mcmurdo R2 GMDSS User manual

R2 GMDSS
&
R2 PROFESSIONAL
HANDHELDVHFRADIOS
OWNERSMANUAL

1/12/99 MDL

Page 3
CONTENTS
1. General
1.1 Introduction
2. Operation
2.1 Controls
2.2 Selecting Alternative Channel Sets
2.3 Disable / Enable Key Beep
2.4 Removing and Attaching Battery
2.5 Charger Options
2.6 Charging of Batteries
2.7 Notes on Charging
2.8 Battery Level Indicator
3. Appendix
3.1 Licensing
3.2 Antenna
3.3 Transmission Range
3.4 Frequency of Channels
3.5 Battery Life Guidelines
3.6 Fault Finding
3.7 Spares & Accessories
3.8 Specification & Dimensions
3.9 Service & Warranty

Page 4
1 General
1.1 Introduction
The McMurdo waterproof handheld VHF compris-
es two models -
The R2 Professional VHF radio is designed for
leisure and light commercial use and meets or
exceeds stringent International Regulations
EN301-178.
The R2 GMDSS model for GMDSS convention ves-
sels conforms to Pan European specification ETS300-
225 for the use of radios for Safety at Sea
Both models are waterproof to IP67 standard.
Please note that regulations vary from country to
country. McMurdo sets are also approved specifi-
cally by the countries in which they are sold.
Consequently, there may be differences in the pro-
gramming of sets bought in different countries, and
therefore in their associated manuals. If using out-
side the country of purchase, it is vital to check that
the set conforms to local regulations before use.
McMurdo operate a policy of continual devel-
opment and reserve the right to alter and
improve the specification of their products
without notice.
R2 waterproof handheld VHF

Page 5
Fig 2.1 - R2 Controls
1 2
3
4
6
8
10
2 Operation
2.1 Controls
The location of the controls for the R2 are shown
in Fig 2.1 -
Function
1 On/off
2 High/Low power
3 PTT (Push To Talk)
4 Volume mode select
5 Squelch mode select
6 Up key
7 Down key
8 Scan mode
9 Dual /Tri watch
10 Select Priority / Personal channel
11 Backlight on/off & Light Mode select
Pressing and holding certain keys will access addi-
tional functions. These are indicated by a double
beep, or a triple beep if held for longer (see table
below).
5
7
9
11
Key
VOL
SQ
SCAN
D/W
16
1 x Press
Select Volume Mode
Select Squelch Mode
Standard Mode
Channel Up/Down
Volume Mode
Volume Up/Down
Squelch Mode
Squelch Up/Down
Light Mode
Light level Up/Down
Memory Scan
Dual Watch
Select Channel 16
Select Light Mode
Backlight On/Off
2 x Press
Add / Delete
channel from
memory scan
Hold During
Power Up
Select secondary
channel set*
Disable / Enable First
Key Beep
*If available
Press & Hold
Double Beep
Scan All Channels
Tri Watch
Select Personal
Channel
Press & Hold
Triple Beep
Inhibit /Enable select-
ed channel from scan
Set Personal Channel

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On/Off (1)
Press to turn the R2 on. To turn off, press and
hold the key for approximately 2 seconds. This is to
avoid accidental power off.
Hi/Lo (2)
Toggles between high and low transmit power (see
specification section 3.8). Use the low setting over
short ranges to preserve battery life.
VOL - Volume (4)
SQ - Squelch (5)
Press to selectVolume or Squelch mode then use the
and keys to adjust the level.
The display will show “VOL” or “SQL” for 3 seconds
- if or are not pressed within this time, their
function will revert to channel select.
/ (6 & 7)
These keys will change the selected channel.
PressingVOL, SQ or , then / within 3 seconds
will adjust the volume, squelch or backlighting level
respectively. The bargraph will indicate the level
selected.
SCAN mode (8)
Scans through the channels stored in the channel
memory (display shows MEM SCAN).
• Select channel and press twice to add/delete to
memory scan (display shows ENT or DEL respec-
tively). The icon indicates that the selected
channel is included in memory scan.
• Press and hold until double beep sounds to scan
all channels (display shows SCAN).
• Press and hold until triple beep sounds to inhib-
it/enable selected channel from scan (display shows
INH or ENA respectively). The icon indicates
the selected channel is inhibited.
D/W - Dual Watch / Triwatch (9)
Press to select Dual Watch of selected channel and
Ch16. Display shows D/W.
• Press and hold until double beep sounds for
Triwatch - selected channel, personal channel and
Ch 16. Display shows T/W.
abcd
fgi
e
Fig 2.2 - R2 display functions
a Bar graph -
Power up Battery level
Standby Battery level
Transmit Battery Level
Volume Mode Volume Level
Squelch Mode Squelch Level
pressed Backlight level
b Personal channel indicator
c Channel selected
d Receiving or transmitting indicator
e High or Low power indicator
f Function indicator
g Selected channel stored in memory
h Channel inhibited from scan
i Scan mode selected
h

