RCA MRM400, Instruction Manual

Page 1: ...ion Program one of the most comprehensive warranties in the communications industry To ensure maximum performance from your MRM400TM radio please be sure to carefully read this manual CAUTION Never use the Distress call unless you are in an emergency Do not use or place the transceiver in areas of heat humidity and dust The working voltage for the transceiver is 13 8V If the power source is 24V pl...

Page 2: ...ation FEATURES Advanced receiver performance Easy to hear speaker Built in DSC Digital Select Calling can be connected with a GPS sold separately Rugged waterproof construction Favorite channel function WaterClean water draining function IMPORTANT READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS carefully and completely before using the transceiver SAVE THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL This instruction manual contains important oper...

Page 3: ...nel 70 DISTRESS CALL PROCEDURE USING DIGITAL SELECTIVE CALLING DSC CHANNEL 70 1 While lifting up the key cover hold down DISTRESS for 3 seconds until you hear 3 short beeps change to one long beep 2 Wait for an acknowledgment on Channel 70 from a coast station After the acknowledgment is received Channel 16 is automatically selected 3 Hold down PTT then transmit the appropriate information as list...

Page 4: ... to clean the transceiver as they will damage the transceiver s surfaces If the transceiver becomes dusty or dirty wipe it clean with a soft dry cloth BE CAREFUL The transceiver rear panel will become hot when operating continuously for long periods of time Place the transceiver in a secure place to avoid inadvertent use by children RCA requires the radio operator to meet the FCC Requirements for ...

Page 5: ...e antenna axis that person should maintain in order to avoid RF exposure higher than the allowable MPE level set by FCC FAILURE TO OBSERVE THESE LIMITS MAY ALLOW THOSE WITHIN THE MPE RADIUS TO EXPERIENCE RF RADIATION ABSORPTION WHICH EXCEEDS THE FCC MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE MPE LIMIT IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE RADIO OPERATORTOENSURETHATTHEMAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE LIMITS ARE OBSERVED A...

Page 6: ... Display 15 BASIC OPERATION Power ON OFF 17 Receiving and Transmitting 17 Channel Group Selection 17 Channel Selection 19 Call Channel Programming 20 ChannelComments 21 Microphone Lock Function 22 Display Backlighting 23 WaterClean Water Draining Function 23 SCAN OPERATION Scan Types 23 Setting TAG Channels 24 DUALWATCH TRI WATCH Description 26 Operation 26 DSC OPERATION MMSI Code Programming 27 M...

Page 7: ...struction Manual Individual Call 32 Group Call 36 All Ships Call 38 Geographical Area Call 40 Position Indication Call 40 SET MODE Set Mode Programming 45 Set Mode Items 47 CHANNEL LIST 49 SPECIFICATIONS 50 TROUBLESHOOTING 52 WARRANTY STATEMENT 54 RF EXPOSURE 57 CONTENTS continued ...

Page 8: ... Microphone Hanger 2 TRANSCEIVER MOUNTING WITH SUPPLIED MOUNTING BRACKET The universal mounting bracket supplied with your transceiver allows overhead or dashboard mounting 1 Fix the mounting bracket to shelf or dashboard with the supplied screws and lock washers Mount the transceiver to the mounting bracket with the knob bolts and washers 2 Mount the transceiver so the face of the unit can easily...

Page 9: ...educe vibration Embedded mounting 1 Cut a hole into the instrument panel or wherever you plan to mount the transceiver 2 Slide the transceiver through the holes as shown below 3 Attach the clamps on either side of the transceiver with 2 supplied bolts 4 Tighten the end bolts on the clamps so that the clamps press firmly against the inside of the instrument control panel Bolt ...

Page 10: ...ame natural impedance 50Ω See page 4 for more information Transmitting without an antenna may damage the transceiver Antenna Connector Feeder Connector To The Antenna CONNECTIONS After connecting the DC power cable GPS receiver lead and external speaker lead cover the connector and leads with an adhesive tape as below to prevent water entering the transceiver External speaker lead Wiring details f...

Page 11: ... compatible GPS receiver is required DC power connector Connect the supplied DC power cable to an external 13 8V DC power source Do not connect to 24V storage battery Yellow Green Fuse replacement One fuse is installed in the supplied DC power cable If the transceiver stops working it is a good idea to check for a blown fuse If the fuse is blown replace the fuse with a new DC15A 32V fuse Be sure t...

