Icom IC-M90 User Manual
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
iM90
VHF MARINE TRANSCEIVER
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC
Rules. Operation is subject to the condition that
this device does not cause harmful interference.
i
SAFETY TRAINING INFORMATION
Your Icom radio generates RF electromagnetic energy during
transmit mode.
This radio has been evaluated for compliance at the distance
of 2.5 cm with the FCC RF exposure limits for “Occupational
Use Only”. In addition, your Icom radio complies with the following Standards and Guidelines with regard to RF energy
and electromagnetic energy levels and evaluation of such levels for exposure to humans:
• FCC OET Bulletin 65 Edition 97-01 Supplement C, Evaluating Compliance
with FCC Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields.
• American National Standards Institute (C95.1-1992), IEEE Standard for
Safety Levels with Respect to Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields, 3 kHz to 300 GHz.
• American National Standards Institute (C95.3-1992), IEEE Recommended
Practice for the Measurement of Potentially Hazardous Electromagnetic
Fields– RF and Microwave.
• The following accessories are authorized for use with this product. Use of
accessories other than those specified may result in RF exposure levels
exceeding the FCC requirements for wireless RF exposure.; Belt Clip (MB86/103), Rechargeable Ni-Cd Battery Pack (BP-225) and Alkaline Battery
Case (BP-223).
To ensure that your expose to RF electromagnetic energy is within the FCC allowable limits for occupational
use, always adhere to the following guidelines:
CAUTION
WARNING
• DO NOT operate the radio without a proper antenna attached, as this may
damaged the radio and may to exceed FCC RF exposure limits. A proper
antenna is the antenna supplied with this radio by the manufacturer or an
antenna specifically authorized by the manufacturer for use with this radio.
• DO NOT transmit for more than 50% of total radio use time (“50% duty
cycle”). Transmitting more than 50% of the time can cause FCC RF exposure compliance requirements to be exceeded. The radio is transmitting
when the “TX indicator” lights red. You can cause the radio to transmit by
pressing the “PTT” switch.
• ALWAYS keep the antenna at least 2.5 cm (1 inch) away from the body
when transmitting and only use the Icom belt-clips which are listed on
page 33 when attaching the radio to your belt, etc., to ensure FCC RF exposure compliance requirements are not exceeded. To provide the recipients of your transmission the best sound quality, hold the radio in an
almost vertical position at least 5 cm (2 inches) from your mouth, the microphone is located next to the speaker, so you shoud “talk into the
speaker”.
The information listed above provides the user with the information needed to
make him or her aware of RF exposure, and what to do to assure that this radio
operates within FCC RF exposure limits.
Electromagnetic Interference/Compatibility
During transmissions, your Icom radio generates RF energy that can possibly
cause interference with other devices or systems. To avoid such interference,
turn off the radio in areas where signs are posted to do so. DO NOT operate
the transmitter in areas that are sensitive to electromagnetic radiation such as
hospitals, aircraft, and blasting sites.
ii
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
DISTRESS CALL PROCEDURE
1. “MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY.”
2. “THIS IS ...........................” (name of vessel)
3. Your call sign or other indication of the vessel.
4. “LOCATED AT .....................” (your position)
5. The nature of the distress and assistance required.
6. Any other information which might facilitate
the rescue.
RECOMMENDATION
CLEAN THE TRANSCEIVER THOROUGHLY WITH FRESH
WATER after exposure to saltwater, and dry it before opera-
tion. Otherwise, the transceiver’s keys, switches and controllers may become inoperable due to salt crystallization.
MIC
/SP
FOREWORD
Thank you for purchasing this Icom radio. The IC-M90 VHF MARINE TRANSCEIVER is designed and built with Icom’s state of
the art technology and craftsmanship. With proper care this
product should provide you with years of trouble-free operation.
IMPORTANT
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS carefully and com-
pletely before using the transceiver.
SAVE THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL—This in-
struction manual contains important operating instructions for
the IC-M90.
EXPLICIT DEFINITIONS
FEATURES
☞ Waterproof construction
Built tough to withstand the punishing marine environment, the IC-M90 meets JIS waterproof specification
grade 7 while using BP-223 (option) or BP-225.
In addition to, the speaker grill adopts a new structure
which drains water or seawater easily.
☞ Dualwatch and tri-watch functions
Convenient functions which allow you to monitor the distress channel (Ch 16) while receiving one other channel of
your choice (dualwatch), or while receiving one other
channel of your choice and the call channle (Ch 09) (triwatch). See p. 14 for details.
