Standard Horizon Hx500s User Manual
HX500S
VHF/FM Marine Handheld Transceiver
Owner's Manual
HX500S
TABLE OF CONTENTS
RF EXPOSURE SAFETY STATEMENT ...................................................................................... 2
FCC AND CANADA RADIO LICENSE INFORMATION.............................................................. 3
FCC NOTICE ............................................................................................................................... 4
1. GENERAL INFORMATION .................................................................................................. 5
1.1 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................... 5
2. ACCESSORIES .................................................................................................................... 6
2.1 PACKING LIST ............................................................................................................ 6
2.2 OPTIONS .....................................................................................................................6
3. ABOUT THIS RADIO ........................................................................................................... 7
3.1 ABOUT THE VHF MARINE BAND .............................................................................. 7
4. GETTING STARTED ............................................................................................................ 8
4.1 BATTERIES AND CHARGERS ................................................................................... 8
5. CONTROLS AND SWITCHES ........................................................................................... 12
6. BASIC OPERATION ........................................................................................................... 15
6.1 INITIAL SETUP .......................................................................................................... 15
6.2 RECEPTION .............................................................................................................. 15
6.3 TRANSMISSION ........................................................................................................ 16
6.4 NOAA WEATHER CHANNELS .................................................................................. 17
6.5 PRESET CHANNELS (0 ~ 9) .................................................................................... 18
6.6 ENABLING S.O.S STROBE OPERATION ................................................................ 18
7. ADVANCED OPERATION ON THE MARINE BAND ......................................................... 19
7.1 USA, CANADA, AND INTERNATIONAL CHANNELS ............................................... 19
7.2 MEMORY SCAN ........................................................................................................ 19
7.3 PROGRAMMABLE PRIORITY SCAN ....................................................................... 20
7.4 DUAL WATCH ............................................................................................................ 21
7.5 TRI WATCH ............................................................................................................... 21
7.6 EMERGENCY CHANNEL 16 ..................................................................................... 21
7.7 CHANNEL 9 ............................................................................................................... 22
7.8 OPERATING ON USA or CANADIAN 13, OR USA CHANNEL 67............................ 22
7.9 OPERATING ON USA CHANNEL 67 ........................................................................ 22
7.10 SIMPLEX/DUPLEX CHANEL USE ............................................................................ 22
8. OPERATING PRACTICE ................................................................................................... 23
8.1 EMERGENCY (CHANNEL 16 USE) .......................................................................... 23
8.2 CALLING ANOTHER VESSEL (CHANNEL 16 OR 9) ............................................... 23
8.3 OPERATING ON CHANNEL 13 AND 67 ................................................................... 24
8.4 NOAA WEATHER ALERT TESTING ......................................................................... 25
9. MENU (“SET”) MODE ....................................................................................................... 26
10. INSTALLATION OF OPTIONS ........................................................................................... 28
10.1 FBA-25A ALAKLINE BATTERY TRAY ...................................................................... 28
11. MAINTENANCE ................................................................................................................. 29
11.1 GENERAL .................................................................................................................. 29
11.2 REPLACEMENT PARTS ........................................................................................... 29
11.3 TROUBLESHOOTING CHART .................................................................................. 30
12. VHF MARINE CHANNEL ASSIGNMENT .......................................................................... 31
13. WARRANTY ...................................................................................................................... 37
14. SPECIFICATIONS ..............................................................................................................40
HX500S
Congratulations on your purchase of the HX500S! 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 stands
behind every product sold, and we invite you to contact us should you require technical advice or assistance.
We appreciate your purchase of the HX500S, and encourage you to read
this manual thoroughly, so as to learn and fully understand the capabilities of
the HX500S.
WARNING
This radio is capable of transmitting on VHF Marine.
The FCC allows the use of VHF Marine band on water areas only. However the FCC does not allow the use of the VHF Marine band when on
land. If persons use the VHF Marine Band on land and interfere with
others communicating, the FCC will be notified and search for the interference. Responsible parties found to be transmitting on the VHF Marine Band on land could be fined up to $10,000 for the first offense.
HX500S Page 1
RF EXPOSURE SAFETY STATEMENT
SAFETY INFORMATION
Your wireless handheld portable transceiver contains a low power transmitter. When the Push-to-Talk (PTT) button is pushed, the transceiver
sends out radio frequency (RF) signals. In August 1996, the Federal
Communications Commission adopted RF exposure guidelines with
safety levels for hand-held wireless devices.
This device is authorized to operate at a duty factor not to exceed 50%
(this corresponds to 50% transmission time and 50% reception time).
WARNING: To maintain compliance with the FCC’s RF exposure guidelines, this transmitter and its antenna must maintain a separation distance of at least 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) from your face. Speak in a
normal voice, with the antenna pointed up and away from the face at the
required separation distance.
If you use a headset accessory for this radio, with the radio worn on your
body, use only the Vertex Standard belt clip for this transceiver, and
ensure that the antenna is at least 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) from your
body when transmitting.
