Simrad RS81 User manual

MAXIMIZING YOUR PERFORMANCE AT SEA

Instruction manual
III
Simrad RS81/RS82
VHF Radio System
MANUAL

RS81/RS82 VHF
IV Part no. E04572 Issue E 26/04/04 CR
The technical data, information and illustrations contained in this publication were to the best of our knowledge
correct at the time of going to print. We reserve the right to change specifications, equipment, installation and mainte-
nance instructions without notice as part of our policy of continuous development and improvement.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, electronic or
otherwise without prior permission from Simrad Ltd.
No liability can be accepted for any inaccuracies or omissions in the publication, although every care has been taken to
make it as complete and accurate as possible.
© 2004 Simrad Ltd

Part I – INTRODUCTION
1 GENERAL
1.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
1.1.1 About this manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
1.2 Licensing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
1.3 MMSI number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
1.4 Group ID MMSI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
1.5 ATIS number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Part II – THE RS81 VHF RADIO SYSTEM
2 INTRODUCTION
3 MAIN FUNCTIONS
3.1 General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
3.2 Switching the radio on & off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
3.3 Second country modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
3.4 Changing channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
3.4.1 Channel sets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
3.5 Volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
3.6 Squelch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
3.7 Speaker mute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
3.8 Dual Watch mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
3.9 Triple Watch or Tri-Watch mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
3.10 All scan mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
3.10.1 Dynamic All scan inhibit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
3.11 Memory scan mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
3.11.1 Dynamic Memory scan delete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
3.12 Adjusting backlighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
3.13 Handset off cradle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
4 MENU MODE
4.1 Scanning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
4.1.1 All scan inhibit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
4.1.2 All scan reset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
4.1.3 All scan show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
4.1.4 Memory scan select . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
4.1.5 Memory scan clear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
4.1.6 Memory scan show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
4.1.7 Scan dwell time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
4.2 Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
4.2.1 Ship’s MMSI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
4.2.2 ATIS number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
4.3 VHF Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
4.3.1 User channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
4.3.2 Last used channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
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4.3.3 Interrupt intercom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
4.3.4 Speaker settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
4.3.4.1 Setting up speakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
4.3.4.2 Adjusting independent volumes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
4.3.5 Lighting modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
4.3.6 SimNet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
4.3.6.1 Banks select . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
4.3.6.2 Device instance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
4.3.6.3 System instance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
4.3.7 Serial number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
5 MISCELLANEOUS FUNCTIONS
5.1 Selecting Weather Watch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
5.1.1 Weather Watch alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
5.2 Security mode (voice scrambler) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
5.3 Losing NMEA data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
5.4 Intercom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
5.4.1 Making an intercom call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
5.4.2 Receiving an intercom call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
5.5 Received DSC call displays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
5.5.1 Individual call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
5.5.2 Public correspondence call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
5.5.3 Group call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
5.5.4 All Ships Safety call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
5.5.5 All Ships Urgency call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
5.5.6 Distress Alert call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
5.5.7 Distress relay call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
5.5.8 Distress acknowledgement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
5.6 Position over 4 hours old . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Part III – THE RS82 dVHF RADIO SYSTEM
6 INTRODUCTION
7 MAIN FUNCTIONS
7.1 General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
7.2 Switching on/off & Second country mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
7.3 Changing channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
7.3.1 Channel sets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
7.4 Volume adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
7.5 Squelch adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
7.6 Dual Watch mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
7.7 Triple Watch or Tri-Watch mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
7.8 All scan mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
7.8.1 Dynamic All scan inhibit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
7.9 Memory scan mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
7.9.1 Dynamic Memory scan delete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
7.10 Adjusting backlighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
7.11 Handset off cradle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
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8 MENU MODE
8.1 Scanning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
8.1.1 All scan inhibit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
8.1.2 All scan reset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
8.1.3 All scan show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
8.1.4 Memory scan select . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
8.1.5 Memory scan clear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
8.1.6 Memory scan show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
8.1.7 Scan dwell time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
8.2 Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
8.2.1 Ship’s MMSI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
8.2.2 Group MMSI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
8.2.3 ATIS number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
8.3 VHF Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
8.3.1 User channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
8.3.2 Position view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
8.3.3 Last used channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
8.3.4 Interrupt intercom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
8.3.5 Speaker settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
8.3.6 SimNet management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
8.3.6.1 Data sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
8.3.6.2 Lighting banks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
8.3.6.3 Device instance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
8.3.6.4 System instance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
8.3.7 Lighting modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66
9 DSC FUNCTIONS
9.1 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
9.2 Making a call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
9.2.1 Individual routine call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
9.2.2 Public correspondence call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
9.2.3 All Ships Safety call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
9.2.4 All Ships Urgency call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
9.2.5 Group call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
9.2.6 Distress Alert call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
9.3 Receiving a call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
9.3.1 Individual routine call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
9.3.2 Public correspondence call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74
9.3.3 All Ships Safety call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75
9.3.4 All Ships Urgency call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75
9.3.5 Group call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76
9.3.6 Distress Alert call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
9.3.7 Distress Alert acknowledgement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78
9.3.8 Distress Relay call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79
9.4 Viewing the call log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80
9.5 Position over 4 hours old . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81
10 THE DIRECTORY
10.1 Switching between the directories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
10.2 Viewing the directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
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10.3 Entering a number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83
10.4 Editing a number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
11 MISCELLANEOUS FUNCTIONS
11.1 Selecting Weather Watch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85
11.1.1 Weather Watch alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85
11.2 Security mode (voice scrambler) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86
11.3 Losing SimNet data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86
11.4 Losing NMEA data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
11.5 Editing Latitude, Longitude and UTC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
11.6 Toggling between Lat/Long and UTC views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
11.7 Intercom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
11.7.1 Making an intercom call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
11.7.2 Receiving an intercom call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90
11.8 Station speaker mute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90
11.9 iDSC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91
Part IV – INSTALLATION
12 INSTALLATION
12.1 Physical installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95
12.1.1 Transceiver installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95
12.1.2 Handset installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96
12.1.3 Station speaker installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97
12.2 Electronic installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97
12.2.1 Handset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98
12.2.2 Loudspeakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99
12.2.3 NMEA0183 input . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100
12.2.5 SimNet connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100
12.2.6 Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101
12.2.7 Cable strain relief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101
12.3 Antenna installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102
12.4 Electrical interference suppression . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104
13 FURTHER INFORMATION
13.1 Operating procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105
13.1.1 Sending a Distress Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105
13.1.2 Acknowledging and relaying a Distress Alert call . . . . . . .105
13.1.3 Cancelling a Distress Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106
13.1.4 Alerting all vessels within range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106
13.1.5 Calling a coast radio station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106
13.1.6 Making an intership call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106
13.2 NMEA sentences received . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106
13.3 Transmission range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107
13.4 Frequency of channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108
13.5 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109
13.6 Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
13.7 Technical specification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111
13.8 Accessories & spares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111
13.9 Service & Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
13.10 Declaration of Conformity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
RS81/RS82 VHF
VIII E04572

