FAQs
- Thu, 8 May 2008
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Learn how VHF works, the basics behind the frequencies you see on your radio and what can make handheld batteries very inefficient and fixed sets close down.
Can I send my marine radio back to any Icom around the world?
Icom UK offer a 3 year warranty on marine products, this is within the UK only. If you are outside UK waters in a UK flagged vessel please contact us and we will advise accordingly.
Why can't American marine radios be used/fitted in the UK?
All European electronic & electrical equipment must meet stringent technical and legislative standards including Electro Magnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive tests and must be CE marked to show that they have done so. Products for the US do not have to meet these standards and are neither tested nor carry the CE mark. Equipment that does not meet the requirements of the above regulations can not be licensed for use on European vessels. The terms of the licence will have been broken and the consequences are likely to be a prosecution and criminal record.
My Icom DSC/VHF radio will now not transmit on 25w. In addition the screen goes blank at the start of the transmission for a few seconds. It transmits clearly on 1w with no loss of screen data.
Typically this fault is caused by high resistance on the DC leads to the transceiver. This could be caused by old or poorly insulated power leads. Please call Icom service department for more information.
I recently purchased a boat that included an Icom radio. I have my own MMSI Number can I add it myself?
Unfortunately not, the radio will need to go back to either your local Icom dealer or Icom UK service department.
I have your IC-M503 and DS-100 units. Do I need to connect the DS-100 to a separate antenna?
Yes. To correctly install the DS-100 you need two separate aerials as this is a dual antenna system.
I have bought an Icom Marine Handheld. I note that it has channel P4. Is this the same as M2? Is channel 37A the same as channel 37?
P4 is the same as M2. M1 or Channel 37A is the simplex version of channel 37. Some marinas will use channel 80 - if this is the case they will let you know as you approach.
I have an IC-M421 and I cannot find in the manual any reference to a back-up battery or micro-chip. If we disconnect the unit, will it lose any programmed channels/tag channels I have inputted?
No, the channels you have programmed will remain in the radio even when disconnected.
How long can the IC-M33 float in the water?
The IC-M33 is not designed to be left submersed underwater and should be retrieved immediately.
When should I operate on low power?
In general it depends on how far away the radio is that you are trying to communicate with. There are some channels that automatically require the high or low power setting. Keep in mind is that the lower wattage, the less power used, thus the longer the batteries will last.
Will other electronics interfere with my VHF unit?
Yes that is possible. Many electronic devices are capable of generating RF energy which might interfere with radio reception. This can take the form of wideband ‘noise' which can degrade reception on all channels or interference which will effect just a few channels. This RF energy can be radiated from equipment cabling, so keep leads as short as possible and routed away from the radio's cabling. Fitting ferrite rings to either end of leads that might be radiating interference can often help. If problems persist, it might be necessary to re-site equipment or antennas.
What do I do if I accidentally press my DSC distress button?
The DSC button on an ICOM radio is covered by a red flip-up cover. This cover must first be lifted before the button can be pressed (so accidental depression is difficult). The distress button needs to be pressed and held for five seconds before it will send a DSC distress message. During this five-second period the radio will emit a loud warning beep every second. If the button is released before the five seconds then the radio will return to normal and no distress message will be sent.
If for some reason you do send a distress message in error, you should call the coastguard immediately and inform them. If you have children, it is very important that you emphasise the likely consequences of playing with a DSC unit.
How should I look after my rechargeable batteries?
The failure to manage rechargeable batteries correctly can result in a gradual decline in performance. This decline very often goes unnoticed by the user and can lead to the failure of the equipment at a critical point, resulting in the battery being returned to the supplier as defective. Here are some useful areas to consider:
Memory effect
The gradual degradation in performance is often attributed to ‘memory effect'. This is caused when the battery is recharged after the equipment has been used for a short period. In these circumstances, the battery builds up a memory of its capacitance. Recent improvements in battery technology have virtually eliminated this condition.
Changes in crystalline structure
The main cause of reduced battery life is due to changes in the crystalline structure of nickel and cadmium, the component elements of most rechargeable cells. Under normal operation, where the battery has been discharged fully and charged correctly, the crystalline structure remains finely divided. However, when the battery is incorrectly managed, crystals grow that dramatically reduce the surface area of the cells, leading to a decrease in the cell voltage and corresponding reduction in cell capacity.
How to improve battery performance
To reverse the gradual decline in a cell's performance, it is necessary to fully discharge the battery to less than 0.6V per cell. This is best achieved by using a battery analyser, designed specifically to cycle the battery correctly. Alternatively, exercising the battery, by leaving the equipment on with the battery connected or discharging the battery fully using a load, will improve the performance, but this method may not reduce the cell voltage below 0.6V.
