Raymarine DSM250 User guide

DSM250
Digital Sounder
Module
Owner’s
Handbook
Document number: 81211_1
Date: December 2002

DSM250 Digital Sounder Module iii
DSM250 Digital Sounder Module
Owner’s Handbook
December 2002
Intended Use
Raymarine DSM250 Digital Sounder Modules provide echo
sounder data that can be displayed on Raymarine PLUS Radar,
Chartplotter, or Fishfinder display units. DSM250 Digital
Sounder Modules are intended for recreational depth finding and
fishfinding purposes.
SAFETY NOTICES
This equipment must be installed and operated in accordance with
the instructions contained in this manual. Failure to do so can
result in personal injury and/or navigational inaccuracies. In par-
ticular:
HIGH VOLTAGE. The DSM250 contains high voltages. Adjust-
ments require specialized service procedures and tools only avail-
able to qualified service technicians – there are no user
serviceable parts or adjustments. The operator should never
remove the cover or attempt to service the equipment.
CAUTION:
Removing the transducer cable from the rear of the DSM250
while the sounder module is powered on can cause sparks. Only
remove the transducer cable after power has been removed from
the DSM250. As with any electronic device, be sure the sounder
module is mounted where it is well ventilated and free from
gasoline fumes.
If the transducer cable is accidentally removed while the DSM250
is powered on, remove power from the sounder module, replace
the transducer cable, and then return power to the module. As a
safety feature, the DSM250 only recognizes that the transducer is
connected at power-up.

iv DSM250 Digital Sounder Module
EMC Conformance
All Raymarine equipment and accessories are designed to the best
industry standards for use in the recreational marine environment.
The design and manufacture of Raymarine equipment and acces-
sories conform to the appropriate Electromagnetic Compatibility
(EMC) standards, but correct installation is required to ensure that
performance is not compromised.
Preface
This handbook describes the Raymarine DSM250 Digital
Sounder Module (200/50 kHz).
This device must be connected to an hsb2 PLUS Radar, Chartplot-
ter, or Fishfinder display unit to show echo sounder data. The
DSM250 will not work with older HSB (non-PLUS) displays.
Note: Older HSB (non-PLUS) display units must be upgraded to hsb2
before they can function with the DSM250.
Echo sounder systems require an appropriate Raymarine trans-
ducer unit and inter-connecting cable. Details for selecting and
installing the transducer are described in document number
81196, Transducers for Fishfinders Owner’s Handbook.
This handbook contains very important information on the instal-
lation and operation of your new equipment. In order to obtain the
best results in operation and performance, please read this hand-
book thoroughly.
Raymarine’s Technical Services representatives or your local
dealer will be available to answer any questions you may have.
Conventions
Raymarine echo sounding (sonar) devices with integrated dis-
plays are known as Fishfinders. In this document, the DSM250—
which does not have its own display—is alternatively called a
Digital Sounder Module, Sounder, or just Module. The DSM250’s
image data can be viewed on a display unit when that display is in
Sonar Mode.

DSM250 Digital Sounder Module v
Throughout this handbook, the dedicated (labelled) keys are
shown in bold capitals; for example, MENU. The soft key func-
tions, menu names and options are shown in normal capitals; for
example, SCREEN.
Operating procedures, which may consist of a single key-press or
a sequence of numbered steps, are indicated by a ➤symbol in the
margin. When the procedure requires you to press a soft key, the
soft key icon is shown in the margin.
Technical Accuracy
The technical and graphical information contained in this hand-
book, to the best of our knowledge, was correct as it went to press.
However, the Raymarine policy of continuous improvement and
updating may change product specifications without prior notice.
As a result, unavoidable differences between the product and
handbook may occur from time to time, for which liability cannot
be accepted by Raymarine.
Warranty
To register your DSM250 Digital Sounder Module ownership,
please take a few minutes to fill out the warranty registration card
found at the end of this handbook. It is very important that you
complete the owner information and return the card to the factory
in order to receive full warranty benefits.
Raymarine Products and Services
Raymarine products are supported by a network of Authorized
Service Representatives. For information on Raymarine products
and services, contact either of the following:
United States Raymarine, Inc.
22 Cotton Road, Unit D
Nashua, NH 03063-4219
USA
Telephone:[phone]
1-800-539-5539
Fax: [phone]

vi DSM250 Digital Sounder Module
Europe Raymarine Ltd
Anchorage Park
Portsmouth, Hampshire
England PO3 5TD
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Or, you may contact us on the World Wide Web at:
www.raymarine.com
This product contains technology provided under license by
Acorn Group plc. The copyright of this intellectual property is
acknowledged by Raymarine, Inc. as are Acorn’s trademarks and
patents. Acorn’s world wide web address is www.acorn.com.
Raymarine is a registered trademark of Raymarine Limited.
SeaTalk is a registered trademark of Raymarine Limited.
hsb2 is a trademark of Raymarine Limited.
Pathfinder PLUS is a trademark of Raymarine Limited.
© Raymarine, Inc. 2002

