Standard Horizon Marine Tranciever GX1256S Operating Instructions

							GX1256SPage 1 

Compact and Simple Operation
Capable of connecting an optional enhanced RAM+ second sta-
tion remote microphone

RTCM SC-101 DSC Distress call with your exact position


DSC position request/send function and NMEA data input/out-
put to connect to GPS Plotter

DSC Group call feature included

Backlit Keypad and LCD
Channel Name, GPS Time or GPS Position Repeating shown on
the display


One-button access to Channel 16 and 9

NOAA Weather Alert
Versatile User-programmable Scan, Priority Scan and Dual
Watch

Microphone with Channel Selection
Access to all US, Canadian and International Channels
3 year waterproof warranty

with GPS connected
QUEST+ GX1256S
25 Watt VHF/FM
Marine Transceiver
Owner's Manual 
						

							GX1256SPage 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SAFETY/WARNING INFORMATION .......................................................... 4
FCC RADIO LICENSE INFORMATION ...................................................... 5
STATION  LICENSE ............................................................................................................................5RADIO  CALL  SIGN ............................................................................................................................5CANADIAN  SHIP  STATION  LICENSING .........................................................................................5FCC  /  INDUSTRY  CANADA  INFORMATION ..................................................................................5
FCC NOTICE................................................................................................ 6
GETTING STARTED .................................................................................... 7
ABOUT  VHF  RADIO ..........................................................................................................................7SELECTING  ANTENNA.....................................................................................................................7COAXIAL  CABLE ...............................................................................................................................8
1 GENERAL INFORMATION .................................................................... 9
2 PACKING LIST.................................................................................... 10
3 OPTIONS............................................................................................. 10
4 INSTALLATION .................................................................................... 11
4.1  LOCATION ..................................................................................................................................114.2  ELECTRICAL  CONNECTIONS .................................................................................................114.3  ACCESSORY  CABLE ...............................................................................................................124.4  CONNECTION  OF  GPS  WITH  NMEA  OUTPUT .................................................................134.5  CHECKING  GPS  CONNECTION ............................................................................................134.6  OPTIONAL  MMB-84  FLUSH MOUNT  INSTALLATION ..........................................................144.7 OPTIONAL  CMP25  RAM+  MIC  INSTALLATION ...................................................................15
5 CONTROLS AND INDICATORS ........................................................ 16
5.1  CONTROLS  AND  CONNECTIONS .........................................................................................16
6 BASIC OPERATION ........................................................................... 21
6.1  RECEPTION ..............................................................................................................................216.2  TRANSMISSION .......................................................................................................................216.3  TRANSMIT  TIME-OUT  TIMER (TOT) .....................................................................................216.4  SIMPLEX/DUPLEX  CHANNEL  USE .......................................................................................226.5  USA, CANADA, AND  INTERNATIONAL  MODE .....................................................................226.6  NOAA  WEATHER  CHANNELS ...............................................................................................216.7  NOAA  WEATHER  ALERT ........................................................................................................236.8  NOAA   WEATHER  ALERT  TESTING.....................................................................................236.9  EMERGENCY  (CHANNEL  16  USE) ......................................................................................246.10  CALLING  ANOTHER  VESSEL  (CHANNEL  16  OR  9) .......................................................246.11  MAKING  TELEPHONE  CALLS .............................................................................................256.12  OPERATING  ON  CHANNELS  13  AND  67 .........................................................................256.13  PROHIBITED  COMMUNICATIONS .......................................................................................266.14  DUAL  WATCH  (TO  CH16) ....................................................................................................266.15  MEMORY  SCANNING (M-SCAN) ..........................................................................................266.16  PRIORITY  SCANNING (P-SCAN) ..........................................................................................276.17  POSITION  INDICATION .........................................................................................................276.18  TIME  INDICATION .................................................................................................................286.19  RESETTING  THE  TRANSCEIVER’S  MICROPROCESSOR ...............................................28 
						

							GX1256SPage 3
7 DIGITAL SELECTIVE CALLING........................................................ 297.1  GENERAL ..................................................................................................................................297.2  DSC  SCAN ...............................................................................................................................307.3  USCG  DSC  WATCH ................................................................................................................317.3.1  Maritime  Mobile  Service  Identity (MMSI) ............................................................................317.3.2  Progamming  the  MMSI .........................................................................................................317.4  ADDITIONAL  DIGITAL  SELECTIVE  CALLING  INFORMATION ...........................................327.5  DSC DISTRESS  CALL .............................................................................................................327.5.1  Transmitting  A  DSC  Distress Call ........................................................................................327.5.2  Receiving  a  distress  Call .....................................................................................................337.5.3  Receiving  a  distress  relay  Call ...........................................................................................347.6  ALL  SHIP  CALL .......................................................................................................................347.6.1  Transmitting  an  All  Ships  Call .............................................................................................347.6.2  Receiving  an  All  Ships  Call .................................................................................................357.7  INDIVIDUAL  CALL ....................................................................................................................357.7.1  Setting  up  the Individual / Position  Call  Directory ..............................................................357.7.2  Setting  up  Individual Reply ...................................................................................................367.7.3  Setting  up  Individual  Call  Ringer ........................................................................................377.7.4  Transmitting  an  Individual  Call ............................................................................................377.7.5  Receiving  an  Individual  Call ................................................................................................387.7.6  Setting  up  the Call  Waiting  Function ..................................................................................397.8  ADVANCED  DSC  CALL ..........................................................................................................407.8.1  Group  Call .............................................................................................................................407.8.2  Position  Request ...................................................................................................................427.8.3  Position  Send ........................................................................................................................457.8.4  Receiving  a  geographical  area  call ....................................................................................46
8 RADIO SETUP MODE ........................................................................ 47
8.1  LAMP  ADJUSTING...................................................................................................................478.2  LCD  CONTRAST  ADJUSTING ...............................................................................................478.3  KEY  BEEP (ON OR OFF) ........................................................................................................488.4  WEATHER  ALERT (ON OR OFF) ............................................................................................488.5  CHANNEL  NAME  CHANGE ....................................................................................................498.6  TIME  OFFSET ..........................................................................................................................50
9 RAM+ MIC OPERATION ..................................................................... 51
9.1  RAM+  MIC  CONTROLS ..........................................................................................................519.2  INTERCOM  OPERATION ........................................................................................................549.3  DSC / RADIO  SETUP  MODE ..................................................................................................55
10 MAINTENANCE .................................................................................. 56
10.1  REPLACEMENT  PARTS ........................................................................................................5610.2  FACTORY  SERVICE..............................................................................................................5710.3  TROUBLESHOOTING  CHART ..............................................................................................58
11 CHANNEL ASSIGNMENTS ................................................................ 59
12 WARRANTY ........................................................................................ 65
13 SPECIFICATIONS............................................................................... 69
TABLE OF CONTENTS 
						

