RCA MRM400 User manual

Copyright © 2015 RCA Communications Systems
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MRM400TM VHF Marine Two-Way Radio Instruction Manual
Congratulations on selecting the MRM400TM from
RCA Communications Systems - The Most Trusted Name In Radio!
Our new series of business communications products establishes a new benchmark in premium radio
products made to perform awlessly under the most demanding commercial conditions. Cutting edge
design, professional grade materials and components, simple operation and superior assembly quality - RCA
Communications Systems has it all, including our exclusive no-nonsense, two-year “Warranty Protection
Program,” one of the most comprehensive warranties in the communications industry.
To ensure maximum performance from your MRM400TM radio, please be sure to carefully read this manual.
CAUTION:
■ Never use the Distress call unless you are in an emergency.
■ Do not use or place the transceiver in areas of heat, humidity and dust.
■ The working voltage for the transceiver is 13.8V. If the power source is 24V, please use a power converter
(24V converted to 13.8V), or the transceiver won’t work.
■ Never directly connect to 220V AC as this will ruin the transceiver. If an abnormal odor or smoke is detected
coming from the transceiver, turn off the power immediately.
■ Do not transmit before connecting the antenna. This will ruin the transceiver.
■ After extended use, the heating panel will become hot, which is normal.

Copyright © 2015 RCA Communications Systems
MRM400TM VHF Marine Two-Way Radio Instruction Manual
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FOREWORD
Thank you for purchasing our MRM400 Marine
2-Way Radio.
The MRM400 VHF Marine Two-Way Radio is a
powerful marine radio that is designed to IMO
(International Maritime Organization) standards.
The radio uses state-of-the-art technology and
with proper care, should provide you with years
of trouble-free operation.
FEATURES
■Advanced receiver performance
■Easy-to-hear speaker
■Built-in DSC (Digital Select Calling) can be
connected with a GPS (sold separately)
■Rugged waterproof construction
■Favorite channel function
■WaterClean water draining function
IMPORTANT
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS carefully and completely
before using the transceiver.
SAVE THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL - This
instruction manual contains important operating
instructions you will want to refer to at a later date.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
If your vessel requires emergency assistance,
contact other vessels and the Coast Guard by
sending a distress call on Channel 16.

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MRM400TM VHF Marine Two-Way Radio Instruction Manual
DISTRESS CALL PROCEDURE
USING CHANNEL 16
1. “MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY.”
2. “THIS IS ...............” (name of vessel)
3. Your call sign or other indication of the
vessel (AND 9-digit DSC ID if you have one).
4. “LOCATED AT ...............” (your position)
5. The nature of the distress and assistance
required.
6. Any other information which
might facilitate a rescue.
Or, transmit your distress call using Digital
Selective Calling on Channel 70.
DISTRESS CALL PROCEDURE
USING DIGITAL SELECTIVE
CALLING (DSC ) CHANNEL 70
1. While lifting up the key cover, hold down
[DISTRESS] for 3 seconds until you hear 3 short
beeps change to one long beep.
2. Wait for an acknowledgment on Channel 70
from a coast station.
• After the acknowledgment is received, Channel
16 is automatically selected.
3. Hold down [PTT], then transmit the appropriate
information as listed above.
PRECAUTIONS
■WARNING! NEVER connect the transceiver
to an AC outlet. This may pose a re hazard or
result in an electric shock.
■WARNING! NEVER connect the transceiver
to a power source of more than 16 V DC or
use reverse polarity. This will could cause a re
the transceiver.

