Icom IC-M503 User Manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

VHF MARINE TRANSCEIVER

iM503

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

If your vessel requires assistance, contact other vessels and
the Coast Guard by sending a distress call on Channel 16.

USING CHANNEL 16

Or, transmit your distress call using digital selective calling on
Channel 70 (the optional DS-100 (#02) must be installed).

USING DIGITAL SELECTIVE CALLING (Ch 70)

(DS-100 (#02) DSC CONTROLLER is required)

DISTRESS CALL PROCEDURE

1. “MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY.”

2. “THIS IS ...............” (name of vessel)

3. Your call sign or other indication of the
vessel (AND 9-digit DSC ID if you have one).

4. “LOCATED AT ...............” (your position)

5. The nature of the distress and assistance
required.

6. Any other information which might facilitate

DISTRESS CALL PROCEDURE

1. Push and hold [DISTRESS] on the DS-100
for 5 sec. until you hear 5 short beeps
change to one long beep.

2. Wait for an acknowledgment from a coast
station.

• Channel 16 is automatically selected.

3. Push and hold [PTT], then transmit the
appropriate information as at left.

the rescue.

Versions of the IC-M503 which display the “CE” symbol on
the serial number seal, comply with the essential requirements of the
European Radio and Telecommunication Terminal Directive
1999/5/EC.

i

This warning symbol indicates that this equipment operates in
non-harmonised frequency bands and/or may be subject to licensing
conditions in the country of use. Be sure to check that you have the
correct version of this radio or the correct programming of this radio,
to comply with national licensing requirements.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY ........................i

TABLE OF CONTENTS..............................ii

IMPORTANT ..............................................iii

CAUTIONS.................................................iii

1 OPERATING RULES .......................... 1

2 PANEL DESCRIPTION .................. 2 – 5

■ Panel description ............................. 2

■ Function display ............................... 4

■ Microphone ...................................... 5

3 BASIC OPERATION .................... 6 – 10

■ Channel selection ............................ 6

■ Receiving and transmitting .............. 8

■ Call channel programming ............... 9

■ Channel names ................................ 9

■

Optional voice scrambler operation

4 DUALWATCH/TRI-WATCH ............... 11

■ Description ..................................... 11

■ Operation ....................................... 11

5 SCAN OPERATIONS ................. 12 – 13

■ Scan types ..................................... 12

■ Setting tag channels ...................... 13

■ Starting a scan ............................... 13

6 SET MODE ................................. 14– 16

■ Set mode programming ................. 14

■ Set mode items .............................. 15

7 INTERCOM OPERATION ................. 17

■ Intercom operation ......................... 17

.. 10

8 CONNECTIONS AND

MAINTENANCE ......................... 18 – 24

■ Unpacking ...................................... 18

■ Antenna ......................................... 18

■ Fuse replacement .......................... 18

■ Cleaning ......................................... 18

■ Connections ................................... 19

■ Microphone hanger ........................ 20

■ Mounting the transceiver ............... 21

■ Optional unit installation ................. 23

■ Dimensions ..................................... 24

9 TROUBLESHOOTING ...................... 25

10 CHANNEL LIST ................................ 26

11 SPECIFICATIONS AND OPTIONS ... 27

■ Specifications ................................. 27

■ Options .......................................... 27

12 HM-134 REMOTE-CONTROL

MICROPHONE ........................... 28-38

■ Panel description ........................... 28

■ Function display ............................. 30

■ Channel selection .......................... 32

■ Receiving and transmitting ............ 33

■ Lock functions ................................ 34

■ Display backlighting ....................... 34

■ Monitor function ............................. 34

■ Call channel programming ............. 35

■ Optional voice scrambler

operation......................................... 35

■ Starting a scan ............................... 36

■ Setting tag channels ...................... 36

■ Dualwatch/Tri-watch operation ...... 36

■ Set mode programming ................. 37

■ Intercom operation ......................... 38

■ Channel names .............................. 38

13 HM-134 CONNECTIONS AND

INSTALLATION ........................... 39-41

■ HM-134 supplied accessories .........39

■ Installation .......................................39

MB-75 TEMPLATE
INSTALLATION NOTES

ii

IMPORTANT

READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS carefully and completely

before using the transceiver.