To overcome the degradation, nickel cadmium (NiCd) and nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries should be cycled periodically to maintain the best performance. This process is sometimes referred to as conditioning. Some manufacturers provide fast chargers that discharge the battery before charging. Although this will prevent crystal degradation, the disadvantage is that the battery life could be reduced. This is because each battery cell has a finite lifetime in cycle terms and conditioning the battery each time uses one of these ‘lives'. To achieve optimum performance NiCd batteries that are in regular use should be conditioned once a month, whilst NiMH batteries need conditioning just once every three months.
Fast or slow charging?
Many handheld products are provided with a slow (or trickle) charger that takes about 15 hours to fully recharge a discharged battery. Clearly, this time is unsuitable for some applications and a fast charger option is usually available to recharge the battery in one or two hours. Fast charging reduces the risk of changes in the cells' crystalline structure.
Statistically speaking
A study carried out by GTE Government Systems in America, produced some interesting results. A sample of 2500 portable radios and batteries, used by military personnel, were monitored over 12 months. The standard practice was to ‘charge-use-charge' and this resulted in a battery failure rate of 45 per cent. However, by ‘exercising' the batteries, this rate was reduced to 15 per cent. The use of battery analysers reduced the failure rate further, to just 5 per cent.
Can I use my Icom mounted VHF radio, or an SSB radio, on a vessel with a 24V electrical system?
Only if you purchase a separate power converter that will convert 24V DC into 12 Volt DC. All Icom mounted VHF and SSB marine radios are designed to operate with 12V power systems. Connecting them to 24V will result in immediate failure of the radio due to over voltage. It might even damage the radio beyond repair.
My mounted VHF radio, or SSB radio, seems to have a problem. The display lights dim when I transmit (the radio even shuts down by itself sometimes and I'm not getting full TX output power either).
This behaviour is caused by an insufficient power supply, or a bad electrical connection somewhere between the battery (or a power supply) and the transceiver. Check your electrical connections and battery. Pay special attention to the in-line fuse holders and power cord terminals on the battery side.
Are your waterproof marine radios really waterproof?
They are conditionally waterproof. For example, the IC-M21 can withstand being submerged in one metre of water (about 3ft) for 30 minutes with no water intrusion. If the radio ever goes overboard, you should retrieve it as soon as possible. Remember that even submarines will get crushed if they submerge beyond certain depth. We make quality radios, but we cannot change the laws of physics!
If your Icom radio does get submerged then a good practice is to rinse the radio with tap water and dry thoroughly to prevent a salt build up as salt can cause serious corrosion. After repeated exposure to spray all battery contacts should be inspected, cleaned and lightly greased. Knobs should also be removed and control shafts cleaned and re-greased likewise. After any exposure to moisture the radio should be thoroughly dried.
I'm using your optional hailer horn with my Icom marine radio and all I get is feedback!
This is caused by close proximity of the hailer horn to the location of the radio. The hailer horn is very loud, and it should be mounted a safe distance away from the operating location.
I have an Icom VHF marine radio and I'm attempting to contact another VHF operator. But, even though we are very close, we can't seem to be able to communicate. Stranger still, some channels seem to be working and others do not!
Most marine channels can be used for direct ship-to-ship communication. They are called simplex channels. Some marine channels are duplex, and can only be used for ship-to-shore communications. Duplex means that the receive and transmit frequencies are different for an indicated channel.
Protect Your Marine Electronics against Salt Corrosion
For marine electronics, the saltwater environment is one of the harshest on earth. It's a fact that over time, whether you are a yachtsman, powerboater or sea angler that your VHF radio and other marine electronic equipment will suffer from salt corrosion.
If corrosion is the bad news, then the good news is there are steps to ensure that your VHF radio continues to be your trusty safety aid. As mentioned in most manuals, it is good practice to clean your radio thoroughly with fresh water after exposure to saltwater. Otherwise, keys, switches and controllers may become inoperable due to salt crystallisation.
This simple, practical procedure will ensure that you can prolong the life of not only your VHF radio, but any other waterproof portable marine electronic equipment that you might be using. But please ensure it is waterproof before giving it a bath!
I’ve tried to enter my MMSI number twice and now my radio won’t accept another attempt. What do I do?
OFCOM requires that all DSC radios are allowed only two attempts at programming the MMSI number (The MMSI number can only be programmed correctly once and you get 2 attempts at inputting a valid number) . Your only solution now is to take the radio to a qualified Icom marine dealer who will be able to program the MMSI number for you.
The display lights dim when I transmit. The radio even shuts down by itself sometimes. I'm not getting full TX output power either
This behavior is caused by an insufficient power supply, or bad electrical connection somewhere between the battery (or a power supply) and the transceiver. Check your electrical connections and the battery. Pay special attention to the in-line fuse holders and power cord terminals on the battery side.
I have an Icom VHF marine radio, and I'm attempting to contact another VHF operator. But, even though we are very close, we can't seem to be able to communicate. Stranger still, some channels seem to be working, and others do not!
Most marine channels can be used for direct ship-to-ship communication. They are called simplex channels. Some marine channels are duplex, and can only be used for ship-to-shore communications. Duplex means that the receive and transmit frequencies are different for one given channel.