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MRM400TM VHF Marine Two-Way Radio Instruction Manual
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WARNING! NEVER cut the DC power cable
between the DC plug at the back of the
transceiver and fuse holder. If an incorrect
connection is made after cutting, the transceiver
may be damaged.
CAUTION: NEVER place the transceiver where
normal operation of the vessel may be hindered
or where it could cause bodily injury.
KEEP the transceiver and microphone at least 3.3
feet (1 meter) away from your vessel’s magnetic
navigation compass.
DO NOT use or place the transceiver in areas
with tem peratures below -4°F (-20°C) or above
140°F (+60°C), or in areas subject to direct
sunlight, such as the dashboard.
DO NOT use harsh solvents such as benzine
or alcohol to clean the transceiver, as they
will damage the transceiver’s surfaces. If the
transceiver becomes dusty or dirty, wipe it clean
with a soft, dry cloth.
BE CAREFUL! The transceiver rear panel will
become hot when operating continuously for
long periods of time.
Place the transceiver in a secure place to avoid
inadvertent use by children.
RCA requires the radio operator to meet the FCC
Requirements for Radio Frequency Exposure. An
omnidirectional antenna with gain not greater
than 9 dBi must be mounted a minimum of 16
1/2 feet (5 meters), measured from the lowest
point of the antenna, vertically above the main
deck and all possible personnel. This is the
minimum safe separation distance estimated to
meet all RF exposure compliance requirements.
The 16 feet (5 meter) distance is based on the
FCC Safe Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE)
distance of 10 feet (3 meters) added to the height
of an adult, 6 feet (2 meters), is appropriate for
all vessels.

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MRM400TM VHF Marine Two-Way Radio Instruction Manual
For watercraft without suitable structures, the
antenna must be mounted so as to maintain a
minimum of 3 feet (1 meter) vertically between
the antenna, (measured from the lowest point
of the antenna), to the heads of all persons AND
all persons must stay outside of the 10 foot (3
meter) MPE radius.
Do not transmit with radio and antenna when
persons are within the MPE radius of the
antenna, unless such persons (such as driver or
radio operator) are shielded from antenna eld
by a grounded metallic barrier. The MPE Radius
is the minimum distance from the antenna axis
that person should maintain in order to avoid
RF exposure higher than the allowable MPE
level set by FCC.
FAILURE TO OBSERVE THESE LIMITS MAY
ALLOW THOSE WITHIN THE MPE RADIUS TO
EXPERIENCE RF RADIATION ABSORPTION
WHICH EXCEEDS THE FCC MAXIMUM
PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE (MPE) LIMIT.
IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE RADIO
OPERATOR TO ENSURE THAT THE MAXIMUM
PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE LIMITS ARE
OBSERVED AT ALL TIMES DURING RADIO
TRANSMISSION. THE RADIO OPERATOR IS
TO ENSURE THAT NO BYSTANDERS COME
WITHIN THE RADIUS OF THE MAXIMUM
PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE LIMITS.
Determining MPE Radius
THE MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE
(MPE) RADIUS HAS BEEN ESTIMATED TO
BE A RADIUS OF ABOUT 10 FEET (3M) PER
OET BULLETIN 65 OF THE FCC.
THIS ESTIMATE IS MADE ASSUMING THE
MAXIMUM POWER OF THE RADIO AND
ANTENNAS WITH A MAXIMUM GAIN OF
9dBi ARE USED FOR A SHIP MOUNTED
SYSTEM.

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MRM400TM VHF Marine Two-Way Radio Instruction Manual
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PREPARATION
Supplied Accessories.....................................8
Transceiver Mounting ................................... 8
Antenna Connection ................................... 10
Connections .............................................. 10
Dimensions ................................................ 12
PANEL DESCRIPTION
Front Panel ................................................12
Microphone ...............................................14
Function Display.......................................... 15
BASIC OPERATION
Power ON / OFF ...........................................17
Receiving and Transmitting .........................17
Channel Group Selection ...........................17
Channel Selection ......................................19
Call Channel Programming .........................20
Channel Comments .................................... 21
Microphone Lock Function ......................... 22
Display Backlighting .................................. 23
WaterClean Water Draining Function ........ 23
SCAN OPERATION
Scan Types .................................................23
Setting TAG Channels ................................ 24
DUALWATCH / TRI-WATCH
Description.........................................26
Operation .................................................. 26
DSC OPERATION
MMSI Code Programming ........................ 27
MMSI Code Check ..................................... 27
DCS Address ID......................................... 28
Distress Call .............................................. 30
CONTENTS

