Lowrance Link-5 User manual

ENGLISH
Link-5 VHF
User Guide
lowrance.com
Draft - Final approval

Copyright © 2012 Navico
All rights reserved.
Lowrance® is a registered trademark of Navico
No part of this manual may be copied, reproduced, republished, transmitted or
distributed for any purpose, without prior written consent of Lowrance Electronics.
Any unauthorized commercial distribution of this manual is strictly
prohibited.
Lowrance Electronics may find it necessary to change or end our policies,
regulations, and special offers at any time. We reserve the right to do so without
notice. All features and specifications subject to change without notice.
All screens in this manual are simulated.
For free owner’s manuals and the most current information on this product, its
operation and accessories, visit our web site: www.lowrance.com
Important safety information
Please read carefully before installation and use.
DANGER
This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to alert you to potential
personal injury hazards, Obey all safety messages that follow this
symbol to avoid possible injury or death.
WARNING WARNING indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not
avoided, could result in death or serious injury
CAUTION CAUTION indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not
avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury.
CAUTION
CAUTION used without the safety alert symbol indicates a po-
tentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in
property damage.
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Lowrance | Link-5 VHF User Guide 3
Section 1 - General Information .......................................................................6
1-1 Features .................................................................................................................................................6
1-2 Customizing your Lowrance VHF Radio.....................................................................................7
1-3 How to Display and Navigate Menus..........................................................................................7
1-4 How to Enter Alphanumeric Data................................................................................................7
1-5 LCD Symbols and Meanings ..........................................................................................................7
1-6 Basic Operation and Key Functions.............................................................................................9
Section 2 - The Radio Menu (MENU) ................................................................12
2-1 Radio Menu Options (Menu) ...................................................................................................... 12
2-2 Maintain Your Buddy List (BUDDY LIST).................................................................................. 13
2-2-1 Add an Entry ....................................................................................................................................................13
2-2-2 Edit an Entry .....................................................................................................................................................13
2-2-3 Delete an Entry...............................................................................................................................................14
2-3 Local or Distance Sensitivity (LOCAL/DIST)........................................................................... 14
2-3-1 Set DISTANT Sensitivity..............................................................................................................................14
2-3-2 Set LOCAL Sensitivity..................................................................................................................................14
2-4 Backlighting (BACKLIGHT) and Contrast (CONTRAST) ..................................................... 14
2-4-1 Set the Backlighting Level.......................................................................................................................15
2.4.2 Set the Contrast Level..................................................................................................................................15
2-5 GPS Data and Time (GPS/DATA)................................................................................................. 15
2-5-1 Manually Enter Position and UTC Time (MANUAL) ..................................................................15
2-5-2 Local Time (TIME OFFSET).......................................................................................................................16
2-5-3 Time Format Options (TIME FORMAT).............................................................................................16
2-5-4 Time Display Options (TIME DISPLAY) .............................................................................................17
2-5-5 Position Display Options (LL display)................................................................................................17
2-5-6 Course & Speed Display Options (COG/SOG)..............................................................................17
2-5-7 GPS Alert Options (ALERT) .....................................................................................................................18
2-6 GPS Simulator (SIMULATOR) ....................................................................................................... 18
2-7 Reset to Factory Defaults (RESET) ............................................................................................. 18
Section 3 - Radio Setup Menu (RADIO SETUP) ................................................19
3-1 Radio Setup Menu (RADIO SETUP) ........................................................................................... 19
3-2 Channel (UIC).................................................................................................................................... 19
3-3 Channel Names (CH NAME)......................................................................................................... 20
3-4 RING & BEEP Volume (RING VOLUME) and (KEY BEEP)...................................................... 20
3-5 Internal Speaker Connections (INT SPEAKER)....................................................................... 20
3-6 Set the Priority Channel (WATCH MODE) ............................................................................... 21
3-7 Weather Alert (Wx ALERT) .......................................................................................................... 21
3-8 NMEA protocol (COM PORT)....................................................................................................... 21
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Lowrance | Link-5 VHF User Guide4
Section 4 - DSC Setup Menu (DSC SETUP)........................................................22
4-1 DSC Setup - Menu Options.......................................................................................................... 22
4-2 Enter or View Your USER MMSI (USER MMSI) ........................................................................ 22
