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West Marine VHF470 Owner's Manual

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Owner's Manual
VHF470
Color: Black
Color: Gray
Model 18736389
Model 18736397

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Summary of Contents for West Marine VHF470

  • Page 1 Owner’s Manual VHF470 Color: Black Color: Gray Model 18736389 Model 18736397...

  • Page 2: Making A Distress Call

    MAKING A DISTRESS CALL Lift the red cover. Press and hold the key for three DISTRESS seconds. Your radio transmits your ship’ s location every few Lift the red cover minutes until you receive a response. and press the white DISTRESS button underneath.
  • Page 3 OVERVIEW ......E-39 FEATURES ....... E-1 GPS MENU ......E-39 EXPLANATION OF TERMS ..E-2 NMEA FEATURES ....E-41 WHAT'S INCLUDED ....E-3 PARTS OF THE VHF470 ..E-3 CHARTPLOTTER READING THE IDLE CONNECTION ....E-41 NMEA OUTPUT ..... E-42 SCREEN ........ E-5 USING THE POP-UP ADDITIONAL FEATURES ..E-42...

  • Page 5: Introduction

    INTRODUCTION West Marine's VHF470 is a floating, hand-held class D DSC radio with an integrated GPS receiver. It is also Bluetooth capable so you can use West Marine's smartphone app (iOS and Android) to set up the radio and text message other VHF text message capable radios. You can enter other information such as DSC directory information and update the radio's firmware.

  • Page 6: Explanation Of Terms

    GPS. Maritime Mobile Service Identity number. A unique, nine-digit number that MMSI identifies you and your boat when making DSC calls. It is also used by the Coast Guard if you send an automated distress call. VHF470 RADIO 1-800-BOATING...

  • Page 7: What's Included

    Lithium Ion External speaker/ Rechargeable Battery microphone 1 meter NMEA cable VHF470 Radio Wrist Strap DC Adapter AC Adapter Mounting Hardware Charging Cradle PARTS OF THE VHF470 Front view DISTRESS Microphone VOL/ Function Keys Ext. Speaker/ Screen 16/P Mic jack Speaker...
  • Page 8 Press twice: Adjust squelch. Send out default distress DISTRESS key Activate DISTRESS screen. signal. Back view Wrist strap slot Battery latch Battery charging Battery Belt clip contacts Charger Screw hole Charging contacts NMEA contacts CHARGE LED Screw holes VHF470 RADIO 1-800-BOATING...

  • Page 9: Reading The Idle Screen

    Displays when Bluetooth is turned on. 1W, 2.5W, or 6W Power output. TX or RX Indicates Transmitting (TX) or Receiving (RX). Various Text Channel Name Soft Key #3 Name of soft key (see page E-12). VHF470 RADIO 1-800-BOATING...

  • Page 10: Using The Pop-Up Keyboard

    Current channel number. HOW IT WORKS The VHF470 uses a 3-part operating structure: Menus, Soft Keys, and a pop-up keyboard. These ele- ments work with each other to quickly set up and operate your radio. • Menus - Press the MENU key to access the menus (see page E-7).

  • Page 11: Menus

    • ABOUT (see page E-12 for details) • RESET (see page E-8for details) Use the UP ( ▲ ) and DOWN ( ▼ ) keys to find a menu category. Press the soft key to select SELECT and go to that menu. VHF470 RADIO 1-800-BOATING...
  • Page 12 Configure DSC calling and directories. Page E-11 ABOUT Displays radio, GPS, and Bluetooth firmware Page E-12 version numbers. RESET (To Factory Reset the radio to factory defauts. All Page E-8 Defaults) programming is lost, but not the MMSI number. VHF470 RADIO 1-800-BOATING...
  • Page 13 Backlight level: Off, 1 - 5 (Default = 3). Backlight duration: Always on, 5 sec , 10 sec, 20 sec, or 30 sec. Contrast Set how dark the screen images are against the background. Contrast levels are 1 - 8 (Default = 4). (See page E-28.) VHF470 RADIO 1-800-BOATING...
  • Page 14 E-16.) Scan Pause Timer Set how long scanning will pause when the soft key is SCAN pressed. Channel Name Rename a channel (see page E-42). Noise Cancel Select noise cancelling for received or transmitted signals. E-10 VHF470 RADIO E-10 1-800-BOATING...
  • Page 15 DSC SETUP You can configure your DSC operation through this menu. MENU ITEM DESCRIPTION Enter Radio MMSI Enter the radio’ s MMSI number to use DSC features. Individual Directory Add, edit, or delete individual directory entries. E-11 VHF470 RADIO 1-800-BOATING E-11...

