INSTRUCTION MANUAL VHF MARINE TRANSCEIVER iM21
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY RECOMMENDATION If your vessel requires assistance, contact other vessels and the Coast Guard by sending a distress call on Channel 16. CLEAN THE TRANSCEIVER THOROUGHLY WITH FRESH WATER after exposure to salt water. ❍ USING CHANNEL 16 DISTRESS CALL PROCEDURE 1. “MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY.” 2. “THIS IS ...........................” (name of vessel) 3. Your call sign or other indication of the vessel. 4. “LOCATED AT .....................” (your position) 5.
FOREWORD FEATURES Thank you for purchasing this Icom product. The IC-M21 VHF MARINE TRANSCEIVER is designed and built with Icom’s superior technology and craftsmanship. With proper care this product should provide you with years of trouble-free operation. carefully and com- pletely before using the transceiver. SAVE THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL—This instruction manual contains important operating instructions for the IC-M21.
CAUTIONS RWARNING! NEVER connect the transceiver to an AC outlet. This may pose a fire hazard or result in an electric shock. RWARNING! NEVER hold the transceiver so that the antenna is very close to, or touching exposed parts of the body, especially the face or eyes, while transmitting. The transceiver will perform best if the microphone is 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4 inches) away from the lips and the transceiver is vertical. NEVER connect the transceiver to a power source other than the BP-223 or BP-224.
TABLE OF CONTENTS IN CASE OF EMERGENCY ................................................ i RECOMMENDATION ........................................................... i FOREWORD ....................................................................... ii IMPORTANT ........................................................................ ii EXPLICIT DEFINITIONS ..................................................... ii FEATURES .......................................................................... ii CAUTIONS .
1 OPERATING RULES D Priorities • Read all rules and regulations pertaining to priorities and keep an up-to-date copy handy. Safety and distress calls take priority over all others. • You must monitor Channel 16 when you are not operating on another channel. (2) OPERATOR’S LICENSE A restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit is the license most often held by small vessel radio operators when a radio is not required for safety purposes.
PANEL DESCRIPTION 2 ■ Front, top and side panels q DIAL /CHANNEL GROUP SWITCH [DIAL] t TRANSMIT POWER/LOCK SWITCH [H/L•LOCK] • Selects and changes the regular channels. (p. 6) • Selects one of 2 regular channels in sequence when pushed for 1 sec. (p. 6) - International and U.S.A. (U.K. version only) o channels* are available for regular channels. *Germany version is International and ATIS channels. w CHANNEL UP/DOWN SWITCHES [Y]/[Z] • Select an operating channel.
2 PANEL DESCRIPTION ï BATTERY CASE RELEASE SCREW To remove the battery case: Turn the screw counterclockwise, then pull the battery pack in the direction of the arrow as shown below. To attach the battery case: Insert the battery case in the IC-M21 completely, then turn the screw clockwise. NOTE: When removing or attaching the battery case, use a coin or flat-head screwdriver to loosen or tighten the bottom screw. NOTE: When attaching a battery pack/case, make sure dust etc.
PANEL DESCRIPTION 2 ■ Function display q TRANSMIT INDICATOR (p. 8) Appears while transmitting. q w e r w BUSY INDICATOR (p. 8) Appears when receiving a signal or when the squelch opens. t y !5 u i !4 o !3 !0 !2 !1 e TAG CHANNEL INDICATOR (p. 12) Appears when a tag channel is selected. r SCAN INDICATOR (p. 12) Blinks while scanning. t CALL CHANNEL INDICATOR (p. 6) Appears when the call channel is selected. y LOCK INDICATOR (p. 7) Appears while the lock function is activated.
2 PANEL DESCRIPTION o SUB CHANNEL READOUT • Indicates Channel 16 during priority scan. • Indicates Channel 16 during dualwatch or tri-watch. (p. 10) • Indicates the SET mode item while in SET mode !0 BATTERY INDICATOR Indicates remaining battery power. Indication Battery level Full Middle Charging required No battery !1 SQUELCH LEVEL INDICATOR (p. 7) Shows squelch level when set. This indicator can be also used as an S/RF meter when the S/RF meter indicator setting is ON. (p.
BASIC OPERATION 3 ■ Channel selection D Channel 16 D International and U.S.A. channels Channel 16 is the distress channel. It is used for establishing initial contact with another station and for emergency communications. Channel 16 is monitored during dualwatch or tri-watch. While standing by you are required to monitor Channel 16. There are 57 International and 57 U.S.A. channels. These channel groups may be specified for the operating area. q Push [DIAL] to select a regular channel.