SAVE THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL — This in-

struction manual contains important operating instructions for
the IC-M503.

CAUTIONS

RWARNING! NEVER connect the transceiver to an AC

outlet. This may pose a fire hazard or result in an electric
shock.

NEVER connect the transceiver to a power source of more

than 15.6 V DC or using reverse polarity. This will ruin the
transceiver.

NEVER cut the DC power cable between the DC plug and

fuse holder. If an incorrect connection is made after cutting,
the transceiver may be damaged.

NEVER place the transceiver where normal operation of the

vessel may be hindered or where it could cause bodily injury.

KEEP the transceiver at least 1 m away from the ship’s nav-

igation compass.

DO NOT use or place the transceiver in areas with temper-

iii

atures below –20°C or above +60°C or, in areas subject to di­rect sunlight, such as the cockpit.

AVOID the use of chemical agents such as benzine or al-

cohol when cleaning, as they may damage the transceiver
surfaces.

BE CAREFUL! The transceiver rear panel will become

hot when operating continuously for long periods.

BE CAREFUL! The optional HM-134 remote-control mi-

crophone’s rear panel will become hot when monitoring con­tinuously for long periods.

Place the transceiver in a secure place to avoid inadvertent
use by children.

After exposure to salt water, clean the transceiver thoroughly
with fresh water to avoid corrosion.

OPERATING RULES

1

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PRIORITIES

•Read all rules and regulations pertaining to priorities and
keep an up-to-date copy handy. Safety and distress calls
take priority over all others.

•You must monitor Channel 16 when you are not operating
on another channel.

•False or fraudulent distress signals are prohibited and pun­ishable by law.

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PRIVACY

•Information overheard but not intended for you cannot law­fully be used in any way.

• Indecent or profane language is prohibited.

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RADIO LICENSES

(1) SHIP STATION LICENSE

You must have a current radio station license before using the
transceiver. 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. This
government-issued license states the call sign which is your
ship’s identification for radio purposes.

(2) OPERATOR’S LICENSE

A Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit is the license
most often held by small ship radio operators when a radio
is not required for safety purposes.

The Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit must be
posted or kept with the operator. Only a licensed radio opera­tor may operate a transceiver.

However, non-licensed individuals may talk over a transceiver
if a licensed operator starts, supervises, ends the call and
makes the necessary log entries.

Keep a copy of the current government rules and regulations
handy.

1

2

CALLDUAL

SCAN

WATER RESISTANT

TAG

DIAL

DIMMER

HI/LO

POWER

VOL

iM503

VHF MARINE

SQL

16

Speaker

Function
display

q

werty u

io!0!1

PANEL DESCRIPTION

■ Panel description

q POWER SWITCH [POWER]

Push to toggle the transceiver power ON and OFF.

w VOLUME CONTROL [VOL]

Adjusts the audio level. (p. 8)

r TRANSMIT POWER SWITCH [HI/LO]

➥ Push to Toggle high and low power . (p. 8)

• Some channels are set to low power only.

➥ While pushing and holding this switch, other switches

perform secondary functions.

e SQUELCH CONTROL [SQL]

Sets the squelch threshold level. (p. 8)

2

PANEL DESCRIPTION

2

t CHANNEL SELECTOR [CHANNEL]

Rotate [CHANNEL] to select the operating channels, set
mode contents, etc. (p. 8)

y DIMMER SWITCH [DIMMER]

➥ Push to select one of 8 backlighting (LCD and switches)

levels.

➥ Push and hold for 1 sec. to turn the intercom mode ON.

u CALL CHANNEL SWITCH [CALL]

➥ Push to select the call channel. (p. 6)
➥ Push and hold for 3 sec. to enter call channel program-

ming condition. (p. 9)

➥ While pushing and holding [HI/LO], enters memory

name programming condition. (p. 9)

i CHANNEL 16 SWITCH [16]

➥ Push to select Channel 16. (p. 6)
➥ While turning power ON, push to enter initial set mode.

