Standard Horizon Marine Tranciever GX1255S Operating Instructions

							GX1255S8.4  OPERATING ON CHANNELS 13 AND 67
Channel 13 is used at docks and bridges and by vessels maneuvering in
port. Messages on this channel must concern navigation only, such as meet-
ing and passing in restricted waters.
Channel 67 is used for navigational traffic between vessels.
By regulation, power is normally limited to 1 Watt on these channels. Your
radio is programmed to automatically reduce power to this limit on these
channels. However, in certain situations it may be necessary to temporarily
use a higher power. See page 7 (H/L key) for means to temporarily override
the low-power limit on these two channels.
8.5  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).
8.6  NOAA WEATHER ALERT TESTING
In the event of a major storm or other appreciable weather condition requir-
ing vessels at sea or other bodies of water to be notified, the NOAA (Na-
tional Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration) broadcasts a 1050
Hz tone that some marine VHF radios can detect. (Refer to Section 5.7
“NOAA WEATER ALERT” on how to use this feature.) This tone, when de-
tected, will produce a loud beep from the radio speaker to signal that a
weather alert is being broadcast.
In order to test this system, the NOAA broadcasts the 1050 Hz tone every
Wednesday, sometime between 11 AM and 1 PM. Any marine VHF radio
that can detect the weather alert tone, may use this test to verify that this
feature is functioning properly.
Page 39 
						

							GX1255SPage 40 8.7  DIGITAL SELECTIVE CALLING (DSC)
Digital Selective Calling is a semi-automated method of establishing a radio
call, it has been designated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO)
as an international standard for establishing VHF, MF and HF radio calls. It
has also been designated part of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety
System (GMDSS) and it is planned that DSC will eventually replace aural
watches on distress frequencies and will be used to announce routine and
urgent maritime safety information broadcasts.
This new service will allow mariners to instantly send a distress call with
GPS position (when connected to the transceiver) to the US Coast Guard
and other vessels within range of the transmission. DSC will also allow mari-
ners to initiate or receive distress, urgency, safety and routine calls to or
from another vessel equipped with a DSC transceiver.8.7.1  USCG DSC Watch
The USCG has plans to upgrade its VHF National Distress System (expected
by 2005), so at the time of printing only larger vessels that are required to
carry VHF DSC radios will be able to hear your distress transmission.
8.8  MARITIME MOBILE SERVICE IDENTITY (MMSI)8.8.1  What is a MMSI?
A MMSI is a nine digit number used on Marine Transceivers capable of
using Digital Selective Calling (DSC). This number is used like a telephone
number to selectively call other vessels.
8.9  USING DIGITAL SELECTIVE CALLING FEATURES8.9.1  Distress Call
Transmits a DSC Distress message to all radios equipped to receive a DSC
Distress call. Some Standard Horizon radios may be connected to a GPS to
also transmit the Latitude, Longitude of the vessel.8.9.2  Individual Call
This feature allows the user to contact another vessel capable of using DSC
and automatically switch the radio to a desired working channel. This fea-
ture is similar to calling a desired vessel on CH16 and requesting them to go
to another channel.8.9.3  Urgency Call
This call should be used when a vessel may not be truly in distress, but have
a potential problem that might lead to a distress situation. 
						

