Connecting The Radio - West Marine VHF580 Owner's Manual

To operate correctly, your radio requires two electrical connections:

Connecting the radio

providing it with power from the boat's electrical system
connecting a VHF-FM marine antenna to the antenna connector
x
x
Power Supply Requirements
Nominal 13.8 VDC power supply with a
negative ground (10.5 VDC to 16.0 VDC).
Power leads should be kept as short as
possible. A direct connection to the power
supply is ideal.
Minimum of #14 AWG copper wire for
extensions up to 20 feet, 12 AWG wire for
extensions from 20 to 35 feet, or 10 AWG
wire for extensions from 35 to 60 feet.
1. Connect the BLACK wire of the power cable
to the NEGATIVE (-) side of your power
source.
2. Connect the RED wire of the power cable to
the POSITIVE (+) side of your power source.
#
nOte: to extend the life of the radio, use
4. Install your antenna according to the
waterproof tape to seal electrical connections.
manufacturer's instructions.
5. If necessary, consult the FCC guidelines for
antenna separation. See Antenna Selection
and Installation on page
antennas up to 3 dB be installed a minimum of 3 feet from any occupied location;
antennas over 3 dB should be installed at least 6 feet away.)
6. Connect the PL-259 connector from the antenna lead-in wires to the SO238 connector
labeled
ANTENNA
34
for more details. (In summary, the FCC recommends that
51
on the back of your radio.
Radio connector,
SO238 (female
PL-259)
VHF Antenna Requirements
Male PL-259 connector
50 Ω impedance
Minimum 4 foot, 3 dB rated antenna for
sailboats or 8 foot, 6dB rated antenna for
powerboats
Minimum RG-58 lead-in wire for antenna
leads up to 20 feet, RG-8X for antenna
leads from 20 to 35 feet, or RG-8U for
antenna leads from 35 to 60 feet.
13.8V DC
Antenna lead-in
connector,
male PL-259
Red wire
(+)
Black wire
(-)