(p. 14)

o DIAL SWITCH [DIAL]

➥ Push to exit from Channel 16 or call channel.

(p. 6)

➥ While pushing and holding [HI/LO], push to select chan-

nel group. (pgs. 6, 7)

•The “EUR” version has International channels only and this

function is not available.

!0 SCAN SWITCH [SCAN/TAG] (p. 13)

➥ When tag channels are programmed, starts and stops

normal or priority scan.

➥ Push and hold [SCAN/TAG] for 1 sec. to set the dis-

played channel as a tag (scanned) channel.

➥ While pushing and holding [HI/LO], push and hold for 3

sec. to clear all tag channels.

!1 DUALWATCH/TRI-WATCH SWITCH [DUAL] (p. 11)

➥ Push to start dualwatch or tri-watch.
➥ When dualwatch/tri-watch is activated, push to stop

them.

3

INT

CALL

BUSY
25W
TAG SC DUP
CALLING

w

q

e
r

ty

io

u

PANEL DESCRIPTION

2

■ Function display

q BUSY/TRANSMIT INDICATOR (p. 8)

➥ “BUSY” appears when receiving a signal or when the

squelch opens.

➥ “TX” appears while transmitting.

w POWER INDICATOR (p. 8)

➥ “25W” appears when high power is selected.
➥ “1W” appears when low power is selected.

e TAG CHANNEL INDICATOR (p. 13)

Appears when a tag channel is selected.

r CHANNEL NAME INDICATOR

➥ Channel comment appears if programmed. (p. 9)
➥ “Low Battery” appears when the battery voltage drops

4

to approx. 10 V DC or below.

➥ “DUAL” appears during dualwatch; “TRI” appears dur-

ing tri-watch. (p. 11)

➥ “WAIT” appears in the IC-M503 display while transmit-

ting via the HM-134 remote-control microphone.

• In the above case, the connected HM-134 has priority.

➥ “LSTN” appears in the IC-M503 display when pushing

the PTT switch on the HM-134, while the intercom func­tion is activated.

t SCRAMBLER INDICATOR (p. 10)

Appears when the optional voice scrambler is activated.

y DUPLEX INDICATOR

Appears when a duplex channel is selected.

u CHANNEL NUMBER READOUT

➥ Indicates the selected operating channel number. “A”

appears when a simplex channel is selected. (p. 6)

➥ In set mode, indicates the selected condition. (pgs.

15,16)

i CHANNEL GROUP INDICATOR (p. 6)

Indicates whether an International, U.S.A., Holland, DSC
or ATIS channel is selected.

• Available channel groups depend on version.

o CALL CHANNEL INDICATOR (pgs. 6, 9)

Appears when a call channel is selected.

■ Microphone

Speaker

Microphone

w

q

e

q PTT SWITCH [PTT]

Push and hold to transmit; release to receive. (p. 8)

PANEL DESCRIPTION

2

w CHANNEL UP/DOWN SWITCHES [YY]/[ZZ]

Push either switch to change the operating memory chan­nel, set mode contents, etc. (p. 8)

e TRANSMIT POWER SWITCH [HI/LO]

➥ Same as the [HI/LO] switch on the front panel.
➥ When pushed at power ON, toggles the [Y]/[Z] and

[HI/LO] switch functions ON and OFF.

5

3

INT

25W

DUPTAG

INTL

Push

CALL

INT
25W CALL
TAG
CALLING

INT
25W
TAG
CALLING

Push

16

BASIC OPERATION

6

■ Channel selection

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Channel 16

Channel 16 is the distress and safety channel. It is used for
establishing initial contact with another station and for emer­gency communications. Channel 16 is monitored during both
dualwatch and tri-watch. While standing by, you must monitor
Channel 16.
➥ Push [16] to select Channel 16.

•Output power turns to “25W” automatically, whenever Channel
16 is selected. For example, when selecting Channel 16 via the
dial, a scan stops at Channel 16 or [16•C] on the HM-134 is
pushed, etc.

➥ Push [DIAL] to return to the condition before selecting Chan-

nel 16, or rotate [CHANNEL] to select operating channel.

