Midland Rg2w, Rg2bsynthesized Marine Transceiver Manual

							Page 11  
3.3 Mounting the transceiver 
To mount the transceiver to your vessel (see following picture): 
1.  Choose an appropriate location, as explained in the paragraph above. 
2.  Position the mounting bracket on the surface upon which it will be fixed, use a 
pencil to draw the position of the four holes where the screws will be inserted. , 
Ensure that the surface intended for the transceiver mounting can be drilled into 
without damaging other parts of the vessel and be careful to not drill right through 
it. 
3.  Remove the bracket, drill four holes smaller in diameter than the screws, and 
reposition the mounting bracket, aligning it with the four holes. 
4.  Screw in the mounting screws and ensure the bracket is fixed firmly, using the 
screws, the grained washers, the flat washers and the nuts supplied.  , 
If you are not able to reach the back part of the bracket surface to fix the nuts onto 
the screws, use wood or sheet-metal screws to fix the bracket. 
5.  Tighten the screws with a screwdriver so that the bracket is firmly fixed to the 
surface. 6.  Align the transceiver on the bracket, ensuring the holes of the internal part of 
the bracket line up with those on both sides of the transceiver (you can choose 
the preferred notch in order to best adjust the angle of the transceiver’s front 
panel for ease of viewing and use (15
0 of variation for each notch). 
7.  Attach the mounting knobs on the two sides of the bracket to soundly fix the 
transceiver. 
, 
Keep the transceiver and microphone at a distance of at least 3 feet from all other 
magnetic devices (e.g. compass) on your vessel. 
3.4 Adjustment of angle To change the angle of inclination after installation: 
1.  Loosen the mounting knobs on the sides of the bracket. 
2.  Adjust the transceiver to a better angle, lining up the holes of the internal part 
of the bracket with those on both sides of the transceiver. 
3.  Tighten the knobs to fix the transceiver into place. 
 
  
						

							Page 12 
3.5 Installation of the antenna/electromagnetic exposure  
For optimal radio settings and minimal user exposure to electromagnetic radio 
frequency energy, ensure that: 
•  The antenna is connected to the transceiver and is properly installed. 
•  The antenna is situated away from people and is positioned at least three feet 
from the transceiver and microphone. 
•  The connector is a standard PL259 (male UHF). 
3.6 Mounting of Microphone 
To install the microphone mount, look first for a mounting point close to the 
transceiver.  The distance between the transceiver and the wall mount must be less 
than the length of the microphone cable. 
 
 
, 
Do not pull excessively on the microphone cord.  
This part is important to the correct operation of 
the radio: over time, pulling may damage the cord 
and impede the user from transmitting. 
  
						

							Page 13 
3.7 Connections 
Refer to the following diagram: 
 
 
3.7.a Power Supply 
The transceiver power supply must be 12V DC (see Technical Specifications, 
Sec.12).  The red cable must be connected to the positive pin, the black to the 
negative pin. 
, 
Warning! A faulty connection may seriously damage the radio! 
, 
The power cable is equipped with a protection fuse. If the fuse shorts, look for its 
reason before substituting the cable with a new one of the same type and value.  
Never short-circuit it, as this may damage the radio. 
3.7.b GPS device 
If your REGATTA 2 transceiver is connected to a GPS receiver, you can obtain and 
view NMEA information relative to the current position the vessel (latitude and 
longitude) and the local time with respect to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).  
Wire Colors of Accessory cable: 
 
GREEN: to GPS  + 
YELLOW: to GPS -      
 3.7.c  Antenna 
The antenna is an extremely important part of the device and noticeably influences 
the settings of any telecommunications device.  Contact your supplier regarding the 
antenna and request advice about how to mount and best connect it to your 
transceiver. , 
Warning!  Ensure the antenna is in perfect working order.  It may otherwise 
seriously damage the radio!  A periodical measurement of the stationary waves is 
advised using a suitable SWR meter.  
						

