Standard Horizon HX370S User Manual

HX370S

VHF/FM Marine

Handheld Transceiver

Owner's Manual

HX370S

TABLE OF CONTENTS
FCC LICENSE INFORMATION .........................................................................		3
FCC NOTICE .....................................................................................................		4
1. GENERAL INFORMATION ...........................................................................		5
2. ACCESSORIES .............................................................................................		6
2.1	PACKING LIST .......................................................................................	6
2.2	OPTIONS................................................................................................	6
3. BATTERY ......................................................................................................		7
3.1	BATTERY CHARGING ...........................................................................	7
3.2	BATTERY REMOVAL/INSTALLATION ...................................................	7
3.3	USING THE NC-88 BATTERY CHARGER.............................................	8
3.4	FBA-25A ALKALINE BATTERY CASE ...................................................	8
3.5	BATTERY SAFETY.................................................................................	9
4. CONTROLS AND INDICATORS .................................................................		10
4.1	CONTROLS and CONNECTIONS .......................................................	11
4.2	INDICATORS ........................................................................................	13
5. OPERATION ................................................................................................		15
5.1	INITIAL SETUP .....................................................................................	15
5.2	RECEPTION .........................................................................................	16
5.3	TRANSMISSION ..................................................................................	17
5.4	TRANSMIT TIME-OUT TIMER (TOT) ..................................................	17
5.5	USA, CANADIAN, AND INTERNATIONAL BANDS .............................	18
5.6	NOAA WEATHER CHANNELS ............................................................	18
5.7	SCAN ....................................................................................................	20
5.8	PROGRAMMABLE PRIORITY SCAN ..................................................	21
5.9	DUAL WATCH ......................................................................................	21
5.10	EMERGENCY (CHANNEL 16 USE) ...................................................	22
5.11 CALLING ANOTHER VESSEL (CHANNEL 16 OR 9) ........................		22
5.12	OPERATING ON CHANNEL 13 .........................................................	23
5.13	OPERATING ON CHANNEL 67 .........................................................	23
5.14	PRESET CHANNELS (1 ~ 8):INSTANT ACCESS .............................	24
5.15	SIMPLEX/DUPLEX CHANNEL USE ..................................................	25
5.16	ENABLING S.O.S STROBE OPERATION .........................................	25
5.17	VOICE SCRAMBLER UNIT ................................................................	26
5.18	SETUP MODE ....................................................................................	27
5.19	CLONING ...........................................................................................	30
6. MAINTENANCE...........................................................................................		31
7. PRODUCT SUPPORT INQUIRIES .............................................................		32
8. CHANNEL ASSIGNMENTS ........................................................................		32
9. WARRANTY ................................................................................................		39
10. SPECIFICATIONS .....................................................................................		42
		HX370S

RF Exposure Safety Statement

This Radio has been tested and complies with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) RF exposure limits for Occupational Use/Controlled exposure environment. In addition, it complies with the following Standards and Guidelines:

FCC@96-326, Guidelines for Evaluating the Environmental Effects of RadioFrequency Radiation.

FCC OET Bulletin 65 Edition 97-01 (1997) Supplement C, Evaluating Compliance with FCC Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields.

ANSI/IEEE C95.1-1992, IEEE Standard for Safety Levels with Respect to Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields, 3kHz to 300 GHz.

ANSI/IEEE C95.3-1992, IEEE Recommended Practice for the Measurement of Potentially Hazardous Electromagnetic Fields-RF and Microwave.

WARNING

This radio generates RF electromagnetic energy during transmit mode. This radio is designed for and classified as Occupational Use Only, meaning it must be used only during the course of employment by individuals aware of the hazards, and the ways to minimize such hazards. This radio is not intended for use by the General Population in an uncontrolled environment.

CAUTION

To ensure that your expose to RF electromagnetic energy is within the FCC allowable limits for occupational use, always adhere to the following guidelines:

SAFETY INFORMATION

This radio is NOT approved for use by the general population in an uncontrolled environment. This radio is restricted to occupational use, work related operations only where the radio operator must have the knowledge to control its RF exposure conditions.