3 BASIC OPERATION ■ Lock function ■ Adjusting the squelch level This function electronically locks all keys, except [PTT], [SQL•MONI] and [H/L•LOCK] to prevent accidental channel changes and function access. • Push [H/L•LOCK] for 1 sec. to turn the lock function ON and OFF. The IC-M21 has a squelch even though there is no control knob for it. In order to receive signals properly, as well as for scan to function, the squelch must be adjusted to a suitable level.
BASIC OPERATION ■ Receiving and transmitting CAUTION: Transmitting without an antenna may 3 IMPORTANT: To maximize the readability of your transmitted signal, pause a few sec. after pushing [PTT], hold the microphone 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4 inches) from your mouth and speak at a normal voice level. damage the transceiver. q Rotate [OFF/VOL] clockwise to turn power ON. - Use the squelch function to mute any audio noise if necessary. Refer to the previous page for details. w Push* [SQL•MONI] for 1 sec.
3 BASIC OPERATION ■ Call channel programming The call channel switch is used to select Channel 9 by default, however, you can program your most often-used channels in each channel group for quick recall. q Push [DIAL] for 1 sec. to select the desired channel group (INT, USA) to be programmed. w Push [16•C] for 1 sec. to select the call channel of the selected channel group. r Push [Y]/[Z] to select the desired channel. t Push [16•C] to program the displayed channel as the call channel.
DUALWATCH/TRI-WATCH 4 ■ Description ■ Operation Dualwatch monitors Channel 16 while you are receiving another channel; tri-watch monitors Channel 16 and the call channel while receiving another channel. q Select the desired operating channel. w Push [DW•TRI] momentarily to start dualwatch; push [DW•TRI] for 1 sec. to start tri-watch. DUALWATCH/TRI-WATCH SIMULATION Call channel - “DUAL” flashes during dualwatch; “TRI” flashes during tri-watch.
5 SCAN OPERATION ■ Scan types Scanning is an efficient way to locate signals quickly over a wide frequency range. The transceiver has a priority scan and a normal scan. Set the tag channels (channels to be scanned) before scanning. Clear the tag channels which inconveniently stop scanning, such as those used for digital communications. NOTE: Choose priority or normal scan in SET mode. (p.
SCAN OPERATION 5 ■ Setting tag channels ■ Starting a scan For more efficient scanning, add desired channels as tag channels or clear tag channels for unwanted channels. Channels set as non-tag channels will be skipped during scanning. Tag channels can be assigned to each channel group (INT, USA) independently. Set scan type and scan resume timer in advance using SET mode. (pgs. 13, 14) q Select the desired channel group (INT, USA) by pushing [DIAL] for 1 sec., if desired.
6 SET MODE ■ SET mode programming ■ SET mode items SET mode is used to change the conditions of 11 transceiver functions: beep tone, scan type, scan resure timer, auto scan, monitor action, automatic backlighting, LCD contrast, auto power save, self check, battery voltage and S/RF meter. D Beep tone “bP” q Turn power OFF. w While pushing [SQL•MONI], turn power ON and continue pushing [SQL•MONI] until “bP” appears. e Release [SQL•MONI]. r Push [Y]/[Z] to select the desired condition of the item.
SET MODE D Scan resume timer “St” The scan resume timer can be selected as a pause (OFF) or timer scan (ON). When OFF is selected, the scan pauses until a received signal disappears. When ON is selected, the scan pauses for 5 sec. after receiving a signal and then resumes even if the signal is still being received. 6 D Monitor action selection “Sq” The monitor function cuts off the squelch function temporarily. This selection contains PUSH or HOLD settings as shown below.
6 SET MODE D LCD contrast selection “LC” The contrast of the LCD can be adjusted from 4 levels. • 1 (low contrast) – 4 (high contrast); 3 (default) D Self check function “SC” The self check function checks transceiver conditions by itself, and informs you in case a problem is found. The following items are checked after the power is turned ON, then it switches to operation mode.
SET MODE 6 D Battery voltage indicator “bt” This function contains display or non-display settings of the voltage of the connected battery pack when the power is ON. • The voltage of the connected battery pack is displayed for 2 sec. after power is turned ON. Battery voltage OFF (default) D S-meter/RF meter indicator “Sr” This function contains display or non-display setting of the S-meter/RF meter.
