mcmurdo F1 DSC User manual

McMurdo F1 DSC
Marine VHF Radio with DSC
Installation Manual

ii
Introduction
McMurdo
McMurdo has supplied the maritime market for many years with communication
products of high quality and excellent design, and considers it of utmost importance
that all products are safe and easy to operate.
The product
The McMurdo F1 DSC VHF Radiotelephone (radio transceiver) is designed to meet the
high quality standard required for a product that plays an important role in the safety of
the ship and its crew. The F1 DSC Radiotelephone is easy to operate and gives the
user high quality effective radio communication to other ships as well as to shore based
stations. Installation and maintenance is made very simple and can be carried out by
untrained personnel.
Training certificate
The F1 DSC Radiotelephone is very simple to use; the menu-structured operation is
user-friendly, self-explanatory and simple to navigate. However the use of VHF marine
radios including DSC is legislated; it is therefore necessary for the user to have a
certificate from the legislating authority in the country where the radio is to be used.
When the radio is registered the legislating authority will issue the MMSI number
necessary for the operation of the DSC function.
A CD-ROM simulating the operation of the F1 DSC Radiotelephone can be obtained
from McMurdo on application. This, when installed on a PC-compatible computer,
simulates the operation of the F1 DSC Radiotelephone together with a simulation of a
second station for exchange of DSC messages.
Service
McMurdo has established a worldwide service network ready to support any
requirement concerning the F1 DSC Radiotelephone. The service network ensures that
spare parts and installation advice can be obtained in all major ports of the world. The
Certified Services Centre concept ensures that the performance of the Service Centres
is constantly monitored and that the skills of the personnel are up to date.
Details of the McMurdo worldwide service network can be found on the website:
www.mcmurdo.co.uk

iii
Maintenance
The F1 DSC Radiotelephone is an essential part of the ship’s emergency system. As
the radio is a vital component for the safety of the ship and its crew it is very important
to maintain the radio and its installation to a very high standard. The design of the radio
ensures that maintenance can be kept to a minimum, however it is good practice to
perform a functional check at least once every month. This functional check is
described in this manual and takes only a few minutes to carry out. It is essential to
perform a functional check following installation. It is also important to inspect all cables
and connections at regular intervals, such as twice yearly.
Disclaimer
Information contained in this manual is supplied in good faith, but is liable to change
without notice. McMurdo Limited disclaims any liability for consequences arising from
omissions or inaccuracies in the manuals and documentation provided with this
product.
2002 McMurdo Ltd.
IMPORTANT: Please take time to read this manual carefully and to
understand its contents fully, so that you can install your F1 DSC
Radiotelephone correctly.
If in any doubt seek expert advice or have a skilled person install it for you.
Once installed please read the Operation Manual fully to make sure you
understand how to use your new radio.

iv
Installing and Using the Transceiver Safely
Installation
WARNING: Do not connect the transceiver to a mains (line) AC electrical supply, as an
electric shock or fire hazard could result.
CAUTION: Do not connect the transceiver to a DC supply exceeding 16V or reverse the
supply polarity. Damage to the transceiver can result.
CAUTION: Do not bypass the power cable inline fuse (such as cutting the cable shorter).
CAUTION: The transceiver is designed for operation in the temperature range –15°C to
+55°C. Do not install (or use) the transceiver in areas which exceed this range.
CAUTION: The F1 DSC radio is water resistant to international standards. However, if either
the transceiver or microphone casing is damaged (e.g. due to heavy impact) then the sealing
cannot be guaranteed.
WARNING: Do not install the receiver in a position where;
a) the controls of your vessel may be obstructed.
b) it may obstruct your normal movement around your vessel.
c) it may cause bodily injury.
d) it cannot be easily accessed in an emergency.
Use
WARNING: Certain parts of the chassis can become hot during extended periods of operation,
notably the rear panel (connectors and radiator fins). Avoid touching these areas when the radio is
operating.
WARNING: Do not touch the rear connections, notably the antenna connector, when the
transceiver is operating and do not touch the antenna whip (mast) or connecting cable when
operating the transceiver, for RF exposure and electrical safety reasons. Refer to Radio
Frequency Exposure Warning.
WARNING: Opening the transceiver cover will invalidate the warranty. Do not open the cover
when the transceiver is operating, or connected to a power supply.
Maintenance
CAUTION: Avoid using chemical solvents to clean the transceiver as some solvents can
damage the case material.
NOTE: The transceiver contains no user serviceable parts. Return to your Service Agent for
repair.