PART I
INTRODUCTION

Fig 1.1 - System options
1 GENERAL
1.1 Introduction
The RS81 and RS82 offer an extremely flexible approach to sin-
gle and dual station VHF radios. The RS81 consists of an RS80B
transceiver “black box” with an AHS81 voice-only active hand-
set with built-in loudspeaker. The RS82 utilises the same trans-
ceiver, but is supplied with an AHS82 DSC-enabled active
handset and separate external speaker. Both the AHS81 and
AHS82 are completely interchangeable and offer full intercom
facility between stations (Fig 1.1).
In any system combination that has an AHS82 handset the
radio will accept geographical position input via the propri-
etary SimNet data network, or via NMEA0183. Such a combi-
nation will also support iDSC interface with Simrad Chartplot-
ters, enabling any DSC alerts to be displayed and acknowl-
edged from the plotter itself.
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VOL
SQL
SQL
D/W
SCAN MEM
1W INT 16
SIMRADRD69
SIMRAD
VOL
VOL
SQL
SQL
D/W
SCAN MEM
1W INT 16
IDSC Data
Simnet NMEA0183
Optional
IDSC Data
Simnet NMEA0183
p
Combination system
The RS81 Dual Station system The RS82 Dual Station system
SIMRADAHS81
SIMRAD
ON/C
DIMMER
VOL SQL
USER
SHIFT OK
1W D/W 16
WXWATCH
MENU
SCANALL
SCANM
SPKR INT