							Page 14 4. BASIC OPERATION 4.1  Turning REGATTA 2 on/off To turn the transceiver on, rotate the ON/OFF/VOLUME knob clockwise until it clicks 
on.  You will hear a beep (acoustic signal) and the LCD display will come on: the 
device is turned on to VHF mode. 
To turn the transceiver off, rotate the knob counter-clockwise until you hear a click: 
the LCD display will turn off.  
If your transceiver is not connected to a GPS receiver, it is necessary to manually insert 
your coordinates, otherwise an alarm will continue to sound.  For further details, see 
Par.6.1 & 6.3. 
4.2 Volume regulation Bring the ON/OFF/VOLUME knob first to medium volume.  Once the transceiver 
picks up a signal, adjust the volume to a comfortable level.  If no signal is picked up, 
use the squelch control as described in the following paragraph and regulate the 
volume using background noise. 4.3 Squelch Regulation Squelch is used to eliminate the annoying background noise you hear when no 
signal is being picked up.  If the squelch is adjusted correctly, there should be 
silence in between calls as well as a reduction in battery consumption.  To regulate 
squelch: 
1. Rotate the SQ knob completely counter-clockwise until you hear background 
noise (if you don’t hear anything, turn up the volume) and bring up RX on the 
LCD display. 
2.  If no signal is being received (only noise), slowly rotate the SQ knob 
clockwise, stopping as soon as the noise and RX disappear.  
If you regulate the squelch level too low (open), you may hear only background noise. 
Correct setting of squelch is also important for reasons discussed further on. 
 
 
4.4  Selecting an operating channel 4.4a  With alphanumeric keypad  
1.  Ensure that you are in normal operating mode (radio mode), otherwise 
press the “RAD” button several times or press the “C” button until the 
display looks like FIG. A. 
2.  Select the desired channel and confirm by pressing 
the “E” button. 
3.  To select a channel with A or B suffix, an A or B will 
appear next to a key.  Press the key for the letter, 
then press the “E” button. 
4.  To select a weather channel for reception (USA or CAN only), press a 
number key, then press and hold the WX+ key until the desired channel is 
found.  Press the “E” button to confirm.  
If there is no confirmation within 2 seconds by pressing the “E” button, REGATTA 2 will 
return to the previously used channel.  
 
If a non-existant channel is inserted, for example CH99, the radio beeps 4 times after 
pressing the “E”-button, REGATTA 2 returns to the previously used channel.  
 
To switch between USA, Canada, and International channel lists, turn off the unit, and 
while holding down the  
button, turn the unit on.  The display will indicate the band. 
4.4b  Using the microphone buttons (UP or DOWN) 
1.  Ensure that you are in normal operating mode (Radio mode); otherwise 
follow the procedure described in par. 4.4.a.  
2. Press the UP or DOWN buttons on the microphone repeatedly to scroll 
through the marine channels until finding the desired channel.  
Holding down one of the buttons will allow you to scroll quickly through the channels. 
 
The marine band does not recognize some channel numbers.  Refer to the frequency 
table. The channels may have different receiving and transmitting frequencies (duplex 
channels) or may have the same (simplex channels).   
 
Regulations require that some channels operate on low transmission power (see Chap.1) 
For this reason, REGATTA 2 automatically switches to low power when these channels 
are selected. 
4.5 Transmission and reception , 
Transmitting without a perfectly functioning antenna may seriously damage the 
transceiver. 
Fig. A  
						

							Page 15  The PTT (Push-To-Talk) button is located on the external microphone of your 
REGATTA 2.  To transmit: 
1.  Ensure that no one else is speaking. 
2. Hold down the PTT button on the microphone.  
TX
 will appear on the 
Display.  
3.  Wait a second, then speak in a normal voice about 2 inches from the 
microphone. 
4.  When you have finished, release the PTT button: 
TX
 will disappear from the 
display.  Now REGATTA 2 is in receiving mode (silent and waiting for a 
signal) where it will automatically receive any communication. 
4.6  Selecting high and low transmission power The transmission phase absorbs the most energy. To reduce the risk of wearing out 
the battery, we recommend selecting low transmission power when transmitting over 
short distances.  Hold the H/L button down (on the radio): 
Lo
 (low power) appears 
on the display.  When transmitting or receiving over long distances or with weak 
signals, press the H/L button again.  
Lo
 will be replaced with 
Hi
 (high power) on the 
display. 
 
When the transceiver is tuned to a channel limited to low output power, pressing the H/L 
button has no effect. 
 
In the standard mode, REGATTA 2 switches 25 W during high power output and 1 Watt  
during low power output. Only on channels 15 and 17 the radio always reduces 
automatically - according to the international agreements for maritime radio – to a value 
under 1 Watt. 
4.7  Instant recall of channel 16 Channel 16 is a security and distress channel.  This channel is used to establish 
initial contact with another station and for emergency communication.  This channel 
can be called up at any time by pressing button 16 on both the transceiver.  To 
return to normal operations, select another channel using the alphanumeric keypad 
or the UP/DOWN buttons on the microphone. By pressing a second time the 16 
button, the radio returns to the previously used channel before selecting channel 16.   , 
Do not transmit on channel 16 unless absolutely necessary.  Doing so may impede 
emergency operations. 
4.8 Display lighting If ambient lighting is insufficient for reading the display, the LCD display backlighting 
can be adjusted. Hold pressed the button 
until a desired level is reached or until it 
has been completely turned off. 
If the backlighting is activated, the display shows “LITE”.  
The chosen level of backlighting  remains stored,  also in case of extinction 
and successive turning on the radio.  
If you desire to switch off the backlighting immediately or if you like to reactivate the 
previously inserted level, press the  
button.  
						