•Output power returns to the previous output power automatically.

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Call channel

Each regular channel group has a separate leisure-use call
channel. The call channel is monitored during tri-watch. The
call channels can be programmed (p. 9) and are used to store
your most often used channels in each channel group for
quick recall.

➥ Push [CALL] to select the call channel of the selected

channel group.

•“CALL” and call channel number appear.

➥ Push [DIAL] to return to the condition before selecting call

channel

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There are 57 International channels for the IC-M503.

q Push [DIAL] to select a regular channel.
w While pushing and holding [HI/LO], push [DIAL]to change

e Rotate the channel selector to select a channel.

, or rotate [CHANNEL] to select operating channel.

International channels

the channel group, if necessary.

•“INT” appears when International channels are selected.

•“DUP” appears for duplex channels.

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ATIS

25W

DUPTAG

INTL

HOLLAND

1W

DUP

INTL

USA
25W
TAG
CCG

U.S.A. channels (U.K. version only)

For the U.K. versions, there are 58 U.S.A. channels in addi­tion to 57 International channels.

q Push [DIAL] to select a regular channel.
w While pushing and holding [HI/LO], push [DIAL] to change

the channel group.

• International and U.S.A. channels can be selected in sequence.

e Rotate the channel selector to select a channel.

• Channels are memorized separately for each channel group.

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Holland channels (Holland version only)

For Holland versions, there are 59 Holland channels in addi­tion to 57 International channels.

q Push [DIAL] to select a regular channel.
w While pushing and holding [HI/LO], push [DIAL] to change

the channel group.

•International and Holland channels can be selected in sequence.

e Rotate the channel selector to select a channel.

• Channels are memorized separately for each channel group.

BASIC OPERATION

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ATIS and DSC channels (FRG version only)

For the FRG versions, there are 57 ATIS and 57 DSC chan­nels in addition to 57 International channels.

q Push [DIAL] to select a regular channel.
w While pushing and holding [HI/LO], push [DIAL] to change

the channel group.

•International, ATIS and DSC channels can be selected in se­quence.

e Rotate the channel selector to select a channel.

• Channels are memorized separately for each channel group.

3

7

16

CALLDUAL

SCAN

WATER RESISTANT

TAG

DIAL

DIMMER

HI/LO

POWER

VOL

iM503

VHF MARINE

SQL

q

w

e

rrt

tyu

BASIC OPERATION

3

■ Receiving and transmitting

CAUTION: Transmitting without an antenna may dam-

age the transceiver.

q Push [POWER] to turn power ON.
w Set the audio and squelch levels.

➥ Rotate [SQL] fully counterclockwise in advance.
➥ Rotate [VOL] to adjust the audio output level.
➥ Rotate [SQL] clockwise until the noise disappears.

e While pushing and holding [HI/LO], push [DIAL] to change

the channel group. (p. 6)

• The European version has International channels only.

r Rotate the channel selector or push [Y]/[Z] on the micro-

phone to select the desired channel.

•When receiving a signal, “BUSY” appears and audio is emitted
from the speaker.

•Further adjustment of [VOL] may be necessary at this point.

•Use the optional voice scrambler function for privacy. (p. 10)

t Push [HI/LO] to select the output power if necessary.

•“25W” or “1W” appears when high or low power is selected, re-

•Choose low power to conserve power, choose high power for

• Some channels are for low power only.

spectively.

longer distance communications.

y Push and hold [PTT] to transmit, then speak into the mi-

crophone.

•“TX” appears.

• Channel 70 cannot be used for transmission (for GMDSS use).

u Release [PTT] to receive.

IMPORTANT: To maximize the readability of your trans­mitted signal, pause a few sec. after pushing [PTT], hold
the microphone 2 to 5 cm from your mouth and speak at a
normal voice level.

8

BASIC OPERATION

INT
25W
TAG
äLEASURE

INT

25W CALL

DUPTAG

INTL

INT
25W CALL
TAG
CALLING

3

■ Call channel programming

The call channel switch can be programmed to your most
often-used channels in each channel group for quick recall.

q While pushing and holding [HI/LO], push [DIAL] one or

more times to select the desired channel group (Interna­tional, U.S.A., Holland, ATIS, DSC) to be programmed.

w Push and hold [CALL] for 3 sec. to enter the call channel

programming condition.