  • Page 16: Using Soft Keys

    For example, you can add ships to call (name and MMSI numbers) through . Then select through the MENU DSC SETUP/Individual Directory CALL/INDIVIDUAL CALL soft keys and the ship you added through the menus displays. E-12 VHF470 RADIO E-12 1-800-BOATING...
  • Page 17 Some call types use the information previously set up in the menus to configure the call parameters. For example, if you select through the soft key, a list of ships that were set up INDIVIDUAL CALL CALL through displays. MENU DSC SETUP/Individual Directory E-13 VHF470 RADIO 1-800-BOATING E-13...
  • Page 18 Press the soft key and select CALL . The list of the ships MENU DSC SETUP/ POSITION REQUEST entered previously displays. Individual Directory. Select a ship and press SELECT Position screen displays. Press Request SEND E-14 VHF470 RADIO E-14 1-800-BOATING...
  • Page 19 (See page E-5 for the transmission power icon LCD placement.) NOTE: If the maximum output for a specific channel is 1W only, the output power stays to 1W and the radio sounds an error tone. E-15 VHF470 RADIO 1-800-BOATING E-15...
  • Page 20 Memory (scans only channels saved in memory). OPERATION Press soft key. SCAN Radio scans channels according to Main menu setup. COMP Soft Key (COMP) soft key activates the compass screen. Press the soft key and the screen Compass N-UP E-16 VHF470 RADIO E-16 1-800-BOATING...
  • Page 21 You can send a text message, review text messages, and turn Bluetooth on and off through this soft key. Sending Text Messages NOTE: You can send texts from your radio or from your mobile device using the West Marine app, available for Android and iOS.

  • Page 22: Operation Modes

    - Check a small group of channels you save into regularly-used memory. channels for traffic. Monitors the selected Hear the current or Press . Go to MENU RADIO Weather NOAA weather channel. forecasted weather. SETUP/Weather Radio. E-18 VHF470 RADIO E-18 1-800-BOATING...
  • Page 23 If it detects a weather or other hazard alert, it will switch to that weather channel. (If you are actively transmitting, the radio waits until you finish your transmission before checking the weather channel.) E-19 VHF470 RADIO 1-800-BOATING E-19...
  • Page 24 When it detects a signal, the radio stays on the channel until you press the Channel Up button or the signal Resume stops. scan The radio scans about 5 channels in 0.5 seconds. E-20 VHF470 RADIO E-20 1-800-BOATING...
  • Page 25 Select to display a confirmation Weather Alert Reception Confirnation screen. 3. The next screen gives you the option of switching to the weather channel ( ) or returning to the marine channel ( E-21 VHF470 RADIO 1-800-BOATING E-21...
  • Page 26 (child abduction alerts, nuclear, biological, etc.). In Weather mode, the radio monitors one of the 10 NOAA weather channels. If a weather alert signal is received in Weather Alert mode, the radio sounds an alert tone. NOTE: You can also scan Weather channels into memory. E-22 VHF470 RADIO E-22 1-800-BOATING...