							GX1255S8.9.4  Safety Call
Used to transmit boating safety information to other vessels. This message
usually contains information about an overdue boat, a derelict afloat, loss of
a navigation aid or an important meteorological message.
8.10  ADDITIONAL DIGITAL SELECTIVE CALLING INFORMATION
For additional information the USCG has an excellent site that should be
visited at www.navcen.uscg.mil/marcoms/gmdss/dsc.html.
8.11  ABOUT VHF 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. On a fixed mount 25W radio transmission expected distances
can be greater than 15 miles, for a portable 5W radio transmission the ex-
pected distance can be greater than 5 miles in “line of sight”.
8.12  SELECTING AN ANTENNA
Marine antennas are made to radiate signals equally in all horizontal direc-
tions, but not straight up. The objective of a marine antenna is to enhance
the signal toward the horizon. The degree to which this is accomplished is
called the antenna’s gain. It is measured in decibels (dB) and is one of the
major factors in choosing an antenna. In terms of effective radiated power
(ERP), antennas are rated on the basis of how much gain they have over a
theoretical antenna with zero gain. A 3 foot, 3dB gain antenna represents
twice as much gain over the imaginary antenna. The length of the antenna
you choose, however, must also be related to the size of your boat.
Typically a 3 foot 3dB gain stainless steel whip is used on a sailboat mast.
The longer 8 foot 6dB fiberglass whip is primarily used on power boats that
require the additional gain.
Page 41 
						

							GX1255SPage 428.13  COAXIAL CABLE
VHF antennas are connected to the transceiver by means of a coaxial cable
– a shielded transmission line. Coaxial cable is specified by it’s diameter
and construction.
For runs less than 20 feet, RG-58/U, about 1/4 inch in diameter is a good
choice. For runs over 20 feet but less than 50 feet, the larger RG-8 or RG-
213/U should be used for cable runs over 50 feet RG-8 should be used. For
installation of the connector onto the coaxial cable refer to the figure below.1/16
3/4
3/4
1 1/8
1/8
5/8 3/8
AdapterTo get your coax cable through a fitting and into your boat’s interior, you
may have to cut off the end plug and reattach it later. You can do this if
you follow the directions that come with the connector. Be sure to make
good soldered connections. 
						

							GX1255S9  MAINTENANCE
The inherent quality of the solid-state components used in this transceiver
will provide many years of continuous use. Taking the following precautions
will prevent damage to the transceiver.
•Keep the microphone connected or the jack covered at all times to pre-
vent corrosion of electrical contacts;
•Never key the microphone unless an antenna or suitable dummy load is
connected to the transceiver.
•Ensure that the supply voltage to the transceiver does not exceed 16
VDC or fall below 11 VDC.
•Use only STANDARD HORIZON-approved accessories and replacement
parts.
In the unlikely event of serious problems, please contact your Dealer or our
repair facility. Address and phone numbers for this facility, as well as war-
ranty information, are contained in section 11 WARRANTY.
9.1  REPLACEMENT PARTS
Occasionally an owner needs a replacement mounting bracket or knob.
These can be ordered from our Parts Department by writing or calling:
Marine Division of Vertex Standard
US Headquarters
10900 Walker Street, Cypress, CA 90630, U.S.A.
Telephone (714) 827-7600
Commonly requested parts, and their part numbers are listed below.
•Power Code: T9023306
•Dust Cover: RA0437900
•VOL/SQL Knob Assy: RA0422200
•Mounting Braket (White): RA0448900
•Microphone Hanger: RA0436000
Page 43 
						

							GX1255SPage 44 9.2  FACTORY SERVICE
In the unlikely event that the radio fails to perform or needs servicing,
please contact the following:
Standard Horizon Factory Service
115 North Wright Brothers Drive
Salt Lake City, UT 84116-2838
Telephone (800) 366-4566
Fax No. (801) 359-4122
An “RA” Return Authorization number is not necessary to send a product in
for service. Include a brief note describing the problem along with your name,
return address, phone number, and proof of purchase. 
						

