Midland Ocean - User Manual

1
ENGLISH
Table of Contents
1 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................... 3
2 ABOVE ALL… SAFETY! ............................................................. 4
2.1 Symbols used .................................................................... 4
2.2 Warnings ............................................................................ 4
2.2.a General .................................................................... 4
2.2.b Batteries .................................................................. 5
2.3 Assistance ......................................................................... 5
3 DESCRIPTION OF PARTS ......................................................... 6
3.1 Description of parts and commands ................................. 6
3.2 Display symbols ................................................................8
4 PREPARATION ........................................................................... 9
4.1 Connecting/removing the antenna .................................... 9
4.1.a Connecting the antenna: ......................................... 9
4.1.b Removing the antenna: ........................................... 9
4.2 Fastening/removing the belt clip ....................................... 9
4.3 Installing/removing the batteries ....................................... 9
4.3.a To install the batteries: ........................................... 10
4.3.b To remove the batteries: ........................................ 10
4.4 Recharging the batteries ................................................. 10
4.4.a Standard MW904 wall battery charger .................. 11
4.4.b CA445 Intelligent, table-top battery charger ......... 11
4.5 Proper use of rechargeable batteries .............................. 11
4.5.a Memory effect ....................................................... 12
5 STANDARD FUNCTIONS ......................................................... 13
5.1 Turning Ocean on/off ....................................................... 13
5.2 Volume regulation ............................................................ 13
5.3 Selecting a channel ......................................................... 13
5.4 Transmission and reception .............................................13
5.4.a Reception .............................................................. 13
5.4.b Transmission .......................................................... 13
5.5 Monitor function .............................................................. 14
5.6 Selecting transmission power ......................................... 14
5.7 Instant recall of channel 16 .............................................14
5.8 Display lighting ................................................................ 14
5.9 Keypad lock ..................................................................... 15
5.10 Use of CALL button ......................................................... 15
5.11 Clock mode ..................................................................... 15
5.11.a Setting the time .................................................... 15
5.12 Chronometer mode ......................................................... 15
6 ADVANCED FUNCTIONS (F BUTTON) ................................... 17
6.1 Activating/deactivating keypad tones ............................. 17
6.2 VOX mode ....................................................................... 17
6.2.a Activation/deactivation of VOX mode ........... 17
6.2.b Setting VOX sensitivity .......................................... 18
6.2.c Setting VOX delay ................................................. 18
6.3 Scanning functions .......................................................... 18
6.3.a Scanning on all channels ....................................... 18
6.3.b Activating Dual Watch ........................................... 19
6.4 International, U.S.A., and Canada Bands ........................ 19
6.5 Memory channels ............................................................ 19
6.5.a Programming of memory channels ....................... 19
6.5.b Memory recall ........................................................20

Summary

INTRODUCTION AND KEY FEATURES

PLL synthesizer circuit

Circuit for precise and stable channel selection.

LCD display

Displays parameters and settings, with backlighting for low light.

Automatic squelch

Automatically eliminates background noise during standby.

Automatic Power Saver

Saves energy during standby, prolonging battery life.

Channel 16 recall

Provides instant access to channel 16 for emergency contact.

Channel scanning

Automatically searches for marine band channel signals.

Dual Watch

Monitors radio traffic on two channels simultaneously.

VOX (Voice Operated eXchange)

Activates transmission when the user speaks, enabling hands-free operation.

Call button

Sends an audio call on the selected channel.

Clock and chronometer

Displays current time and functions as a precise chronometer.

High;low power selection

Selects transmission power for distance, saving energy and reducing interference.

Multifunctional bar indicator

Indicates signal strength during reception and output power during transmission.

Battery level indicator

Constantly displays the remaining battery level.

Keypad lock

Locks the keypad to prevent accidental activation of buttons or settings.

Memory channels (20 memories)

Stores, recalls, and scans up to 20 frequently used channels.

Power supply

Powered by 4 AA batteries (rechargeable or alkaline).

Accessory sockets

Jacks for speaker, microphone, and battery charger.

Private channels (20 private channels)

Programmable channels using optional software.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Symbols used

Explains symbols used to highlight urgent situations and advice.

General warnings

Instructions for safe operation, handling, and environmental considerations.

Antenna connection warning

Do not transmit without an antenna; avoid damaged antennas.

RF energy precautions

Maintain distance from body and medical devices due to RF energy.

Handling and environment

Grip radio tightly, avoid falls, extreme temperatures, dust, and moisture.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS (CONT.)

Explosive environments warning

Do not use in potentially explosive environments due to spark risk.

Unauthorized opening warning

Do not open the radio; unauthorized access voids the warranty.

Original accessories use

Use only original accessories to avoid damage.

Battery safety

Avoid short-circuiting, fire, high temperatures, and use approved batteries/chargers.

