COBHAM Sailor 6215 VHF DSC User And Installation Manual

SAILOR 6215 VHF DSC

User and installation manual

SAILOR 6215 VHF DSC

User and installation manual

Document number: 98-128471-THR-F

Release date: October 15, 2013

Disclaimer

Any responsibility or liability for loss or damage in connection with the use of this product and the accompanying documentation is disclaimed by Thrane & Thrane A/S. The information in this manual is provided for information purposes only, is subject to change without notice and may contain errors or inaccuracies. Manuals issued by Thrane & Thrane A/S are periodically revised and updated. Anyone relying on this information should acquire the most current version e.g. from www.cobham.com/satcom or from the distributor. Thrane & Thrane A/S is not responsible for the content or accuracy of any translations or reproductions, in whole or in part, of this manual from any other source.

Thrane & Thrane A/S is trading as Cobham SATCOM.

Trademark Acknowledgements

• SAILOR is a registered trademarks of Thrane & Thrane A/S.

• Other product and company names mentioned in this manual may be trademarks or trade names of their respective owners.

iii

Safety warning

The following general safety precautions must be observed during all phases of operation, service and repair of this equipment. Failure to comply with these precautions or with specific warnings elsewhere in this manual violates safety standards of design, manufacture and intended use of the equipment. Thrane & Thrane assumes no liability for the customer's failure to comply with these requirements.

RF exposure hazards and instructions

Your Thrane & Thrane radio set generates electromagnetic RF (radio frequency) energy when transmitting. To ensure that you and those around you are not exposed to excessive amounts of energy and thus to avoid health hazards from excessive exposure to RF energy, all persons must be at least 3ft (0.9 m) away from the antenna when the radio is transmitting.

Warranty limitation

IMPORTANT - The radio is a sealed waterproof unit (classified IPX8). To create and maintain its waterproof integrity it was assembled in a controlled environment using special equipment. The radio is not a user maintainable unit, and under no circumstances should the unit be opened except by authorized personnel. Unauthorized opening of the unit will invalidate the warranty.

Installation and service

Installation and general service must be done by skilled service personnel.

Emergency calls

NANA

MEME

ME of the

ELEL

EL in distress

ALAL

IGNIGN

IGN or other

IDENIDEN

IDEN

IFICIFIC

IFIC

IONION

ION

(If the initial alert is sent by DSC)

ITIT

IONION

ION

given as

atat

itit

udeude

ude and

longitlongit

longit

udeude

ude

If latitude and longitude are not known

or if time is insufficient,

in relation to a known geographical location

NANA

TURETURE

TURE of distress

Kind of

ANCANC

ANC

E required

Any other useful

INFINF

INF

OROR

IONION

ION

-M-M

-M

-M-M

-M

This is

NANA

ME-NAME-NA

ME-NA

ME-NAME-NA

ME-NA

MEME

ALAL

IGNIGN

IGN

or other IDENTIFICATION

(If the initial alert is sent by DSC)

Use the

HANDMICHANDMIC

HANDMIC

OPOP

HONE HONE

HONE for voice calling

akak

e sure sur

e sur

e e

youryour

your

HFHF

R R

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adi

o o

s on Cs on C

s on C

H1H1

ifif

t Ct C

t C

ovov

erer

s RED Buttons RED Button

s RED Button

until acoustic and light-indication becomes steady (more than 3 seconds)

SHIP‘s NAME:

CALLSIGN:

MMSI:

OWN OWN

OWN

IDID

99-129558

Preface

Radio for occupational use

The SAILOR 6215 VHF DSC fulfils the requirements of the EC directive 1999/5/EC, Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment and is intended for use in maritime environment.

SAILOR 6215 VHF DSC is designed for occupational use only and must be operated by licensed personnel only.

SAILOR 6215 VHF DSC is not intended for use in an uncontrolled environment by general public.

SAILOR 6215 VHF DSC is designed for installation by a skilled service person.

Manual overview

This manual has the following chapters:

• Introduction contains a description of the VHF radio.