• Channel number starts flashing.

e Rotate the channel selector to select the desired channel.

r Push [CALL] to program the displayed channel as the call

channel.

• Push [DIAL] to cancel the programming.

•The channel number stops flashing.

■ Channel names

Memory channels can be tagged with alphanumeric names
of up to 10 characters each.

Capital letters, small letters, numerals, some symbols (! " # $
% & ' ( ) ✱ + ,– . ⁄ ) and spaces can be used.

q Select the desired memory channel.

• Cancel dual watch, tri-watch or scan in advance.

w While pushing and holding [HI/LO], push [CALL] to edit the

memory channel name.

• A cursor appears and blinks.

e Select the desired character by rotating the channel selec-

tor or by pushing [Y]/[Z] on the microphone.

• Push and hold [SCAN] or [DIAL] for cursor movement.

r Push [CALL] to input and set the name.

•The cursor disappears.

t Repeat steps q to r to program another memory channel

name, if desired.

9

BASIC OPERATION

Setmode

Beep

Setmode

Scrambler
code

Setmode

Scrambler
code

Enter set mode

16

POWER

+

Select code

16

Push one or
more times.

Set mode Scrambler code item

3

■ Optional voice scrambler operation

10

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Activating the scrambler

The optional voice scrambler provides private communica­tions. In order to receive or send scrambled transmissions
you must first activate the scrambler function. To activate the
function, an optional UT-98 or UT-112 is necessary. See p. 16
for selecting the unit. Ask your dealer for details.

q Select an operating channel other than Channel 16 and

70.

w While pushing and holding [HI/LO], push [DIMMER] to tog-

gle an optional scrambler function ON or OFF.

•“SC” appears.

e To turn the scrambler function OFF, repeat step w.

•“SC” disappears.

[Example]: Programming scrambler code 127.

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Programming scrambler codes

There are 128 or 32 codes (0 to 127 or 1 to 32) available for
programming. In order to understand one another, all trans­ceivers in your group must have the same scramble code.

This function may not be available depending on dealer set­ting.

q Turn power OFF.
w While pushing and holding [16], turn power ON to enter

set mode.

e After the display appears, release [16].
r Push [16] one or more times to select the scrambler code

item.

•“Scrambler code” appears.

t Rotate the channel selector to select the desired scram-

bler code.

y Turn power OFF, then ON again to exit set mode.

Dualwatch Tri-watch

Call channel

DUALWATCH/TRI-WATCH

4

■ Description

Dualwatch monitors Channel 16 while you are receiving an­other channel; tri-watch monitors Channel 16 and the call
channel while receiving another channel.

DUALWATCH/TRI-WATCH SIMULATION

•If a signal is received on Channel 16, dualwatch/tri-watch pauses
on Channel 16 until the signal disappears.

•If a signal is received on the call channel during tri-watch, tri­watch becomes dualwatch until the signal disappears.

•To transmit on the selected channel during dualwatch/tri-watch,
push and hold [PTT].

■ Operation

q Select the desired operating channel.
w Select dualwatch or tri-watch in set mode. (p. 15)
e Push [DUAL] to start dualwatch or tri-watch.

•“DUAL” appears during dualwatch; “TRI” appears during tri-
watch.

• Beep tone sounds when a signal is received on Channel 16.

•Tri-watch becomes dualwatch when receiving a signal on the call

channel.

r To cancel dualwatch/tri-watch, push [DUAL] again.

[Example]: Operating tri-watch on INT Channel 25.

25W
TAG
TRI

BUSY INT
25W CALL
TAG
CALLING

BUSY INT
25W
TAG
CALLING

25W
TAG
TRI

INT

DUP
16

16

DUP
16

INT

DUP
16

Tri-watch starts.

Signal is received
on call channel.

Signal received on
Channel 16 takes
priority.

Tri-watch resumes
after the signal
disappears.

11