Charger and power safety

Ensure correct power supply, handle cords safely, and follow charger precautions.

Other safety warnings

Explosive environments, unauthorized opening, accessory use, temperature limits.

Assistance information

Provides serial number location for repair or assistance.

DEVICE PARTS AND CONTROLS

Parts and commands overview

Identifies and describes the various physical parts and controls of the transceiver.

DEVICE PARTS AND CONTROLS (CONT.)

Antenna connector and knob controls

Describes antenna connector, ON/OFF/Volume knob, and buttons.

Display and audio components

Describes LCD display, internal microphone, and speaker.

Accessory and charging ports

Details SPK, MIC CHG, DATA sockets and charging contacts.

Function and operational buttons

Explains buttons like F, ★/M, HI/LO, CALL, PTT, CLOCK, Ch 16.

Physical attachments

Describes belt clip fastener and battery compartment cover/clasp.

DISPLAY SYMBOLS

Signal and transmission indicators

Symbols for signal strength, TX, and BUSY status.

Mode and function indicators

Symbols for StopWatch, Call, VOX, DW, Scan, Keypad Lock.

Battery and power indicators

Symbols for Battery Level and Power Saver.

Channel, band, and status indicators

Symbols for Memory, Weather, US Band, current channel, and LOW power.

DEVICE PREPARATION AND SETUP

Package contents and battery needs

Lists items included and specifies AA battery needs.

Battery charger options

Mentions MW904 wall charger and CA445 table-top charger.

Antenna connection and removal

Step-by-step guides for attaching and detaching the antenna.

Antenna transmission safety

Avoid transmitting without an antenna or with a damaged one.

Belt clip attachment and security

Instructions for the belt clip and a security warning.

Battery installation and removal

Explains how to install and remove AA batteries.

DEVICE PREPARATION AND SETUP (CONT.)

Battery installation and removal procedures

Detailed steps for inserting, closing, and taking out batteries.

Charger types and battery care

Describes chargers, new battery break-in, compatibility, and usage warnings.

MW904 WALL CHARGER OPERATION

Charging procedure and times

Steps to charge batteries using MW904 charger and approximate recharge times.

Overcharging and flap replacement warnings

Do not overcharge; disconnect promptly and replace rubber flap.

CA445 TABLE-TOP CHARGER OPERATION

CA445 charging procedure

Steps to charge batteries using the CA445 intelligent table-top charger.

RECHARGEABLE BATTERY CARE

Proper battery recharging

Guidelines for recharging batteries for optimal life and duty.

RECHARGEABLE BATTERY CARE (CONT.)

Recharging timing and auto-discharge

Recharge when low; batteries lose charge over time when unused.

BATTERY MEMORY EFFECT

Understanding, avoiding, and eliminating memory effect

Explains, provides tips to avoid, and methods to eliminate battery memory effect.

STANDARD OPERATIONAL FUNCTIONS

Powering on;off and volume adjustment

Procedure to power the transceiver on/off and adjust audio reception volume.

Channel and band selection

How to navigate and select channels and bands based on regulations.

Transmission and reception basics

Ensures proper antenna orientation for transmission and reception.

Reception and transmission modes

Describes standby receiving mode and how to transmit using PTT.

STANDARD OPERATIONAL FUNCTIONS (CONT.)

Transmission procedure and limits

Steps for transmitting, communication limits, and volume check advice.

Monitor function and power selection

Opens squelch for weak signals and switches between High/Low power.

Channel 16 recall and display lighting

Provides instant access to channel 16 and activates display backlighting.

STANDARD OPERATIONAL FUNCTIONS (CONT.)

Display lighting advice and keypad lock

Use lighting moderately; lock keypad to prevent accidental presses.

CALL button and two-tone calling

Initiates audio call; notify party members about this function.

Clock mode and time setting

Allows viewing current time and procedure to set the clock.

Chronometer mode activation

Activates the built-in chronometer function for timekeeping.

CHRONOMETER MODE OPERATION

Chronometer viewing, stopping, and restarting

How to view elapsed time, stop, restart, or reset the chronometer.

Chronometer during calls;TX

How the chronometer functions during radio calls or transmissions.

ADVANCED FUNCTIONS VIA F BUTTON

Accessing and changing settings

General procedure to scroll through and select functions using the F button.

Keypad tones and VOX mode

Enable/disable button tones and activate hands-free VOX transmission.

VOX settings and activation

VOX sensitivity/delay settings and steps to turn the function on/off.

ADVANCED FUNCTIONS VIA F BUTTON (CONT.)

VOX sensitivity and delay adjustment

Adjusts VOX sensitivity to prevent noise activation and sets transmission delay.

Scanning functions and procedure

Overview of automatic channel scanning and procedure to scan all channels.