Page 12: ... Manual 12 PANEL DESCRIPTION FRONT PANEL 1 Channel 16 Call Channel Key 16 Push to select Channel 16 emergency channel Push and hold for 1 sec to select call channel CALL appears when the call channel is selected DIMENSIONS Function Display Speaker Function Display Speaker 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ...

Page 13: ... power ON and OFF and adjusts the audio level 6 Distress Key DISTRESS Push and hold for 5 sec to transmit a Distress Signal 7 Scan Tag Key SCAN While pushing and holding CH WX push 16 to enter channel comments programming mode Push to move the cursor backward While turning power ON push 16 to enter Set Mode 2 Channel Weather Channel Key Select and toggle between the regular channel and weather cha...

Page 14: ...AG channels in the selected channel group Repeat above procedure to set all TAG channels 8 U I C U S A International Canada Select the proper operating channels Set Mode settings etc While pushing and holding SCAN push or to adjust the brightness of the LCD and key backlight Select one of three channel groups in sequence when both keys are pushed While turning power ON push and hold both keys to a...

Page 15: ... group in sequence 3 Transmit Power Key HI LO Push to toggle the power between high and low Some channels can transmit in low power only While pushing and holding HI LO turn power ON to toggle the microphone lock function ON and OFF FUNCTION DISPLAY 1 Channel Number Readout Indicates the selected operating channel number Refer to channel list In Set Mode indicate the selected condition 2 Channel G...

Page 16: ... is received POS REPLY appears when a position reply call or position report reply call is received 5 GPS Indicator Appears while valid position data is received Blinks when invalid position data is received Disappears when no GPS receiver is connected 6 Weather Channel Indicator WX appears when a weather channel is selected WX ALT appears when the weather alert function is in use blinks when an a...

Page 17: ...ise to turn power on 2 Rotate VOL counter clockwise to turn power off RECEIVING AND TRANSMITTING Transmitting 1 Push HI LO on the microphone to select the output power if necessary LOW appears when low power is selected Choose low power for short range communication choose high power for longer distance communication Some channels are for low power only 2 Push and hold Push to talk PTT to transmit...

Page 18: ...dio output level 4 Rotate SQL clockwise until the noise disappears When receiving a signal appears and audio is emitted from the speaker CHANNEL GROUP SELECTION The transceiver is pre programmed with 59 U S A and international channels and 63 Canadian channels These channel groups may be specified for the operating area 1 Push CH WX to select a regular channel If a weather channel appears push CH ...

Page 19: ...els are set by the TAG channel setting Pg 24 Channel 9 Call channel Each regular channel group has a separate leisure use call channel Channel 9 default CHANNEL SELECTION Channel 16 Channel 16 is the distress and safety channel It is used for establishing initial contact with an aid station and for emergency communication Channel16ismonitoredduringbothDualwatch and Tri watch If you are not activel...

Page 20: ...rogrammed weather channels The transceiver can automatically detect a weather alert tone on the selected weather channel while receiving the channel or during scanning Scrolls 1 Push CH WX once or twice to select a weather channel WX appears when a weather channel is selected WX ALT appears when the weather alert function is in use 2 Push or to select a channel CALL CHANNEL PROGRAMMING Call channe...

Page 21: ... again for 3 seconds until you hear long beep changes to 2 short beeps to enter call channel programming condition Channel number starts blinking 4 Push or to select the desired channel 5 Push 16 to program the displayed channel as the call channel Push CH WX to cancel CHANNEL COMMENTS Channels stored in memory can be labeled with a unique alphanumeric ID of up to 10 characters each Channel ID s w...

Page 22: ...he desired character Push 16 or CH WX to move the cursor forward or backward respectively 4 Repeat step 3 to input all characters 5 Push DSC to input and set the comment Push SCAN to cancel The cursor and the character stop blinking MICROPHONE LOCK FUNCTION The microphone lock function electrically locks and keys on the supplied microphone This prevents accidental channel changes and function acce...

Page 23: ... housing water that might otherwise muffle the sound coming from the speaker The transceiver emits a vibrating noise when this function is being used 1 While pushing and holding and turn power ON WATERCLEAN appears 2 A low beep tone sounds while or keys are held to drain water regardless of VOL control setting The transceiver never accepts a key operation while the WaterClean function is activated...