							GX1256SPage 4
SAFETY / WARNING INFORMATION
This radio is restricted to occupational use, work related operations only
where the radio operator must have the knowledge to control the exposure
conditions of its passengers and bystanders by maintaining the minimum
separation distance of 0.6 m (2 feet).
Failure to observe these restrictions will result in exceeding the FCC RF
exposure limits.
Antenna Installation:
The antenna must be located at least 0.6 m (2 feet) away from passengers
in order to comply with the FCC RF exposure requirements.
For roof top installation, the antenna must be placed in the center of the
roof.
ON-LINE WARRANTY REGISTRATION
Please visit www.standardhorizon.com to register the QUEST+ Marine
VHF. It should be noted that visiting the Web site from time to time may
be beneficial to you, as new products are released they will appear on
the STANDARD HORIZON Web site.
PRODUCT SUPPORT INQUIRIES
If you have any questions or comments regarding the use of the QUEST+,
you can visit the STANDARD HORIZON Web site to send an E-Mail or
contact the Product Support team at 800-767-2450 M-F 7:00-5:00PST. 
						

							GX1256SPage 5
FCC RADIO LICENSE INFORMATION
Standard Horizon radios comply with the Federal Communication Commis-
sion (FCC) requirements that regulate the Maritime Radio Service.
STATION LICENSE
An FCC ship station license is no longer required for any vessel traveling in
U.S. waters which is under 20 meters in length. However, any vessel re-
quired to carry a marine radio on an international voyage, carrying a HF
single side band radiotelephone or marine satellite terminal is required to
have a ship station license. FCC license forms, including applications for
ship (506) and land station licenses can be downloaded via the Internet at
www.fcc.gov/forms. To obtain a form from the FCC, call (888) 225-5322.
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 INFORMATION
The following data pertaining to the transceiver is necessary to fill out the
license application.
Type Acceptance.......................................................................FCC Part 80
Output Power............................................. 1 Watt (low) and 25 Watts (high)
Emission.......................................................................16K0G3E, 16K0G2B
Frequency Range .................................................. 156.025 to 163.275 MHz
FCC Type Number .................................................................K6630053X30
Industry Canada Type Approval.......................................... 511B-30053X30 
						

							GX1256SPage 6
FCC NOTICE
NOTICE
Unauthorized changes or modifications to this equipment may void com-
pliance with FCC Rules. Any change or modification must be approved
in writing by STANDARD HORIZON.
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 de-
termined 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 outlet on a circuit different from that
to which the receiver is connected.
- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. 
						

							GX1256SPage 7
GETTING STARTED
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”.
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. 
						

							GX1256SPage 8
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-8X or RG-
213/U should be used for cable runs over 50 feet RG-8U should be used.
For installation of the connector onto the coaxial cable refer to the figure
below.
To 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.
1/16
3/4
3/4
1 1/8
1/8
5/8 3/8 Adapter 
						

							GX1256SPage 9
1  GENERAL INFORMATION
The STANDARD HORIZON QUEST+ is a VHF/FM transceiver designed for
use in the frequency range of 156.025 to 163.275 MHz. The  GX1256S re-
quires 13.8V for operation and has a switchable RF output power of 1 wat\
t
or 25 watts.
The transceiver is capable of RTCM SC101 DSC (Digital Selective Calling)
operation.
The transceiver operates on all currently-allocated marine channels whic\
h
are switchable for use with either USA, International, or Canadian regul\
a-
tions. It has an emergency channel 16 which can be immediately selected
from any channel by pressing the red  [
16/9 ]
 key. NOAA Weather channels
can also be accessed immediately by pressing the  [
WX ]
 key.
Other features of the transceiver include: scanning, priority scanning, \
sub-
mersible mic, high and low voltage warning, and GPS repeatability. 
						

							GX1256SPage 10
2  PACKING LIST
When the package containing the transceiver is first opened, please check
it for the following contents:
•GX1256S QUEST+ Transceiver (with White/Black Microphone)
• Mounting Bracket (with attaching hardware and hanger kit)
• Owner’s Manual
• Quick-Reference Card
• Power Cord
• Dust Cover
3  OPTIONS
MMB-84 ........................................................................Flush-Mount Bracket
CMP25B/W............Remote-Access Microphone (RAM+ Mic, Black/White)
CT-100 .............................................10-foot Extension Cable for RAM+ Mic
101W ....................................................................White Extension Speaker
201SW..................................................................White Extension Speaker
201SWZ...........................................White Flush Mount Extension Speaker
201SB....................................................................Black Extension Speaker
201SBK............................................Black Flush Mount Extension Speaker