							Page 16  5 SCANNING FUNCTIONS  5.1 Channel scanning REGATTA 2 can automatically search for signals throughout the marine band by 
scanning, or selecting the channels in rapid sequence.  When a signal is detected, 
the scanning pauses on that channel and remains blocked until the signal ends.  
Before the scanning automatically starts again, REGATTA 2 waits for a few seconds 
in case the user wishes, if necessary, to respond to a call even if in truth you will see 
the channels being scanned.  
The REGATTA 2 scanning happens with a minimum of 2 
channels to a maximum of 56 channels on the INT band 
(channel 70 is not selectable).  • In order to execute the scanning of the marine 
channels, it is necessary to create a list of channels 
for scanning.  Operate in the following way:  
1.  Select a channel you desire to insert into the scanning list.  
2.  Press and hold the “SCAN” (Fig. B); button for 2 seconds; the radio beeps 
twice and on the display appears for a short time, 
then the words “Scan Ena” (Fig. C) appear. 
3.  If you desire to cancel a channel from the scanning 
list, repeat the procedure as described at point 2. In 
that case the display is showing “Scan Inh”.  
4. 
Once created your list, you can activate the 
scanning by pressing the function key corresponding to the word
 “Scan” 
(Fig. C). 
•  If you want to eliminate (useful if there are distortions) or to exclude 
momentarily 
(useful for undesired conversations) a channel during scanning, 
operate as follows:  
• DEFINITIVE EXCLUSION OF A CHANNEL: 
If your REGATTA 2 is operating on a busy 
channel, press the “Inh” (Fig. D) . function key. 
• TEMPORARY REMOVAL OF A CHANNEL: 
Press the function key corresponding to the written “Adv” to advance the 
scanning and to temporarily remove this channel from the scanning list. At the 
end of the complete scanning cycle, the channel previously jumped will be 
monitored again. • The scanning can be stopped by pressing the “C” button, or “16” button on the 
microphone or by sending out a DISTRESS call. Your transceiver will stop on 
the current channel (if you pressed the “C” button) or on channel 16 (if you 
pressed 16 or PTT on the microphone).   
 
Note: Scanning does not function correctly if the squelch is not regulated as described in 
par.4.3. 
                                                                                                                                
5.2  Dual Watch and Triple Watch The meaning of these terms are: 
• Dual Watch – allows the user to remain tuned to a channel of choice while 
periodically performing an automatic verification of signals on channel 16. 
• Triple Watch – as written above, including a third channel chosen by the user.  5.3  Activation of Dual Watch/Triple To activate Dual or Triple watch: 
• Dual watch  - Select a desired channel and press the D/W-button. The Display 
will indicate “D/W”  and you will see the two monitored channels.  
The Dual Watch function can be stopped in 5 different modes: by pressing  the PTT- 
or the “16” buttons on the microphone, “D/W”-  or “C”-buttons or by sending out a 
DSC-call.   
• Triple watch – select one of the 2 channels you desire to monitor together with 
channel 16. Hold pressed the function key corresponding to the indication T/W 
until you hear two beeps. Now “User” appears on the display. (Fig. F). Move 
now to the second channel you desire to monitor, press the function key 
corresponding to T/W.  Now you will see all three channels sliding on the 
display with indication T/W. “Adv” appears too, that, similar to SCAN function, 
has the aim to exclude momentarily the monitoring of 
the current channel.  
The Triple Watch function can be stopped by pressing the 
“C” button, the  PTT- or the 16-buttons or by sending out a 
DSC call.   For both modes, the operation can be resumed with 
the following diagram: 
 
 
 
Fig. B 
Fig.C Fig.D 
Fig. F 
						

							Page 17  
Similar to scanning of marine channels, Dual Watch and Triple watch stop when a signal 
is found and remain blocked for a few seconds after the signal disappears, in order to 
give the user a chance to respond to a call, if necessary. 
 
Dual/Triple Watch cannot function correctly if the squelch is not correctly regulated, as 
described in par .4.3  
 
 
Memory channels (MEM mode) 5.4 Memory scanning  (SCAN MEMORY)  
 
1.  Similar to the scan function, memory scan will 
cycle sequentially through the channels, but 
only those, which have been pre-selected (at 
least 3).  
2.  Press the “M/S” function key (Fig. G). The radio emits 2 beeps and “M/S 
Sel” appears on the display for about 2 seconds 
(Fig. H).  
3.  Select another channel and repeat the procedure 
mentioned above. 
In order to eliminate a channel erroneously inserted into scan cycle, select the channel press and hold the “M/S”  
function key until the display shows  “M/S Del”. (Fig. I) . 
 
