FOREWORD Thank you for choosing the 1C-MB5, one of the finest VHF FM Marine Transceivers on the market today. It was designed and built by ICON INCORPORATED, a long-time leader in the field of VHE communication. This transceiver incorporates state-of-the-art technology, and it was built specifically for Marine applications using experience gained over a long period of time. Please read this owner’s manual carefully before using our 1C-MB5 transceiver. With proper care.
SECTION SECTION SECTION SECTION SECTION SECTION SECTION SECTION SECTION SECTION QOO TABLE OF CONTENTS FEATURES SPECIFICATIONS INSTALLATION | oo L iii o 3 CONTROL FUNCTIONS. . 9 OPERATION . .o coco o 14 RECEIVING TRANSMITTING .. o000 MEMORY CHANNELS. Programming the Memory Channels . .00 00 17 UsingtheMemory Channels 000 oo o0 18 LOCK-OUT FUNCTION Channelization. o000 0o 19 Canceling a Locked-Out Channel. Canceling All Locked-Out Channels (Resetting the CPU) SCANNING All Channel Swanning.
SECTION 1 FEATURES * All marine and weather channels per-programmed, * 10 user-programmable memory channels with a backup lithium battery, * 4 different channel scanning systems. * Dual watch mode for monitoring channel 16 while listening on a different channel. * Auto-monitor for channel 16, * Advanced RF front end circuitry with helical resonators, Marmosets and both crystal and ceramic filters for improved adjacent channel and inter modulation rejection. " Mounting bracket with adjustable viewing angle.
SECTION 2 SPECIFICATIONS GENERAL Dimensions Weight Number of channels Frequency stability Temperature range Channel spacing Power supply requirement Antenna impedance RECEIVER Frequency range Sensitivity Intermediate frequencies Audio output TRANSMITTER Frequency range Maximum deviation RF power output Microphone Current drain x 140mm{W) x 163mm{D) 1.3kg All U.S.A. and International channels 10 Memory channels 10 Weather channels 0.001% kHz 13.8V.DC 50 ohms 156 ~ 163MHz Less than 0.
SECTION. 3 UNPACKING Carefully remove your transceiver from the packing carton and examine it for signs of shipping damage. Notify the delivering “carrier or dealer immediately, stating full details, should any damage be apparent. We recommend you keep the shipping carton for storing, moving or reshipping the transceiver if necessary. Accessory hardware, cables. etc, are packed with the transceiver. Make sure you have removed all equipment and parts before discarding the packing material.
MOUNTING LOCATION MICROPHONE MIC HANGER Select a location for the IC-MB5 which allows easy access to the front panel controls; good air circulation and rear clearance for connecting or removing cables. Avoid long cable runs to the antenna and power source. Also, keep the cables as far as possible from 'electrical pumps, generators, alternators and other electrical apparatus. In particular, do not run the cables in the vicinity of magnetic compasses or near electronic instruments.
MOUNTING THE TRANSCEIVER The universal bracket supplied with your transceiver allows “over’” or ““under’” mounting. Install the bracket so the unit is adequately supported, thus protecting it from wave shock and excessive vibration. The mounting hardware supplied is suitable for most installations, but if you need special hardware, any good marine store should be able to assist. As in any marine installation, it is recommended that only high quality marine hardware be used.
L Washer B . Lock washer Bolt— The installation angle of the [C-M55 can be varied by about 18 degrees to provide the best visibility. . Loosen one screw on each side of the mounting bracket nearest the face plate of the transceiver, and tilt the unit to the best angle. Install the 1C-M55 using mounting holes B and C, or holes A and B. Insert hole plugs into the unused holes.
PRIMARY POWER If at all possible, use the supplied power cable. {f it is necessary to run the power cable further than 10 feet, use the wire gauge specified in the table. Color coding of the power cable is as follows: Red wire : Positive terminal of the battery Black wire : Negative terminal of the battery When connecting the power wires, make the splices as close as possible to the power side of the fuse holders. Solder all joints, and ensure the connections are clean, tight and moisture-free.
EXTERNAL SPEAKER (OPTIONAL) SP-10 ANTENNA LOGS The 1C-M55 has a built-in speaker suitable for most installations, however if an external speaker is desired, connect it to the DEXTER: NAL SPEAKER JACK on the rear panel of the IC-M55 using the supplied EXTERNAL SPEAKER PLUG. When an external speaker is plugged into the jack. only the external speaker operates. Pushing the push-to-talk (PTT) switch on the microphone automatically mutes the audio from the speaker.
