Simrad Shipmate RS8400 Reference manual

1
Simrad
VHF Radiotelephones
Shipmate
RS8400
RS8300
183.2047.005 Rev.I English
Warning!
The SOS function may only be used in case of emergency and with the correct
DSC number coded into the system. The number can be checked by pressing
E á98E for the first five digits and E á97 E for the last five digits.
Do not disconnect the handset while the unit is switched ON.

2
This page is intentionally left blank!

3
Contents for
RS8400, RS8300, RS8300 SD, and RS8300 SOS
Distress call: Manual .....................................................................................................4
Distress call: Automatic - only RS8300 SOS)..............................................................5
Programming of DSC identity number........................................................................6
Introduction ....................................................................................................................7
Handset Status Displays ................................................................................................8
Handset Keys ............................................................................................................... 10
ON/OFF Switch ............................................................................................................11
Position Input (RS8300 SOS only) ............................................................................ 12
Channel Selection ........................................................................................................ 14
International and US Channels ................................................................................. 15
Output Power .............................................................................................................. 16
Squelch ......................................................................................................................... 16
Volume .......................................................................................................................... 16
Dual Watch .................................................................................................................. 17
Scan All......................................................................................................................... 18
Exclusions from Scan All ............................................................................................ 19
Scan programme.......................................................................................................... 20
Edit of Scan Programme ............................................................................................ 21
Intercom (not RS8300 standard) ............................................................................... 22
Muting .......................................................................................................................... 23
Illumination.................................................................................................................. 23
Installation ................................................................................................................... 24
- Dual system and watertight socket (not RS8300 standard)
Optional PA-HAILER (not RS8300 standard) ........................................................ 29
Technical data .............................................................................................................. 30
International Marine VHF Channels ....................................................................... 32
US & Canadian Marine VHF Channels ................................................................... 33
InternationalWarranty ................................................................................................ 34
SIMRADdistributors ................................................................................................... 35

4
Manual DISTRESS CALL
INT
16
16
MAYDAY - MAYDAY - MAYDAY
THIS IS: State vessel’s name three times
MAYDAY THIS IS: Repeat vessel’s name
AT POSITION: State position of vessel
STATE NATURE OF DISTRESS
Release PTT lever.
Wait for an answer.
If not answered after a short interval, repeat message until answered.
Select the Distress Channel by pressing the 16 key.
Hold down the PTT lever on the handset.

5
Automatic DISTRESS CALL (DSC)
Caution! The SOS message will alert and activate a rescue operation.
To call off a rescue operation, contact your nearest coastal station.
PUSH SOS
SOSSOS SOS
AUTO SOS
70 TX
AUTO SOS
16
The SOS function is blocked until a DSC number
is entered - see overleaf for programming of DSC
and ATIS.
Refer to page 12 and 13 for details on Position
input and DSC.
Activate automatic transmission of digital
DISTRESS CALL by pressing the SOS key three
times at intervals of 1 second.
The distress message will be transmitted and
repeated automatically at random intervals on
Channel 70.
Channel 16 will be available for communication
after each transmission.
If not answered after a short interval, try to send
your message manually, - see previous page.
Important! After the AUTO SOS has been acti-
vated, it must be terminated again (by pressing
any key), as it otherwise will continue to send out
messages.

6
Programming of DSC identity number. The DSC number issued by the authori-
ties can be programmed directly from the handset. If a mistake is made, the num-
ber can be altered for as long as the unit is still ON, but once the power has been
switched OFF, the numbers will be fixed in the memory and can only be repro-
grammed by an authorized dealer.
Important! Connected navigator must be disconnected during programming.
Example of how to program a DSC number e.g. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 (+0).
Add 0 to a 9 digit DSC number.
Call 1st address: “L”
Key in the 5 least significant digits.
Call 2nd address: “M”
Key in the 5 most significant digits.
Before switching the unit OFF, check that the numbers are entered correctly:
DSC - least significant digits.
- most significant digits.
Programming of ATIS identity number. The ATIS number is issued by the
authorities for river traffic in regional areas. Example of how to program an ATIS
number e.g. 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 (the first digit will normally be a 9):
Call 1st address: “L”
Key in the 5 least significant digits.
Call 2nd address: “M”
Key in the 5 most significant digits.
Before switching the unit OFF, check that the numbers are entered correctly:
ATIS - least significant digits.
- most significant digits.
E29E
E39E
E79EE89E
E78EE88E
á
á
á
á
á
á
06 7 8 9 E
51 2 3 4 E
49 1 2 3 E
95 6 7 8 E
E28Eá
E38Eá