When transmitting, hold the radio in a vertical position with its microphone 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) away from your mouth and keep the antenna at least 1 inch (2.5cm) away from your head and body.

The radio must be used with a maximum operating duty cycle not exceeding 50 %, in typical Push-to-Talk (Manual PTT or VOX) configurations.

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 red LED on the front panel of the radio is illuminated. You can cause the radio to transmit by pressing the PTT button or by speaking into the microphone if using the optional VC-24 VOX accessory.

Only use the Standard Horizon accessories designed for this product detailed on Page 6.

HX370S		Page 1

Congratulations on your purchase of the HX370S! Whether this is your first portable marine VHF transceiver, or if you have other STANDARD HORIZON equipment, the STANDARD HORIZON organization is committed to ensuring your enjoyment of this high-performance transceiver, which should provide you with many years of satisfying communications even in the harshest of environments. STANDARD HORIZON technical support personnel stand behind every product we sell, and we invite you to contact us, should you require technical advice or assistance, at [phone].

We appreciate your purchase of the HX370S, and encourage you to read this manual thoroughly, so as to learn and understand the capabilities of the

HX370S fully.

ABOUT VHF MARINE RADIO

The radio frequencies used in the VHF marine band lie between 156 and 158 MHz with some shore stations available between 161 and 163 MHz. The marine VHF band provides communications over distances that are essentially “line of sight” (VHF signals do not travel well through objects such as buildings, hills or trees). Actual transmission range depends much more on antenna type, gain and height than on the power output of the transmitter. The approximate distance a portable 5W radio may communicate is about 5 miles in if there are no obstructions (buildings, hills etc.) restricting line of sight transmission.

ABOUT LMR CHANNELS

The HX370S is capable of PC programming 40 LMR (Land Mobile Radio) channels by a dealer. The frequency range is 137 to 174MHz which may be setup for 25kHz (wide) or 12.5kHz (narrow) channel stepping with CTCSS and DCS signaling. Contact your dealer or Standard Horizon Product Support (800-767-2450) for further details.

Page 2		HX370S

FCC RADIO LICENSE INFORMATION

Standard Horizon radios comply with the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) requirements that regulate the Maritime Radio Service.

PROHIBITED COMMUNICATIONS

The FCC prohibits the following communications:

False distress or emergency messages:

Messages to “any boat” except in emergencies and radio tests;

Messages to or from a vessel on land;

Transmission while on land;

Obscene, indecent, or profane language (potential fine of $10,000).

STATION LICENSE

An FCC ship station license is no longer required for any vessel traveling in U.S. waters which uses a VHF marine radio, RADAR or EPIRB, and which is not required to carry radio equipment. FCC license forms, including applications for ship (506) and land station licenses can be downloaded via the Internet at www.fcc.gov/formpage.html. To obtain a form from the FCC, call [phone].

RADIO CALL SIGN

Currently the FCC does not require recreational boaters to have a Ship Radio Station License. The USCG recommends the boat’s registration number and the state to be used.

CANADIAN SHIP STATION LICENSING

You may need a license when traveling in Canada. If you do need a license contact their nearest field office or regional office or write:

Industry Canada

Radio Regulatory Branch

Attn: DOSP

300 Slater Street

Ottawa, Ontario

Canada, KIA 0C8

HX370S		Page 3

FCC/INDUSTRY CANADA INFORMATON

The following data pertaining to the transceiver is necessary to fill out the license application.