v
Radio Frequency Exposure Warning
To meet the current requirements for Radio Frequency Exposure it is necessary to
install the antenna mast correctly and operate the equipment according to the
instructions.
The assumptions used in this assessment are: full transmit power is used, a good
antenna is used (assumed to be a 9dBi gain omnidirectional type).
Where no suitable structure exists to achieve a 3 metre vertical separation then the
antenna base must be mounted at least 1 metre above the head of any person within
range and all persons must stay outside the 3 metre safety radius.
Failure to adhere to these limits could expose persons within the 3 metre radius to RF
radiation in excess of the MPE / SAR limits.
Rules of Operation
Licensing
Please refer to the F1 DSC Radiotelephone Operation Manual for full radio operating
procedures.
IMPORTANT: In most countries the operator of the transceiver must possess a
current radio telephone licence, and the equipment must be registered (Call Sign
and MMSI number). Please contact the relevant authority in your country for
more information.
IMPORTANT: Normal users of the transceiver should be trained, licensed
operators, but this rule is waived in an emergency and any person can transmit a
Distress Call.
WARNING: The antenna mast must be mounted at a minimum distance
(vertical separation) of 3 metres from the head of any person standing on deck
to meet international safety directives on Maximum Permissible Exposure
(
MPE
)
/ S
p
ecific Absor
p
tion Rate
(
SAR
)
.
WARNING: Do not transmit when persons are closer than 3 metres to the
antenna. If any person (e.g. the operator) must be closer, then a grounded RF
shield should be interposed between that person and the antenna.

vi
Contents
Installing the MMSI number................................................................1
Applying for a MMSI number ................................................................................ 1
How to install the MMSI number ........................................................................... 1
Mounting options................................................................................3
Introduction ........................................................................................................... 3
Tabletop or ceiling installation............................................................................... 4
Bulkhead or panel mounting ................................................................................. 6
Flush mount kit (kit number 84-412) ..................................................................... 6
Bulkhead and instrument panel mounting kit (kit number 84-413) ........................ 8
Drilling guides.....................................................................................9
Electrical connections.......................................................................11
Connection of power supply................................................................................ 11
Connection of external loudspeaker.................................................................... 13
Connection of GPS for position information ........................................................ 14
Connection of fist mike to the rear D-sub connector (socket) ............................. 15
Connection of fist mike to the D-sub plug ........................................................... 16
Connection of antenna........................................................................................ 17
Performance check ..........................................................................19
Technical Specifications...................................................................20
McMurdo Limited Product Warranty.................................................22

Page 1
Installing the MMSI number
To ensure full performance of the F1 DSC Radiotelephone it is essential that the MMSI
number is installed in the radio.
Applying for a MMSI number
It is necessary to apply for a radio licence and a MMSI number to the national authority,
which in most cases has a standard form to be completed. In Britain the national
authority is the Radiocommunication Agency (RA); the standard form can be found on
the webpage www.radio.gov.uk, then follow the menu items: M – Maritime radio –
Application forms – RA145. The supplier of the radio will be able to advise concerning
the procedure and form used to apply for a radio licence including the MMSI number.
How to install the MMSI number
The MMSI number is a 9-digit number which is programmed into the radio. When
programmed once it is not possible for the operator to alter the number without
returning the radio to the supplier or to McMurdo Ltd.
To program the MMSI follow these illustrations:
1. Turn on the Radio
2. When the radio shows the standby display
Press the Menu action key
3. Use the scroll key to display the menu
“Profiles” and press the Select action key
4. Use the scroll key to display the menu
“MMSI number” and press Select action key
5. The first option displayed is
“Ship MMSI”. Press the Select action key
6. The cursor will be placed behind the last 0
Use the Clear action key to delete all 0’s
then key in the MMSI number
7. The MMSI number is saved by pressing the Save action key
49° 45` W at: 11:23
123°32` E UTC
Menu
16
Pos
Profiles
S
e
l
ec
t
E
x
it
Profiles
MMSI number
Select Back
MMSI number
Ship MMSI
Select Back
Ship MMSI number
MMSI:000000000
Save Clear
WARNING: If no MMSI number is installed the radio will be unable to transmit
a DSC call including the transmission of a DSC distress alert.

Page 2
IMPORTANT: If the wrong MMSI number has been entered, it is possible to re-enter
(correct) the MMSI number once more only. However, after one hour from the time of
entering the first MMSI number the radio will inhibit changing the MMSI number.
If this happens, the radio must be returned to McMurdo (via the supplier) for
reprogramming to allow entering another MMSI number.