SECTION. 4 CONTROL FUNCTIONS 2ge ] 5 ] frill TX L-SCAN USA WX SCAN MR 1Ty DUAL E’l MEM SCAN =1 . willow JAMAICA 8 [ e—H IC-MB5 3434 FUNCTION N oI Jar OEF NOTE: 1 your 1C-M55 does not operate as described in Sections 4 and 5, the transceiver's CPU [microprocessor) may need resenting. For example, common symptoms of this problem are: 1) The transceiver functions do not operate correctly, or do not operate at all, when the switches or con: trolls are used.
(1) CHANNEL SELECTOR 2) VOLUME CONTROL/POWER SWITCH (3) SQUELCH CONTROL @) FUNCTION SWITCH Selects a programmed channel, memory channel or weather channel. Rotate clockwise or counterclockwise to change the operating channel in any mode. Varies the audio output level from the speaker in the receive mode, including the level of the switch BEEP tones as each panel switch is operated. Rotate clockwise 1o increase the sound level.
) DIAL/SCAN SWITCH (B} WX/MR SWITCH (7. RE POWER/USA SWITCH 8) DUAL WATCH/DIMMER SWITCH S Selects the dial mode. Rotate the CHANNEL SELECTOR to choose an operating channel. See page 15 for more information. Also, starts/stops the scanning functions. Refer to page 22 for the operating procedure. . Selects the weather mode. Rotate the CHANNEL SELECTOR to choose the desired weather channel. ' See page 15 for more information. Also, selects the memory mode. Refer to page 17 for the operating procedure.
(8 CHANNEL SCAN SWITCH 19 MiC CONNECTOR (D CHANNEL AND FUNCTION DISPLAY Selects the channel 16 auto-monitor mode. This function overrides all other switch functions. ' Each time the microphone is replaced in the microphone hanger. the transceiver switches to the channel 16 auto-monitor mode. See page 27 for further information. Also, starts/stops the lock-out scanning function. Refer to page 25 for the operating procedure.
dd Channel AND 13 FUNCTION DISPLAY DESCRIPTION The letters and numbers on the display represent the following: (A} TRANSMIT indicator: “TX'" appears when the set is trans emitting. LOCK-OUT SCAN indicator: "L-SCAN’ appears when the set is scanning those channels which are not locked out. CHANNEL SYSTEM indicator: “LISA" appears when the U.5.A. channel system is selected. No indicator appears if the International channel system s selected. WEATHER indicator: “WX'’ appears when a weather channel is selected.
SECTION 5 OPERATION ' : RECEIVING 1. POWER ON 1) Rotate the VOLUME control/POWER switch clockwise to approximately the 9 o'clock position. The umber 716" appears on the CHANNEL and FUNCTION DISPLAY indicating the 1o power is ON, and the transceiver is receiving channel 16. 2. ADJUST VOLUME 1) Rotate the SQUELCH control completely counterclockwise.
5. SELECT CHANNEL 1) Push the DIAL switch. OIL : 2) Rotate the CHANNEL SELECTOR to choose the required ‘ aerating channel. The selected channel number appears on the CHANNEL and FUNCTION DISPLAY. and the set is now receiver ing the indicated channel. iy 6. WEATHER MODE 1) Push the WX switch. The letters “WX" appear on the CHANNEL and FUNCTION DISPLAY indicating the set is in the weather mode. WX 2) Rotate the CHANNEL SELECTOR to choose the desired weather channel.
TRANSMITTING 1. SELECT OUTPUT POWER 1) The IC-MB5 automatically resets to the HIGH (25W) power position when the set is turned ON. RE-PAH 2) Push the RF POWER switch to select the LOW (1W) power position. The letters “LOW’ appear on the CHANNEL and FUNCTION DISPLAY when LOW power is selected. Push the RF power switch again to change back to the HIGH power position, if required. There is no “HIGH' power indicator on the CHANNEL and FUNCTION DISPLAY. 2. SELECT OPERATING 1) Push the DIAL switch.
4. MOVE TO OPERATING 1) After establishing contact with the desired party, push the DIAL CHANNEL switch to move 1o the channel previously selected in step 2. DIAL 2) Resume your conversation. 3} When your conversation is completely finished. return the micro T phone to the hanger, and the transceiver automatically changes to an channel 16. ow: fLf MEMORY CHANNELS Programming the Memory Channels 1.
4. SELECT CHANNEL NUMBER FUNCTION ) o 1 Using the Memory Channels 1. SELECT MEMORY MODE FUNCTION MR 2. SELECT MEMORY CHANNEL 1) Rotate the CHANNEL SELECTOR to choose the desired channel to be stored in the memory channel, 2) Push the FUNCTION switch to store the selected channel in the memory channel, 1) Push the FUNCTION switch, and then push the MR switch. 1) Rotate the CHANNEL SELECTOR to choose a memory channel {0 ~ 9). Memory channels which have not bean programmed cannot be selected.