FCC Type Accepted .............................................................. Part 80/Part 90

Output Power with FNB-83/-V57IS ... 1 W (Low), 2.5 W (Mid), and 5 W (High)

Emission ...............................................................	16K0G3E (Marine: Wide)
	16K0F3E (LMR: Wide)
	11K0F3E (LMR: Narrow)
Frequency Range ..........................	156.025 to 157.425 MHz (Marine Band)
	137 to 174 MHz (LMR Band)
FCC Type Number ..................................................................	K6630083220
Industry Canada Type Approval ...........................................	511B-30083220

FCC NOTICE

Unauthorized changes or modifications to this equipment may void compliance with FCC Rules. Any change or modification must be approved in writing by STANDARD HORIZON, the Marine Division of VERTEX STANDARD.

NOTICE

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 residential 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:

•Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

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

•Consult the dealer or an experienced marine electronics technician for help.

Page 4		HX370S

1.GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1INTRODUCTION

The HX370S is a submersible, miniature 5-Watt portable two-way VHF marine transceiver. The transceiver has all allocated USA, international, or Canadian channels. It has an emergency channel 16 which can be immediately selected from any channel by pressing the 16/9 key. NOAA weather channels can also be accessed immediately by pressing the WX key.

Besides VHF marine transceiver operation, the HX370S provides LMR (Land Mobile Radio) transceiver operation.

The transceiver includes the following features: Memory Scanning, Programmable Priority Scanning, NOAA Weather Alert, Battery Saver, easy-to-read large LCD display, EEPROM memory back-up, Battery Life displayed on LCD, and a transmit Time-Out Timer (TOT).

The transmitter provides a maximum of 5 Watts output, and has the selection of 2.5 Watts and 1 Watt to assist the user in ensuring maximum battery life.

The optional FVP-31 Voice Scrambler can be installed to permit secure voice communications with other STANDARD HORIZON radios with the FVP-31 scramblers installed.

HX370S		Page 5

2.ACCESSORIES

2.1PACKING LIST

When the package containing the transceiver is first opened, please check it for the following contents:

• HX370S	Transceiver
• FNB-83	7.2 V, 1400 mAh Ni-MH Battery Pack

•FNB-V57IS 7.2 V, 1100 mAh Ni-Cd Battery Pack

Depends on the transceiver version.

•NC-88B 120 VAC Overnight Charger

•CD-26 Charger Cradle

•FBA-25A Alkaline Battery Case (Except for IS version)

• CAT460

Antenna

•E-DC-19A DC Cable with 12 V Cigarette Lighter Plug (Except for IS version)

•CLIP-14 Belt Clip with screw

•Owner’s Manual

2.2 OPTIONS

CMP460	Noise-canceling Waterproof Speaker/Microphone
MH-57A4B	Mini Speaker/Microphone (Except for IS version)
VC-24	VOX Headset
VC-27	Earpiece/Microphone (Except for IS version)
CT-32	Clone Cable
FVP-31	Voice Scrambler
CD-26	Charger Cradle
FBA-25A	Alkaline Battery Case
	(Except for IS version)
FNB-83	7.2 V, 1400 mAh Ni-MH
	Battery Pack
E-DC-19A	DC Cable with 12 V Cigarette Lighter Plug
	(Except for IS version)
NC-88B	120 VAC Overnight Charger
E-DC-6	DC Cable; plug and wire only
CE68	PPS Software
CT-111	Cable SET for CE68
CAW230	Radio-to-Ship’s-Antenna Adapter

Note: Before operating the HX370S for the first time, it is recommended that the battery be charged.

Page 6		HX370S

3. BATTERY

The FNB-83 and FNB-V57IS (intrinsically Safe Version) are high performance rechargeable battery providing high capacity in a compact package.

Note: FNB-83 is supplied with the HX370S and the FNB-V57IS is supplied with the HX370AS only.

CAUTION

To avoid risk of explosion and injury, FNB-83/FNB-V57IS battery pack should only be removed, charged or recharged in non-hazardous environments.

3.1 BATTERY CHARGING

If the radio has never been used, or its charge is depleted, it may be charged by connecting the NC-88 battery charger (see figure 2 on page 8). If 12V DC power is available, the optional E-DC-6 or the E-DC-19A DC adapter with cigarette plug may be used for charging the battery. The NC-88, E-DC-6 and E-DC-19A will charge a completely discharged FNB-83/FNB-V57IS battery pack in about 10 hours.

3.2 BATTERY REMOVAL/INSTALLATION

1. Turn the transceiver off.

2. To remove, open the Battery Pack Latch on the bottom of the transceiver, then slide the battery downward and out from the transceiver.

3. To install, insert the battery pack into the battery compartment on the back of the transceiver, then close the Battery Pack Latch until it locks in

place with a “click.”							Pack
					the	Battery
				Install

Close the

Figure 1

Battery Pack Latch

Important Notice

To avoid the ingress of water between the transceiver body and battery pack/case, close the Battery Pack Latch until it locks in place with a “click” while pressing and holding the battery pack/case in to ward the top panel (secure the upper edge of the battery pack/case snugly against the upper edge of the battery nest).

HX370S		Page 7

3.3 USING THE NC-88 BATTERY CHARGER

1. Install the supplied FNB-83/FNB-V57IS battery pack on the rear of the HX370S. Ensure that the transceiver is

switched off.

2. Plug the NC-88 Overnight Charger into the AC line outlet, then insert the cable plug

into the jack located on the side panel of the CD-26 Charger Cradle.

3. Insert the transceiver and battery pack into the CD-26; the antenna jack should be at

the left side when viewing the charger from the front.

4. If the transceiver and battery pack are inserted correctly, the Red indicator on the

CD-26 will glow. A fully-discharged pack will be charged completely in 10 hours.

Figure 2

Important Notes:

The NC-88 is not designed to power the transceiver for operation (reception or transmission).

Do not leave the charger connected to the transceiver for continuous periods in excess of 24 hours. Long term overcharging can degrade the Ni-MH battery pack and significantly shorten its useful life.

If using a charger other than the NC-88/CD-26, or if using a battery pack other than the FNB-83/FNB-V57IS, follow the appropriate instructions provided with the charger/battery. Contact your Dealer if you have any doubts about the appropriateness of the particular charger or battery pack you intend to use.

3.4 FBA-25A Waterproof Alakline Battery Tray

FBA-25A is a battery case that holds six alkaline batteries and is used with the HX370S transceiver.

When installing batteries, insert the (–) end first, then press in the (+) end so the battery snaps into place. Always replace all six batteries at the same time, paying attention to the polarity indicated inside the case.

The FBA-25A must not be used with rechargeable cells. The FBA-

25A does not contain the thermal and over-current protection circuits (provided in the "FNB" series of Ni-MH Battery Packs) required when utilizing Ni-Cd and Ni-MH cells.

Page 8		HX370S

3.5 BATTERY SAFETY

Battery packs for your transceiver contain Ni-MH/Ni-Cd batteries. This type of battery stores a charge powerful enough to be dangerous if misused or abused, especially when removed from the transceiver. Please observe the following precautions:

DO NOT SHORT BATTERY PACK TERMINALS

Shorting the terminals that power to the transceiver can cause sparks, severe overheating, burns, and battery cell damage. If the short is of sufficient duration, it is possible to melt battery components. Do not place a loose battery pack on or near metal surfaces or objects such as paper clips, keys, tools, etc. When the battery pack is installed on the transceiver, the terminals that transfer current to the transceiver are not exposed.

DO NOT INCINERATE

Do not dispose of any battery in a fire or incinerator. The heat of fire may cause battery cells to explode and/or release dangerous gases.

Caution

Never short-circuit the connection terminals on the battery or charger !

CONTAINS NICKEL-METAL-HYDRIDE BATTERY.

	MUST BE RECYCLED OR DISPOSED OF PROP-
Ni-MH	ERLY.

CONTAINS NICKEL-CADMIUM BATTERY.

MUST BE RECYCLED OR DISPOSED OF

PROPERLY

HX370S		Page 9

4. CONTROLS AND INDICATORS

NOTE

This section defines each control of the transceiver. For detailed operating instructions, refer to section 5 of this manual. Refer to Figure 3 for the location of the following controls, indicators, and connections.