Page 3
Mounting options
Introduction
To ensure high performance of the F1 DSC Radiotelephone it is very important that the
installation guidelines described in this book are followed.
When installed make sure the radio is fixed to a solid surface. The mounting surface to
which the radio is fixed must be as solid and as free of vibrations from the ship's engine
or other vibration generating sources as possible. Extensive vibrations can damage the
communication quality and in the worst case make communication impossible.
Cables specified in this installation manual are recommendations only, but to achieve
the full performance of your radio it is advisable to follow these recommendations. The
cables specified are not shielded, but it is recommended to use shielded cables when
other electronic instruments are mounted close to the radio. Special attention has to be
paid to cables from another instrument running parallel to the cables for the F1 DSC
Radiotelephone and to cables carrying high alternating current. Such cables can cause
radio interference, which can disturb communication on one or more of the VHF
channels.
The F1 DSC Radiotelephone uses components containing magnets. To ensure correct
operation of your compass, it is necessary to mount the radio transceiver no closer than
0.5 metres to any compass installed in the vessel.
The VHF communication range is limited to line of sight. It is therefore very important
that the antenna is installed as high and as free of obstacles as possible. It is also
important to ensure that the connection from the antenna to the radio uses a 50Ωlow
loss cable, and that the connectors used are of the recommended type and fit the cable
used. The recommended coax cables RG58 and RG214 or equivalent must be installed
with caution; it is a good principle not to bend the cables to a smaller radius than 10
times the cable diameter. In sailboats the antenna is often installed at the top of the
mast, requiring a long cable between the radio and the antenna. To obtain the
maximum performance of your radio it is recommended to use a low loss coax cable;
the RG214 is a low loss cable.
The F1 DSC Radiotelephone is watertight; if installed following the instructions in this
manual, the complete installation will be watertight also. When installing in a bulkhead it
is recommended to use the McMurdo bulkhead installation kit, which is available in two
versions: a bulkhead mounting kit and a flush mounting kit. Both kits will when installed
with care create a watertight seal.
WARNING: Observe the Radio Frequency Exposure Warning in the front
section of this manual regarding installation of the antenna.

Page 4
Tabletop or ceiling installation
The F1 DSC Radiotelephone can be mounted on top of a table or on the ceiling. The
supplied bracket is used to mount the radio in these positions. The mounting bracket is
supplied with 6 installation screws; it is recommended to use all 6 screws.
(See ‘Drilling guides; on page 9.)
Before the bracket is fixed to the table or the ceiling make sure that there will be
enough room for the radio and the cables. The main dimensions are shown in the
figures below.
When the tabletop bracket is mounted, install the radio and find the angle that will be
most suitable for operating the radio, then tighten the lock knob. When the radio is in
position in the bracket connect the necessary cables, but make sure that enough cable
length is available for future readjustment of the radio.

Page 5

Page 6
Bulkhead or panel mounting
For bulkhead or panel mounting of the F1 DSC Radiotelephone two mounting kits are
available: a flush mounting kit and a simple bulkhead/panel mounting kit.
Flush mount kit (kit number 84-412)
The flush mounting kit when installed properly provides a watertight installation of the
radio in a bulkhead or instrument panel. Before the hole is cut in the bulkhead or the
instrument panel, make sure that the space behind the bulkhead or instrument panel is
sufficient to accommodate the radio and connecting cables. In the illustration the
dimensions of the required space are shown. The illustration also shows an exploded
view of the assembly process.
A cutout template is provided in the flush mounting kit; take particular care to be
accurate when cutting the hole. If the hole is too large the installation may not be
watertight or the installation may appear untidy.
When using the flush mount kit the connection point for the fist mike must be changed
because the flush mount covers the usual connection of the fist mike at the bottom of
the fascia. As shown below the fist mike connection becomes part of the flush mount
kit. A wire loom is provided to connect the fist mike to the rear of the radio.

Page 7

Page 8
Bulkhead and instrument panel mounting kit (kit number 84-413)
Use of the bulkhead and instrument panel mounting kit is a simple way to build in the
F1 DSC Radiotelephone. Screws are provided with this mounting kit. Before the hole is
cut in the bulkhead or the instrument panel, make sure that the space behind the
bulkhead or instrument panel is sufficient to accommodate the radio and connecting
cables. The dimensions of the required space are shown in the illustrations below. Note
that unlike the Flush Mount Kit (see page 6) the panel thickness is limited to 12mm due
to the slightly different construction of the Simple Bulkhead/Panel Kit.
A cutout template is provided in the mounting kit; take particular care to be accurate
when cutting the hole. If the hole is too large the installation may not be watertight or
the installation may appear untidy.