7
Introduction for
RS8400, RS8300, RS8300 SD, and RS8300 SOS
The VHF system is designed for remote installation of the main unit. Operation is
carried out through the waterproof handset, which can be installed up to 20 m (65
ft) from the main unit.
Information regarding channel selection, operating mode and output power is al-
ways given on the handset display. Volume and Squelch levels are displayed mo-
mentarily when settings are changed. Selection of an unauthorised channel is indi-
cated by the legend ERROR.
The keypad has numerical keys for channel selection and function keys for con-
trolling volume, squelch and scan modes. Key P(WX) allows access to private,
authorised channels. In addition, key Eallows access to secondary functions. The
legend SHIFT will be shown in the handset display whenever this key is pressed.
All key entries are acknowledged by short tone in the loudspeaker.
The Press To Transmit lever, located on the left side of the handset, can only be
operated when the handset is out of its cradle.
Additional features for the RS8300 SOS version:
The red SOS key ensures a quick and easy way of making a digital distress call,
containing the vessel’s identity (DSC no.), present position and time. The VHF
system will automatically have this information if a GPS navigator is connected,
or it can be entered manually via the keypad before activating the distress call.
The handset is supplied with a watertight connector and 5 m extension cable. By
adding a second handset and speaker, the system will offer full dual station opera-
tion, hailer function and intercom.

8
Handset Status Displays (International)
International
channels set
Private channel
operative
Private channel
operative
Channel operative
CH 10
Pre-selected channel
Scan All
operative
Channels selected for
Scan Programme
Scan Programme
operative
Dual Watch
operative
Function
in standby
Output
reduced
Set is
transmitting
Incorrect
selection
Key E, access to
secondary
functions
Squelch or volume
setting
Other handset
in use
Intercom
selected
Automatic
Distress Call
(RS8300 SOS)
INT
PCH
P3
16
10
SCAN ALL
67 16 10
SCAN PRG
- -
DW 16
SB
IW
TX
ERROR
SHIFT
3
OCC
INTERCOM
AUTO SOS

9
US
channels set
US
weather channels
Transmission
is stopped by time-out
Handset Status Displays (US)
US
WX
TX OFF

10
Handset Keys
Status display
(page 8,9)
PTT
Press To Transmit
Scan All
(page 18)
Squelch controls
(page 16)
Volume controls
(page 16)
Earpiece
Scan Programme
(page20)
Automatic Distress Call
Secondary function access
(page 9)
INT (P): Private Channel
Selector (page 14)
US (WX): Private Chan-
nel Selector & Weather
channels (page 15)
Microphone

11
The ON/OFF switch is fitted at the base of the main unit and a stand-by facility
on the handset allows power consumption to be reduced, so that the set can be left
on almost indefinitely.
INT
16
ON
ON
ON/OFF
Set the ON/OFF switch of the main unit to the
ON position. The system will automatically return
to the same status as when it was switched OFF.
If the display remains blank, the unit is in stand-
by mode. Press the ON key of the handset once.
The channel will be displayed and the unit will be
fully operational.
On closing down, press the ON key of the handset
and hold it down until the display turns off. The
unit is now in stand-by mode.
If the vessel is to be left unattended for any length
of time, the ON/OFF switch of the main unit
should be set to the OFF position.

12
Position Input (RS8300 SOS only) is automatically updated if you have a GPS
navigator connected to the VHF. Without a navigator, the information can be en-
tered manually from the keypad via the Position menu.
LA XXXXX
16
16E
LA 12N34
16
LO 103E52
16
1 2 ß
3 4
103
à 52
In the Position menu, the display will show the
latitude of the last transferred position from a
GPS navigator.
Note! The display is not updated while the menu
is active.
If no position is displayed, the data can be entered
manually.
FPress the Ekey to exit the Position menu, or...
Enter latitude e.g. 12N34
Toggle between N/S with ß/ à
Go to longitude with â
Enter longitude e.g. 103E52
Toggle between E/W with ß/ à
Go to UTC time with â

13
INT
16
E
UTC 14 39
16
1 4 à
3 9
To enter UTC time in hours and minutes
e.g. 14:39 hours.
To acknowledge the position and time input,
press the Ekey.
DSC or Digital Selective Calling is a part of the
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System -
GMDSS.
This safety system ensures that all coastal stations
and commercial vessels automatically will moni-
tor channel 70 for digital distress calls.
GMDSS is being implemented gradually and will
be fully deployed before 1999.