• Operation explains how to make and receive voice and DSC calls over VHF, including how to use and set-up the channel scanning, the 2-way loudhailer, fog horn external loudspeaker.

• Installation explains how to mount the VHF radio and how to connect accessories and external equipment.

• Service & maintenance contains support information including lists of accessories and a troubleshooting guide.

vii

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction

VHF radio with DSC .............................................................................1

Chapter 2 Operation

General use and navigation .............................................................6

VHF radio communication ............................................................ 12

HI/LO transmission power .............................................................17

Watch ......................................................................................................18

Scan ..........................................................................................................19

Radio setup ...........................................................................................21

DSC calls ................................................................................................. 24

Phone book ........................................................................................... 41

Loudhailer with talk-back ............................................................... 44

Automatic foghorn ...........................................................................45

Hailer and Fog horn setup ............................................................. 47

Replay function ..................................................................................48

Chapter 3 Installation

Unpacking the SAILOR 6215 VHF DSC ...................................49

Installing the VHF radio .................................................................. 50

Power, VHF antenna and external equipment ..................... 57

System setup ....................................................................................... 64

SAILOR 6201 Handset cradle (optional) ................................65

Table of Contents

viii

Chapter 4 Service & maintenance

Contact for support .......................................................................... 67

Maintenance ........................................................................................67

Equipment and accessories .......................................................... 74

Warranty ................................................................................................74

App. A Technical specifications

App. B Maritime channels

App. C Declaration of conformity

Glossary

.....................................................................................................................83

Index .....................................................................................................................85

Chapter 1

11111

Introduction

Introduction 1

VHF radio with DSC

SAILOR 6215 VHF DSC, your new SAILOR VHF radio with full DSC functionality, is approved to R&TTE and is waterproof to the IPx8 and IPx6 standard. As part of the required safety equipment, use the SAILOR 6215 VHF DSC in an emergency situation. However the best way to guarantee functionality in an emergency situation, is to use the radio in daily communication on board.

The VHF radio is a simplex/semi duplex VHF radio. It is designed with an easy-to-use menu-driven setup. You use the soft-keys to enter the desired functions, you browse and select a setting using the right selection wheel knob. The large display has red adjustable backlight which provides a good visibility even at night and protects your night vision.

The VHF radio can replay the last 90 s of received voice. This is a useful feature to minimize misunderstandings and to record messages when the radio is unattended.

The VHF radio connects easily to external equipment like a 2-way loudhailer and an external speaker. You can use the loudhailer as a 2-way on-board communicator. The loudhailer also functions as a fog horn. You can select from several programmed fog-horn patterns.

For a list of other accessories available for the SAILOR 6215 VHF DSC check with your nearest distributor.

Chapter 1: Introduction

2 VHF radio with DSC

Controls on the front plate

1. Loudspeaker.

2. Four soft keys with function title in the display.

3. Quick selection key for channel 16 and the programmed call channel.

4. Large display.

5. Connector for Handmicrophone or handset. If not used, put the cap from the ACC connector on the front connector to prevent water ingress.

6. Button for sending a DSC Distress alert.

7. Squelch control to mute background noise.

8. Replay button to play back up to 90 s voice message.

9. Volume wheel knob with key-press function for volume control and power on/off.

10. Selector wheel knob with key-press function for changing the working channel, navigating in menus in the display and backlight dimming.

3 4

7 9

Chapter 1: Introduction

VHF radio with DSC 3

11111

Introduction

SAILOR 6215 VHF DSC display

The picture shows the display after start-up. The display holds various fields of information, depending on the currently selected function.

1. Action line containing

information relevant for the currently selected function.

2. Current working channel.

3. Functions you can select with the soft keys. If there are more than 4

functions in the list press the soft key MORE to display further functions.

4. Status and other values for the current state or VHF channel.

5. Service line containing current temporary information relevant for the

current channel or function.

For a detailed description of the information shown for each of the functions available see the chapter Operation on page 5.

WATCH

CALL

DISTRESS/CALL

GPS Position

HI/LO

MORE...