Use only the supplied antenna. Unauthorized antennas, modifications,
or attachments could damage the transmitter, and may violate FCC regulations.
HX500SPage 2
FCC AND CANADA RADIO LICENSE INFORMATION
Standard Horizon radios comply with the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) and Industry-Canada requirements that regulate the Maritime
Radio Service.
MARITIME 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. However, any vessel required carrying a marine radio on an international voyage, carrying a HF single side
band radiotelephone or marine satellite terminal. FCC license forms, including applications for ship (506) and land station licenses can be downloaded
via the Internet at
(888) 225-5322.
MARINE RADIO CALL SIGN
Currently the FCC does not require recreational boaters to have a Ship Radio Station License. The USCG recommends the boats 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
FCC/INDUSTRY CANADA INFORMATON
The following data pertaining to the transceiver is necessary to fill out the
license application.
FCC Type Accepted: ......................................................................... Part 80
Output Power with FNB-V98LI: ..... 1 W (Low), 2.5 W (Mid), and 5 W (High)
Emission: ...................................................................................... 16K0G3E
Frequency Range:.................................................. 156.025 to 163.275MHz
FCC Type Number: ............................................................... K6630183X20
Industry Canada Type Approval: ........................................ 511B-30183X20
www.fcc.gov/forms. To obtain a form from the FCC, call
HX500S Page 3
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, a 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.
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).
HX500SPage 4
1. GENERAL INFORMATION
1.1 INTRODUCTION
The HX500S is a SUBMERSIBLE 5-Watt portable two-way marine transceiver with a high capacity Lithium-Ion battery. The transceiver has all allocated USA, International, or Canadian channels. It has 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.
The HX500S includes the following features: Memory Scanning, Priority Scan-
ning, NOAA Weather Alert, Battery Saver, easy-to-read large LCD display,
EEPROM memory back-up, Battery Life displayed on LCD, Transmit TimeOut Timer (TOT) and a strobe light when enabled blinks the internationally
recognized SOS distress signal.
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.
HX500S Page 5
2. ACCESSORIES
2.1 PACKING LIST
When the package containing the transceiver is first opened, please check it
for the following contents:
• HX500S Transceiver
• CAT460 Antenna
• FNB-V98LI 7.4 V, 1700 mAh Li-Ion Battery Pack
• CD-35 Charger Cradle for HX500S
• NC-90B 120 VAC Overnight Charger for CD-35
• E-DC-19A DC Cable with 12 V Cigarette Lighter Plug for CD-35
• Owner’s Manual
2.2 OPTIONS
CMP460 Noise-canceling Waterproof
Speaker/Microphone
MH-57A4B Mini Speaker/Micro-
phone
VC-24 VOX Headset
VC-27 Earpiece/Microphone
CD-35 Charger Cradle
FNB-V98LI 7.4 V, 1700 mAh Li-Ion Battery Pack
FBA-25A Alkaline Battery Case
E-DC-19A DC Cable with 12 V Cigarette Lighter
Plug
NC-90B/C/U 120/230 VAC Overnight Charger for
the FNB-V98LI
E-DC-6 DC Cable; plug and wire
only
CAW230 Radio-to-Ship’s-Antenna
Adapter
Note: Before operating the HX500S for
the first time, it is recommended that the
battery be charged. Please see section
“4.1.4 USING THE CD-35 CHARGER
CRADLE” for details.
HX500SPage 6
3. ABOUT THIS RADIO
3.1 ABOUT THE VHF MARINE BAND
WARNING:
The radio frequencies used in the VHF marine band
lie between 156 and 158 MHz with NOAA Weather
stations available between 161 and 163 MHz. The
marine VHF band provides communications over distances that are essentially “line of sight” Actual transmission range depends
much more on antenna type, gain and height than on the power output of the
transmitter. A portable 5 W radio transmission expected distance can be 2 to
5 miles.
The user of a Marine VHF radio is subject to severe fines if the radio is
used on land. The reasoning for this is you may be near an inland waterway,
or propagation anomalies may cause your transmission to be heard in a
waterway. If this occurs, depending upon the marine VHF channel on which
you are transmitting, you could interfere with a search and rescue case, or
contribute to a collision between passing ships. For VHF Marine channel
assignments refer to page 31 section 12.
HX500S Page 7
4. GETTING STARTED
Lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries pack high energy density in a tiny package.
Other than higher power and lower weight, li-ion batteries are user friendly
as well. Unlike its predecessor, the nickel-cadmium, lithium-ion batteries do
not suffer from the “memory effect.” That is, the battery does not have to be
fully discharged before being recharged.
Though the batteries do not suffer from the memory effect, it is just the opposite that users should be wary of. Lithium ion batteries shouldn’t be run all
the way down before charging; they respond much better with constant recharges.
To prolong the battery when not in use, store it in a cool dry place at approximately 40 percent capacity. Also, avoid exposing a lithium ion battery to extreme temperatures for prolonged periods of time, and recharge constantly
when in use..
