Navico Lowrance LVR-880US User manual

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LOWRANCE
LVR-880US & LVR-880EU
VHF Radio
Operation Instructions
Pic of LVR-880US
LVR-880US
Pic of LVR-880EU
LVR-880EU
FCC RF Exposure
The antenna(s) used for this transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any
other antenna or transmitter. This device is approved with emissions having a source-based time-averaging
duty factor not exceeding 50%.Maintain a minimum of 89 cm (35 inches) distance between the antenna
and any person.Failure to observe these restrictions will result in exceeding the FCC RF exposure
limits.


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Copyright © 2008 Navico
All rights reserved.
Lowrance™ is a registered trademark of Navico.
Insert standard copyright protection, disclaimer, website and address information.
Insert standard safety information and icons.

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CONTENTS
LOWRANCE ..........................................................................................................................1
LVR-880US & LVR-880EU....................................................................................................1
VHF Radio .............................................................................................................................1
Operation Instructions.........................................................................................................1
1General Information ...............................................................................................6
1.1 Features..............................................................................................................................................6
1.2 LCD Symbols and Meanings...............................................................................................................6
1.3 Beep tones & call alerts ......................................................................................................................8
1.4 How to put the radio into MENU mode................................................................................................8
1.5 How to Display and Navigate Menus ..................................................................................................8
1.6 How to Enter Alphanumeric Data........................................................................................................8
2The Radio Keys ......................................................................................................9
2.1 ΦVOL .................................................................................................................................................9
2.2 SQL.....................................................................................................................................................9
2.3 DISTRESS ..........................................................................................................................................9
2.4 Channel Select knob...........................................................................................................................9
2.5 PUSH TO SELECT .............................................................................................................................9
2.6 16/9 .....................................................................................................................................................9
2.7 16 ......................................................................................................................................................10
2.8 FM (FM Stereo Radio) ......................................................................................................................10
2.9 IC (HAILER mode) ............................................................................................................................10
2.10 IC (FOG HORN mode) ......................................................................................................................10
2.11 NAV (Show Waypoint) ......................................................................................................................11
2.12 GO (Reset the Cross Track Error) ....................................................................................................11
2.13 MOB (Man Overboard)......................................................................................................................11
2.14 MOB (Temporary Waypoint) .............................................................................................................12
2.15 EXIT ..................................................................................................................................................12
2.16 3CH...................................................................................................................................................12
2.17 + / -....................................................................................................................................................12
2.18 SCAN (ALL SCAN & 3CH SCAN) .....................................................................................................12
2.19 SCAN (DUAL WATCH Mode) ...........................................................................................................13
2.20 SCAN (TRI WATCH Mode)...............................................................................................................13
2.21 WX ....................................................................................................................................................13
2.22 CALL MENU......................................................................................................................................14
2.23 PTT ...................................................................................................................................................14
2.24 H/L.....................................................................................................................................................14
3Radio MENU SELECT Options ...........................................................................15
3.1 Manage your Waypoints List (WAYPOINT) ......................................................................................16
3.1.1 Add a new waypoint ........................................................................................ 16
3.1.2 Edit or Delete a Waypoint ................................................................................ 16
3.1.3 Go to a New Waypoint..................................................................................... 17
3.1.4 Go to Nearest Waypoint (NEAREST WP) ......................................................... 17
3.1.5 Go to Temporary Waypoint .............................................................................. 17
3.1.6 Send Waypoint Data to a Chartplotter............................................................... 18
3.1.7 Edit or Delete a Temporary Waypoint ............................................................... 18
3.2 Set the Backlighting Level (BACKLIGHT) .........................................................................................18
3.3 Maintain your buddy list (BUDDY LIST)............................................................................................19
3.3.1 Add an Entry ................................................................................................... 19
3.3.2 Edit or Delete an Entry..................................................................................... 19
3.4 Local or Distance Sensitivity (LOCAL/DIST).....................................................................................20
3.4.1 Set Distance Sensitivity ................................................................................... 20
3.4.2 Set Local Sensitivity ........................................................................................ 20