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MRM400TM VHF Marine Two-Way Radio Instruction Manual
Individual Call ............................................ 32
Group Call ................................................36
All Ships Call .............................................38
Geographical Area Call ..............................40
Position Indication Call ............................... 40
SET MODE
Set Mode Programming ........................... 45
Set Mode Items ......................................... 47
CHANNEL LIST ........................................... 49
SPECIFICATIONS ......................................... 50
TROUBLESHOOTING ................................... 52
WARRANTY STATEMENT ........................... 54
RF EXPOSURE ............................................. 57
CONTENTS [continued]

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MRM400TM VHF Marine Two-Way Radio Instruction Manual
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PREPARATION
SUPPLIED ACCESSORIES
The following accessories are supplied:
Items Qty.
DC power cable 1
Spare fuse 1
Mounting bracket 1
Screws/lock washers 2
Microphone hanger 1
Instruction manual 1
Knob Bolts and at washers 2
Screws for Microphone Hanger 2
TRANSCEIVER MOUNTING WITH
SUPPLIED MOUNTING BRACKET
■ The universal mounting bracket supplied
with your transceiver allows overhead or
dashboard mounting.
1. Fix the mounting bracket to shelf or
dashboard with the supplied screws and
lock washers. Mount the transceiver to the
mounting bracket with the knob bolts and
washers.
2. Mount the transceiver so the face of the
unit can easily be seen when in use. Place the
at washers on the knob bolts and tighten the
knob bolts so that the transceiver is securely
mounted.

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MRM400TM VHF Marine Two-Way Radio Instruction Manual
■ You may use a spongy cushion between the
transceiver and mounting bracket to reduce
vibration.
■ Embedded mounting
1. Cut a hole into the instrument panel or
wherever you plan to mount the transceiver.
2. Slide the transceiver through the holes as
shown below.
3. Attach the clamps on either side of the
transceiver with 2 supplied bolts.
4. Tighten the end bolts on the clamps so that
the clamps press rmly against the inside of
the instrument control panel.
Bolt

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MRM400TM VHF Marine Two-Way Radio Instruction Manual
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ANTENNA CONNECTION
Be sure to connect an antenna before
transmitting. Select the antenna with the
relative frequency and connect to the ANT
antenna connector. Use the antenna and
low loss concentric with the same natural
impedance 50Ω. (See page 4 for more
information.)
■ Transmitting without an antenna may
damage the transceiver.
Antenna Connector
Feeder Connector
To The Antenna
CONNECTIONS
After connecting the DC power cable, GPS
receiver lead and external speaker lead, cover
the connector and leads with an adhesive
tape as below, to prevent water entering the
transceiver.
■ External speaker lead
Wiring details for an external speaker below.
Rubber Vulcanizing Tape
Blue Speaker
SpeakerGray
Electrical Tape
Gray: Speaker

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MRM400TM VHF Marine Two-Way Radio Instruction Manual
■ GPS receiver lead
Connect to a GPS receiver (sold separately) for
position indication.
An NMEA0183 ver.2.0 or 3.01 (sentence
formatters RMC, GGA, GNS, GLL)
compatible GPS receiver is required.
■DC power connector
Connect the supplied DC power cable to
an external 13.8V DC power source. Do not
connect to 24V storage battery.
Yellow
Green
■ Fuse replacement
One fuse is installed in the supplied DC power
cable. If the transceiver stops working, it is a
good idea to check for a blown fuse. If the
fuse is blown, replace the fuse with a new
DC15A/32V fuse.
* Be sure to power off the unit before replacing
the fuse.