Chapter 1: Introduction

4 VHF radio with DSC

System configuration - example

Handset

Microphone

VHF DSC

GPS in (NMEA 0183)

Cable

Service

Loud Hailer (4 ohm)

Speaker (8 ohm)

External

ACC. Port

Power

Handset Option

SAILOR 6205

SAILOR 6201

99-129890-D

SAILOR 6215/6216

Hand Microphone

SAILOR 6202

12V DC

110/220V AC

GPS

GPS,

Control Speaker

SAILOR 6207

Connection Box

for parallel handsets

CTRL

ACC

Chart Plotter

N163S

Aerial

RX/TX

SAILOR 6090

12V Battery

24V DC

Power Converter

Chapter 2

22222

Operation

Operation 2

In this chapter you find detailed instructions and guidelines for:

• General use and navigation

• VHF radio communication

• HI/LO transmission power

• Watch

• Scan

• Radio setup

• DSC calls

• Phone book

• Loudhailer with talk-back

• Automatic foghorn

• Replay function

Note

Before using the VHF radio make sure that the VHF antenna, power and other external equipment are connected properly. For instructions see chapter Installation on page 49.

Chapter 2: Operation

6 General use and navigation

General use and navigation

Power on and speaker volume

The VHF radio has a dual-function on/off wheel knob for power on/off and volume control.

• To power on the VHF radio press the on/off wheel knob.

• To power off the VHF radio, press and hold the on/off wheel knob and follow the instructions in the display.

• To adjust the speaker volume, turn the volume wheel knob (clockwise = louder, counter clockwise = softer, until muted). When adjusted to the muted level is shown in the display.

Working channel, settings and dim function

The selector wheel knob has several functions:

• To select the working channel, turn the selector wheel knob.

• To browse and select settings, turn the selector wheel knob and press for accept.

•To dim the backlight in the display until it is appropriate for the current situation, i.e. to give comfortable night vision, press, hold and turn the selector wheel knob (clockwise= more light).

Chapter 2: Operation

General use and navigation 7

22222

Operation

DSC and MMSI number

When the VHF radio is powered on for the first time, you must enter the vessel’s MMSI number. Hereafter the MMSI number is briefly displayed after power up. The MMSI is a unique, 9-digit identifier assigned to your ship.

Entering the MMSI number

When being prompted after power up enter the MMSI number as described below:

1. Enter the 9 digits one by one by turning the

selector wheel knob to the desired digit, press the selector wheel knob to accept the digit and advance to the next digit.

To delete the previous digit press the soft key BACK.

2. Press the soft key OK to confirm the entered MMSI number.

3. To leave without saving, press the soft key CANCEL.

Important

The MMSI number must be programmed into the VHF radio to use any DSC functionality. The radio will prompt for the MMSI number at each power-up until the MMSI has been entered. An error message is displayed when trying to initiate any DSC function. However, you can use the radio in normal VHF mode.

Caution! Without a programmed MMSI number the

Distress button will not work!

Note

The MMSI number can be programmed by the operator once. If a wrong number has been entered and stored, or if there is a requirement to change it, contact your authorized dealer.

Chapter 2: Operation

8 General use and navigation

Once programmed, you can see the MMSI number in the service line directly after start-up. The DSC functionality is operational at any time.

The message NO DSC (NO MMSI) is shown in the action line if the MMSI is not programmed.

Position and MMSI Information

To display position and MMSI information for the SAILOR 6215 VHF DSC radio, do as follows:

1. Press the soft key POS. If it is not in the display, press the soft key MORE until POS appears.

The display shows the current (latest) position (if a GPS is connected), the UTC and position type, GPS Status and MMSI.

2. You can enter the position and UTC manually. Turn the selector wheel knob to select the value you want to change. Then press and turn the selector wheel knob to enter the current position or UTC time. The display shows Man Position.

3. Press the soft key SAVE to save the new value.

4. After you have entered a value manually or overruled the GPS input, a soft key UseGPS appears in the display if the GPS is available. Press this soft key if you decide to use the data from the connected GPS.

5. Press the soft key EXIT to return to normal use.

If the GPS was present and then disappears a warning appears in the display after 10 minutes. Follow the instructions on the screen.