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3.5 Set the Contrast Level (CONTRAST) ...............................................................................................20
3.6 GPS Data and Time (GPS/DATA) ....................................................................................................21
3.6.1 Manually Enter Position and UTC Time (MANUAL)............................................ 21
3.6.2 Local Time (TIME OFFSET)............................................................................. 21
3.6.3 Time Format Options (TIME FORMAT)............................................................. 22
3.6.4 Time Display Options (TIME DISPLY)............................................................... 22
3.6.5 Position Display Options (LL DISPLY) .............................................................. 23
3.6.6 Course & Speed Display Options (COG/SOG) .................................................. 23
3.6.7 GPS Alert (GPS ALERT).................................................................................. 23
3.7 GPS Simulator (GPS SIM) ................................................................................................................24
3.8 Reset to Factory Defaults (RESET) ..................................................................................................24
4Radio Setup Menu (RADIO SETUP) ...................................................................25
4.1 Channel (UIC) ...................................................................................................................................26
4.2 Channel Names (CH NAME) ............................................................................................................26
4.3 Ring Volume (RING VOLUME) .........................................................................................................26
4.4 Key Beep Volume (KEY BEEP) ........................................................................................................27
4.5 Select Units (UNITS).........................................................................................................................27
4.6 Internal Speaker Connections (INT SPEAKER)................................................................................27
4.7 Set the Priority Channel (WATCH MODE)........................................................................................27
4.8 Weather Alerts (WX ALERT).............................................................................................................28
4.8.1 TONE ALERT ................................................................................................. 28
4.8.2 SAME ALERT ................................................................................................. 28
4.8.3 Receiving a SAME ALERT............................................................................... 29
4.8.4 Receiving SAME TEST Messages.................................................................... 29
4.8.5 SAME CODE .................................................................................................. 29
4.9 NMEA Protocol (COM PORT)...........................................................................................................29
4.10 Select the GPS Source (GPS SOURCE)..........................................................................................30
4.11 Select the FM Region (FM REGION) ................................................................................................30
5DSC Setup Menu (DSC SETUP)..........................................................................31
5.1 Enter or Check Your USER MMSI (USER MMSI) ............................................................................32
5.2 Maintain Your Groups .......................................................................................................................32
5.2.1 Create a Group (GROUP SETUP).................................................................... 32
5.2.2 Edit or Delete a Group Name or Group MMSI (GROUP SETUP) ........................ 33
5.3 Enter or check your ATIS MMSI (ATIS MMSI)..................................................................................33
5.4 Enable ATIS Functionality (ATIS SELECT) ......................................................................................34
5.5 Enable DSC Functionality (DSC SELECT) .......................................................................................34
5.6 Response Type to LL Polling Calls (LL REPLY)...............................................................................34
6Sending and Receiving DSC Calls .....................................................................36
6.1 What is DSC?....................................................................................................................................36
6.2 Sending DSC Calls ...........................................................................................................................36
6.3 Send an Individual Call to a Buddy (INDIVIDUAL)............................................................................36
6.4 Send an Individual Call (INDIVIDUAL)..............................................................................................37
6.5 Acknowledgement of an Individual Incoming Call (INDIV) ...............................................................37
6.6 Reply to the Last Call (LAST CALL)..................................................................................................38
6.7 Send a Group Call (GROUP)............................................................................................................38
6.8 Send an All Ships Call (ALL SHIPS) .................................................................................................38
6.9 Send Using the Call Log (CALL LOG) ..............................................................................................39
6.10 Send Using the Distress Log (DIST LOG) ........................................................................................39
6.11 Send an Individual Distress Relay Using the Distress Log (DIST LOG)...........................................40
6.12 Send an ALL SHIPS Distress Relay Using the Distress Log (DIST LOG)........................................40
6.13 Request the LL Position of a Buddy (LL REQUEST)........................................................................40
6.14 Track a Buddy (TRACK BUDDY)......................................................................................................41
6.14.1 Start or Stop Tracking a Buddy (START TRACK) .............................................. 41
6.14.2 Select a Buddy to Track (SET BUDDY)............................................................. 41
6.14.3 Add or Delete a Buddy on Your Track List (TRACKLIST) ................................... 42
6.15 Receiving DSC Calls.........................................................................................................................42