The AHS81 and AHS82 have been designed with simple opera-
tion in mind for ease of use, even in installations that have one
station of each type. The handsets are fully waterproof and
designed for all environments from the navigation station to
the open cockpit.
1.1.1 About this manual
This manual combines operating and installation information
on both the RS81 and RS82 and is divided into four main parts.
As the handsets have differing layouts and functions are
accessed in different ways, we recommend that you familiarise
yourself with the information pertaining to the product that
you have purchased prior to installation or use. This will facili-
tate full understanding of the many operating features and
ensure straightforward installation.
Thank you for choosing Simrad.
If you are pleased with your VHF radio, we hope you will be
interested in our range of marine electronic equipment, which
is manufactured to the same high standards as the RS81/RS82.
Please contact your nearest Simrad agent for a catalogue show-
ing our increasing range of high-tech navigational instruments,
GPS, Autopilots, Radar, Echosounders, Chartplotters and VHF
radio sets.
Simrad operates a policy of continual development and reserve
the right to alter and improve the specification of their products
without notice.
RS81/RS82 VHF
12 E04572

1.2 Licensing
NOTE Prior to use please check the national licensing requirements
for operators.
In the UK licence applications and queries should be made to
the following authority:
Ship Radio Licensing
Radio Licencing Centre
The Post Office
PO Box 1495
Bristol
BS99 3QS
Website: www.radiolicencecentre.co.uk/rlc
A set may only be operated by or under the supervision of the
holder of a Marine Radio Operator’s Certificate of Competence
and Authority to Operate. This is awarded on completion of the
Marine Short Range Certificate course administered by the Royal
Yachting Association:
Royal Yachting Association
RYA House
Ensign Way
Hamble
Southampton
SO31 4YA
Website: www.rya.org.uk
Tel. [phone]
Holders of the Restricted Certificate of Competence in Radio-
telephony (which covers MF/HF SSB, etc.) do not need a sepa-
rate VHF certificate.
In all other countries, please contact your regional authority for
information.
Instruction manual
13
E04572

RS81/RS82 VHF
14 E04572
1.3 MMSI number
At the time of issue of your vessel’s radio licence, an MMSI
(Maritime Mobile Service Identity) number must be requested to
enable the operation of DSC functions. This is a nine-digit
number, which must be permanently entered into the RS82, or
RS81 with the DSC-capable AHS82 handset fitted.
NOTE If the boat, or the RS81 or RS82, is subsequently sold, the radio
must be returned to an authorised Simrad agent for the MMSI
number to be erased and the new owner’s MMSI number
entered.
An MMSI number will only be issued to licensed and certified
users. Please enquire with your local licensing authority for
full details.
Please refer to section 4.2.1 (RS81) or section 8.2.1 (RS82) for
information on how to enter the vessel’s MMSI number.
1.4 Group ID MMSI
For boats that are part of a flotilla, racing fleet or other group,
a Group ID MMSI number can also be entered, which will
allow DSC communication within the group, if DSC is avail-
able.
NOTE Contact your local authority for rules regarding Group MMSI
number allocation.
Please refer to section 8.2.2 for information on how to enter a
Group MMSI number. Please note, that the Group MMSI number
function is not available on the AHS81 handset.
1.5 ATIS number
Some countries require an ATIS number (e.g. Benelux and the
Rhine/Danube waterways); however, this option will only
appear on ATIS-equipped radios.
Please refer to section 4.2.2 (RS81) or section 8.2.3 (RS82) for
information on how to enter the ATIS number.