4-2-1 Enter your MMSI.............................................................................................................................................22
4-2-2 View your MMSI ............................................................................................................................................23
4-3 Maintain Your Groups (GROUP SETUP) ................................................................................... 23
4-3-1 Create a Group (GROUP SETUP)...........................................................................................................23
4-3-2 Edit Group Name Details .........................................................................................................................24
4-3-3 Delete a Group ...............................................................................................................................................24
4-4 Response to Individual Calls (INDIV REPLY)........................................................................... 24
4-5 ATIS MMSI & ATIS Functionality.................................................................................................. 25
4-5-1 Enter or Edit YOUR ATIS MMSI...............................................................................................................25
4-5-2 View your ATIS MMSI...................................................................................................................................25
4-5-3 Enable ATIS Functionality (ATIS FUNC).............................................................................................26
4-6 DSC functionality options (DSC FUNC)................................................................................... 26
4-7 Response Type to LL Polling Calls (LL REPLY)........................................................................ 26
4-8 Automatic Channel switching (AUTO SWITCH).................................................................... 27
4-9 DSC Test Reply (TEST REPLY)....................................................................................................... 28
4-10 Set the inactivity timer (TIMEOUT) ........................................................................................ 28
Section 5 - Sending and Receiving DSC Calls ..................................................29
5-1 What is DSC? ..................................................................................................................................... 29
5-2 Sending DSC calls ........................................................................................................................... 29
5-2-1 Make a Routine Call (INDIVIDUAL)......................................................................................................30
5-2-2 Retrying a Routine Call ..............................................................................................................................31
5-2-3 Acknowledgement of an Individual Incoming Call (INDIV) ...............................................31
5-2-4 Recall the Most Recent Incoming Call (LAST CALL) ................................................................32
5-2-5 Call a Group (GROUP).................................................................................................................................32
5-2-6 Call All Ships (ALL SHIPS)..........................................................................................................................32
5-2-7 Call using the Call Log (CALL LOG).....................................................................................................33
5-2-8 Call using the Distress Log (DISTR LOG)..........................................................................................33
5-2-9 Call using the Sent Call Log (SENT CALL).......................................................................................34
5-2-10 Request the LL Position of a Buddy (LL REQUEST)................................................................34
5-2-11 Make a DSC test call (DSC TEST) .......................................................................................................35
5-3 Receiving DSC Calls........................................................................................................................ 36
5-3-1 Receiving an All Ships Call (ALL SHIPS)............................................................................................37
5-3-2 Receiving an Individual Call (INDIV)..................................................................................................37
5-3-3 Receiving a Group Call (GROUP)..........................................................................................................38
5-3-4 Receiving a Geographic Call (GEOGRAPH)....................................................................................39
5-3-5 Receiving a Polled Position Call (POSITION).................................................................................39
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Lowrance | Link-5 VHF User Guide 5
Section 6 - Distress Calls ..................................................................................40
6-1 Sending a Distress Call.................................................................................................................. 40
6-2 Receiving a Distress Call (DISTRESS!) ....................................................................................... 41
6-3 Distress Acknowledgement ( DISTRESS ACK ) or Relay ....................................................... 42
6-4 Acknowledgement of an Distress Relay Individual (INDIV DISTR) ................................ 43
Section 7 - Installation ....................................................................................44
Installation Options ............................................................................................................................... 44
Location Requirements........................................................................................................................ 44
Checklist..................................................................................................................................................... 45
Gimbal Installation................................................................................................................................. 46
Change the Viewing Angle ................................................................................................................. 46
Recessed Installation............................................................................................................................. 46
Install the Microphone Bulkhead Mount....................................................................................... 47
Fix the DSC label..................................................................................................................................... 48
Connect the Radio Cables................................................................................................................... 48