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6.16 Receiving an All Ships Call (ALL SHIPS)..........................................................................................42
6.17 Receiving an Individual Call (INDIV) .................................................................................................42
6.18 Receiving a Group Call (GROUP).....................................................................................................43
6.19 Receiving a Geographic Area Call (GEOGRAPH)............................................................................43
6.20 Receiving a Polled Position Call (POSITION)...................................................................................43
7DISTRESS Calls....................................................................................................45
7.1 Sending a Distress Call.....................................................................................................................45
7.2 Receiving a Distress Call (DISTRESS!)............................................................................................45
7.3 Distress Acknowledgement (DISTRESS ACK) or Relay (DISTRESS REL) .....................................46
Appendix A - Technical Specifications ...........................................................................47
A.1 GENERAL .........................................................................................................................................47
A.2 PHYSICAL ........................................................................................................................................47
A.3 RECEIVER ........................................................................................................................................47
A.4 TRANSMITTER.................................................................................................................................47
A.5 FM STEREO RECEIVER ..................................................................................................................48
A.6 HAILER .............................................................................................................................................48
Appendix B - Troubleshooting .........................................................................................49
Appendix C - VHF Marine Channel Charts ......................................................................50
C.1 International Channel Chart ..............................................................................................................50
C.2 USA Channel Chart...........................................................................................................................51
C-3 CANADA Channel Chart ...................................................................................................................52
C-3 CANADA Channel Chart ...................................................................................................................53
C-4 Weather Channels ............................................................................................................................54
C-5 EAS (Emergency Alert Systems) Alerts ............................................................................................55
Appendix D - EU Inland Waterway Channels..................................................................57
Appendix E - MMSI & License Information .....................................................................58
Warranty ..............................................................................................................................59
How to Obtain Service .......................................................................................................60

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1 General Information
1.1 Features
Congratulations on your purchase of a Lowrance LVR-880US or LVR-880EU marine band VHF radio.
Both models provide you with 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
•Choice of High or Low (25 W or 1 W) transmission power
•Access to all currently available Marine VHF Channel Banks (USA, Canada, International)
including weather channels where available
•Special CH16 or CH16/9 key for quick access to the priority (International Distress) channel
•Special 3CH key for quick selection of your three favorite channels
•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 favorite people
•MMSI storage for three favorite groups
•GROUP CALL and ALL SHIPS CALL Facility
•Rotary channel selector knob with PUSH TO SELECT function
•Speaker microphone with large PTT key and 6 keys for easy channel and mode selection
•22 W Hailer with talkback capability
•Jack for (optional) external speaker
•Foghorn (manual and automatic)
•FM stereo radio capability with global bands
•Great Circle GPS navigation calculations to a waypoint (stores up to 200 waypoints)
•Local / Distance sensitivity to eliminate noise in high traffic urban areas
•Adjustable squelch control
•Automatic position and time update when connected to a GPS receiver
•Memory retention
•Memory channel scan
•All channel priority scan
•Dual / Tri Watch capability
•Call log for the 20 most recent incoming DSC calls
•Distress call log for the 10 most recent distress calls
•LL position polling and Track Your Buddy feature
•NMEA0183 for GPS, Distress and Polling calls
•NMEA2000 connectivity
•DSC (Digital Select Calling) capability that meets USCG SC101 standards. LVR-880US only
•DSC (Digital Select Calling) capability that meets EC Class D standards. LVR-880EU only
•10 weather channels (where available), NOAA and SAME weather alert capability. LVR-880US
only
•ATIS facility for inland waterways. LVR-880EU only
1.2 LCD Symbols and Meanings
All the symbols that may appear on the LCD are explained here.