Chapter 2: Operation

General use and navigation 9

22222

Operation

Speaker devices

The VHF radio can be equipped with the following speaking devices:

• SAILOR 6202 Handmicrophone with a PTT (Push To Talk) button.

• Handset with a microphone, ear piece and a PTT button. The volume in

the ear piece can be adjusted, for details see Controller setup on page 10.

• Loudhailer.

• External speaker.

See Controller setup on page 10 for managing speaking devices.

Adjusting the squelch

With the Squelch control you can manually adjust and suppress noise in order to optimize the quality of the received radio communication.

• When hearing noise or an unwanted signal, turn the

squelch button clockwise until the speaker is muted.

Functions

The following functions are available from top-level standby:

Soft key Function

HI/LO Transmitter power, high or low

WATCH Dual or triple watch

CALL DSC calls

POS Current position from GPS, including UTC time and

MMSI number

ALERT Make a distress call, categories can be assigned

SCAN Scanning function

Chapter 2: Operation

10 General use and navigation

The functions of the SAILOR 6215 VHF DSC are accessed and set using the four soft keys to the left of the display. The current function of a soft key is shown in the display next to the soft key. For some applications there are two control levels

•A top level showing the current information and options for this application. This can be on one page, or on several pages.

•A setup screen showing the options you can configure for the specific application.

Use the soft key MORE to display further applications.

Controller setup

In the CONTROLLER SETUP you set handset volume, external speakers and display contrast. You can view the Software version and serial number.

To change a setting in the CONTROLLER SETUP, do as follows:

1. Press the soft key SETUP. If it is not in the display, press the soft key MORE until SETUP appears.

2. Press the arrow soft key or to advance to CONTROLLER SETUP.

HAIL Loudhailer

FOG Fog horn

PHBOOK Phone book

SETUP Setup pages for RADIO, HAILER/FOG, SYSTEM,

CONTROLLER and DSC

Soft key Function

4 soft keys

Chapter 2: Operation

General use and navigation 11

22222

Operation

3. Turn the selector wheel knob to go to a setting, then press

the selector wheel knob to change the setting.

4. Press EXIT to return to normal radio operation.

Parameter Description

Handset 1 vol: Adjust earpiece volume for handset 1: OFF, 1 to 14

Note: Default setting is OFF. If a handset is

connected to the front connector this value must be configured to a value (1-14).

Handset 2 vol: Adjust earpiece volume for handset 2: OFF, 1 to 14

Note: Default setting is OFF. If a handset is

connected to the rear connector this value must be configured to a value (1-14).

Ext. speaker FIX: Fixed level is set for external speaker

REL: Relative level following volume adjustment of the internal speaker

Ext. fix/rel vol: External speaker fix or rel volume:

rel: -5 to 5. Offset relative to internal speaker steps fix: OFF, 1 to 14

Language English

Contrast Display contrast, 1 to 5

Chapter 2: Operation

12 VHF radio communication

VHF radio communication

In this section of the manual you find information on

• Basic VHF operation

• VHF channels

• Programming a call channel

• Naming a channel

Basic VHF operation

You can make VHF calls using the Handmicrophone or another speaking device.

Quick guide to radio telephone calls

1. Press the PTT button on the speaking device. When the TX indicator lights up in the display, the transmission is active.

2. To enable reception of a radio signal release the PTT button.

Note

A single, short press on the 16/C key will always bring you to channel 16, the international calling and distress channel, no matter what menu the radio is in.

Note

Press PTT only when you are talking. Always say “Over.” just before releasing the PTT button.

Note

One transmission is limited to 5 minutes duration.

Chapter 2: Operation

VHF radio communication 13

22222

Operation

Receiving a radio telephone call on channel 16

When you hear your call name in the loudspeaker, proceed as follows:

1. An RX symbol shows that the radio is receiving

on the channel displayed.

2. Lift the Handmicrophone or take the handset.

3. Press the PTT key. A TX symbol shows that the

radio is transmitting on the channel displayed.