☞ Large, easy-to-read LCD
With dimensions of 19(H) × 35(W) mm;
3
⁄4(H) × 13⁄8(W) inch,
the IC-M90’s function display is easy to read and shows operating conditions at a glance. Backlighting and contrast
can be adjusted to suit your preferences.
☞ Simple operation
6 large buttons on the front panel provide user-friendly operation. The independent volume and channel buttons are
located on the front panel for convenient one-handed operation.
iii
WORD
RWARNING
CAUTION
NOTE
Personal injury, fire hazard or electric shock
may occur.
Equipment damage may occur.
If disregarded, inconvenience only. No risk
of personal injury, fire or electric shock.
DEFINITION
iv
PRECAUTION
RWARNING! NEVER connect the transceiver to an
AC outlet. This may pose a fire hazard or result in an electric
shock.
RWARNING! NEVER hold the transceiver so that the
antenna is closer than 2.5 cm (1 inch) from exposed parts of
the body, especially the face or eyes, while transmitting. The
transceiver will perform best if the microphone is 5 to 10 cm
(2 to 4 inches) away from the lips and the transceiver is vertical.
NEVER connect the transceiver to a power source other
than the BP-225 or BP-223. Such a connection will ruin the
transceiver.
AVOID using or placing the transceiver in direct sunlight or
in areas with temperatures below –20°C (–4°F) or above
+60°C (+140°F): MARINE, –30°C (–22°F) or above +60°C
(+140°F): LMR.
KEEP the transceiver out of the reach of children.
KEEP the transceiver at least 0.9 meters (3.0 ft) away from
your vessel’s magnetic navigation compass.
MAKE SURE the flexible antenna and battery pack are
securely attached to the transceiver, and that the antenna and
battery pack are dry before attachment. Exposing the inside
of the transceiver to water will result in serious damage to the
transceiver.
BE CAREFUL! The IC-M90 employs waterproof con-
struction, which corresponds to JIS waterproof specification,
Grade 7 (1 m; 3 ft depth for 30 min.). However, once the
transceiver has been dropped, waterproofing cannot be guaranteed due to the fact that the transceiver may be cracked,
or the waterproof seal damaged, etc.
For U.S.A. only
CAUTION: Changes or modifications to this device, not
expressly approved by Icom Inc., could void your authority to
operate this device under FCC regulations.
Icom, Icom Inc. and the logo are registered trademarks of Icom Incorporated (Japan) in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France,
Spain, Russia and/or other countries.
v
SAFETY TRAINING INFORMATION ............................................... i
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY ........................................................... ii
RECOMMENDATION ...................................................................... ii
FOREWORD .................................................................................. iii
IMPORTANT ................................................................................... iii
EXPLICIT DEFINITIONS ................................................................ iii
FEATURES ..................................................................................... iii
PRECAUTION ................................................................................ iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS .................................................................. v
1 OPERATING RULES ................................................................. 1
2 SUPPLIED ACCESSORIES AND ATTACHMENTS............... 2–3
■ Supplied accessories ............................................................... 2
■ Attachments ............................................................................. 2
3 PANEL DESCRIPTION .......................................................... 4–6
■ Front, top and side panels ....................................................... 4
■ Function display ...................................................................... 5
4 BASIC OPERATION ............................................................. 7–11
■ Channel selection ................................................................... 7
■ Receiving and transmitting ...................................................... 9
■ Call channel programming .................................................... 10
■ Lock function ......................................................................... 10
■ Signal strength indicator function .......................................... 10
■ Monitor function .................................................................... 10
■ Adjusting the squelch level .................................................... 11
■ Automatic backlighting .......................................................... 11
■ Voice scrambler operation ..................................................... 11
5 SCAN OPERATION ........................................................... 12–13
■ Scan types ............................................................................ 12
■ Setting tag channels ............................................................. 13
■ Starting a scan ...................................................................... 13
6 DUALWATCH/TRI-WATCH ...................................................... 14
■ Description ............................................................................ 14
■ Operation .............................................................................. 14
7 LAND CHANNEL OPERATION ............................................... 15
■ LAND channel group ............................................................. 15
■ CTCSS and DTCS display .................................................... 15
■ VOX function ......................................................................... 15
8 SET MODE ......................................................................... 16–21
■ SET mode programming ....................................................... 16
■ SET mode items ................................................................... 17
9 BATTERY CHARGING ....................................................... 22–25
■ Battery charging .................................................................... 22
■ Battery cautions .................................................................... 22
■ Optional battery case ............................................................ 23
■ Optional battery chargers ...................................................... 24
10 OPTIONAL SWIVEL BELT CLIP ............................................. 26
■ MB-86 contents ..................................................................... 26
■ Attachment ............................................................................ 26
■ Detachment ........................................................................... 26
11 OPTIONAL SPEAKER-MICROPHONE .................................. 27
■ Descriptions .......................................................................... 27
■ Attachment ............................................................................ 27
12 TROUBLESHOOTING ............................................................. 28
13 VHF MARINE CHANNEL LIST ............................................... 29
14 SPECIFICATIONS ................................................................... 30
15 QUICK REFERENCE .............................................................. 31
16 OPTIONS ................................................................................. 33
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
1
OPERATING RULES
D 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 calls are prohibited under law.
