Standard Horizon HX-300 - Manual (Page 8)

HX300 Page 8
3. ABOUT THIS RADIO
3.1 ABOUT THE VHF MARINE BAND
The radio frequencies used in the VHF marine band lie between 156 and 158
MHz with NOAA Weather stations available between 161 and 163 MHz. The
marine VHF band provides communications over distances that are essen-
tially “Line of sight” Actual transmission range depends much more on an-
tenna type, gain and height than on the power output of the transmitter. On a
fixed mount 25 W radio transmission expected distances can be greater than
15 miles, for a portable 5 W radio transmission the expected distance can be
greater than 5 miles in “Line of sight”.
The user of a Marine VHF radio is subject to severe fines if the radio is used
on land. The reasoning for this is you may be near an inland waterway, or
propagation anomalies may cause your transmission to be heard in a water-
way. If this occurs, depending upon the marine VHF channel on which you
are transmitting, you could interfere with a search and rescue case, or con-
tribute to a collision between passing ships. For VHF Marine channel assign-
ments refer to section “ 9 VHF MARINE CHANNEL CHART ASSIGNMENT”.
WARNING
This radio is capable of transmitting on Marine VHF.
The FCC allows the use of VHF Marine band on water areas only. How-
ever the FCC does not allow the use of the VHF Marine band when
on land. If persons use the VHF Marine Band on land and interfere
with others communicating, the FCC will be notified and search for the
interference. Responsible parties found to be transmitting on the VHF
Marine Band on land could be fined up to $10,000 for the first offense.
3.2 ABOUT WATER RESISTANCE
The HX300 is only submersible ※ when the Battery Cover is latched and the
Charge ( CHG) Cover is snapped closed.
※ IPX8 Specification for submersibility: 5 ft. (1.5 m) for 30 minutes.
3.3 DISTRESS AND HAILING (CHANNEL 16)
Channel 16 is known as the Hail and Distress Channel. An emergency may
be defined as a threat to life or property. In such instances, be sure the trans-
ceiver is on and set to “Channel 16”. Then use the following procedure:
1. Press the
PTT (Push-To-Talk) switch and say “Mayday, Mayday, May-
day. This is _____, _____, _____” (your vessel’s name).
2. Then repeat once: “Mayday, _____” (your vessel’s name).