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Symbol Meaning
tx Transmitting.
Tx BUSY Receiver busy with an incoming signal.
SCAN Scanning for the broadcasting channel. Press PTT to stop scanning.
When the broadcasting channel is found, scanning stops at that channel.
DSC DSC capability is available.
Envelope symbol Incoming DSC call OR blinks to notify you of any unread call log messages.
Distress Channel name tag.
40°30.5223N Your latitude.
120°23.1231E Your longitude.
12:30pm Time (UTC). Local time has suffix LOC (for example; 12:30pmLOC)
16 Channel selected.
LOCAL Local calling is selected. Otherwise, blank for distance calling.
X Channel is temporarily deleted from the SCAN operation.
B A Channel suffix, if applicable.
CH1 CH2 CH3 Shows which of the 3 favorite channels, if any, are selected. Otherwise blank.
Hi Lo Transmission power. High (Hi) 25 W or Low (Lo) 1 W.
USA Int Can Selected channel bank for VHF radio operations and regulations.
WX Weather channel. LVR-880US only.
WX ALT Weather alert. LVR-880US only.
SAME Specific Area Message Encoding – County weather warning.
D Duplex operation. Otherwise, blank for Simplex operation.
ATIS ATIS is enabled for use in European inland waterways. Otherwise, blank.
PRi Priority channel is selected.
ACK Your DSC call has been received.
Battery symbol Low Battery warning (activates at 10.5 V).
FISHY 138° Waypoint name and bearing.
1010 Distance to waypoint.
0.04 XTE (Cross track error).
NO GPS No GPS data is available.
ST Stereo signal (FM radio mode).
DW Dual watch mode.
SCAN Tri watch mode.
A typical operational display is shown here.
INSERT SCREENSHOT FROM GIFTBOX
The bottom line is blank when a waypoint is not selected. This operational display shows:
•the channel that you are receiving (CH16)
•The channel name tag (Distress)

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•your latitude (40°30.5223N) and longitude (120°23.1231E) and UTC time in 12 hour format
(12:15pm).
•the name of the destination waypoint (FISHY), its bearing (138°), your distance in nautical miles,
mile, or kilometers (depending on your choice of units), and any cross track error (XTE) are
shown.
1.3 Beep tones & call alerts
Error 3 cycles of 3 beeps
Acknowledge 1 long beep
Alarm 6 beeps followed by a 2 second pause (cycle is repeated for 2
minutes or until any key is pressed)
LL position call alert ??
WX alert / SAME alert Ear-catching multi-tone sequence
ROUTINE call alert Friendly two-tone ring tone (press any key to cancel)
URGENCY call alert 6 beeps followed by a 2 second pause (cycle is repeated for 2
minutes or until any key is pressed)
SAFETY call alert ??
DISTRESS call alert 6 beeps followed by a 2 second pause (cycle is repeated for 2
minutes or until any key is pressed)
1.4 How to put the radio into MENU mode
You can customize many settings on the LVR-880 to suit your own preferences and enter and store
alphanumeric data (such as a buddy name), but you cannot do this while the radio is operational, you
must put the radio into MENU mode first.
1. Hold down CALL MENU for about 3 seconds to put the radio in MENU mode.
Note that only three menu items can be displayed at any one time on the LCD.
2. Press EXIT or PTT any time to quit MENU mode and return to operational mode.
1.5 How to Display and Navigate Menus
Hold dow n CALL MENU for about 3 seconds to put the radio in MENU mode.
To navigate through a menu:
1. Press + or – on the microphone OR turn the Channel Select knob on the base station to scroll up
or down through the menu until the cursor is positioned at the desired option.
2. Press ENT (the center of the Channel Select knob) to display that option.
1.6 How to Enter Alphanumeric Data
1. Hold down CALL MENU for about 3 seconds to put the radio in MENU mode.
2. For example, select BUDDY LIST then press ENT. Press ENT again for a new Buddy and enter
the alphanumeric name.
3. Press + or – on the microphone OR turn the Channel Select knob to step through alphanumeric
characters one at a time.
4. Press ENT (the center of the Channel Select knob) to confirm your choice or setting.
5. If you make an error, press – until < is displayed, then push the center of the Channel Select knob
to backup.