Page 9
Drilling guides
Table top bracket drilling guide

Page 10
Flush mount kit cutting guide
Bulkhead and instrument panel mount kit cutting guide
A full size template is provided with each mount kit.

Page 11
Electrical connections
It is recommended that this guideline for electrical connection of the F1 DSC
Radiotelephone is followed as carefully as possible. A careless installation is likely to
degrade performance of the radio and cause difficulties for the operator. Most radio
installations will be undisturbed for many years so it is therefore important that the
materials chosen are suitable for use onboard ship where they will be in contact with
the harsh environment onboard.
The radio will operate when it is connected to the power supply and to the antenna.
These are the only two connections which are necessary for full functionality of the
radio. However, if the radio is connected to a GPS source, position information stored
in the radio will be automatically updated at regular intervals and it will not be
necessary to update this position manually. Connection to a GPS will ensure that the
position transmitted in a DSC distress call is as accurate as possible.
In an environment with considerable electrical noise the earth screw at the rear of the
radio should be connected to a common earth point. This is particularly important when
the radio is installed together with MF/HF radios. It is also advisable to route power,
data and antenna cables away from sources of electrical noise such as an engine.
An external loudspeaker can be connected to the two central pins in the power plug
(see page 13). The external loudspeaker can be switched on/off via the Speaker
Settings (in Profiles).
An additional fist mike can be connected via the 15 pole D-sub connector at the rear of
the radio. This additional connection is in parallel with the fist mike attached to the front.
Connection of power supply
The power supply is connected as shown. If it is necessary to extend the wires from the
connector, the wire dimensions should be as specified.
The nominal power supply voltage is 12V. The radio will operate over the supply range
of 10.8 VDC to 15.6 VDC. If it is necessary to connect the radio to a 24V battery, a 24V
to 12V voltage converter must be used.
The F1 DSC Radiotelephone is protected against reverse voltage polarity by an internal
diode and fuse. If reverse polarity is applied to the radio the internal fuse will open (fail)
and must then be replaced by a service agent.
WARNING: You must fit an external inline fuse with a 10A fast blow rating in the
positive (plus) supply cable (see page 12).
CAUTION: The battery negative or positive terminal must not be connected to
the earth screw under an
y
circumstances
,
as this ma
y
cause electrol
y
tic corrosion.
WARNING: The F1 DSC Radiotelephone will in most cases be connected to the
ship's battery. During installation special care must be taken not to short the battery
terminals as this can cause severe burns, or in the worst case can cause a fire.

Page 12
Table 1 Recommended wire size for connection of power supply
Supply From To Wire mm2Maximum length
12 VDC Battery F1 DSC 2.5 1.5m
12 VDC Battery F1 DSC 5.0 3.0m

Page 13
Connection of external loudspeaker
An external loudspeaker may be connected to the F1 DSC Radiotelephone. The
external speaker is connected to the two wires in the power plug intended for this use.
If it is necessary to extend the wires to the external loudspeaker, wire dimensions as
specified should be used.
Table 2 Recommended wire size for connection of external speaker
Speaker From To Wire mm2Maximum length
4 ohm F1 DSC Speaker 0.75 3.0m
4 ohm F1 DSC Speaker 1.5 6.0m

Page 14
Connection of GPS for position information
The position information used in the DSC distress message can be entered manually
from the keyboard, but to ensure that the position information is valid at all times a GPS
can be connected to the radio. The information transmitted from a GPS uses a
standard interface, designated NMEA 0183. The F1 DSC Radiotelephone can be
connected to this GPS interface directly via the two wires to the 15 pin D-sub
connector.
The NMEA protocol transmits the position information via named sentences. The
named sentences that can be used are: GGA, GLL, GNS, RMC and ZDA.
Table 3 Recommended wire size for connection of GPS
If it is necessary to use longer wires than those provided with the radio, wire
dimensions as specified should be used. As the GPS connection is sensitive to
electrical noise use of shielded twisted cable is recommended.
GPS From To Wire mm2Maximum length
NMEA 0183c F1 DSC GPS 0.25 5.0m
NMEA 0183c F1 DSC GPS 0.50 10.0m