Set Up the Radio ..................................................................................................................................... 49
Enter Your User MMSI............................................................................................................................ 49
The Completed Installation ................................................................................................................ 50
Appendix A - Technical Specifications ............................................................51
Appendix B - Troubleshooting.........................................................................53
Appendix C - US & ROW VHF Marine Channel Charts.....................................54
C-1 International Channel Chart ....................................................................................................... 54
Special Notes on International Channel Usage.......................................................................................55
C-2 USA Channel Chart......................................................................................................................... 56
Special Notes on USA Channel Usage..........................................................................................................57
C-3 CANADA Channel Chart............................................................................................................... 58
Special Notes on Canada Channel Usage...................................................................................................59
C-4 US & Canada WEATHER Channels ............................................................................................. 60
Appendix D - EU VHF Marine Channel Charts ................................................61
D-1 EU International Channel Chart................................................................................................ 61
Special Notes on EU International Channel Usage...............................................................................62
D-2 Inland Waterways Country Specic table - ATIS ON .......................................................... 63
D-3 Special Channels 2........................................................................................................................ 66
Appendix E - MMSI, FCC and License Information..........................................67
FCC Compliance .........................................................................................................................................................67
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Lowrance | Link-5 VHF User Guide6
Section 1 - General Information
1-1 Features
Congratulations on your purchase of this Lowrance Link-5 marine band VHF radio. Your Link-5
provides the following useful features:
• Prominent channel display
• Adjustable contrast settings for the LCD
• Adjustable keypad backlighting for easy night-time use
• Waterproof and submersible to comply with JIS-7
• GPS latitude and longitude (LL) and time display (when connected to a GPS)
• Choice of High or Low (25 W or 1 W) transmission power
• 6 key handset mic with built-in speaker
• Powerful 4 W external audio output
• Access to all currently-available marine VHF channel banks (USA, Canada, International)
including weather channels where available (model dependant)
• Special CH16/9 key for quick access to the priority (international distress) channel
• Special 3CH key to select your three favourite channels
• Dedicated Wx (Weather) key
• PSCAN (similar to dual watch) facility
• DSC (Digital Select Calling) capability that meets Global DSC Class D Standards
• Separate CH70 receiver included built in
• DISTRESS call button to automatically transmit the MMSI and position until an
acknowledgement is received
• Easy access to a buddy list of up to 20 favourite people
• MMSI storage for three favourite groups
• Group Call and All Ships Call facility
• LL position polling information
• Weather alert facility where available (US models)
• ATIS facility for inland waterways (EU models)
• With DSC Auto-Switch disable and DSC Test function
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Lowrance | Link-5 VHF User Guide 7
1-2 Customizing your Lowrance VHF Radio
You can customize the radio to suit your individual preferences. Some preferences can be set
directly through the keys as explained in this Section. Other preferences are set up through
the built-in menus and these are explained in the other Sections.
You can check the software version of the radio and the User MMSI each time the radio is
turned on, the screen will display the software version and the USER MMSI if one is pro-
grammed into the radio.
1-3 How to Display and Navigate Menus
1. Press MENU (or CALL). Note that only four menu items can be displayed at any one time
on the screen.
2. Some line items may show an ▲ or ▼ indicator. This means there is more information
available to show. Scroll (rotate the Rotary knob, or use + / - keys on the hand mic) to
scroll up and down the menu until the cursor is positioned at the desired option. Press
ENT (press the Push To Select) to display that option.
3. Make any entries or changes as explained in the following section.
4. Press ENT to confirm changes. Otherwise, press EXIT to keep the original entry.
5. Press EXIT to backup one screen (this key is equivalent to an ESC function on a PC)
1-4 How to Enter Alphanumeric Data
If your radio does not have the optional alphanumeric microphone, you can Rotate the
Rotary knob, or use + / - keys on the microphone key to enter alphanumeric data.
• Press - to count through numbers, or hold down to scroll rapidly to the desired number.
• Press + to step through the alphabet, or hold down to scroll rapidly to the desired
character.
• If you make an error, press - until < is displayed, then press ENT to backup and correct
the entry.
1-5 LCD Symbols and Meanings
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Lowrance | Link-5 VHF User Guide8
This simulation shows the locations of all the following information symbols:
Symbol Meaning
Transmitting.
HI LO Transmission power. High (HI) 25W or Low (LO) 1W.
WX Weather channel.
WX ALT Weather Alert. Alarm beeps will sound (US models only).
Receiver busy with an incoming signal.
PRI Priority channel is selected.
Duplex operation. Otherwise, blank for Simplex operation.
Local calling is selected. Otherwise, blank for distance calling.
DSC DSC capability is available.
Incoming DSC call.
Low Battery warning (activates at 10.5 V).
Channel selected.
USA INT CAN Selected channel bank for VHF radio operations and regulations.
DSC Auto channel switch function is disabled (OFF) (see section 4-8)
B A Channel suffix, if applicable.
CH1 CH2 CH3 Shows which of the 3 favourite channels, if any, are selected.
Otherwise blank.
ATIS EU models only - must be enabled when in European inland waterways.
A typical display:
The latitude and longitude of the vessel and the local time are shown.
A transmission on Channel 16 is being made at high power 
The International channel bank is loaded.