DSM250 Digital Sounder Module vii
Contents
SAFETY NOTICES ........................................................iii
EMC Conformance .......................................................... iv
Warranty ............................................................................ v
Raymarine Products and Services ..................................... v
Chapter 1: Overview .................................................................. 1-1
1.1 Introduction .......................................................... 1-1
How to Use This Handbook ...........................................1-2
What's New ....................................................................1-3
General ...........................................................................1-4
Sonar Mode Display Features ........................................1-5
1.2 Sonar Mode Display ............................................. 1-5
Operating Modes ...........................................................1-7
Sonar Options ................................................................1-8
Sounder Functions .........................................................1-9
Chapter 2: Installation .............................................................. 2-1
2.1 Introduction .......................................................... 2-1
Planning the Installation ................................................2-2
EMC Installation Guidelines .........................................2-2
2.2 Unpacking and Inspecting the Components ......... 2-4
2.3 Selecting the Equipment Location ........................ 2-4
Sounder Module Mounting Location ............................2-4
2.4 Cable Runs ............................................................ 2-5
2.5 Mounting the Sounder Module ............................. 2-8
2.6 System Connections ............................................. 2-9
DC Power Connection .................................................2-10
Ground Connection ......................................................2-11
hsb2 Connection ............................................................2-12
Transducer Connection ................................................2-13

viii DSM250 Digital Sounder Module
EMC Conformance ......................................................2-15
Chapter 3: Getting Started ....................................................... 3-1
3.1 Introduction ...........................................................3-1
3.2 Powering on the Sounder Module .........................3-1
Status LED .....................................................................3-1
3.3 Updating Software on the Display Unit ................3-2
3.4 Selecting Repeater Mode ......................................3-2
3.5 Selecting Sonar Mode ...........................................3-3
3.6 Simulator Mode .....................................................3-5
Viewing Simulator Data .................................................3-6
Chapter 4: System Setup ........................................................... 4-1
4.1 Introduction ...........................................................4-1
4.2 Changing the Set Up Parameters ...........................4-1
4.3 System Set Up Parameters ....................................4-3
Data Boxes .....................................................................4-5
Bearing Mode .................................................................4-6
Cursor Reference ...........................................................4-6
Cursor Readout ..............................................................4-6
Day/Night ......................................................................4-6
Help ................................................................................4-7
Soft Keys ........................................................................4-7
Key Beep ........................................................................4-7
MOB Data ......................................................................4-7
Autopilot Pop Up ...........................................................4-7
Menu Timeout Period ....................................................4-7
Units ...............................................................................4-8
Variation Source .............................................................4-8
Bridge NMEA Heading .................................................4-9
NMEA-Out Set Up ........................................................4-9
Cursor Echo .................................................................4-11

DSM250 Digital Sounder Module ix
Date and Time Settings ................................................4-11
GPS SOG/COG Filter ..................................................4-12
Compass Set Up ...........................................................4-12
Language ......................................................................4-12
Simulator ......................................................................4-12
4.4 Sonar Set Up Parameters ..................................... 4-13
Target Depth ID ............................................................4-14
Color Bar ......................................................................4-14
Depth Digit Size ...........................................................4-14
Sonar HSB Mode .........................................................4-14
Depth Offset .................................................................4-15
Speed Calibrate ............................................................4-16
Temperature Calibrate .................................................4-16
Sonar History ...............................................................4-16
Sonar Interference Rejection .......................................4-16
Sonar Simulator ...........................................................4-17
Version/Serial Numbers ...............................................4-17
Chapter 5: Basic Display Controls ............................................ 5-1
5.1 Introduction .......................................................... 5-1
Simulator ........................................................................5-1
5.2 Setting Color and Brightness ................................ 5-1
Lighting and Contrast (Monochrome Displays) ............5-1
Brightness and Color Settings (Color Displays) ............5-2
5.3 Controlling the Display ......................................... 5-5
Selecting the Display Mode ...........................................5-6
Switching Between Sounder and Other Modes ...........5-12
5.4 Display Control Functions .................................. 5-13
Viewing Data Boxes ....................................................5-14
Changing the Scroll Speed ...........................................5-14
Selecting the Power Setting .........................................5-15
Changing the Sounder Range ......................................5-16
Selecting the Frequency ...............................................5-19
Using Bottom Lock ......................................................5-20
Using A-Scope .............................................................5-22

x DSM250 Digital Sounder Module
Using Zoom .................................................................5-24
Chapter 6: Sonar Mode Operation ........................................... 6-1
6.1 Introduction ...........................................................6-1
6.2 Interpreting and Adjusting the Sounder Image .....6-1
Fish Indications ..............................................................6-2
Bottom Indications .........................................................6-3
Using White Line ...........................................................6-5
Adjusting Display Gain (Sensitivity) .............................6-5
Using Alarms .................................................................6-8
6.3 Using VRM to Determine Depth & Distance from
Vessel ...................................................................6-10
6.4 Waypoints ............................................................6-12
Placing a Waypoint ......................................................6-13
6.5 MOB ....................................................................6-14
Chapter 7: Maintenance and Problem Solving ...................... 7-1
7.1 Maintenance ..........................................................7-1
Routine Checks ..............................................................7-1
Cleaning Instructions .....................................................7-1
EMC Servicing and Safety Guidelines ..........................7-2
7.2 Resetting the System .............................................7-3
7.3 Problem Solving ....................................................7-4
Status LED .....................................................................7-6
How to Contact Raymarine ............................................7-7
Worldwide Support ......................................................7-10
Appendix: Specifications ........................................................A-1