Page 24: ...Channel 16 is not checked unless Channel 16 is set as a TAG channel Priority scan Priority scan searches through all TAG channels in sequence while monitoring Channel 16 SETTING TAG CHANNELS For more efficient scanning add desired channels as TAG channels or clear the TAG to eliminate unwanted channels Channels that are not tagged will be skipped during scanning Setting clearing a single tagged ch...

Page 25: ...holding HI LO on the microphone push SCAN for 3 seconds to clear all TAG channels in the selected channel group 2 Repeat above procedure to set all TAG channels Starting a scan Set Scan Resume Timer in advance using Set Mode 1 Push SCAN to start Priority or Normal scan SC blinks during Priority Scan SCAN blinks during Normal Scan Channel 16 is monitored during Priority Scan Push or to change the s...

Page 26: ...hannel 16 and another selected call channel while receiving another channel OPERATION 1 Select Dualwatch or Tri watch in Set Mode 2 Select the desired channel 3 Push and hold CH WX for 1 second to start Dualwatch or Tri watch DW blinks during Dualwatch TW blinks during Tri watch A beep tone sounds when a signal is received on Channel 16 4 To cancel Dualwatch or Tri watch push CH WX Dual Watch Tri ...

Page 27: ...rmed only twice After the code has been programmed it can be changed only by your dealer or distributor MMSI CODE CHECK The 9 digit MMSI DSC self ID code can be checked DIGITAL SELECTIVE CALLING DSC OPERATION MMSI CODE PROGRAMMING Your 9 digit MMSI Maritime Mobile Service Identity is a number that identifies your boat It can be programmed at Power ON 1 Rotate VOL to turn power OFF 2 While pushing ...

Page 28: ...SI DSC self ID code The MMSI code is displayed and scrolls at the channel comment indicator 4 Push DSC to return to normal operation DSC ADDRESS ID A total of 30 DSC address ID s 9 digit can be programmed and named with up to 5 characters Programming Address ID 1 Push DSC to enter the DSC menu 2 Push or to select ADDRESS and push DSC 3 Push or to select ADD and push DSC MMSI Scrolls Scrolls ...

Page 29: ...you input 1st digit 0 and other 8 digits the ID is automatically registered as a group ID 5 After inputting 9 digit ID push DSC to input 5 characters ID name using or Push 16 or CH WX to move the cursor forward or backward respectively Push SCAN to cancel and exit the condition 6 Push DSC to program and exit the DSC menu Deleting Address ID 1 Push DSC to enter the DSC menu 2 Push or to select ADDR...

Page 30: ...stance Note Never use the Distress call when your ship or a person is not in an emergency A Distress call should only be used when immediate help is needed Transmitting a Distress Call 1 While opening the key cover push DISTRESS for 5 seconds to transmit the Distress call Emergency channel Channel 70 is automatically selected and the Distress call is transmitted 2 After transmitting the call the t...

Page 31: ...red 5 Push any key except DISTRESS to cancel Call Repeat mode Note A distress alert contains an undesignated distress signal Scrolls Position data GPS position data held until receiving an acknowledgement Receiving a Distress Call While monitoring Channel 70 and a Distress call is received 1 The emergency alarm sounds Push any key to stop the alarm 2 DSC appears and RCV DISTRESS scrolls at the cha...

Page 32: ... then Channel 16 is automatically selected Receiving a Distress Relay call While monitoring Channel 70 and a Distress Relay acknowledgement is received 1 The emergency alarm sounds Scrolls Push any key to stop the alarm 2 DSC appears and RCV RELAY scrolls at the channel comment indicator then Channel 16 is automatically selected INDIVIDUAL CALL The Individual call function allows you to transmit a...

Page 33: ... advance 3 Push or to select a desired intership channel then push DSC Intership channels are already preset into the transceiver in recommended order Scrolls Channel 70 is selected and READY appears after pushing DSC 4 Push DSC to transmit the Individual call If Channel 70 is busy the transceiver stands by until the channel becomes clear 5 After transmitting the Individual call standby on Channel...

Page 34: ... an acknowledgement through the menu system as follows 1 Push DSC to enter the DSC menu 2 Push or to select INDV ACK and push DSC INDV ACK item appears after an Individual call is received INDV ACK item disappears if another call is WAIT ACK scrolls at the channel comment indicator 6 When the acknowledgement Able to comply is received the specified channel in step 3 is selected automatically with ...