D Privacy
• Information overheard but not intended for you cannot lawfully be used in any way.
• Indecent or profane language is prohibited.
D Radio licenses
(1) SHIP STATION LICENSE
When your craft is equipped with a VHF FM transceiver, 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. This license includes the call sign which is your craft’s identification for radio
purposes.
(2) OPERATOR’S LICENSE
A restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit is the license
most often held by small vessel radio operators when a radio
is not required for safety purposes.
The Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit must be
posted near the transceiver or be 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.
A current copy of the applicable government rules and regulations is only required to be on hand for vessels in which a
radio telephone is compulsory. However, even if you are not
required to have these on hand it is your responsibility to be
thoroughly acquainted with all pertinent rules and regulations.
NOTE: Even though the IC-M90 is capable of operation
on VHF marine channels 3, 21, 23, 61, 64, 81, 82 and 83,
according to FCC regulations these simplex channels cannot be lawfully used by the general occupational in USA
waters.
1
2
SUPPLIED ACCESSORIES AND ATTACHMENTS
2
■ Supplied accessories
The following accessories are supplied: Qty.
• Handstrap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
• Belt clip (MB-103) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
• Ni-Cd battery pack (BP-225) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
• Battery charger (BC-158) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
• Screws for the BC-158 (M3.5 × 20) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
• AC adapter (BC-147A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
• Flexible antenna (FA-S59V) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
■ Attachments
D Flexible antenna
Connect the supplied flexible antenna to the antenna connector.
CAUTION: Transmitting without
an antenna may damage the
transceiver.
NEVER HOLD by the antenna
when carrying the transceiver.
D Handstrap
Pass the handstrap through the
loop on the top of the transceiver
as illustrated at right. Facilitates
carrying.
D Belt clip
Attach the belt clip to the transceiver as illustrated below.
IC
M
P
/S
Supplied screws
3
2
SUPPLIED ACCESSORIES AND ATTACHMENTS
ï Battery pack
To remove the battery pack:
Turn the screw counterclockwise, then pull the battery pack
in the direction of the arrow as shown below.
To attach the battery pack:
Insert the battery pack in the IC-M90 completely, then turn the
screw clockwise.
NEVER remove or insert the battery pack when the transceiver is wet or soiled. This may result water or dust getting into the transceiver/battery pack and may result in the
transceiver being damaged.
NOTE: When removing or attaching the battery pack, use
a coin or flat-blade screwdriver to loosen or tighten the bottom screw.
CAUTION!:
When attaching or removing a battery pack, make sure the
rubber seal is set in the groove of the battery pack correctly. If the seal is not neatly in the groove it may be damaged when attaching the battery pack.
If the seal is damaged, waterproofing is not guaranteed.
OPEN
L
O
C
K
Screw position
when removing battery
Screw position
when attaching battery
OPEN
L
O
C
K
Make sure both the rubber seal (purple) is set to the groove
correctly and dust or else does not adhere to it.
Battery pack
Battery pack
Rubber seal
Groove
Correct position
Incorrect position
NOTE:
When attaching a battery pack, make sure dust or else does
not adhere to the rubber seal. If dust or else is on the seal
when attaching a battery pack, the water resistant may be
reduced.
2
NOTE: When the lock screw does not easily (feels tight),
check to ensure the battery pack is sufficiently inserted to
the transceiver.
DO NOT bang or cause high impact to
the battery pack, as this may damage the battery pack/or
the transceiver.
4
PANEL DESCRIPTION
3
■ Front, top and side panels
q VOLUME CONTROL [VOL]
Turns power ON and adjusts the audio level.
w MICROPHONE CONNECTOR [SP MIC]
Connects the optional external microphone.