ADVANCED FUNCTIONS VIA F BUTTON (CONT.)

Dual Watch activation

Monitors two channels simultaneously by scanning between them.

VHF marine band types and selection

Explains International, USA, and Canada band differences and selection importance.

Memory channels programming and recall

Overview and steps for storing and recalling up to 20 channels.

ADVANCED FUNCTIONS VIA F BUTTON (CONT.)

Memory channel recall and scanning

Steps to select a stored channel from memory and scan programmed memories.

USA weather channels and NOAA warning

Accesses USA weather channels and sets automatic NOAA weather alerts.

AUTOMATIC WEATHER WARNING OPERATION

Activating automatic weather warning

Steps to enable automatic monitoring of weather channels for essential information.

PRIVATE CHANNEL MANAGEMENT

Private channel programming

Information on programming private channels via programmer or supplier.

RADIO MAINTENANCE AND CARE

Radio cleaning procedure

How to clean the transceiver using a soft cloth and mild soap.

Connector protection and care

Keep connectors covered and use only approved accessories.

TROUBLESHOOTING AND RESOLUTION

Resetting transceiver functions

Procedure to reset the transceiver to factory settings to resolve malfunctions.

Reset procedure warning

Advise to write down settings before resetting the radio.

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

Power and signal reception issues

Solutions for transceiver not powering on, turning off, or not receiving signals.

Communication and noise issues

Solutions for communication failures, background noise, or broken reception.

Battery and logical malfunction issues

Solutions for short battery life and logical malfunctions like display errors.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

General, transmitter, and receiver specs

Details on channels, frequency, power, modulation, sensitivity, and rejection.

Connections and GPS module

Details on external sockets and the FASTRAX GPS receiver module.

FREQUENCY REFERENCE TABLE

International channel frequencies

Lists frequencies for International channels, including mode and notes.

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Important Technical Specifications
3. Usage Features
4. Maintenance Features

The Ocean handheld marine transceiver is a high-quality, robust, and reliable marine radio designed for secure transmission and reception on all VHF marine channels, adhering to International Telecommunications Union (ITU) requirements. It is built with high-quality electronic components, conforms to EN 301 178-2 and CE/99/05 regulations, and is splashproof, ensuring clear and reliable communication over many years. The transceiver incorporates a microprocessor that controls marine band tuning and advanced functions like Dual Watch and memory channels.

Function Description:

• PLL (Phase Locked Loop) Synthesizer Circuit: Ensures precise and stable channel selection.
• Large, Back-lit LCD Display: Continuously shows the transceiver's parameters and settings. The backlighting allows for viewing the screen in low environmental light.
• Automatic Squelch: Eliminates bothersome background noise during standby.
• Automatic Power Saver: Conserves energy during standby, prolonging battery life.
• Recall Button for Channel 16: Provides instant access to channel 16, the universal marine channel for emergency contact.
• Channel Scanning: Automatically searches for marine band channel signals.
• Dual Watch: Monitors radio traffic on two channels simultaneously.
• VOX (Voice Operated eXchange): Activates transmission when the user begins speaking, enabling hands-free operation, especially with optional microphone accessories.
• Call Button: Briefly sends the transceiver into transmission mode, generating audio call tones.
• Clock and Chronometer: Allows users to view the current time on the LCD display and use the transceiver as a chronometer precise to the hundredths of a second.
• High/Low Power Selection: Reduces transmission power for short-distance communication, saving energy and reducing interference risk.
• Multifunctional Bar Indicator: In reception mode, it indicates incoming signal strength; in transmission mode, it shows output power.
• Battery Level Indicator: Constantly displays the battery level.
• Keypad Lock: Locks the transceiver keypad to prevent accidental activation of buttons or settings.
• 20 Memories: For storing, rapid recall, and scanning of frequently used channels.
• 20 Private Channels: Can be programmed within the VHF marine band using the optional PRG-OCEAN program.
• Weather Channel (USA Band Only): Accesses dedicated channels for weather information reception (WX).
• Automatic Weather Information Warning (NOAA Tone Detection): Monitors a pre-selected weather channel for NOAA tones (1050 Hz) and automatically switches to it when detected, providing essential weather information.

Important Technical Specifications:

• Channels: All international, USA, and Canada channels.
• Frequency Generation: PLL synthesizer.
• Frequency Range:
  • TX: 156.025 to 157.425 MHz
  • RX: 156.300 to 162.000 MHz
• Antenna Impedance: 50 Ohm.
• Power Supply: 4.8 to 6 VDC (4 AA rechargeable NiMH or alkaline batteries).
• Operating Temperature Range: -15°C to +55°C.
• Size (H x L x W): 126 x 55 x 38 mm.
• Weight: 157 g.
• Transmitter Output Power (@ 6 VDC):
  • High Power: 2 W
  • Low Power: 0.5 W
• Modulation System: FM.
• Spurious Reduction: According to ETSI regulations.
• Receiver Sensitivity (@ 12dB SINAD): 0.35 µV.
• Adjacent Channel Rejection: 70 dB.
• Audio Output (10% THD): 300 mW.
• Intermediate Frequencies: First 21.7 MHz, Second 455 KHz.
• Connections:
  • Socket for external microphone and charger: 2.5 mm stereo jack.
  • Socket for external speaker: 3.5 mm mono jack.
• GPS Receiver Module: FASTRAX.