7 BATTERY CHARGING ■ Battery charging ■ Battery cautions Prior to using the transceiver for the first time, the Ni-Cd batteries must be fully charged for optimum life and operation. NEVER incinerate used Ni-Cd batteries. Internal battery gas may cause an explosion. CAUTION: To avoid damage to the transceiver, turn it OFF while charging. NEVER immerse batteries in water. If the battery case becomes wet, be sure to wipe it dry BEFORE attaching it to the transceiver.
BATTERY CHARGING ï Charging connections q Attach the BC-150 to a flat surface, such as desk or cabin, etc., if desired. w Connect the AC adapter (BC-147E) as shown below. e Insert the battery pack with/without the transceiver into the charger. • The charge indicator lights green. r Charge the battery pack approx. 8 hours, depending on the remaining power condition. CAUTION: DO NOT charge BP-224 more than 12 hours. Otherwise, BP-224 will be damaged. BP-224 must be charged for 8–12 hours only.
7 BATTERY CHARGING ■ Optional battery chargers D Rapid charging with the BC-119N+AD-103 D Rapid charging with the BC-121N+AD-103 The optional BC-119N provides rapid charging of battery packs. The following are additionally required. • AD-103 • An AC adapter (may be supplied with BC-119N depending on version). The optional BC-121N allows up to 6 battery packs to be charged simultaneously. The following are additionally required. • Six AD-103. • An AC adapter (BC-124) or the DC power cable (OPC-656).
SUPPLIED ACCESSORIES AND ATTACHMENTS 8 D Supplied accessories The following accessories are supplied: D Flexible antenna Qty. Connect the supplied flexible antenna to the antenna conq Flexible antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 nector. CAUTION: Transmitting w Swivel belt clip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 without an antenna may e Handstrap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8 SUPPLIED ACCESSORIES AND ATTACHMENTS D Swivel belt clip To attach: q Slide the stopper into the plastic loop on the back of the e Insert the stopper to the back of the belt clip. transceiver. w Clip the belt clip to a part of your belt. Once the transceiver is locked in place, it will swivel 360 degrees.
SUPPLIED ACCESSORIES AND ATTACHMENTS To remove: q Turn the transceiver upside down, and then lift to release the transceiver from the belt clip. w Release the belt clip. 8 R CAUTION! HOLD THE TRANSCEIVER TIGHTLY, WHEN ATTACHING OR REMOVING THE TRANSCEIVER FROM THE BELT CLIP. If the transceiver is accidentally dropped and the swivel belt clip’s stopper is scratched or damaged, the swivel belt clip may not work properly.
9 TROUBLESHOOTING PROBLEM No power comes ON. POSSIBLE CAUSE • The battery is exhausted. • Bad connection to the battery pack. No sound comes from • Squelch level is too deep. • Volume level is too low. the speaker. • Speaker has been exposed to water. SOLUTION. • Recharge the battery pack. • Check the connection to the transceiver. p. 17 p. 3 • Set squelch to the threshold point. • Set [OFF/VOL] to a suitable level. • Drain water from the speaker. p. 7 p.
CHANNEL LIST 10 International channels CH Frequency (MHz) Transmit Receive 01 156.050 160.650 02 156.100 03 156.150 CH Frequency (MHz) Transmit Receive 11 156.550 156.550 160.700 12 156.600 160.750 13 156.650 CH Frequency (MHz) Transmit Receive 21 157.050 161.650 156.600 22 157.100 156.650 23 157.150 CH Frequency (MHz) Transmit Receive 62 156.125 160.725 161.700 63 156.175 161.750 64 156.225 CH Frequency (MHz) Transmit Receive 72 156.625 156.625 160.
11 SPECIFICATIONS AND OPTIONS ■ Specifications ■ Options • GENERAL D BATTERY CASE AND PACK • BP-223 BATTERY CASE Battery case for 6 × AA (R6) alkaline cells. The same as supplied with the transceiver depending on versions. • BP-224 Ni-Cd BATTERY PACK 7.2 V/750 mAh Ni-Cd battery pack. The same as supplied with the transceiver depending on versions. Frequency coverage : Transmit 156.000–161.450 MHz Receive 156.000–163.425 MHz Mode : FM (16K0G3E) Channel spacing : 25 kHz Current drain (at 7.
DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY 0560 We Icom Inc. Japan 1-1-32 Kamiminami, Hirano-ku, Osaka 547-0003 Japan Declare on our sole responsibility that this equipment complies with the essential requirements of the Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Directive, 1999/5/EC, and that any applicable Essential Test Suite measurements have been performed.
Count on us! < Intended Country of Use > GER BEL SWE FRA A-6117H-1EU Printed in Japan © 2001 Icom Inc.