4. Repeat the name of the station calling you and

say: “This is [your ship’s name]”.

5. Suggest a working channel other than 16 by

saying: “Channel [suggested channel number]”.

6. Say: “Over.” and release the PTT key to allow the caller to confirm the

suggested new channel.

7. Switch to the new channel by turning the selector wheel knob

to the agreed channel and begin your conversation. Press PTT only when you are talking.

Making a radio telephone call on channel 16

To make a radio telephone call, proceed as follows:

1. Select channel 16 by pressing the soft key 16/C or by turning

the selector wheel knob.

2. Lift the handset or take the Handmicrophone.

3. Press the PTT key. A TX symbol shows that the

VHF radio is transmitting on the working channel displayed.

4. Say the name of the station you are calling

three times.

5. Say: “This is [your ship’s name]”.

Chapter 2: Operation

14 VHF radio communication

6. Say: “Over.” and release the PTT key to listen. An RX symbol shows that the radio is receiving on the working channel displayed

7. When answered, agree upon a working channel other than 16.

8. Switch to the new channel by turning the selector wheel knob to the agreed channel and begin your conversation.

VHF channels

You can change channels whenever the channel designator is displayed. Turn the selector wheel knob to browse through all channels that are available in the selected channel mode. The channels appear in the display in the following order:

• Primary channels

• Weather channels (if any)

• Private channels (if any)

To quickly toggle between these 3 channel groups make a long press and release the selector wheel knob. The VHF radio toggles between the last selected channels in the respective groups, i.e. the last selected weather channel, the last selected private channel or the last selected primary channel. If there are no channels defined in a group, none will be selected

VHF channel table Description

Primary channels (no prefix)

For details see Maritime channels on page 77. For instructions how to change a channel table see Radio setup on page 21.

Weather (WX) Weather channels have the prefix W. (For US and CA

channels only.)

Private (PRIV) Up to 40 user-defined private channels. Contact your

dealer for programming private channels.

Chapter 2: Operation

VHF radio communication 15

22222

Operation

Programming a call channel

To program a call channel (or quick selection), do as follows:

1. Make an extra-long press (2.5 s duration) on the 16/C key.

2. Press the soft key CALL CH. The channel designator is

flashing.

3. Turn the selector wheel knob to select the desired channel.

4. Press the soft key OK to confirm the new call channel and

leave edit mode.

Naming a channel

To name a channel, do as follows:

1. Make an extra long press on the 16/C key until NAME is

shown in the display next to one of the soft keys.

2. Turn the selector wheel knob to select the channel you want to name.

3. Press the soft key NAME.

4. Turn and press the selector wheel knob to enter the name,

letter by letter. Press BACK to move one character to the left. Press CLEAR to the delete the current character and the following characters. A long press on CLEAR deletes all characters.

5. Press the soft key OK to confirm the entered

value and to leave edit mode.

6. Press EXIT to return to return to the standard

VHF display.

Chapter 2: Operation

16 VHF radio communication

Display for non-VHF applications

When the radio is used for functions other than VHF, the display is arranged differently. The large channel display moves to the bottom line along with selected icons.

The channel displayed in this line will always reflect the communication channel on which the radio is tuned into for communication.

If PTT is pressed the radio transmits on the displayed channel (not valid for hailer mode).

If a signal is received the signal is received on the displayed channel.

Engagement status

The radio is considered engaged when an active DSC-initiated communication is ongoing, or communication is active on non-DSC initiated VHF operation:

• A new channel selected

• PTT pressed or,

• Voice signal received

The engagement state is used to prohibit incoming DSC calls from taking over control of the transmitter channel, disrupting ongoing communication.

When the radio is engaged in VHF communication not initiated by DSC, this is indicated with the icon in the lower right position of the display. Engagement will automatically time-out on inactivity (in the absence of any of the listed events above), and after an inactivity time specified in DSC setup, Comm Inactivity on page 39.

To terminate the engagement immediately press the soft key .

Before the automatic disengagement, the icon will flash. To prolong the engagement press the soft key .