Page 35: ...y 3 Push or to select the acknowledgement ABLE or UNABL 4 Push DSC to enter the standby condition for Individual acknowledgement call READY appears at the channel comment indicator Scrolls 5 Push DSC totransmittheacknowledgement to the selected station 6 After the Individual Acknowledgement has been transmitted the display changes to the channel specified by the calling station automatically when ...

Page 36: ... programmed group address and push DSC The ID code for the Group call must be set in advance Receiving an Individual Call While monitoring Channel 70 and an Individual Call is received 1 The emergency alarm or beeps sound depending on the received category 2 DSC appears and RCV INDIVIDUAL scrolls at the channel comment indicator 3 Push any key to stop beeps 4 Push DSC to reply to the call and sele...

Page 37: ... the Group call If Channel 70 is busy the transceiver stands by until the channel become clear 6 After the Group call has been transmitted the display changes to the previously specified channel 7 Push and hold PTT to communicate your message to the responding ship Receiving A Group Call While monitoring Channel 70 and a Group Call is received 1 The emergency alarm or beeps sound depending on the ...

Page 38: ...on Push any other key to ignore the Group call ALL SHIPS CALL The All Ships Call function allows you to transmit a DSC signal to all ships Transmitting All Ships Call Large ships use Channel 70 as their listening Scrolls channel When you want to announce a message to these ships use the All Ships Call function 1 Push DSC to enter the DSC menu 2 Push or to select ALL SHIPS 3 Push DSC to enter the s...

Page 39: ...16 automatically Receiving an All Ships Call While monitoring Channel 70 and a All Ships Call is received Scrolls 1 The emergency alarm sounds when the category is Distress or Urgency 2 beeps sound for other categories 2 DSC appears and RCV ALL SHIPS scrolls at the channel comment indicator 3 Push any key to stop beep 4 Push DSC to monitor channel 16 for an announcement from the calling vessel pus...

Page 40: ...eceived category 2 DSC appears and RCV GEOGRAPHICAL scrolls at the Channel Comment Indicator 3 Push any key to stop the beep 4 Push DSC to change to the channel specified by the calling station for voice communication Push any other key to ignore the Geographical Area Call POSITION INDICATION CALL Positioning Instructions When a GPS receiver is connected the transceiver indicates the current posit...

Page 41: ...lid Transmitting Position Request Call Transmit a Position Request Call when you want to know a specified ship s current position 1 Push DSC to enter the DSC menu 2 Push or to select POS REQUEST then push DSC Scrolls 3 Push or to select the desired pre programmed individual address The ID code for position request must be set in advance 4 Push DSC to enter the standby condition for Position Reques...

Page 42: ...unce your own position to a specific ship and to get an answer 1 Push DSC to enter the DSC menu 2 Push or to select POS REPORT and push DSC 3 Push or to select the desired pre programmed individual address The ID code for a Position Report Call can be 5 Push DSC to transmit the Position Request Call 6 After the Position Request Call has been transmitted the following indication is displayed WAIT A...

Page 43: ...port Call 6 After the Position Report Call has been transmitted stand by on Channel 70 until an acknowledgement is received WAIT ACK scrolls at the Channel Comment Indicator 7 Push any key to exit the function and return to the normal operation Receiving a Position Request Call While monitoring Channel 70 and a Position Request Call is received 1 DSC appears and RCV POS REQUEST scrolls at the Chan...

Page 44: ...eep 3 Push DSC to reply to the call Push any other key to ignore the call The Latitude and Longitude from the called station is displayed and scrolled automatically Scrolls in order of Latitude coordinates and then Longitude coordinates Receiving a Position Reply Call While monitoring Channel 70 and a Position Reply Call is received 1 DSC and POS REPLY appear in the display The Latitude and Longit...

Page 45: ... in order of Latitude coordinates and then Longitude coordinates 2 Push any key to stop the beep Scrolls Scrolls SET MODE SET MODE PROGRAMMING Set Mode is used to change the conditions of the transceiver s functions Scan Type Normal or Priority Scan Resume Timer Weather Alert Dual Tri watch DSC Watch Beep Tone Auto Acknowledgement and Favorite Channel function Set Mode operation 1 Turn power OFF 2...

