Furuno CH-300 - User Manual

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CH-300

DUAL-FREQUENCY

SEARCHLIGHT SONAR

Operator’s Guide

The purpose of this guide is to provide the basic operating procedures for this equipment. For

more detailed information, see the Operator’s Manual.

SECTOR TRAIN

RANGE

TILT

FULL

HALF

FAST

SCAN

TARGET BRILL

R/B

EVENT

CUSTOM MODE

POWER

XDR

REVERSE

MAIN

SUB

MIX

DISPLAY MODE

GAIN(PUSH)

7 8 9

DISPLAY MODE

MAIN

SUB

MIX

19 20 21 22

25 26

(1) Turns the power on/off.

(2) Raises the transducer.

(3) Adjusts receiver sensitivity.

(4) Selects width of training sector.

(5) Selects center bearing of training sector

(6) Selects detection range.

(7) Selects training speed (horizontal mode),

train center (vertical scan), picture advance-

ment speed (echo sounder).

(8) Reverses scanning direction.

(9) Controls tilt angle; selects center direction

of the vertical scanning sonar.

(10)Adjusts display brilliance and panel dim-

mer.

(11)Shifts cursor; selects menu items, options.

(12)Lowers the transducer.

(13)Switches the training sector to 360° (hori-

zontal mode) or 180° (vertical scan).

(14)Provide short cut key or one-touch setup.

(15)Turns target lock on/off.

(16)Inscribes/erases range and bearing mark-

ers.

(17)Inscribes/erases event markers.

(18)Opens/closes menu.

(19)Horizontal combination mode key

(20)Low freq./high freq. selection

(21)Turns the mix display on/off.

(22)Switches control between main and sub

windows alternately.

(23)Horizontal mode key

(24)Horizontal expansion mode key

(25)Vertical scan mode key

(26)Echo sounder mode key

Other manuals for Furuno CH-300

Installation Manual108 pages

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The FURUNO CH-300 Dual-Frequency Searchlight Sonar is a sophisticated marine electronic device designed to assist in underwater observation, particularly for fishing and navigation. This operator's guide provides essential information for its basic operation, focusing on its various modes and functions.

Function Description

The CH-300 sonar system primarily functions by emitting sound waves into the water and analyzing the echoes that return. This allows users to detect underwater objects, such as fish schools, the seabed, and other submerged features. Its "dual-frequency" capability suggests it can operate at two different frequencies, offering flexibility for various detection needs – typically one for wider coverage and another for higher resolution or deeper penetration.

The device supports multiple display modes, including Horizontal Mode, Vertical Scan Mode, and Echo Sounder Mode, each tailored for specific observation tasks.

Horizontal Mode: This mode provides a 360° or sector-based view around the vessel, ideal for searching for fish schools or obstacles over a wide area. It displays targets in a circular format, with the ship at the center. Users can adjust the training sector, range, and tilt angle to optimize detection.
Vertical Scan Mode: In this mode, the sonar scans a vertical plane, offering a cross-sectional view of the water column. This is particularly useful for assessing the depth and vertical distribution of fish schools or for examining underwater structures directly beneath or ahead of the vessel.
Echo Sounder Mode: This mode functions like a traditional echo sounder, providing a vertical profile of the seabed and any objects in the water column directly below the vessel. It's essential for navigation, depth finding, and identifying bottom-dwelling fish.

The sonar system integrates various controls for fine-tuning its performance, including receiver sensitivity (GAIN), detection range (RANGE), training sector width (SECTOR), training speed, tilt angle (TILT), and display brilliance. It also incorporates features to suppress interference, remove low-intensity noise, and erase weak echoes, ensuring clearer and more accurate displays.

Usage Features

The CH-300 is designed for intuitive operation, with a control panel featuring dedicated keys and a menu-driven interface.

Power Management: The device is powered on/off using a dedicated POWER switch. The transducer, which emits and receives sound waves, can be lowered into the water when at the fishing ground and retracted when the vessel is moving at speed (under 15 knots) or when the sonar is not in use.
Mode Selection: Users can easily switch between Horizontal, Vertical Scan, and Echo Sounder modes using dedicated keys in the DISPLAY MODE group.
Frequency Selection: The LF/HF key allows selection between low and high frequencies, enabling adaptation to different water conditions and target types.
Sensitivity and Range Adjustment: GAIN and RANGE controls are crucial for optimizing the display. GAIN adjusts receiver sensitivity to pick up weaker echoes, while RANGE sets the maximum detection distance.
Sector and Tilt Control: The SECTOR control defines the width of the scanning area, and the TRAIN control sets its center bearing. The TILT control adjusts the vertical angle of the sonar beam, allowing users to look deeper or closer to the surface.
Interference and Noise Suppression: The MENU system provides access to functions like "INT REJECT" to suppress interference from other electronic devices, "CLUTTER" to remove low-intensity noise, and "SIG LEVEL" to erase weak echoes, enhancing the clarity of the display.
TVG Adjustment: Time Varied Gain (TVG) can be adjusted to compensate for signal attenuation over distance, ensuring that echoes from distant targets are displayed with comparable strength to those from closer targets.
Target Tracking and Lock: The "TARGET KEY" and "TARGET LOCK" features allow users to track specific fish schools. In Horizontal Mode, an area can be defined to lock onto a target, assisting in maintaining contact with moving schools.
Auto Tilt: This feature, accessible via the menu, can automatically adjust the tilt angle, potentially simplifying operation and optimizing detection.
Picture Advance Speed: In Echo Sounder Mode, the "FAST SCAN" key allows adjustment of the picture advance speed, controlling how quickly the historical data scrolls across the screen.
A-scope Display: This feature, available in Echo Sounder Mode, provides a detailed view of echo strength, helping users to assess the size and density of fish schools.
Markers: The system allows for the inscription of range and bearing markers, as well as event markers, which are useful for noting significant observations or locations.
Cursor and Menu Navigation: An Omnipad is used to shift the cursor on the display and navigate through menu items and options, providing an interactive way to control the system.

Maintenance Features

While the guide primarily focuses on operational aspects, some features indirectly contribute to ease of maintenance or system health:

Transducer Management: The ability to retract the transducer protects it from damage when the vessel is underway or when the sonar is not in use. This is a critical maintenance practice to prevent fouling or physical impact.
Diagnostic Information: Although not explicitly detailed as a maintenance feature, the display indications, such as "Transducer status indicator" and various sensor data (depth, water temperature, course, speed), can provide valuable diagnostic information about the system's operation and the marine environment, which can indirectly aid in troubleshooting or identifying potential issues.
Software-based Adjustments: The extensive menu options for adjusting various parameters (e.g., interference rejection, clutter suppression) allow for software-based optimization of performance, potentially reducing the need for physical adjustments or repairs related to signal quality.

In summary, the FURUNO CH-300 is a comprehensive searchlight sonar system designed for effective underwater observation, offering a range of modes and features to cater to diverse marine applications, particularly in fishing. Its user-friendly interface and robust set of functions aim to provide clear and actionable information to the operator.