Chapter 2: Operation

HI/LO transmission power 17

22222

Operation

HI/LO transmission power

Press the soft key HI/LO to toggle the transmit power between low (1 W) and high (25 W). If LO is not displayed, the transmit power is HI.

US channels: Local mode, 10 dB attenuation

To attenuate to the incoming signal, do as follows:

1. Press the soft key LOCAL to add 10 dB attenuation. If it is not in the

display, press the soft key MORE until LOCAL appears in the display.

US channels: Overriding LOW power for channels 13 and 67

When running in US mode you can override low power on the alternative call channels 13 and 67. Do as follows:

1. With the VHF radio set to 13 and 67, press PTT on the speaking device.

2. Press the soft key OVRIDE to transmit with full power.

When you release the PTT button, the transmission power goes back to low.

Note

Local mode is automatically exited when using channel 16. If you want to use attenuation on channel 16 or a call channel, you must set it manually each time.

Chapter 2: Operation

18 Watch

Watch

The SAILOR 6215 VHF DSC radio can be set to dual watch or triple watch. In dual watch, the working channel and channel 16 are watched. In triple watch the working channel, channel 16 and the programmed call channel are watched.

You can select the working channel in any watch mode by turning the selector wheel knob. The working channel that is displayed is the channel used for dual or triple watch. If there is a signal in one of the watched channels and squelch opens, the display shows the channel in which the signal is received.

Using WATCH

1. To start watch press the soft key WATCH. The radio enters the last watch mode. It is displayed in the action line.

2. To stop WATCH press WATCH again, or press PTT on the speaking device.

For instructions how to change between DUAL and TRIPLE WATCH see Radio setup on page 21.

Note

If PTT is operated during any watch mode. the WATCH function is terminated and you transmit on the displayed channel. Watch mode may be resumed after releasing the PTT button if the scan resume time is set up in SETUP, for instructions see Radio setup on page 21.

Chapter 2: Operation

Scan 19

22222

Operation

Scan

The radio has a scanning function for tagged channels. Any available channel, including weather and private channels, can be tagged and added to the scanning sequence. As default the radio scans with priority scanning of channel 16. If a signal is received while in any scanning mode, only channel 16 continues to be watched.

If there is a signal in one of the scanned channels, the display shows the channel in which the signal is received. Pressing PTT while a signal is received stops scanning and the radio is tuned into the displayed channel.

Using SCAN

1. To start scanning press the soft key SCAN. The SCAN menu is shown.

Press START to start scanning.

2. To stop SCAN press SC STOP, or press PTT

on the speaking device.

3. To tag a channel in order to include it in the

scanning sequence, turn the selector wheel knob until the wanted channel is in the display. Then press the soft key TAG. The display shows the channel number and the word TAG at the right side of the display.

4. To remove a channel from the scanning sequence, turn the selector

wheel knob until the tagged channel is displayed. Then press the soft key TAG to remove the tag.

When scanning is activated the working channel is displayed in a different format (open, outline typeface). This indicates the radio is not tuned into the displayed channel. The displayed working channel is temporarily included in the scanning list (although no TAG icon is shown).

If PTT is pressed while scanning, the scanning is stopped and transmission starts immediately on the displayed working channel.

Chapter 2: Operation

20 Scan

US channels: Watch alarms for NOAA Weather alerts

You can turn on or off an independent watch alarm for a specific weather channel.

To turn on or off an independent NOAA weather alarm do as follows:

1. In the SCAN menu, turn the selector wheel knob to select a specific weather channel.

2. Press the soft key WX to tag this weather channel for NOAA weather alert.

3. On the display you can see that the selected weather channel alert watch is enabled. In this example it is [W2].

The weather channel set-up for the alarm is scanned frequently during scanning, watch or when the radio is not operated or receiving on a working channel.

4. If a NOAA weather alert is detected on a weather channel, beep tones are presented and a pop-up window is displayed. Press YES to switch to the weather channel.

Note

NOAA weather channels are available in the waters of USA and Canada only.

+ 72 hidden pages

COBHAM Sailor 6215 VHF DSC User And Installation Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual