Simrad RS25/AHK05 Quick Start Manual

Quick Start Guide

Simrad RS25/AHK05
VHF

English

www.simrad-yachting.com A brand by Navico - Leader in Marine Electronics

This Quickstart Guide is to be used with the Simrad RS25 VHF Radio
Installation and Operation Manual.

Consult the Installation and Operation Manual for further information
on the options described in this Quickstart Guide, and for information
on other options; including radio setup and different DSC call types
and options, troubleshooting, and channel charts.

FCC Statement

Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference in a normal installation. This equipment generates,
uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with
the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is
no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does
cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning
the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or
more of the following measures:

Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

Connect the equipment into an output on a circuit different from that to which the receiver
is connected.

Consult the dealer or an experienced technician for help.

A shielded cable must be used when connecting a peripheral to the serial ports.

Industry Canada

Operation is subjec t to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause
interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.

It is the owner’s sole responsibility to install and use the instrument in such a manner that will
not cause accidents, personal injury or property damage.

Navico Holding AS. and its subsidiaries, branches and affiliates disclaim all liability for any
use of this product in a way that may cause accidents, damage or that may violate the law.

Governing L anguage: This statement, any instruction manuals, user guides and other
information relating to the product (Documentation) may be translated to, or has been
translated from, another language (Translation). In the event of any conflict between any
Translation of Documentation, the English language version of the Documentation will be the
official version of the Documentation.

This manual represents the product at the time of printing. Navico Holding AS. and its
subsidiaries, branches and affiliates reserve the right to make changes to specifications
without notice.

Copyright © 2010 Navico Holding AS. Simrad™ is a registered trademark of Navico Holding AS.

RS25/AHK05 Quickstart Guide

1

Check out yo ur RS25/AHK05 model

There are slight variations in the keys between the RS25U and RS25E models, and some features
are not available on both models.

An optional handset can also be purchased and used with your RS25. There are two versions - the
Simrad AHK05U handset (for use with the Simrad RS25U model) and the Simrad AHK05E handset
(for use with the Simrad RS25E model).

This Quickstart Guide covers BOTH models of the RS25, with or without the optional handsets.

Simrad RS25U pictured with AHK05U optional handset

Simrad RS25E pictured with AHK05E optional handset

2

RS25/AHK05 Quickstart Guide

Turn the unit ON/OFF and adjust the volume

1 To turn the base unit ON, turn the VOL knob

clockwise. Turn counter-clockwise to turn the
base OFF.

2 Continue to turn until a comfortable volume

is reached on the base speaker.

Base Unit

1. Ensure the handset is fully charged, and the
base unit is turned ON.

2. To turn the handset ON, press and hold the

button. To turn the handset OFF, press

and hold again until the unit turns off.

3. When turned on, the handset will search for
the base unit and establish the wireless link.
This should take only a few seconds.

4. Adjust the volume with the VOL
keys on the righthand side of the handset.

Hold down VOL

or decrease the volume or press quickly to
step through the 8 different volume levels.

This will not change the volume on the base

Optional Handset

unit speaker.

NOTE: The optional Handset functions with the
base unit. It can not operate on it’s own. Ensure
the base unit is turned ON when using the
handset.

NOTE - FIRST TIME USE: the handset must
first be Subscribed to the RS25 base unit - this
function only needs to be per formed once.
See “Subscribing the Handset to the Base unit ”
section for details.

and

or to rapidly increase

RS25/AHK05 Quickstart Guide

3

Adjust the Squelch

1 Turn the SQL knob fully counterclockwise so

2 Turn SQL slowly clockwise until the random

3 Make another 1/4 turn clockwise for best

Base Unit

In areas of high noise (eg close to large cities)
reception may improve if sensitivit y is reduced.
Try turning SQL slowly clockwise or use the
LOCAL setting (see the Installation and Operation
Manual).

Adjust the squelch with the
the handset.

Hold down
decrease the squelch or press quickly to step
through the 8 different squelch levels. The
squelch setting on the base unit will temporarily
change to match.

Optional Handset

When you put the handset back ON hook, the
base unit squelch set ting takes precedence
again.

Enter Data an d Correct Error s

Only 4 menu items can be displayed on the base unit LCD at any one
time. Press CH

Press
changes OR press the rotary knob to confirm changes.

To enter data, press CH
numbers. Hold down CH or CH to scroll rapidly.

RS25U Base Unit and

Microphone

You can also use the rotary knob to step through the alphabet and
numbers, then press the knob to confirm each selection.

To correct errors, press CH
the LCD. Press the rotary knob to backup one space at a time.

that random noise is heard.

noise disappears.

reception in normal open sea conditions.

and keys on

or to rapidly increase or

or CH to scroll through a menu listing.

ESC

to return to the previous menu screen without saving

or CH to step through the alphabet and

then select the < backup charac ter on

Optional Handset

4

Only 4 menu items can be displayed on the handset LCD at any one
time. Press

Press
changes OR press

Press

or to scroll through a menu listing.

ESC

to return to the previous menu screen without saving

ENT

to confirm changes.

or to step through the alphabet and numbers. Hold down

or to scroll rapidly.

To correct errors, press
LCD. Press

ENT

RS25/AHK05 Quickstart Guide

then select the < backup charac ter on the

to backup one space at a time.

RS25E Base Unit and

Microphone

Enter Data using Alpha-mic: To enter data, use the alpha-numeric
keypad on the microphone to enter the channel numbers and names
directly. Each key has functionality shown below.

Use the

CLR

key to backup and the

ENT

key to confirm, or just
wait for the cursor to advance automatically to the next position
when entering data (similar to mobile phone operation).

To correct data errors, press CH
on the LCD. Press

ENT

then select the < backup charac ter

to backup one space at a time.

AHK05 EU Micropho ne

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Key

Normal and Menu Mode 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Edit Mode Push 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Edit Mode Push 2 Space - A D G J M P T W

Edit Mode Push 3 ( . B E H K N Q U X

Edit Mode Push 4 ) “ C F I L O R V Y

Edit Mode Push 5 % / ? ! : # “ S & Z

Select the Radio Menu or the DSC Call Menu

CALL

PRESS

HOLD DOWN

Base Unit and

Optional Handset

to show the DSC CALL Menu.

MENU

CALL

to show the Radio Menu.

MENU

CALL

MENU

RS25/AHK05 Quickstart Guide

5

Set the Backlighting Levels

1 Hold down

2 Scroll through the menu listing to BACKLIGHT.

3 Press

4 Press CH

Base Unit

5 Press

1 Hold down

2 Scroll through the menu listing to BACKLIGHT.

3 Press

4 Press

Optional Handset

5 Press

Set the Contrast Levels

1 Hold down

2 Scroll through the menu listing to CONTRAST.

3 Press

4 Press CH

Base Unit

Optional Handset

5 Press

1 Hold down

2 Scroll through the menu listing to CONTRAST.

3 Press

4 Press

5 Press

CALL

to show the Radio Menu.

MENU

ENT

or push the rotary knob.

or CH to select the desired

backlight level. There are 8 levels.

ENT

or push the rotary knob to store the

setting.

CALL

to show the Radio Menu.

MENU

ENT

.

or to select the desired backlight

level. There are 8 levels.

ENT

to store the setting.

CALL

to show the Radio Menu.

MENU

ENT

or push the rotary knob.

or CH to select the desired

contrast level. There are 8 levels.

ENT

or push the rotary knob to store

the setting.

CALL

to show the Radio Menu.

MENU

ENT

.

or to select the desired contrast
level.
There are 8 levels.

ENT

to store the setting.

CALL

MENU

MENU SELECT
BUDDY LIST
LOCAL/DIST
>BACKLIGHT

CALL

MENU

MENU SELECT
LOCAL/DIST
BACKLIGHT
>CONT RAST

6

RS25/AHK05 Quickstart Guide

How the micr ophone and optional handset work together

Use the Intercom or Confe rence mode

The Intercom mode work s ONLY when one or two
optional handset(s) are installed.

1 Hold down

WX

or IC or

IC

INTERCOM or CONFERENCE mode. Conference
mode is only available when 2 handsets are
connected, and is used to connec t all 3 units

H/L

IC

to enter

WX

IC

together. This disables the radio receiver

Base Unit and Optional

Handset

except for incoming DSC calls.

2 The intercom calls the other unit as detailed in

the following table.

3 Press PTT when invited.

4 Press

ESC

to exit the INTERCOM mode, insert

IC

H/L

IC

separate row for Handset Intercom mode.

5 For operation of the IC key see below.

Using the IC key

The func tion of these modes will vary depending on the number of VHF AHK05 handsets
connected:

· If no Handsets are connected, pressing the IC key will generate an error beep.

· If one handset is connected, pressing the IC key will enter Intercom mode.

· If two handsets are connected pressing the IC key the operation will be as follows:

IC Key 1st press 2nd press 3rd press 4th press

Main unit (MU) Intercom

with HS1

1st handset (HS1) Intercom

with MU

2nd handset (HS2) Intercom

with MU

Note: in this mode you must press ENT key to select the mode

Intercom
with HS2

Intercom
with

HS2

Intercom
with HS1

Conference Repeat c ycle

Conference Repeat c ycle

Conference Repeat c ycle

RS25/AHK05 Quickstart Guide

7

High and Low Power

Microphone and

Optional Handset

Priorit y Channel

Base Unit, Microphone

and Optional Handset

Channel Select

Base Unit and

Microphone

or

H/L

IC

to toggle between HI

1 Press

H/L

(High) and LO (Low) (25W or 1W) transmission
power for the entire channel bank. A beep
sounds and the selec tion is shown on the LCD.

2 If HI power cannot be used with a particular

channel, the annunciator automatically goes to
LO power. If you press
error beep sounds.

H/L

H/L

or

IC

again, an

Channel 16 and HI power are automatically selected
at power up.

1 If you’re on a working channel and want to check

the priority channel for traffic, just press

16/9

or

.

16

2 Press again to recall your working channel.

NOTE: On the RS25US ONLY the priority channel can
be set to Channel 09. To set this, just hold down

16/9

until Channel 09 appears on the LCD.

The working channel is shown in BIG numbers on
the LCD of the base unit.

To step through the channels one at a time, press CH

or CH to display each channel.

To change channels rapidly, hold down CH

or CH

to scroll through the channels.

You can also use the rotary knob to select a channel.

H/L

H/L

IC

16

16/9

Optional Handset

8

The working channel is shown in BIG numbers on
the LCD of the optional handset.

To step through the channels one at a time, press
or to display each channel.

To change channels rapidly, hold down

or on

the optional handset to scroll through the channels.

RS25/AHK05 Quickstart Guide

Select a Favorite Channel

1 Press

Base Unit and

Optional Handset

3CH

three favorite channels until the desired
channel is shown.

Store 3 Favorite Channels

1 Select the channel.

2 Hold down

first favorite channel, CH1.

3 Repeat to store your second favorite channel

Base Unit and

Optional Handset

as CH2.

4 Repeat again to store your third favorite

channel as CH3.

Scan/Stop Scanning a Favorite Channel

1 Select the favorite channel.

release

3CH

SCAN

SCAN

2 Press

3 Press

Base Unit and

Optional Handset

Scan all 3 Favorite Channels

1 Press

2 Press

3CH

press and hold down

SCAN

to toggle through each of the

3CH

to store this channel as your

then immediately press and

.

again to stop.

then immediately

again to stop.

SCAN

.

3CH

3CH

3CH

SCAN

3CH

Base Unit and

Optional Handset

Delete a Favorite Channel

Base Unit and

Optional Handset

1 Select the favorite channel.

2 Hold down

message appears on the LCD.

3 Select YES to delete.

3CH

until a confirmation

RS25/AHK05 Quickstart Guide

SCAN

3CH

9

Select ALL SCAN mode

1 Hold down

channels (and the priority channel every 1.5
seconds).
NOTE: In some European countries, scanning
is not allowed.

When a signal is received, scanning stops at

Base Unit and

Optional Handset

that channel and BUSY appears on the LCD.

ENT

Press
channel and resume scanning.

2 Press

SCAN

Select the Channel Bank (RS25US ONLY)

1 Hold down

2 Scroll through the menu listing to RADIO

SETUP then press
knob.

3 The cursor is at UIC. Press

rotary k nob to display a choice of channel

Base Unit and

Optional Handset

banks.

4 Press CH

or CH to select the desired

channel bank, then press
rotary k nob to confirm.

Show the weather and fishing information

Info

.

CALL

RS25/AHK05 Quickstart Guide

Base Unit

Optional Handset

10

1 Press

2 A histogram of the barometric pressure

readings over the past 24 hours is shown on
the base unit LCD, with a digital readout of the
current temperature.

The Happy Fish indicator bars show the

likelihood of good f ishing.

The weather icon shows the weather forecast.

1 Hold down

2 The cursor is at INFO DATA. Press

select this.

3 Select ON. Press

4 The current barometric pressure and

temperature are shown as digital readouts.

SNR is shown when handset is OFF HOOK

The Happy Fish indicator bars, when triggered,

show the likelihood of good fishing.

The weather icon shows the weather forecast.

SCAN

to start scanning all

to skip over an ‘always busy’

to stop at the current channel.

CALL

to show the Radio Menu.

MENU

ENT

or push the rotary

ENT

or push the

ENT

or push the

to show the Radio Menu.

MENU

ENT

.

ENT

to

SCAN

CALL

MENU

RADIO SETUP
>UIC
CH NAME
RING VOLUME

Info

CALL

MENU

MENU SELECT
>INFO DATA
BUDDY LIST
LOCAL/DIST

Make a call to an individual

1 Press

2 The cursor is at INDIVIDUAL. Press

3 Select either:
MANUAL NEW to call someone who’s not in

or
scroll through the buddy list to find name of

4 Select the working channel and press

Base Unit and

Optional Handset

5 Press

6 Press PTT to talk; release PT T to receive a reply.

NOTE: DSC calling is disabled until you enter a
legal USER MMSI number. This also applies to ATIS
inland waterway operation in European countries.
See the Installation and Operation Manual to
perform this ONCE-ONLY setup.

Create your Buddy List

You can store the names and MMSIs of 20
individuals in your buddy list.

1 Hold down

2 Scroll through the menu listing, if necessar y,

3 Press

4 The cursor is at MANUAL NEW. Press

5 Enter the buddy name (maximum of 12

Base Unit and

Optional Handset

6 Press

7 Repeat the procedure to store another buddy

CALL

to show the DSC CALL Menu.

MENU

ENT

or

push the rotary knob.

your buddy list, then enter their MMSI and

ENT

press

the buddy you want to call, then press
or push the rotary knob.

or push the rotary knob.

ENT

ENT

or push the rotary knob.

ENT

or push the rotary knob again to
send the call. The call will be acknowledged
when it is received and the working channel is
automatically selected.

CALL

to show the Radio Menu.

MENU

to BUDDY LIST.

ENT

or push the rotary knob.

ENT

or

push the rotary knob.

characters) and the MMSI.

ENT

you’re finished, then press

or push the rotary knob when

ENT

or push
the rotar y knob again to store the new
buddy name. The new buddy name appears
immediately in your buddy list.

name.

DSC CALL
>INDIVIDUAL
LAST CALL
GROUP

INDIVIDUAL
>MANUAL NEW
BUDDY 1
BUDDY 2

BUDDY LIST
>MANUAL NEW

>ENTER NAME
____ ____ __
ENTER MMSI
____ ____ __

NAME
123456789
>STO RE?
CANCEL

CALL

MENU

CALL

MENU

RS25/AHK05 Quickstart Guide

11

Make a DSC Dist ress Call

1 Open the red DISTRESS cover.

If time is availab le to specify the nature o f the

distress, pr ess and relea se the DISTRESS key to
show the categori es. Scroll to your categor y then

ENT

Base Unit and

Optional Handset

press

2 Hold down the DISTRESS key for about 3

seconds until you see the message DISTRESS
CALL SENT on the LCD.

3 The LCD flashes and loud beeps sound. The

distress call is repeated automatically ever y
few minutes until an acknowledgement is
received or until you press

or push the rotary knob.

ESC

to cancel it.

>UNDEFINED
FIRE
FLOODING
COLLISION
GROUNDING
LISTING
SINKING
ADRIFT
ABANDONED
PIRACY
OVERBOARD

Receiving a Distress Acknowledgement from a coast station

1 The radio automatically cancels your distress call and tunes to CH16.

2 Press PTT to talk with the Coast Guard.

Receiving a Distress Call

An alert sounds and the RS25 automatically tunes to CH16.

1 Press any key to stop the alert.

2 Make voice contact on CH16 and lend assistance if needed.

Position and time data and the vessel’s MMSI are shown on the LCD, and the data is recorded in
the DISTRESS CALL LOG.

Receiving a Distress Relay

1 An alert sounds. Press any key to stop the alert.

2 Maintain a listening watch on CH16 and standby to lend assistance.

12

RS25/AHK05 Quickstart Guide

Charging your AHK05 Handset

To charge the handset:

1. Connect 12VDC source to the handset charger cradle

2. Place the handset into the charger cradle. The handset display
will show the te xt: “POWER ON CONNEC TING” and then
“CHARGING”

3. Leave on charge for at least 3 hours.

4. When the battery is fully charged, the display text will change to
“BATTERY FULL”

5. The handset can remain in the charger.

To check the handset battery level:

Optional Handset

1. Press and hold the ESC key

2. The LCD will display the bat tery level with 1 to 4 bars:

1=Needs charging; 2-3=normal operation; 4=Fully charged.

Subscribing the AHK05 handset to the RS25 base unit

Subscribing the Handset to the Base unit:

1. Ensure the handset is fully charged

2. Turn the base unit ON

3. Select “Subscribe” on the base unit Radio Setup menu

4. Turn the handset ON; you must be within operational range of
the base unit

5. The handset will display “Success”, and then operate normally
with the base unit.

To Un-Subscribe the Handset from the Base unit:

Base and Optional

Handset

1. You may wish to un-subscribe a handset from your base unit to
use on another base unit.

2. On the base unit, select “Handset”, “Clear Code” and “Yes” from
the setup menu.

3. After a few seconds, the handset will display “Search Host” and
no longer be subscribed to the base unit.

4. The handset can subscribed to another base unit if needed.

RS25/AHK05 Quickstart Guide

13

*988-0172-04A*

Simrad RS25/AHK05 Quick Start EN,. Doc.no. 988-0172-04A