Usage Features:

• Turning On/Off: Rotate the ON/OFF/VOLUME knob clockwise until it clicks to turn on, and counter-clockwise until it clicks to turn off.
• Volume Regulation: Adjust with the ON/OFF/VOLUME knob.
• Channel Selection: Use the ▲ or ▼ buttons to scroll through marine channels.
• Transmission: Press the PTT (Push To Talk) button to transmit. Ensure the channel is not reception-only and no one else is talking. Speak into the microphone at approx. 5 cm distance.
• Monitor Function: Hold the ★/M button to temporarily open the squelch and listen for weak signals. Press for at least 5 seconds to keep it open until pressed again.
• Display Lighting: Briefly press the ★/M button to activate backlighting for 10-second intervals.
• Keypad Lock: Hold down the HI/LO button until the padlock symbol appears to lock/unlock the keypad.
• CALL Button: Briefly press to send a four two-tone audio sequence call.
• Clock Mode: Briefly press the CLOCK button to view the current time. Time can be set using the ▲, ▼, and ◄◄◄ buttons.
• Chronometer Mode: Press the STW (Stop Watch) button to activate. Use the ▲ button to start/stop and the ◄◄◄ button to reset.
• Advanced Functions (F Button): Accesses settings for band selection (INT, USA, CANADA), VOX mode, memory programming, channel scanning, etc. Use F to scroll through functions, ▲ or ▼ to adjust settings, and ◄◄◄ or F to confirm.
• Keypad Tones: Activated/deactivated via the F button menu.
• VOX Mode Settings: Sensitivity (LE, 01-06) and delay (dL, 01-06) can be adjusted via the F button menu to optimize hands-free transmission and prevent accidental activation from noise.
• Scanning All Channels: Activate via the F button menu. Scanning pauses on detected signals for 5 seconds.
• Activating Dual Watch: Select two channels and activate via the F button menu. The transceiver scans both channels, pausing on detected transmissions.
• Band Selection: The transceiver supports International (I), USA (U), and Canada (C) bands. It is the user's responsibility to select the correct band according to local regulations (using the optional PRG-OCEAN programmer).
• Memory Channels: Store up to 20 channels. Program channels by selecting a memory number and then the desired channel via the F button menu. Recall stored channels via the F button menu.
• Memory Scanning: Scan only programmed memories via the F button menu.

Maintenance Features:

• Battery Installation/Removal: Requires four AA batteries (1.2V NiMH rechargeable or 1.5V alkaline). Access by unhooking the rear clasp and lifting the protective cover. Ensure correct polarity.
• Battery Charging:
  • Standard MW904 Wall Battery Charger: Connects to the MIC CHG socket. Charges NiMH batteries without removal from the radio. Requires the radio to be off during charging. Charging times vary by battery capacity (e.g., 2300 mAh: 15.5 hours; 1700 mAh: 11.5 hours; 1200 mAh: 8 hours). Do not overcharge.
  • CA445 Intelligent, Table-top Battery Charger: Rapidly charges NiMH batteries and automatically switches to trickle charging when complete. Insert transceiver with charging contacts facing downwards.
• Proper Use of Rechargeable Batteries: Recharge when at least two icon bars have disappeared. New batteries require 3 complete charge/discharge cycles for maximum duty.
• Memory Effect: NiMH batteries are virtually unaffected but can occur if regularly charged before losing 50-75% power or not fully recharged. To avoid, discharge completely before recharging, ensure full charge, and cycle completely at least twice a month.
• Cleaning: Use a soft, clean cloth. For dirty radios, slightly dampen with water and neutral soap. Do not use detergents, alcohol, solvents, or abrasives. Keep rubber flaps over connectors, antenna, and battery well during cleaning.
• Connectors: Keep covered with protective rubber flaps when not in use. Use only original or CTE International approved accessories.
• Reset of Functions: If logical malfunction occurs, turn off the transceiver, hold down the F button, and turn on the transceiver simultaneously. Release F to reset to factory-programmed settings (e.g., International band, high transmission power). Note: all user-entered settings will be cancelled.

The manufacturer reserves the right to change characteristics and features without prior notice to improve product quality.

Midland Ocean Specifications

General

Brand	Midland
Model	Ocean
Category	Transceiver
Language	English