Page 46: ...o exit Set Mode No Display Item Option Default 1 SCAN Scan type n normal scan p priority scan n normal scan 2 TIMER Scan resume timer of OFF on ON of OFF 3 WX ALERT Weather alert of OFF on ON of OFF 4 DUAL Dual Tri watch d Dualwatch t Tri watch d Dualwatch 5 DSC WATCH DSC watch of OFF on ON of OFF 6 BEEP Beep tone of OFF on ON on ON 7 AUTO ACK Auto acknowledgement of OFF on ON of OFF 8 FAVORITE CH...

Page 47: ...ON is selected the scan pauses 5 seconds and resumes even if a signal has been received on any other channel than Channel 16 Weather alert A NOAA broadcast station transmits a weather alert tone before important weather information When the weather alert function is turned ON the transceiver detects the alert then the WX ALT indicator blinks until the transceiver is operated The previously selecte...

Page 48: ...confirmation beeps sound at the push of a key by turning beep tones ON Automatic acknowledgement ThisitemsetstheAutomaticAcknowledgement function ON or OFF When Position Request call or Position Report call is received the transceiver automatically transmits Position Request Reply call or Position Report Reply call respectively AUTO ACK scrolls in the Channel Comment Indicator Favorite channel Thi...

Page 49: ...ual CHANNEL LIST Channel number Channel number Channel number Channel number Frequency MHz Frequency MHz Frequency MHz Frequency MHz USA USA USA USA Frequency MHz INT INT INT INT CAN CAN CAN CAN Transmit Transmit Transmit Transmit Transmit Receive Receive Receive Receive Receive Weather Channel ...

Page 50: ...E DSC 16K0G2B Frequency stability 10ppm Operating temperature range 4 F 20 C 140 F 60 C Antenna impedance 50Ω Dimensions W D H 6 153mm x 6 152mm x 2 6 67mm Weight main unit 1 6 lbs 742g w microphone Transmitter Output power 25W 1W Max frequency deviation 5 0 kHz Spurious emissions 70dB H 56dB L Adjacent channel power 70dB Audio harmonic distortion 10 Current drain 5 5A H 1 5A L Input resistance 2k...

Page 51: ... Manual Receiver Sensitivity 0 2uV Squelch sensitivity 0 2uV Adjacent channel selectivity 70dB Spurious response rejection ratio 70dB Intermodulation rejection ratio 70dB Max current 1 5A Audio output power 4 5W 10 GPS signal version NMEA0183 2 0 Output impedance 4Ω SPECIFICATIONS continued ...

Page 52: ...d the solution instructions Question Possible Cause Solutions Ref page Power did not respond 1 The power cable is not connected well 2 The power cable fuse is blown 3 The voltage exceeds 17V or below 9V 1 Be sure the power cable is connected correctly red black 2 Find the cause of blown fuse then replace with a DC15A 32V fuse 3 Be sure the adjust the power supply is 13 8V 10 11 1 Unable to connect...

Page 53: ...the same channel can not talk 1 The channel is different frequency 1 Select another channel with the same frequency 2 Set the current channel to the same frequency 18 49 No beep Beep off Open the beep function in the settings mode 48 Can not transmit a distress call MMSI code is not set Hold down the DSC key to boot into MMSI setting mode 27 No sound from the speaker 1 Squelch level too high 2 Vol...

Page 54: ...cations Systems products RCA Communications Systems offers to the original end user a Two 2 Year Limited Warranty on the RCA MRM400TM Radio Handset During this period if the product fails to function under normal use because of manufacturing defect s or workmanship it should be returned to the Authorized RCA Communications Systems Sales and Service Outlet from which it was purchased The Sales and ...

Page 55: ...he product serial number is altered defaced or removed THE EXPRESS WARRANTIES CONTAINED HEREIN ARE IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED OR STATUTORY INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE FOR ANY PRODUCT WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE WARRANTY SPECIFIED THE SOLE REMEDY WILL BE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT IN NO EVENT WILL RC...

Page 56: ...ion of this manual without authorization is prohibited No part of this manual may be copied reproduced translated stored in a retrieval system distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical for any purpose without the expressed written permission from RCA Communications Systems The end user of any two way radio is solely responsible for obtaining any license or oth...

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Page 58: ..._________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ For Sales Warranty and Customer Support please contact Discount Two Way Radio Corporation North American Distributor 1430 240th Street Harbor City CA ...