Channel 16 is set as the Priority channel . It is also set as favourite channel 1 .
DSC functionality is enabled.
There is an incoming DSC call so the receiver is busy .







 
X
BUSY
TX
LOCAL
D
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Lowrance | Link-5 VHF User Guide 9
1-6 Basic Operation and Key Functions
All possible keys and their functions are listed here. Note that some of the keys may
not be available depending on your Lowrance VHF radio model.
Key Function
VOL/PWR Volume and Power.
Turn clockwise to power on. Continue to turn until a comfortable volume is reached.
VOL/PWR will also adjust the settings of an external speaker, if connected.
SQL Squelch or Threshold Level.
Sets the threshold level for the minimum receiver signal. Turn fully counterclockwise
until random noise is heard, then turn slowly clockwise until the random noise
disappears. Make another 1/4 turn clockwise for best reception in open sea conditions.
In areas of high noise (eg. close to large cities) reception may improve if sensitivity is
reduced. Either turn SQL slowly clockwise or use the LOCAL setting. See section 2.3.
16 / 9Priority Channel.
Also on the handset mic. Press to cancel all other modes and to tune into the priority
channel. Press again to return to your original channel. The default Priority Channel is
CH16.
For US models: To make Channel 09 the priority channel, hold down 16/9 until a
beep sounds and 09 is displayed.
WX Weather Channel.
For US models: In USA and Canadian waters, press to hear the most recently selected
weather station. The WX symbol is displayed on the LCD. Rotate the dial or + / - on
the handset mic to change to a different weather channel. Press WX again to return
to the most recent channel. If the weather alert mode (ALT) is ON and an alert tone of
1050Hz is broadcast from the weather station, it is picked up automatically and the
alarm sounds. Press any key to hear the weather alert voice message.
6 Key handset mic Link-5 base station radio
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Lowrance | Link-5 VHF User Guide10
For all other models: The Wx key can be programmed to a weather channel of your
choice. Select a channel you wish to use as your weather channel, then press and hold
the Wx key for a few seconds. The radio will beep to confirm your choice. You now
have quick access to your favourite channel by pressing the Wx key.
H/L Transmission Power.
(Located on the handset mic). High (HI) 25W or Low (LO) 1W. Press to toggle between
high or low transmission power for the entire channel bank. The HI or LO selection is
shown on the LCD.
Some channels allow only low power transmissions. Error beeps will sound if the
power transmission setting is incorrect.
Some channels allow only low power transmissions initially, but can be changed to
high power by holding down H/L and PTT at the same time. See Appendix C for a
complete listing of channel charts.
3CH Three Favourite Channels.
Also on the handset mic. Press to toggle between your favourite channels. The CH1,
CH2, or CH3 symbol appears on the LCD to show which favourite channel is selected.
To scan only one of your favourite channels, press 3CH then immediately press
and release SCAN. If you want to scan all three favourite channels, press 3CH then
immediately press and hold SCAN.
To add a favourite channel for the first time, select that channel then hold 3CH to store
it in the CH1 location. Repeat the procedure to store two more favourite channels in
the CH2 and CH3 locations respectively.
If you try and add another favourite channel it will overwrite the existing CH3. CH1
and CH2 remain unless you delete them.
To delete a favourite channel, select that channel then hold down 3CH until the CH1,
CH2 or CH3 symbol disappears off the LCD.
SCAN Scan.
Press to scan between your current channel and the priority channel in DUAL or
TRI WATCH mode. The weather channel is also scanned if the USA channel bank is
selected and the weather alert mode (ALT) is ON.
Hold down SCAN to enter ALL SCAN mode where the priority channel is checked
every 1.5 seconds.
When a signal is received, scanning stops at that channel and
BUSY
appears on
the screen. If the signal ceases for more than 5 seconds, the scan restarts.
Press ENT to temporarily skip over (lock out) an “always busy” channel when in ALL
SCAN mode and resume the scan. If a channel is skipped, the word ‘SKIP ON’will
momentarily replace the channel name shown on the LCD to designate a skipped
channel. The channel name will then have‘ *’ appended to the end of the channel
name. Note that it is not possible to skip over the priority channel.
To cancel a skipped channel, select the channel while in normal mode (non-scan
mode) then press the ENT key - ‘SKIP OFF’ will be displayed momentarily and the
channel will be restored. Alternatively, you can re-power the radio.
Press SCAN to stop at the current channel.
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