Download Boating Tip #31: Raymarine RAY230 VHF Operation (PDF format, 43KB)
There are _____ Raymarine RAY230 VFH (Very High Frequency) radio instruments aboard. They are located ______________________________________. The VHF antenna is installed at the top of the mast. A speaker with an adjustable volume knob is also located next to each Raymarine RAY230 VFH handset.
Prior to using the device, the breaker labeled “VHF” must be turned on at the 12 volt electrical panel. Then press the FUNC and 16/9 (POWER) keys to activate the device. Turning on the RAY230 handset at either the navigation station or the helm will also activate the device at the other location.
In addition to being a VHF radio, the RAY230 instrument is also the input / control device for several other onboard instruments. The handset can be used as a horn to produce sound signals, to provide NOAA weather information, to amplify your voice through the hailer (loud speaker), and can be used as an intercom between the cockpit and navigation station below decks.
Most of the keys on the RAY230 have both a primary and a secondary function. The primary function is activated by just pressing the appropriate key. The secondary function is activated by first pressing the FUNC key in the bottom right hand corner of the handset, then the appropriate key. Primary functions are written on the key in white. Secondary functions are written above the key in yellow.
In order to transmit, press and hold down the send PTT key on the left side of the handset, and speak into the handset. Remember to let go of the send PTT key so you can hear the response. You can hear a response through the handset, or if it is turned on, through the separate speaker.
Normally, while out sailing, radio channel 16, the international distress and safety calling channel will be selected and monitored. VHF channel number frequencies most often used by recreational boaters in the U.S., include:
| Channel 9 | Boat calling |
| Channel 12 | Port operations |
| Channel 16 | International distress and safety calling |
| Channel 22A | USCG and maritime safety broadcasts |
| Channels 24–28 | Marine operator |
| Channels 84–87 | Marine operator |
| Channels 68, 69, 71, 78A | Non–commercial communications |
| Channel 72 | Non–commercial intership communications |
| White | Yellow | Primary Function | Secondary Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16/9 | POWER | Switches between channels 16 and 9 when held for 2 seconds, or between the priority channel 16 or 9, and a working channel | Powers the Ray230 on / off |
| MON | TRI | Activates the dual-watch monitor mode | Activates the tri-watch monitor mode |
| VOL | Increases / decreases handset volume | ||
| SQ | SCROLL | Increases / decreases squelch sensitivity | Scroll through menu items |
| 1 | MEM | Inputs number 1 or a space | Adds or deletes the selected channel from memory |
| 2 ABC | SCAN | Inputs number 2 or letters a, b or c | Toggles the scan mode on / off |
| 3 DEF | CELL | Inputs number 3 or letters d, e or f | Allows the handset to operate as a cell phone. This function is not activated on MERMAID. |
| 4 GHI | INT | Inputs number 4 or letters g, h or i | Switches between US, Canadian and International frequencies |
| 5 JKL | Inputs number 5 or letters j, k or l | ||
| 6 MNO | WX | Inputs number 6 or letters m, n or o | Activates the NOAA weather radio. Use the up / down keys on the right side of the handset to select the desired weather channel. San Diego weather can be found on weather channel 2. |
| 7 PQRS | D/L | Inputs number 7 or letters p, q, r or s | Switches receiver sensitivity between the full distant mode and local attenuated mode |
| 8 TUV | Inputs number 8 or letters t, u or v | ||
| 9 WXYZ | 1/25 | Inputs number 9 or letters w, x, y or z | Switches transmission power between 1 watt and 25 watts |
| * | HAIL | Inputs the asterisk character. | Activates the hailer horn loud speaker located on the mast below the Radome. Your voice will not be transmitted over the VHF radio. |
| 0 | IC | Inputs number 0 | Activates the intercom |
| # | FOG | Inputs the pound character | Activates the sound signal / fog alert mode. Select the desired automatic or manual sound, then press the ENT key. Press the send key on the left side of the handset to produce the sound through the hailer. |
| ENT | MENU | Confirms a function | Activates the menu mode |
| CLR | LOG | Exits current mode and reverts to previous mode. Clears numbers or letters one at a time. | Turns on / off the DSC log |
| FUNC | DIM | Activates the secondary function mode | Press twice to activate the dimmer mode and adjust the LCD display screen backlighting |
| INV | Switches to the DSC individual ships call mode for activating ship-to-shore or ship-to-ship calling | ||
| ALL SHIP | Switches to the all ships call mode to transmit urgent safety transmissions when assistance is needed, but you are not in immediate life-threatening danger. Press the ALL SHIP key. Use the SCROLL keys to select either “Safety” or “Urgency”, then press the ENT key to select, then the ENT key again to reconfirm. Press the send key on the left side of the handset and the radio will automatically begin sending out the transmission on channel 70 and switch to channel 16. | ||
| DSC DISTRESS | In an emergency, activate Digital Selective Calling. Lift the tab labeled DISTRESS on the back of the handset, then press and hold the red button for 4 seconds. DSC dSr will be displayed on the LCD screen indicating a non specified distress signal is being sent. You can also specify the type of emergency (fire, flooding, sinking) by pressing and releasing the red button, then using the scroll keys to choose a specific emergency category, then pressing and holding the red button for 4 seconds to send. | ||
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