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16 -Channel 16 / Working Channel (10)
Press to select channel 16.
• Press and hold until double beep to select per-
sonal channel (display shows )
• Press and hold for three beeps to set selected
channel as the personal channel.
- Backlight (11)
Press to turn on and off. Use / to adjust the
backlighting level (5 levels available). The bargraph
indicates the backlighting level selected.
• The battery save function turns the backlighting
off if no key is pressed after 20 seconds. Press any
key (except or ) to turn light on again.
2.2 Selecting Alternative Channel Sets
In countries where it is permitted, holding VOL
down while turning the radio on will enable the
radio to operate on a secondary set of channels
(Fig 2.3).
Where the display will normally show INT
(International channel set) on the bottom line, this
will show USA for USA channels, CAN for
Canadian channels etc.
• Channel sets available will depend on which coun-
try the radio is programmed for use in. This func-
tion will only be available if permitted in the
country of purchase. Please enquire with your
national licensing authority for details of permitted
channel sets.
• The radio will revert to International channels if it
is switched off then on again.
2.3 Disable / Enable Key Beep
The R2 beeps every time a key is pressed to con-
firm operation. To disable key beep, press and hold
SQ while turning the set on. Repeat this procedure
to turn the key beep on again.
• Second level functions (such as All Channel Scan,
Triwatch etc) will still be indicated by a beep, even
if the key beep is disabled.
KEEP VOL HELD DOWN
Fig 2.3 - Selecting alternative channel set

Page 8
2.4 Removing and Attaching Battery
There are two battery options:
R2 Professional
84-211 850mAh NiCad Battery
R2 GMDSS
84-210 Lithium Battery (Non rechargeable)
To remove the battery, lift the two locking clips
holding the battery pack in place (Fig 2.4). When
attaching the battery pack, ensure the two locating
pegs on the top of the battery are located into the
slots in the radio and that the two locking clips have
both engaged.
The set is fully waterproof even with the battery
removed, but it is recommended that any moisture
on the top of the battery or in the battery com-
partment is wiped clear before attaching to prevent
the water creating a conductive path between the
contacts and reducing battery life.
2.5 Charger Options
The R2 is supplied as standard with a 12v drop in
trickle charger that will accept the whole radio, or
the battery alone (Fig 2.5). This charger will run
from a standard 12v marine supply (12.6v - 15.5v),
or from 110/220/240v mains with an appropriate
optional adaptor/power supply. Charging with the
trickle charger takes approximately 12-16 hours.
There is also a rapid charger available which will
charge the battery within 11/2hours.
• Note that only the 850mAh NiCad battery pack
can be recharged - do not attempt to recharge the
Lithium battery pack.
2.6 Charging of Batteries
To charge the NiCad battery pack, insert the bat-
tery or radio into the charger ensuring that excess
moisture is wiped clear from the contacts on the
back of the battery pack. The 84-215 will trickle
charge the battery to full capacity. The 84-216 will
rapid charge the battery until it is fully charged and
will then automatically switch to maintenance
charge.
Fig 2.4 - Battery pack removal
Fig 2.5 - Battery charger

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2.7 Notes on Charging
• NiCad batteries are supplied uncharged and need
charging before use.
• Charge the battery up to full charge when not in
use, although it may lose some of its charge after
several months of storage.
• Do not charge at temperatures below 0ºC or
above 40ºC.
• Turn off if charging battery while fitted to the
radio.
• Always try to fully discharge the battery before
recharging - repeated recharging of the battery
while it is partly discharged may create a ‘memory
effect’, preventing the battery reaching full charge.
• Dispose of used batteries carefully. The contents
of the batteries could be harmful to the environ-
ment.
• Never expose to a naked flame.
• IMPORTANT : The Lithium battery pack
(available only with the R2 GMDSS model)
are not rechargeable, and under no circum-
stances should any attempt be made to
recharge these batteries. Replacement lithi-
um cells can be re-ordered from your local
McMurdo Agent, quoting part No. 84-210.
2.8 Battery Level Indicator
Except when adjusting the Volume or Squelch, the
bar graph on the display shows the battery charge
level (Fig 2.7). This indicates the voltage at the bat-
tery terminals, not necessarily the charge stored.
Ten or nine bars indicate a fully charged battery,
three or four bars mean the battery is almost
drained.
• When using a lithium battery pack, the low level
battery indicator may flash under transmit condi-
tions. This does not necessarily reflect the charge
level remaining in the battery, as it is due to the dif-
ferent voltage characteristics of a Lithium battery
pack under load.
Replacement and spare batteries are available from
your local McMurdo Agent. Please quote the rele-
vant part number.
Fig 2.7 - Battery level indicator
Fig 2.6 - Charging Options
12v DC
AC
Mains

Page 10
3 Appendix
3.1 Licensing
Prior to use check the national licensing requirements for the operator.
In the UK license applications and queries should be made to the following authority -
Wray Castle
Ship Radio Licensing
PO Box 5
Ambleside
LA22 0BF
Tel - 015394 34662
A set may only be operated by, or under the supervision of a holder of a Certificate of
Competence and Authority to Operate. This involves a simple examination and an annual license
renewal fee. The VHF only certificate is administered by the RoyalYachting Association -
Royal Yachting Association
RYA House
Romsey Road
Eastleigh
Hants, SO5 4YA
Tel - 01703 629962
Holders of the Restricted Certificate of Competence in Radio-telephony (which covers MF/HF SSB
etc), do not need a separate VHF certificate.
In all other countries, please contact your regional authority for information.