14
INT
16
16
77
16
7 7
E
INT
16
P3
E
Select the International Distress Channel and
General Calling Frequency.
Select any public channel, for example, Ship to
Ship Channel 77.
The display will change automatically after 3.5
seconds, or immediately if the Ekey is pressed.
Select a private authorized channel, say Private
Channel 3.
This will be displayed 3.5 seconds after selection,
or immediately after the Ekey is pressed.
Channel Selection allows access to all legally permissible channels. It also per-
mits direct, single key operation for the distress and general calling frequency,
Channel 16.

15
US
10
E1
WX
11
TX OFF
10
P E
International and US channels may be used with this unit, permitting operation
in all waters.
To toggle between US system and International
channels, press the Ekey and 1key. If the legend
ERROR is displayed, it indicates that US chan-
nels are not available.
US channels 13 & 67 are preset to 1W output.
This is shown by a flashing 1W on the display.
For 25W output, press and hold the PTT key and
then press the ON key. When using these channels
the handset OFF function will be inoperative.
US FUNCTION:
To select the Weather Channels.
In the International version, key WX is
exchanged with key P.
Refer to page 14 for details on the Private Chan-
nels.
US FUNCTION:
Transmitting continuously for more than 5 min-
utes, will cause the transmission to turn off.
To resume transmission, release the PTT key and
then press it again.

16
INT 3
16
ß à
INT
1W16
ON
INT 3
16
á â
E
Output Power can be set to either 1W or to 25W.
Squelch is adjustable in three steps from 1 to 3.
Volume is adjustable in eight steps from 1 to 8.
To reduce output power to 1W for short range
transmission. The unit will be set at maximum
output when switched ON.
Toggle between 1W and 25W.
When the set is switched on, the squelch setting
will be at 3. In step 1 the receiver is always open.
Adjust squelch with ß/ à
When the set is switched on, the volume setting
will automatically be at 3. The speaker volume
can be increased in steps up to setting 8.
Adjust volume with á/ â

17
DW 16
10
E3
DW SB
10
DW 16
16
Dual Watch will automatically monitor Channel 16 as well as one other channel
pre-selected by the operator. It will function only if both handsets are in their
cradles.
Activate/terminate Dual Watch.
Monitoring of Channel 16 stops when a handset is
lifted from its cradle. The pre-selected channel
immediately becomes available for communica-
tion, and the receiver changes to Stand-by ready
to resume Dual Watch when the handset is back
in its cradle.
When a signal is detected on Channel 16, the re-
ceiver stops monitoring the pre-selected channel,
and the legend 16 will be in both channel posi-
tions.
It will be locked to Channel 16 until the signals
stop or a handset is lifted for use on the pre-
selected channel.

18
SCAN ALL
10
SCAN ALL
- -
*
INT SB
10
Scan All mode monitors all channels for transmissions. *
Squelch must be set above level 1 before this mode can be selected. The Scan
function will go in Stand-by mode if the handset is out of its cradle.
* In Europe Channel 16 is always monitored.
Activate/terminate Scan All.
While scanning is in progress, channel numbers
will not be displayed.
When a transmission is detected, the set will lock
on for four seconds and display the number of the
channel.
When a handset is lifted, the scanning stops and
goes in stand-by mode. The display will show the
last received channel.

19
88
10
8 8
SCAN ALL
- -
*
SCAN ALL
- -
0*
Exclusions from Scan All can be made for up to six channels. *
This will prevent continuously transmitting stations, such as V.H.F. Direction
Beacons, from intruding.
* In Europe it is not possible to exclude Channel 16.
Set in the number of the channel to be excluded
from Scan All programme, e.g. Channel 88.
Press the * key immediately, otherwise channel
selected for exclusion will instead be “standard
channel selection”.
If excluding more than the maximum six allowed
channels, the first exclusion will be overwritten
by the last entry. Excluded channels will be mem-
orized by the unit.
This programme will reinstate all excluded chan-
nels in a single operation.

20
Scan Programme mode allows a limited number of channels to be monitored. *
A minimum of two and a maximum of ten channels can be pre-selected by the
operator.
* In Europe Channel 16 is always monitored together with the user-selected
channels.
SCAN PGM
10
SCAN PGM
- -
#
INT SB
10
The set will lock on to any detected signal for
four seconds, and scanning will automatically
continue unless a handset is lifted for communica-
tion. Squelch must be set to 2 or 3.
To activate/terminate Scan Programme.
While scanning takes place, channel numbers will
not be displayed.
When a transmission is detected, the set will lock
on for four seconds and display the number of the
channel.
When a handset is lifted, the scanning stops and
goes in stand-by mode. The display will show the
last received channel.