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MRM400TM VHF Marine Two-Way Radio Instruction Manual
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PANEL DESCRIPTION
FRONT PANEL
1. Channel 16 / Call Channel Key [16]
- Push to select Channel 16 (emergency
channel).
- Push and hold for 1 sec. to select call channel.
“CALL” appears when the call channel is
selected.
DIMENSIONS
Function Display
Speaker
Function
Display
Speaker
1
2
3
456
78

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MRM400TM VHF Marine Two-Way Radio Instruction Manual
3. Digital Selective Calling (DSC)/Position Key -
See page 27 for details.
- Push to enter DSC menu.
- Push and hold for 1 sec. to show the current
position from a GPS receiver.
4. Squelch Control [SQL]
Rotate to set the squelch threshold level.
5. Power / Volume Control [VOL]
Rotate to turn the transceiver power ON and
OFF and adjusts the audio level.
6. Distress Key [DISTRESS]
Push and hold for 5 sec. to transmit a Distress
Signal.
7. Scan / Tag Key [SCAN]
- While pushing and holding [CH/WX], push
[16] to enter channel comments programming
mode.
- Push to move the cursor backward.
- While turning power ON, push [16] to enter
Set Mode.
2. Channel / Weather Channel Key
- Select and toggle between the regular
channel and weather channel when pushed
momentarily.
- Push and hold for 1 sec. to start Dualwatch
or Tri-watch.
- Push and hold to stop Dualwatch or Tri-watch
when either is activated.
- Push to move the cursor forward.

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- Push to start or stop the normal or priority
scan.
- Push and hold for 1 sec. to set or clear the
displayed channel as a TAG (scanned) channel.
The favorite channels are set by the TAG
channel setting.
- Push and hold [HI/LO] and [SCAN] to clear all
TAG channels in the selected channel group.
Repeat above procedure to set all TAG
channels.
8. [▲][▼] / U/I/C (U.S.A/International/Canada)]
- Select the proper operating channels, Set
Mode settings, etc.
- While pushing and holding [SCAN], push [▲]
or [▼] to adjust the brightness of the LCD and
key backlight.
- Select one of three channel groups in
sequence when both keys are pushed.
- While turning power ON, push and hold both
keys to activate the WaterClean function.
MICROPHONE
1. Push To Talk
Push and hold to transmit; release to receive.
2. Channel UP / DOWN Keys[▲]/[▼]
Microphone

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MRM400TM VHF Marine Two-Way Radio Instruction Manual
- Push either key to change the operating
channel, Set Mode settings, etc.
- When the favorite channel function is turned
ON, push either key to select the favorite
channels in the selected channel group in
sequence.
3. Transmit Power Key [HI/LO]
- Push to toggle the power between high and
low.
Some channels can transmit in low power only.
- While pushing and holding [HI/
LO], turn power ON to toggle the
microphone lock function ON and OFF.
FUNCTION DISPLAY
1. Channel Number Readout
- Indicates the selected operating channel
number. (Refer to channel list)
- In Set Mode, indicate the selected condition.
2. Channel Group Indicator
Indicate whether a U.S.A. “U”, International
“I” or Canadian “C” channel is in use.

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3. Channel Comment Indicator
- Channel comment appears if programmed.
- “LOW BATTERY” scrolls when the battery
voltage drops below 10.8V DC.
- “SC” blinks during priority scan. “SCAN”
blinks during normal scan.
- “DW” blinks during Dualwatch. “TW” blinks
during Tri-watch.
4. DSC Indicators (Distress calls)
- “DSC” appears when a DSC call is received.
- “POS REPLY” appears when a position reply
call or position report reply call is received.
5. GPS Indicator
- Appears while valid position data is received.
- Blinks when invalid position data is received.
- Disappears when no GPS receiver is
connected.
6. Weather Channel Indicator
- “WX” appears when a weather channel is
selected.
- “WX ALT” appears when the weather alert
function is in use; blinks when an alert tone is
received.
7. Duplex Indicator
Appears when a duplex channel is selected.
8. Low Power Indicator
Appears when low power is selected.
9. Call Channel Indicator
Appears when the call channel is selected.