LOCK-OUT UNCTION Locking-Out a Channel 1. SELECT DIAL MODE DIAL Z. SELECT CHANNEL LOCK-OUT CHANNEL UNCTION L-SCAN The purpose of the lock-out function is to disable specific channels 5o, when in the All Channel Scan mode, the transceiver does not stop on ‘these channels. This feature allows you to customize the scanning characteristics of the transceiver 1o your exact requirements. 1) Push the DIAL switch. 1) Rotate the CHANNEL SELECTOR to choose the channel to be looked-out.
Canceling a Locked-Out Channel 1. VERIFICATION 2. SELECT DIAL MODE DIAL 3. SELECT CHANNEL ") 4. CANCEL LOCK-OUT FUNCTION L SCAN Confirm the channel of interest is skipped in the All Channel Scan mode. See page 22 for details of the All Channel Scan mode. 1) Push the DIAL switch. 1) Rotate the CHANNEL SELECTOR to choose the channel you no longer wish locked-out. 1) Push and hold the FUNCTION switch, and then push the L-SCAN switch. The symbol appears. 2) Release the FUNCTION switch.
Canceling All Locked-Out Channels {Resetting the CPU) 1. POWER ON 2 RESET CPU 1} If the transceiver is not ON, rotate the VOLUME control POWER switch clockwise to approximately the 12 o'clock position. The number 16" appears on the CHANNEL and UNCTION DIS PLAY indicating the power is ON. 1} Notate the small hole in the bottom cover of the 1G-ME5. 2) Insert a plastic or insulated probe into the hole. Push and release the small reset switch, 3} The CPU s now reset.
SCANNING All Channel Scanning The following procedure explains how to automatically scan all marine channels. Scanning operates in the dial, weather or memory modes. 1. SELECT DIAL MODE 1) Push the DIAL switch. DIAL 2. ADJUST SQUELCH 1) Rotate the SQUELCH control clockwise until the channel noise just disappears. Perform this setting when there is no signal present on the channel being monitored. 3.
Memory Channel Scanning 1. PROGRAM CHANNELS 2. SELECT MEMORY MODE FUNCTION | 3. ADJUST SQUELCH 4. ACTIVATE SCAN FUNCTION SCAN SCAN: ‘ MEND ) 5. STOPPING THE SCAN The following procedure explains how to automatically scan the memory channels. 1} Program the desired channels to be monitored in memory channels 0~ 9. See MEMORY CHANNELS on page 17. 1} Push the FUNCTION switch, and then push the MR switch. 2) A memory channel and a channel number appear on the CHANNEL and FUNCTION DISPLAY.
Weather Channel Scanning 1. SELECT WEATHER MODE WX 2. ADJUST SQUELCH 3. ACTIVATE SCAN FUNCTION SCAN STOPPING THE SCAN The following procedure explains how to automatically scan the weather channels. 1) Push the WX switch. 2} A weather channel number appears on the CHANNEL and FUNCTION DISPLAY. 1) Rotate the SQUELCH control clockwise until the channel noise just disappears. Perform this setting when there i5 no signal present on the channel being monitored.
Lock-Out Scanning 1. ADJUST SQUELCH 2. ACTIVATE LOCK-OUT SCAN FUNCTION LE SCAN b8 3. STOPPING THE LOCK-OUT L5 SCAN The following procedure explains how: to automatically scan only those channels which are not disabled by the lock-out function. 1} Rotate the SQUELCH control clockwise until the channel noise just disappears. Perform this setting when there is no signal present on the channel being monitored. 1) Push the FUNCTION switch, and then push the L-SCAN switch.
DUAL WATCH (SEA WATCH) This function allows a check of channel 16 while listening on another channel. . When a signal appears on channel 16, the transceiver automatically switches to channel 16 until this signal has cleared, then the set returns to the original channel. 1. SELECT CHANNEL 1} Choose the desired operating channel using the dial. memory or weather modes. See the RECEIVING and MEMORY CHANNEL sections for further details. 2.
5 4. TRANSMITTING ON SELECTED CHANNEL 5. TRANSMITTING ON CHANNEL 16 CH-18 6. CANCELING DUAL WATCH MODE 1) Push the push-to-talk (PTT) switch on the microphone and begin speaking. 2) Release the PTT switch to stop transmitting. 1) Push the CH 16 switch. 2} Push the push-to-talk {PTT) switch on the microphone and begin speaking. 3) Release the PTT switch to stop transmitting. 4) Push the DUAL switch to engage the DUAL WATCH operation again when your communication on channel 16 is completed.
DISPLAY LIGHT and LIGHT DIMMER 1. LIGHT ON/LIGHT OFF FUNCTION DIM 2. LIGHT INTENSITY UNCTION DEM i CHANNEL SELECTOR The IC-M55 has an illuminated CHANNEL and FUNCTION DISPLAY for easy reading in dim or no light situations. The light may be turned ON and OFF; and also the intensity may be varied to suit the ambient light conditions. 1) Push the FUNCTION switch, and then push the DIM switch to turn the light ON/OFF. 2) Repeat step 1) to change the state of the light.