NOTE: Attach the [SP MIC] cap when the optional
speaker-microphone is not used.
e ANTENNA CONNECTOR
Connects the supplied antenna.
r TRANSMIT/RECEIVE INDICATOR
Lights green while receiving a signal or when the squelch
is open; lights red while transmitting.
t CHANNEL/WEATHER CHANNEL SWITCH
[CH/WX•
U/I/C/L]
• Selects and toggles the regular channels and weather
channel when pushed. (p. 8)
• Selects one of 4 regular channels in sequence when
pushed for 1 sec. (pgs. 8, 15)
- U.S.A., International, Canadian and Land channels are
available.
• Push to return to the condition before selecting the channel when the priority channel or the call channel is selected.
y SCAN SWITCH [SCAN•
DUAL]
• Starts and stops normal or priority scan when pushed.
(pgs. 12, 13)
• Enters watch mode when pushed for 1 sec. (p. 14)
M
IC
/SP
q
e
r
y
t
w
i
u
o
!1
!0
5
3
PANEL DESCRIPTION
u TRANSMIT POWER/LOCK SWITCH [Hi/Lo• ]
• Selects high, middle or low power when pushed. (p. 9)
• Toggles the lock function ON/OFF when pushed for
1 sec. (p. 10)
i CHANNEL 16 SWITCH [16•
9]
• Selects Channel 16 when pushed. (p. 7)
• Selects call channel when pushed for 1 sec. (p. 7)
• Enters call channel write mode when the call channel is
selected and this switch is pushed for 3 sec. (p. 10)
o CHANNEL UP/DOWN SWITCHES [YY]/[ZZ]
• Selects an operating channel. (pgs. 7–9)
• Selects the SET mode condition of the item. (p. 16)
• Selects the SET mode item when pushed with [SQL].
(p. 16)
• Checks tag channels or changes scanning direction during scan. (p. 13)
!0 SQUELCH SWITCH [SQL•
MONI]
• Push this switch, then adjust the squelch level with
[YY]/[ZZ]. (p. 11)
• Manually opens the squelch for monitoring the channel
while pushed and held. (p. 10)
• While pushing this switch, turn power ON to enter the set
mode. (p. 16)
!1 PTT SWITCH [PTT]
Push and hold to transmit; release to receive.
■ Function display
q SIGNAL STRENGTH INDICATOR (pgs. 10, 20)
Shows the relative signal strength while receiving signals.
w TRANSMIT POWER INDICATOR
• “LOW” appears when low power is selected.
• “MID” appears when middle power is selected.
• No indication appears when high power is selected.
e TAG CHANNEL INDICATOR (p. 13)
Appears when tag channel is selected.
r SQUELCH LEVEL INDICATOR (p. 11)
Show the squelch level.
q r t yw e
!4
!6
!5
u
i
o
!0
!1
!2
!3
!8
!7
3
6
3
PANEL DESCRIPTION
t MONITOR INDICATOR (p. 10)
Appears when the monitor function is activated.
y BATTERY INDICATOR
Indicates remaining battery power.
u WEATHER CHANNEL/WEATHER ALERT INDICATORS
(p. 8)
• “WX” appears when the weather channel group is
selected.
• “WX ALT” appears when the weather alert function is
activated.
i BELL INDICATOR
Blinks when an alert tone is received.
o SCAN INDICATOR (p. 13)
“SCAN” blinks during scan.
!0 VOX INDICATOR (p. 15)
“VOX” appears when the VOX function is used.
!1 DUALWATCH/TRI-WATCH INDICATORS (p. 14)
“DUAL” blinks during dualwatch; “TRI” blinks during triwatch.
!2 SCRAMBLER INDICATOR
Appears when the optional voice scrambler is activated.
(pgs. 11, 20)
!3 DUPLEX INDICATOR
Appears when a duplex channel is selected.
!4 SUB CHANNEL READOUT
• Indicates Channel 16 during priority scan or dualwatch.
(p. 14)
• Indicates the SET mode item while in the SET mode.
(p. 16)
!5 CHANNEL NUMBER READOUT
• Indicates the selected operating channel number.
• In SET mode, indicates the selected condition.
!6 LOCK INDICATOR
Appears when the lock function is activated.
!7 CALL CHANNEL INDICATOR
Appears when the call channel is selected.
!8 CHANNEL GROUP INDICATOR
“U” appears when U.S.A.; “I” appears when International; “C” appears when Canadian; “” appears when
LAND channel group is selected.
Indication
Full Middle
Charging
required
No battery
Battery level
blinks when the battery is exhaustion.
blinks when the battery over charged.
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