							GX1255S9.3  TROUBLESHOOTING CHARTSYMPTON
Transceiver fails to
power up.Transceiver blows
fuse when connected
to power supply.Popping or whining
noise from the
speaker while engine
runs.Sound is not emitted
from the externalspeaker.
Receiving station re-
port low transmit
power, even with
transceiver set to HIpower.
“HI BATTERY” or
“LOW BATTERY”
message is scrolled
when the power isturned on.
Your position is not
displayed.PROBABLE CAUSE
No DC voltage to the
transceiver, or blownfuse.
Reversed power
wires.Engine noise.External cable.Antenna.The power supply volt-
age is too high or too
low.External cable.Setting of the GPS
navigation receiver.REMEDY
Rotate the VOL/PWR knob clock-
wise to turn on the transceiver.Check the power cable for DC volt-
age, or replace the fuse (6A 250V).
Make sure the red wire is con-
nected to the positive (+) battery
post, and the black wire is con-
nected to the negative (-) battery
post. If the fuse still blows, con-tact your Dealer.
Reroute the DC power cables
away from the engine. Add noise
suppressor on power cable.
Change to resistive spark plug
wires and/or add an alternatorwhine filter.
Check the polarity of the con-
nected external cable.Have the antenna checked or test
the transceiver with another an-
tenna. If the problem persists, con-
tact your Dealer for servicing.Confirm that the connected power
supply voltage is not 17 volts or
lower than 10 volts. Confirm that
the generator has not malfunc-tioned.
Check the polarity of the con-
nected external cable.
Some GPS use the battery groundline for NMEA connection.
Check the output signal format of
the GPS navigation receiver. This
radio requires NMEA0183 format
with GLL sentence as an output
signal. If the GPS has a baud rate
setting make sure to select 4800and parity to NONE.TROBLESHOOTING CHARTPage 45 
						

							GX1255SPage 46 9.4  CONNECTION OF GPS WITH NMEA OUTPUT
Additional Information:
•The GPS must have the NMEA Output turned on and set to 4800 Baud
in the setup menu. If there is a selection for parity select none.
•For further information on interfacing /setting up your GPS. Please con-
tact the manufacturer of the GPS receiver.
•QUEST is corresponded with following NMEA sentence:
•NMEA-0183 version 2.0 or higher
•GLL, GGA, RMC and GNS (RMC sentence is recommended)
If you have further inquires, please feel free to contact us at:
Phone: (800) 767-2450
Fax: (714) 527-9031
Web site: standardhorizon.com
Email: [email protected]/ModelLowrance PortableMagellan Fixed MountMagellan PortableNorthstarRaytheon 420Raytheon 520 / 620Raytheon RL SERIESSimradSitex Neptune, NautilusWiresOrangeBlack (GND)GrayBlack (GND)OrangeBlack (GND)YellowBlack (GND)YellowBrownBlueBrownWhiteBrownWhiteBrownGrayBrownQUESTBlueGreenBlueGreenBlueGreenBlueGreenBlueGreenBlueGreenBlueGreenBlueGreenBlueGreenWiresGreenBrownWhiteBlueWhiteBlackBlueBlack (GND)BrownBlack (GND)YellowGreenGreenBlackWhiteBlackWhiteBlack (GND)Manufacturer/ModelFuruno GP30, 36Furuno GP1650, 1850Garmin Fixed MountsGarmin PortablesJRC GPS500JRC 100 SERIESJRC 200 SERIESLowrance Fixed MountQUESTGreenBlueBlueGreenBlueGreenBlueGreenBlueGreenBlueGreenBlueGreenBlueGreenBlueGreenSTANDARD HORIZON
CP150, CP160 and
CP-170C 
						