  • Page 27: Setting Up The Hardware

    Your radio comes with a rechargeable Lithium Ion battery; for shipping safety, the battery is not installed at the factory. 1. Insert the hook on the battery into the notch at the top of the battery compartment. 2. Lower the battery until it rests flat in the compartment. E-23 VHF470 RADIO 1-800-BOATING E-23...

  • Page 28: Mounting The Charger

    1. Unlatch the battery from the radio case. Remove it. 2. Insert the battery into the charger, making sure that the battery slots into the guide bars and the CHARGE LED on the charger turns red (charging). E-24 VHF470 RADIO E-24 1-800-BOATING...

  • Page 29: Setting Up Your Radio

    SETTING UP YOUR RADIO TURNING IT ON Press the key for at least two seconds until the West Marine splash screen displays. Release the POWER key. Press and hold it to turn the unit off. POWER...
  • Page 30 Acquiring GPS Location The West Marine VHF470 automatically acquires your current GPS location when it is turned on. Turn on the radio and point the antenna towards the sky. It will triangulate your location and save it.
  • Page 31 Edit and delete FIPS codes in a similar manner. Adjusting the Backlight The backlight LCD function can be set to automatically dim after a set time. 1. Press then select menu displays. MENU General Setup/Backlight. Backlight E-27 VHF470 RADIO 1-800-BOATING E-27...

  • Page 32: Operating The Radio

    In most situations, 1W transmission power is all you need. If you find yourself far away from other ships and have trouble getting a response, you may need to increase the transmission power. To increase the transmission power in increments: E-28 VHF470 RADIO E-28 1-800-BOATING...

  • Page 33: Digital Selective Calling Features (Dsc)

    If the other station accepts your call, both radios automati- cally switch to the requested voice channel so you can talk to the other station. DSC provides a system for automated distress calls. At the touch of a key, the radio can transmit your E-29 VHF470 RADIO 1-800-BOATING E-29...

  • Page 34: Mmsi Numbers

    Entering MMSI Numbers When you turn your VHF470 on for the first time, you have the option of entering your MMSI number at that point. If you choose not to enter your MMSI number then, you will still be able to use your radio;...
  • Page 35 0, so that digit is already entered for you. 3. Press . The radio asks you to confirm. Select 4. To save this MMSI number, press To cancel this MMSI number, press Select. Delete E-31 VHF470 RADIO 1-800-BOATING E-31...

  • Page 36: Making Dsc Calls

    • Throughout the race, you use group calling to update the racers on the time, race status, and any course corrections. • A power boat full of spectators comes too close to the race path. You use individual calling to contact the power boat and advise them to stay clear of the race. E-32 VHF470 RADIO E-32 1-800-BOATING...

  • Page 37: Group Call

    • When the other station accepts the call, both radios switch to the selected response channel for voice transmission. • If the other station did not respond on the channel you selected, you can select RESEND or BACK. All ships call All ships call Group call Individual call E-33 VHF470 RADIO 1-800-BOATING E-33...

  • Page 38: Distress Call

    1. If you have not already selected a distress message type (see page E-9), go to MENU DISTRESS . Select the nature of the alert from the list. The screen returns to the Main menu. MESSAGE Undesignated Sinking Fire, Explosion Man Overboard Adrift Flooding Abandoning Ship Capsizing E-34 VHF470 RADIO E-34 1-800-BOATING...

  • Page 39: Dsc Calls

    INDIVIDUAL RECEIVE 2. This screen displays a channel option. Press the soft key to propose a different channel or ABLE to send an Unable to Comply message and return to the Idle screen. UNABLE E-35 VHF470 RADIO 1-800-BOATING E-35...
  • Page 40 The log displays different information depending on type of call received. DSC Call Type Receive Log Information Distress MMSI (or name), position, time, nature code. Distress Acknowledge MMSI (or name), distress MMSI, position, time, nature code. E-36 VHF470 RADIO E-36 1-800-BOATING...