4.1 BATTERIES AND CHARGERS
The FNB-98LI is a high performance Lithium-Ion battery providing high capacity in a compact package.
CAUTION
To avoid risk of explosion and injury, FNB-V98LI battery pack should
only be removed, charged or recharged in non-hazardous environments.
4.1.1 BATTERY SAFETY
Battery packs for your transceiver contain Lithium-Ion 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 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. The terminals that are exposed on the battery
pack when it is mounted on the transceiver are charging terminals only and
do not constitute a hazard.
HX500SPage 8
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.
Battery Maintenance
For safe and proper battery use, please observe the following:
• Battery packs should be charged only in non-hazardous environments;
• Use only STANDARD HORIZON-approved batteries;
• Use only a STANDARD HORIZON, (a Marine Division of VERTEX STANDARD) approved charger. The use of any other charger may cause
permanent damage to the battery.
• Follow charging instructions provided with the chargers.
• Keep the battery contacts clean.
Battery Storage
Store batteries in a cool place to maximize storage life. Since batteries are
subject to self-discharge, avoid high storage temperatures that cause large
self-discharge rates. After extended storage, a full recharge is recommended.
When a battery pack is not used for a long time, please remove it from the
transceiver. Also, while in storage, the charge will drain slightly over time and
the battery should be recharged 50% every six months.
Battery Recycling
DO NOT PLACE USED BATTERIES IN YOUR REGULAR TRASH!
LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES MUST BE COLLECTED, RECYCLED OR DISPOSED OF IN AN ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND MANNER.
The incineration, land filling or mixing of Lithium-Ion batteries with the municipal solid waste stream is PROHIBITED BY LAW in most areas.
Return batteries to an approved Lithium-Ion battery recycler. This may be
where you purchased the battery.
Contact your local waste management officials for other information regarding the environmentally sound collection, recycling and disposal of
Lithium-Ion batteries.
HX500S Page 9
4.1.2 BATTERY CHARGING
If the radio has never been used, or its charge is depleted, it may be charged
by connecting the CD-35 Charger Cradle with the NC-90 battery charger, as
shown in the illustration.
When the battery pack is inserted correctly, the LED indicator on the CD-35
Charger Cradle will glow red. When
charging is completed, the LED indicator will change to green.
Note: The radio may be kept in the
charging cradle when the radio is turned
off. It is not recommended to use turn
the radio while it is in the charger.
If 12V DC power is available, the supplied E-DC-19A DC Cable with 12 V
Cigarette Lighter Plug or the optional
E-DC-6 DC Cable may be used for
NC-90
E-DC-6
E-DC-19A
charging the battery. The NC-90, E-DC-
19A and E-DC-6 will charge a com-
pletely discharged FNB-V98LI battery
pack in about 8 hours.
4.1.3 BATTERY INSTALLATION/REMOVAL
1. Turn the transceiver off.
2. 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.”
Install the Battery Pack
Close the Battery Pack Latch
3. To remove, open the Battery Pack Latch on the bottom of the transceiver,
then slide the battery downward and out from the transceiver.
HX500SPage 10
4.1.4 USING THE CD-35 CHARGER CRADLE
1. Turn the transceiver off.
2. Insert the DC plug from the NC-90 into the DC jack on the CD-35 side
panel, then plug the NC-90 into the AC line outlet.
3. Insert the HX500S (with the battery pack) into the CD-35; the antenna
should be at the left side when viewing the charger from the front.
4. If the HX500S is inserted correctly, the Red indicator on the CD-35 will
glow. A fully-discharged pack will be charged completely in approximately
8 hours.
Important Note:
Do not leave the charger connected to the transceiver for continuous
periods in excess of 24 hours. Long term overcharging can degrade the
Lithium-Ion battery pack and significantly shorten its useful life.
5. When charging is completed, disconnect the pack from the CD-35, and
unplug the NC-90 from the AC line outlet.
4.1.5 MOUNTING THE CD-35 ON THE VESSEL
The CD-35 is designed to be surface on a vessel which can be connected to
the charger.
If mounting on a vessel, the CD-35 must be mounted in a location on the
vessel that is directly shielded from rain or splashes of water. After the location is found, mount the CD-35 using the supplied mounting screws.
CD-35 Desktop Mount
HX500S Page 11
5. CONTROLS AND SWITCHES
NOTE
This section defines each control of the transceiver. For detailed operating instructions, refer to section 6 “BASIC OPERATION.” Refer to illus-
trations for the location of the following controls, switches, and connections.
VOLUME CONTROL
Turn this control clockwise to increase the volume.
MIC/SP JACK
The jack accepts the optional CMP460 Speaker/Microphone, MH-57A4B
Mini Speaker/Microphone, VC-24 VOX Headset or VC-27 Earpiece/Microphone. When this jack is used, the internal speaker is disabled.
HX500SPage 12
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