Figure 3

Controls and Connectors

Page 10		HX370S

4.1 CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS

POWER SWITCH/VOLUME CONTROL

Turns the transceiver on and off, and adjusts the volume.

MIC/SP JACK

Accepts the optional CMP460, MH-57A4B speaker microphone or VC-24 VOX Headset. When this jack is used, the internal speaker is disabled.

Do not allow the HX370S to become submerged in water while

the plastic cover over the MIC/SP jack is removed.

Antenna Connector

The supplied CAT460 flexible antenna is attached here.

PUSH-TO-TALK (PTT) SWITCH

Activates transmission.

SQUELCH (SQL) SWITCH

Sets the point at which random noise on the channel does not activate the audio circuits but a received signal does. This point is called the Squelch threshold. Further adjustment of the squelch control will degrade the reception of wanted transmissions.

BUSY/TX INDICATOR

This indicator glows green when a signal is being received and red when transmitting.

When the Emergency feature is activated, this indicator blinks the inter- nationally-recognized Morse Code “S.O.S” message.

UP ( ) KEY

Used to select a desired channel. Each press increases the channel number. When held down, the channels increase continuously.

DOWN ( ) KEY

Used to select a desired channel. Each press decreases the channel number. When held down, the channels decrease continuously.

16/9 KEY

Immediately recalls channel 16 from any channel location. Holding down this key recalls channel 9. The 16/9 key is also used to revert to the channel selected before pressing the 16/9 key.

Example: select Ch68, press 16/9 key (Ch16 appears), press the 16/9 key again and Ch68 is shown.

HX370S		Page 11

WX KEY

Immediately recalls the last-used NOAA Weather Channel from any channel location. Recalls the previouslyselected working channel when the WX key is pressed again.

Secondary use: When the 16/9 key is held and the WX key is pressed, the radio will change modes between the USA, International, and Canadian channel bands.

H/L KEY

Toggles the transmitter power level between High (5 Watts), Medium (2.5 Watts), and Low (1 Watt) of output. Does not operate on “low power only” and transmission-inhibit channels.

When operating on Canadian channel 13, or USA channels 13 or 67, pressing this key momentarily toggles the power level from Low power to Medium or High power.

Hold down this key to lock the displayed channel functions (except the H/L, PTT, and SQL keys) so that they are not accidentally changed. The key lock symbol “” will appear, to indicate that the functions are locked. Hold down until the key lock symbol “” disappears to unlock the radio.

SCAN KEY

Starts scanning and Priority scanning of programmed channels. When scanning, press and hold this key to turn on and off Priority scan (P is shown on the left side of the display during Priority scanning).

PRESET KEY

Immediately recalls one of up to eight user preset memories for operation (shown as 1-8 on the LCD). Pressing this key repeatedly scrolls through the preset memory channels.

MEM KEY

Press to select a channel for scanning. Press this key again to delete a memorized channel. (“MEM” appears on the LCD display during memory operation).

Page 12		HX370S

4.2 INDICATORS

Figure 4

Indicators

Channel Display

The operating channel is shown on the LCD in both the transmission and reception modes.

A Indicator

Signifies ship-to-ship channels in USA or Canadian mode (whose counterpart in the International mode is a public correspondence (marine operator) channel).

USA/INTL/CAN Indicator

Denotes the “band” of operation for the particular channel. “USA” indicates the USA band; “CAN” indicates the Canadian band; and “INTL” indicates the International band.

// Indicators

“” indicates High power (5 Watts); “” indicates Medium power (2.5 Watts); and “” is for Low power (1 Watt). “Blank” in this location indicates a re- ceive-only channel.

P Indicator

Ch16 Priority Scan is activated.

DW Indicator

Dual watch is activated.

SCN Indicator

Scan is activated.

TX Indicator

Appears during transmission.

HX370S		Page 13