SECTION 6 OPERATING RULES AND GUIDELINES‘ 29 PREVENT INTERFERENCE CALL PROCEDURES Before transmitting, monitor the channel you wish to use to avoid interrupting transmissions in progress. Calls must be properly identified and time limits must be respected. 1. Give your call sign each time you place a call to another vessel or a coast station. If a call sign has not been assigned, identify the station by announcing the vessel name and the name of the licensee, 2.
PRIORITIES 1. Read all the rules and regulations pertaining to priorities and keep an up-to-date copy handy, Safety and Distress messages take priority over all others. 2. You must monitor and be able to transmit on 156.8MHz, Channel 16. 3. False or fraudulent distress signals are prohibited and punishable by law. PRIVACY 1. Information overheard but not intended for you cannot lawfully be used in any way. 2. Indecent or profane language is prohibited.
RADIO LICENSES —31 1. Ship Station License When your craft is equipped with a VEHEMENT transceiver such as the 1-MBb, you must possess a current radio station license before using the equipment. It is unlawful to operate a Ship Station which is not licensed. Inquire through your dealer or the appropriate government agency for a Ship Radiotelephone License application. Your government issued license states the call sign which is your raft's identification for radio purposes.
CHANNEL ALLOCATIONS DEAD SPOTS BATTERY ROUTINE MAINTENANCE A channel system has been internationally adapted for the marine VHF band. Each frequency within the spectrum has been assigned a channel number, for example, 156.300MHz is Channel 6. Specific purposes have been assigned to each channel under this system {either inter:ship between two vessels or ship-shoreline. The MARINE VHF TRANSCEIVER CHANNEL chart lists the channel/ frequency relationships.
33 MARINE VHF TRANSCEIVER CHANNEL Cl Unction Ship Ship Mode: Only Only Ship =i Township Channel Transmit | Receive Sio Int Com: Uses Ship: Shore Type af Operation 1 156,050 | 160.650 D yes 1o yes Public Correspondence; Port Operation 2 o yes o ey Public: Correspondence’ Port Operation 3 156180 11 180.750 O yes no: yes Public Correspondence; Port Operation 4 156.200 D yes "o yes Public Correspondence; Port Operation 5 156,250 O yos no: vos Public: Correspondence.
Function Ship Ship Mode Ont: ably: Ship| Shinto Channel || Stalagmite | Receive | §/0 vinyl Com USCG | Ship Shore | Type of Operation B0 156.026.1.160.625 D ves no ves Public Correspondence. Port Operation 81 156.075 | 160.675 D yes no yes: | Pubic Correspondence, Port Operation 62 166125 11160.
SECTION 8 SAMPLE LOGS MAINTENANCE LOG Refer to page 30. Ra did Set Serial No. Date (initial Date Date Date Date Date Date Reading) Transmitter RE: Power Output Transmitter Deviation Transmitter Frequency CH 18 Transmitter Frequency CH$ TECHNICIAN SIGNATURE, ADDRESS, FCC LICENSE NO., EXPIRATION DATE .
Radio Set Serial No. Date {Initial Reading) Date Date Date Date Date Date Transmitter:RF: Power Output Transmitter Deviation Transmitter Frequency CH 16 Transmitter Frequency CH 6 TECHNICIAN SIGNATURE, ADDRESS, FCC LICENSE NO.
SECTION 9 MINOR TROUBLESHOOTING ANTENNA Your |C-M55 was designed to provide years of trouble-free operation in many different environments. This is possible by using the most current technology along with Comic's years of experience in the production of high quality, dependable VHF/FM equipment. However, as with all marine electronic equipment; it is possible that some problems may occur that would interfere with the operation of the set.
2. POWER LOSS 3. MICROPHONE CABLE 4. IGNITION NOISE Visually inspect the system to try to isolate any problems. Obtain a qualified technician if the antenna problem cannot be located. 1f, after turning your radio ON, the display fails to light and no sound is heard from the speaker, a common problem is low or no power from the battery source in the boat. Visually inspect the power cable from the battery for breaks or shorts.
SECTION 10 EMERGENCIES IF. YOUR VESSEL REQUIRES ASSISTANCE, ATTRACT THE ATTENTION OF OTHER VESSELS AND THE COAST GUARD BY SENDING A DISTRESS MESSAGE ON CHANNEL 16 DISTRESS SIGNAL PROCEDURE: 1. "MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY" . repeat three times) THISTLES IS el ahem of vessel] 3 LOCATED AT " cl vessel's position] 4. Give the reason tor the distress Cali 5. Explain what assistance is required. 6. Give additional information such as vessel type, length and color to help those who creme to your assistance.