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2 The Radio Keys
All possible keys and their functions are listed here. Note that some of the keys may not available,
depending on your Lowrance VHF radio model.
2.1 ΦVOL
Volume and Power. Turn clockwise to power on. After displaying the startup LCD briefly, the radio
goes to operational mode in CH16, Hi power transmission, and shows your current position and time if
GPS data is available.
Continue to turn until a comfortable volume is reached. It will also adjust the settings of an external
speaker, if the internal speaker is turned OFF in the Radio Setup MENU..
2.2 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 ¼ 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 3.4.
2.3 DISTRESS
Send DSC Distress call. Lift the red cover door then press and release DISTRESS to show the
DISTRESS menu.
Select the category you want to transmit.
Hold down DISTRESS for about 3 seconds to transmit.
The DISTRESS key can also be held down continuously to transmit an "undefined" category Distress
call. See Chapter 7 for more information about distress calls.
2.4 Channel Select knob
Change channel. When you are in operational mode, turn to step through the channels one at a time
and select a channel.
The current channel is shown on the LCD in BIG digits. It may have a designator suffix (A B, or D) in
small letters below the channel number. If D is shown, this means DUPLEX operation. See Appendix
C for a complete listing of channel frequencies.
Scroll through menus. When you are in MENU mode, turn to scroll the cursor through the menu
options.
2.5 PUSH TO SELECT
ENT. When you are in MENU mode, push the center of the Channel Select knob to ENTER your
choice or setting. This is referred to throughout the manual as “press ENT”.
2.6 16/9
LVR-880US only.
Priority channel. Also on the microphone. Press to cancel all other modes and to tune into the priority
channel on Hi power. Press again to return to your original channel.
The default is Channel 16. To make Channel 09 the default instead, hold down 16/9 until a beep
sounds and 09 is displayed.
The PRi annunciator shows the selected priority channel that will be accessed with a quick press of
the 16/9 key.

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2.7 16
LVR-880EU only.
Priority channel. Also on the microphone. Press to cancel all other modes and to tune into the priority
channel, Channel 16, on high power. Press again to return to your original channel.
2.8 FM (FM Stereo Radio)
Note: You need to select your FM region. This selection specifies the range of the frequency band and
the frequency steps. See Section 4.11.
Press FM to enter FM RADIO mode and tune automatically to the most recent memorized frequency.
The LCD shows FM and the frequency (in this example, FM 106.35 MHz).
The ST symbol appears if a stereo signal is detected (not shown in this
example).
To quickly tune to a different FM radio station, turn the Channel Select knob
OR press + or - to change the frequency.
Press EXIT to return to operational mode.
If you are in FM RADIO mode, you can press ENT to enter SCAN mode. The SCAN symbol appears
on the LCD. Turn the Channel Select knob left or right to move to the next strong channel. After the
channel is selected, press ENT again to exit SCAN mode.
2.9 IC (HAILER mode)
HAILER
>PA
FOG
PA
LISTEN
PA
HAIL
VOL ■■■■
LO HI
1. Hold down IC for about 3 seconds to enter HAILER mode. Press ENT.
2. Press PTT to talk through the hailer. Turn the Channel Select knob OR press + or – to change the
volume.
3. Release PTT to LISTEN.
4. Press EXIT to return to operational mode.
2.10 IC (FOG HORN mode)
HAILER
PA
>FOG
FOG HORN
>HORN
UNDERWAY
STOP
FOG HORN
UNDERWAY
STOP
>SAIL
SAIL
OUTPUT
VOL ■■■
LO HI
1. Hold down IC for about 3 seconds to enter HAILER mode.
2. Select FOG and press ENT. There are 8 choices of of internationally recognized fog horn sounds
and timing:
•HORN
•UNDERWAY
•STOP
•SAIL
•ANCHOR
•TOW