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MRM400TM VHF Marine Two-Way Radio Instruction Manual
10. TAG Channel Indicator
Appears when a TAG channel is selected.
11. Busy Indicator
Appears when receiving a signal or when the
squelch opens.
12. Transmit Indicator
Appears while transmitting.
BASIC OPERATION
POWER ON / OFF
1. Rotate [VOL] clockwise to turn power on.
2. Rotate [VOL] counter-clockwise to turn
power off.
RECEIVING AND TRANSMITTING
■ Transmitting
1. Push [HI/LO] on the microphone to select
the output power if necessary.
- ”LOW” appears when low power is selected.
- Choose low power for short range
communication; choose high power for longer
distance communication.
- Some channels are for low power only.
2. Push and hold Push to talk (PTT) to transmit,
then speak into the microphone.
- “TX” appears.
- Channel 70 cannot be used for anything
other than DSC (distress alerts).
3. Release [PTT] to receive.

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MRM400TM VHF Marine Two-Way Radio Instruction Manual
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Note:
- Do not transmit before connecting the
antenna as this can ruin the transceiver.
- The TOT (Time-out Timer) function inhibits
continuous transmission over a preset time
period after the transmission starts.
■ Receiving
1. Set the audio and squelch levels.
2. Rotate [SQL] fully counterclockwise in
advance.
3. Rotate [VOL] to adjust the audio output
level.
4. Rotate [SQL] clockwise until the noise
disappears.
- “When receiving a signal, [ ] appears
and audio is emitted from the speaker.
CHANNEL GROUP SELECTION
The transceiver is pre-programmed with 59
U.S.A. and international channels and 63
Canadian channels. These channel groups may
be specied for the operating area.
1. Push [CH/WX] to select a regular channel.
- If a weather channel appears, push [CH/WX]
again.
2. Push [U/I/C] (both [▲] and [▼] on the
transceiver to change the channel group, if
necessary.
- U.S.A., International and Canadian channel
groups can be selected in sequence.
3. Push [▲] or [▼] to select a channel.
- [D] appears for duplex channels.

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MRM400TM VHF Marine Two-Way Radio Instruction Manual
before selecting Channel 16, or push [▲] or
[▼] to select operating channel.
Convenient:
When the favorite channel function is turned
ON, use the [▲]/[▼] keys on the microphone
to select the favorite channels in the selected
channel group.
- The favorite channels are set by the TAG
channel setting. (Pg. 24)
■ Channel 9 (Call channel)
Each regular channel group has a separate
leisure-use call channel (Channel 9, default).
CHANNEL SELECTION
■ Channel 16
Channel 16 is the distress and safety channel.
It is used for establishing initial contact with an
aid station and for emergency communication.
Channel 16 is monitored during both Dualwatch
and Tri-watch. If you are not actively using your
radio, you must monitor Channel 16.
1. Push [16] momentarily to select Channel 16.
2. Push [CH/WX] to return to the condition
Scrolls

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The call channel is monitored during Tri-watch.
1. Push and hold [16] for 1 sec. to select the
call channel of the selected channel group.
“CALL” and the call channel number appears.
2. Push [CH/WX] to return to your previous
call channel, or push [▲] or [▼] to select a
channel.
■ Weather channels
The transceiver has 10 pre-programmed
weather channels. The transceiver can
automatically detect a weather alert tone on
the selected weather channel while receiving
the channel or during scanning.
Scrolls
1. Push [CH/WX] once or twice to select a
weather channel.
- “WX” appears when a weather channel is
selected.
- “WX ALT” appears when the weather alert
function is in use.
2. Push [▲] or [▼]to select a channel.
CALL CHANNEL PROGRAMMING
Call channel is used to select Channel 9
(default), however, you can program the call
channel with your preferred channel in each
channel group for quick recall.
Weather Channel Alert is OFF. Weather Channel Alert is ON.