  • Page 41: Test Calls

    Test call SEND 4. A message displays on the screen. Waiting for ACK Test call 5. If you do not receive an acknowledgement, either resend the transmission or select to return BACK to the Idle screen. E-37 VHF470 RADIO 1-800-BOATING E-37...

  • Page 42: Position Request And Reply

    4. The radio prompts you to enter the MMSI number you want to call. Enter the MMSI number the same way you enter directory entries (see page 22). Enter all nine digits and press SELECT E-38 VHF470 RADIO E-38 1-800-BOATING...

  • Page 43: Channel Switching

    The radio is factory-preset to search for your geographic location when it is turned on for the first time. GPS MENU The GPS menu options are: MENU OPTION DESCRIPTION Current Position Displays the following: - Latitude - Longetude - Time - Speed Over Ground (SOG) - Course Over Ground (COG) E-39 VHF470 RADIO 1-800-BOATING E-39...
  • Page 44 Bread Crumbs Bread crumbs are GPS measurements recorded in specific intervals. These bread crumbs can help you "retrace" your trip from one spot to another. Select the length of time you want between bread crump measurements. E-40 VHF470 RADIO E-40 1-800-BOATING...

  • Page 45: Nmea Features

    NMEA FEATURES Your radio supports NMEA 0183 (version 4.10), a standard for data communication between marine instruments. NMEA sentences contain different sets of data related to your ship. The VHF470 supports the following sentences: DATA UTC Time Status (Valid/IInvalid) Latitude/Longitude...

  • Page 46: Nmea Output

    Idle screen. MARINE RADIO APP West Marine's Marine Radio app lets you configure your VHF470 and send text messages from your mobile device. The app is available for iOS and Android. Go to the Apple App store, Google Play, or Amazon to download this free app.
  • Page 47 When I turn on the radio, I get a message Be sure there are no obstructions between the radio's antenna and that "positioning data is the sky. If you are inside the cabin, move outside. not acquired." E-43 VHF470 RADIO 1-800-BOATING E-43...

  • Page 48: Specifications

    1W, 2.5W, and 6W Spurious Emissions -30 dBm @ HI; -30 dBm @ LO (nominal) Current Drain 1.5 A (6W) Receiver Double Conversion Super Heterodyne Type Phase Locked Loop system for Local Oscillator Frequency Range 156~164 MHz E-44 VHF470 RADIO E-44 1-800-BOATING...

  • Page 49: Reference Tables

    NAVIGATIONAL/BRIDGE TO meeting other ships, maneuvering through locks, or BRIDGE navigating around drawbridges. Messages must be short! E-45 VHF470 RADIO 1-800-BOATING E-45...

  • Page 50: Marine Radio Channel Chart

    156.250 160.850 Operator). Ship Movement, Port Operations Port Operations, Ship Movement, VTS 156.250 156.250 in some areas 156.300 156.300 Inter-ship safety Public Correspondence (Marine 156.350 160.950 Operator) 156.350 156.350 Commercial 156.400 156.400 Commercial (Inter-Ship Only) E-46 VHF470 RADIO E-46 1-800-BOATING...
  • Page 51 Port Operations 157.000 161.600 Canada: 1 Watt Only 157.000 157.000 Port Operation 157.050 161.650 Port Operations 157.050 157.050 Coast Guard Only Canadian CG Continuous Marine INHIBIT 161.650 Broadcast (CMB) Service 157.100 161.700 Port Operations, Ship Movement E-47 VHF470 RADIO 1-800-BOATING E-47...
  • Page 52 Operator) Public Correspondence (Marine 156.075 160.675 Operator) Canadian Coast Guard: West Coast 156.075 156.075 Commercial Fishing: East Coast Public Correspondence (Marine 156.125 160.725 Operator) 156.125 156.125 Canadian Coast Guard Public Correspondence (Marine 156.175 160.775 Operator) E-48 VHF470 RADIO E-48 1-800-BOATING...
  • Page 53 156.625 156.625 Non-Commercial (Ship-to-Ship) 156.675 156.675 Port Operations 156.725 156.725 Port Operations 156.775 156.775 Port Operations (1 Watt Only) 156.825 156.825 Port Operations (1 Watt Only) 156.875 156.875 Port Operations (Ship-to-Ship) 156.925 161.525 Port Operations E-49 VHF470 RADIO 1-800-BOATING E-49...
  • Page 54 Commercial 1020 157.000 157.000 Port Operations 1078 156.925 156.925 Non-Commercial, Inter-Ship 1079 156.975 156.975 Commercial, Inter-Ship 2019 161.550 161.550 Commercial 2020 161.600 161.600 Port Operations 2078 161.525 161.525 Port Operations 2079 161.575 161.575 Port Operations E-50 VHF470 RADIO E-50 1-800-BOATING...

