... 28
13 SPECIFICATIONS ........................................................ 29
14 OPTIONS ...................................................................... 30
15 QUICK REFERENCE.................................................... 31
16 DOC .............................................................................. 32
17 ATEX CAUTIONS ......................................................... 33

v
INTRINSIC SAFETY
Versions of the IC-M87 which display the “EX”
marking on the serial number seal.
The approval rating for these models is II2G EEx
ib IIA T3.
WARNING! NEVER charge the BP-227AX (with/without
the transceiver) in an explosive atmosphere. The optional bat-
tery chargers are not approved as Intrinsically Safe.
When the transceiver is used in a hazardous area, the
BP-227AX MUST be attached, either the jack cover or HM-
138 MUST be attached to the speaker-microphone connec-
tor.
KEEP the transceiver and the BP-227AX clean to avoid any
risk of ignition due to the build-up of electrostatic charges.
Repair of Icom radios should only be carried out by autho-
rized Icom distributors. In particular, repair of ATEX approved
radios can ONLY be done by Icom to maintain the intrinsi-
cally safe rating. NEVER attempt to repair an ATEX ap-
proved radio. Only Icom has the repair expertise and
procedures to maintain the ATEX approval. Contact your Icom
distributor or authorised dealer for details.
The ATEX standard is described on the 94/9/EC sticker (Ex
Marking) and BP-227AX as below.
BP-227AX

1
1
OPERATING RULES
DPriorities
•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.
DPrivacy
•Information overheard but not intended for you cannot law-
fully be used in any way.
•Indecent or profane language is prohibited.
DRadio 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 in-
cludes 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 transceiver
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 regulations.

2
2SUPPLIED ACCESSARIES AND ATTACHMENTS
DSupplied accessories
The following accessories are supplied: Qty.
•Swivel belt clip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
•Stopper for the swivel belt clip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
•Screws for the swivel belt clip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
•Flexible antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
•Handstrap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
•Battery pack (BP-227AX) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
•AC adapter (BC-147E)* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
•Battery charger (BC-152) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
*Not supplied with some version
DSwivel belt clip
To attach:
qAttach the stopper to the back of the transceiver.
wClip the belt clip to a part of your belt and insert the stopper to the
belt clip.
eOnce the transceiver is locked in place, it will swivel 360 degrees.
Supplied screws
Stopper

3
2
SUPPLIED ACCESSARIES AND ATTACHMENTS
DFlexible antenna
Connect the supplied flexible an-
tenna to the antenna connector.
CAUTION: Transmitting with-
out an antenna may damage
the transceiver.
NEVER HOLD by the antenna
when carrying the transceiver.
To remove:
Turn the transceiver upside down, and then lift up to re-
lease the transceiver from the belt clip.
RCAUTION!
HOLD THE TRANSCEIVER TIGHTLY, WHEN ATTACHING
OR REMOVING THE TRANSCEIVER FROM THE BELT
CLIP.
If the transceiver is accidentally dropped and the swivel belt
clip’s stopper is scratched or damaged, the swivel belt clip
may not work properly.
DHandstrap
Slide the handstrap through
the loop on the side of the
transceiver as illustrated at
right. Facilitates carrying.

4
3PANEL DESCRIPTION
qVOLUME CONTROL [VOL]
Turns power ON and adjusts the audio level.
wANTENNA CONNECTOR (p. 3)
Connects the supplied antenna.
eSPEAKER-MICROPHONE CONNECTOR [SP MIC] (p. 26)
Connects the optional speaker-microphone.
rSCAN [SCN•DUAL]
•Starts and stops normal or priority scan. (p. 14)
•Enters Watch mode when pushed for 1 sec. (p. 15)
tTRANSMIT POWER/LOCK SWITCH [H/L•LOCK]
•Selects high, middle (except for the German version) or
low power when pushed. (p. 10)
•Toggles the lock function ON/OFF when pushed for 1
sec. (p. 11)
yCHANNEL 16 SWITCH [16•C]
•Selects Channel 16 when pushed. (p. 8)
•Selects the call channel when pushed for 1 sec. (p. 8)
•Enters call channel write mode when the call channel is
selected and this switch is pushed for 3 sec. (p. 12)
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■Front, top and side panels
[SP MIC] jack cover
NOTE: KEEP the [SP MIC] jack cover
attached to the transceiver when the
speaker-microphone is not in use.