PART II
THE
RS81 VHF RADIO SYSTEM

Instruction manual
17
E04572
2 INTRODUCTION
The RS81 is a modular VHF radio system with a user friend-
ly, remote-style handset to access and control all functions.
The RS81 transceiver “black box” is robustly constructed
using a pressure die-cast aluminium case for effective heat
dissipation, ensuring maximum transmission performance
even after many hours constant use.
The dual station RS81 radio system has been designed for
countries in which DSC capability is not a requirement. It is
ideal for leisure and light commercial use and can support up
to two handsets. Additional stations can either be another
AHS81-type handset, or a DSC-capable, fully-featured AHS82
radio-telephone handset. The RS81 offers full intercom facili-
ty and allows optional geographical position input via NMEA
(if the second handset is an AHS82).
The operation of the AHS81 handset, which has an inbuilt
loudspeaker, is designed to be simple and intuitive. Large
buttons and a rubber-profiled handle-back ensure safe and
comfortable handling, whilst the large, backlit LCD allows
easy reading, even in difficult conditions.
The handset is tough and waterproof, and is designed to
withstand the rigours of the marine environment.
3 MAIN FUNCTIONS
3.1 General notes
Packed with many advanced features, the Dual Station RS81 is
compact and has a contemporary look and feel.
The SHIFT key is used to access secondary functions printed in
small letters below the main function on the key – simply press
SHIFT, then select the appropriate key. Secondary functions are
shown in this manual in brackets, e.g. (SCAN M).
NOTE The SHIFT key will time out of Shift mode after 2 seconds, if
another key is not pressed.
The handset plugged into Station 1 is the master controller.
Operations initiated on this handset will override all other sta-
tions. When a handset is lifted off its cradle, the other handset
will display “OCCUPIED”. If a press and hold operation is ini-
tiated on a handset, the other will display “IN USE” and func-
tions will not be accessible.
When entering or editing text in any of the displays, the cursor
position is indicated by a flashing dash.
SIMRAD AHS81
SIMRAD
ON/C
DIMMER
VOL SQL
USER
SHIFT OK
1W D/W 16
WX WATCH
MENU
SCAN ALL
SCAN M
SPKR INT
AHS81 handset

RS81/RS82 VHF
18 E04572
3.2 Switching the radio on & off
To switch the radio on, press and hold the ON/C key. For 2 sec-
onds the display will show the handset's software issue num-
ber, then for 2 seconds the station number followed by the last
channel used (see section 4.3.2).
When turning on the radio for the first time, all settings will dis-
play at default values, including the channel setting, which is set
to the priority channel (normally 16). When turned on, the radio
will revert to previously stored volume and squelch settings.
To switch the radio off, press and hold the ON/C key for 2 sec-
onds. The display screen will go blank and any audio will be
muted to indicate that the unit has been turned off.
3.3 Second country modes
In countries where it is permitted, the RS81 can operate on a
secondary set of channels, such as the USA channels.
To enter the Second country mode press SHIFT followed by OK.
The display will show the second country for 2 seconds, then
reset. The current mode is displayed in the top left-hand corner
(cf. Fig 3.1).
NOTE Second country modes are linked to specific primary country
modes:
Primary Secondary
International, “INT” USA, “USA”
USA, “USA” International, “INT”
River (Rhine), “RIVER” International, “INT”
Canadian, “CAN” USA, “USA”
NOTE If the primary country mode is Canadian, an optional tertiary
country mode from “CAN” to either “USA”, or “INT” becomes
available.

Instruction manual
19
E04572
NOTE The default for the User channel is 16.
NOTE Selecting 16 at any point will revert the unit to channel 16,
which is the default mode, and high power. This is a safety
feature.
If a channel is selected using a press and hold operation, other
handsets will not update, until the key has been released (cf.
section 3.1).
3.4.1 Channel sets
In addition to the standard international channel, the RS81 can
be programmed with a range of auxiliary channels, such as the
Marina channel in the UK, the USA Weather channels and the
Scandinavian Fishing and Leisure channels.
3.4 Changing channels
To select a channel, use the ▼and ▲keys to scroll through the
available channels and view their associated functions (Fig 3.1).
The priority channel (normally 16) can be selected by pressing
16, which will always set the radio to high 25W transmit
power.
Fig 3.1 - Selecting a channel
72
VOLUME 05
INT
16
VOLUME 05
INT
U 23
VOLUME 04
INT
Fig 3.2 - User channel selected
The User channel is preset and can be directly accessed by
pressing the USER key. A “U” next to the channel number will
indicate that it has been set as the User channel (Fig 3.2).

3.5 Volume
Press the VOL key to enter the volume adjustment mode,
then use the ▲and ▼keys to adjust the volume from 1 to 24
(loud).
The volume adjustment mode will time out after 2 seconds if
no key is pressed. If either the ▲or ▼key is held pressed, the
mode will cycle through the settings until released.
3.6 Squelch
Press the SQkey to enter squelch mode, then use the ▲and
▼keys to determine the setting between 1 and 10. If either the
▲or ▼key is pressed continuously, the mode will cycle
through the levels.
To cancel press the OKor ON/C key, otherwise the mode will
time out after 2 seconds.
RS81/RS82 VHF
20 E04572
MAR I NA AAAA
MAR I NAA AAA
INT
PR I VATE AAA
Fig 3.3 - Selecting auxiliary channel sets
(sets must be available to be displayed)
M2
Use the ▲and ▼keys to choose a channel from
the preset range (Fig 3.3).