  • Page 55: Same) System

    • A STATEMENT is a message containing follow up information to a warning, watch, or emergency. Event SAME Code Type Blizzard Warning Warning Coastal Flood Watch Watch Coastal Flood Warning Warning Dust Storm Warning Warning E-51 VHF470 RADIO 1-800-BOATING E-51...
  • Page 56 Tropical Storm Warning Warning Tsunami Watch Watch Tsunami Warning Warning Winter Storm Watch Watch Winter Storm Warning Warning Avalanche Watch Watch Avalanche Warning Warning Child Abduction Emergency CAE Emergency Civil Danger Warning Warning Civil Emergency Message Emergency E-52 VHF470 RADIO E-52 1-800-BOATING...

  • Page 57: Regulations And Safety Warnings

    WARNING! Read this information before using the radio. MARITIME RADIO SERVICES OPERATION WARNING! This transmitter will operate on channels/frequencies that have restricted use in the United States. The channel assignments include frequencies assigned for exclusive use of the U.S. Coast E-53 VHF470 RADIO 1-800-BOATING E-53...

  • Page 58: Basic Radio Guidelines

    Never allow children to operate the radio without adult supervision and the knowledge of the fol- lowing guidelines. WARNING ! It is up to the user to properly operate this radio transmitter to insure safe operation. Please adhere to the following: E-54 VHF470 RADIO E-54 1-800-BOATING...
  • Page 59 As part of our commitment to protect the environment and conserve natural resources, West Marine voluntarily participates in an RBRC® industry program to collect and recycle used Li-Ion batteries within the US. Please call 1-800-8-BATTERY for information on Li-Ion battery recycling in your area. E-55 VHF470 RADIO 1-800-BOATING E-55...

  • Page 60: Compliance

    à l’utilisateur de faire fonctionner cet équipement. Tout changement ou modification doit être approuvé par écrit par West Marine. Avis de conformité à la FCC : Ce dispositif a été testé et s’avère conforme à l’article 15 des règlements de la Commission fédérale des communications (FCC).

  • Page 61: Antenna Selection And Installation

    The cords on this product and/or accessories contain lead, a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling. West Marine works to reduce lead content in our PVC coated cords in our products and accessories.
  • Page 62 • The product was used as part of any conversion kits, subassemblies, or any configurations not appropriate or contemplated for this product or its use. • Damage or loss occurring during return shipment of the product to West Marine or its authorized service representative.
  • Page 63 (as explained here), then we will: • At West Marine’ s option, we will repair the product or, if we are unable to repair it, we will replace it with a comparable product that is new or refurbished;...
  • Page 64 Refurbished parts and systems are parts or systems that have been returned to West Marine, some of which were never used by a customer. Replacement parts and systems are covered for the remaining time left in the Limited Warranty Term for the product you bought (whatever time remains in the twelve months since purchase).

  • Page 65: Notes

    NOTES E-61 VHF470 RADIO 1-800-BOATING E-61...
  • Page 68 West Marine Products, Inc. Watsonville, CA © 2017 Uniden America Corporation Issue 1, November 2017 Irving, Texas, USA Printed in China...

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