							GX1255S10.  CHANNEL ASSIGNMENTS
Tables on the following columns list the VHF Marine Channel assignments
for U.S.A. and International use. Below are listed some data about the charts.
1.VTS. Where indicated, these channels are part of the U.S. Coast Guard’s
Vessel Traffic System.
2.Alpha channel numbers, that is, channel numbers followed by the letter
A (such as Channel 07A) are simplex channels on the U.S.A. or Cana-
dian channel assignments whose counterparts in the International as-
signments are duplex channels. International channels do not use “al-
pha” numbers. If you call the Coast Guard on Channel 16, they will some-
times ask you to “go to channel 22 Alpha.” This is a channel assigned
to U.S.A, and Canadian Coast Guards for handling distress and other
calls. If your radio is set for International operation you will go to Chan-
nel 22 instead of 22A, and will not be able to communicate with the
Coast Guard. To use Channel 22A, your radio must be set for USA or
Canada operation, usually by a U/I/C (USA/International/Canada) con-
trol or combination of controls. Channel 22 (without an “A”) is an Inter-
national duplex channel for port operations. Some radios indicate an
“A” adjacent to the alpha channels on the display; on others “alpha” is
not indicated but the proper channel is selected based on the U/I/C set-
ting.
3.Bridge-to-Bridge channels (for example, Channel 13) are for use by bridge
operators on intercoastal waterways and rivers. It is also used by marine
vessels in the vicinity of these bridges for navigation and for communi-
cating with the bridge operators. Note that a limit of 1 Watt is specified
for these channels. See page xx for additional information.
4.The S/D column on the chart indicates either S (simplex) or D (duplex).
Simplex means transmitting and receiving on the same frequency. Only
one party at a time can talk, unlike a telephone. Be sure to say “over”
and release your microphone push-to-talk switch at the end of each trans-
mission. Duplex operation involves the use of one frequency for trans-
mitting and a separate frequency for receiving. On channels specified
as duplex on the charts, correct mode of operation is established auto-
matically by your radio when you select a channel; you cannot change
the mode. And you still must release the push-to-talk switch after each
transmission in order to listen to the radio.
Page 47 
						

							GX1255SPage 48 5.Channels normally used by recreational boaters are those that include
the term “non-commercial” in the Channel Use column of the chart. Some
of these are shared with other users and some are used only in certain
geographic regions.
6.Marine vessels equipped with VHF radios are required to monitor
Channel 16.VHF MARINE CHANNEL CHARTCHUCIS/DTXRXCHANNEL USE01XXD156.050160.650Public Correspondence (
Marine Operator)01AXS156.050Port Operation and Commercial. VTS in selected areas02XXD156.100160.700Public Correspondence (
Marine Operator)03XXD156.150160.750Public Correspondence (
Marine Operator)03AXS156.150US Government only, Coast Guard
04XD156.200160.800Public Correspondence (
Marine Operator)
,Port operation, ship movement
04AXS156.200Pacific coast: Coast Guard, East Coast:Commercial fishing
05XD156.250160.850Public Correspondence (
Marine Operator)
,Port operation, ship movement05AXXS156.250Port operation. VTS in Seattle06XXXS156.300Inter-ship Sefety
07XD156.350160.950Public Correspondence (
Marine Operator)
,Port operation, ship movement07AXXS156.350Commercial08XXXS156.400Commercial (
Inter-ship only)
09XXXS156.450Boater Calling channel, Commercial & Non-commercial(
Recreational)10XXXS156.500Commercial11XXXS156.550Commercial. VTS in selected areas.12XXXS156.600Port operation. VTS in selected areas.13XXXS156.650Inter-ship Navigation Safety (
Bridge-to-bridge)14XXXS156.700Port operation. VTS in selected areas.15XS- - -156.750Environmental (
Receive only)15XXS156.750Commercial, non-commercial, ship movement (
1 W)16XXXS156.800International Distress, Safety and Calling17XXXS156.850State Controlled (
1 W)18XD156.900161.500Port operation, ship movement18AXXS156.900Commercial19XD156.950161.550Port operation, ship movement19AXS156.950US: Commercial19AXS156.950Coast Guard
20XXXD157.000161.600Canadian Coast Guard Only,International: port operations and shipment20AXS157.000Port operation21XD157.050161.650Port operation, ship movement21AXXS157.050U.S. Government Only, Canadian Coast Guard22XD157.100161.700Port operation, ship movement
22AXXS157.100US and Canadian Coast Guard Liaison and MaritimeSafety Information Broadcasts announced on channel 16