4.  Once all channels are stored, the scanning can begin (SCAN MEMORY): 
Press the function key corresponding to the written “M/S”. The channels will 
be monitored and the display will show the script “M/S” – which indicates 
the scanning of the stored channels, - “Adv” and “Del” in relation to the 2 
function keys. Every time a signal/disturb is found on a channel, the 
scanning stopps for a few seconds in order to give the user a chance to 
respond to the call or to cancel the channel, if necessary.  
 
Note: Scanning does not function correctly if the squelch is not regulated as described in 
par.4.3. 
5.4a  Reception/Transmission during SCAN MEMORY 
 
• Reception: If REGATTA 2 finds a signal the scanning interrupts. The display 
indicates “RX” instead of “M/S” and the communication will be received through 
the loudspeaker. 
• Transmission: It is possible to transmit at any time, also when the scanning is 
active. In that case REGATTA 2 will always transmit on channel 16; if instead 
the transmission is done after a signal has been found, the device will  transmit 
on the previously busy channel. After the transmission the scanning comes 
interrupted. 
5.4b  To delete/To jump a pre-selected channel in memory  
If during the scanning a signal is received on an undesired or disturbed channel,  it is 
possible to temporarily cancel the channel or  to skip the channel momentarily.  
In order to execute these functions, the radio must be syntonized on a channel (firm 
scanning). Through the two function keys corresponding to “Adv” and “Del”  you will 
have the possibility to jump the busy channel respective to cancel it from the pre-
selected list of channels. 
 
There are 4 modes to stop the scanning of channels in memory:   
 
1.  By pressing the PTT-button.  
2.  By pressing the 16 button on the microphone or on the front panel  
3.  By pressing the C-button.  
4.  By sending out a DSC-Call. 
  
Fig. GFig. HFig. I  
						

							Page 18  6  USE WITH GPS 6.1 Function If connected to a GPS receiver, the transceiver will display the vessel position 
(latitude and longitude), as well as time data.  If information regarding position data 
are not received, in the normal radio mode, time data does not appear and a minute-
long warning tone will sound (can be deactivated by pressing any button).  This tone 
will sound every 4 hours, reminding the user that position data needs to be inserted.  
The user may also insert the coordinates manually as described in par. 9.6.  6.2  GPS information on the display Refer to the following illustrations:  
1. Position indicator 
Displays GPS or manually inserted co-ordinates. 
2. Time indicator 
Shows data supplied by the GPS or the transceiver’s clock.   6.3 Customized setup Some GPS receivers may require a change in the manner the radio processes the 
GPS data.  Pressing GPS selection diplays CHECKSUM ON/OFF selection. 
If no GPS receiver is connected, using WARN BEEP ON/OFF allows the user to 
defeat the audible warning that new position data is required.  Press C button to 
return to menu.  Display On/Off button controls the presence of the automatic display 
announcing that the position data is over 4 hours old. 
 
7  DIGITAL SELECTIVE CALLING (DSC) 7.1 Introduction Digital Selective Calling is a semiautomatic method for controlling VHF, MF and HF 
radio calls.  It was also designed as part of the global marine security and 
emergency response system (GMDSS).  It is likely that DSC will eventually replace 
audio calls on emergency frequencies and will be used to send urgent and routine 
radio-transmitted maritime security information.  This new service will allow crafts to 
send/receive calls of an emergency, urgent, security, or routine nature to/from 
vessels equipped with a DSC transceiver. , 
To avoid accidentally sending a distress call or a call sent incorrectly, contact your 
vendor or local authorities for updates on DSC operating and emergency 
procedures. 
, 
In European inland waterways DSC-function is not allowed. 
7.2  Mobile Marine Identification Service (MMSI)  
Important!  To send/receive DSC calls, the user must program his personal MMSI code 
into the transceiver.  This is a nine-digit number used by marine transceivers equipped for 
DSC digital selective calling.  This number is used much like a telephone number for 
contacting other, specific vessels.  For further details on programming your MMSI, see 
par. 9.10.  
7.3  Navigating the DSC menu REGATTA 2 offers many DSC functions. For this reason it was created a specific 
menu of settings and activations accessible via the function keys as follows: 
1.  Access the “CALL”-Menu by pressing the related function key.  
2.  Press the function key corresponding to the word “Type” to select 
the type of desired call.   
Once inside a sub-menu, you can return at any time to the main menu by pressing the C-
button and terminating the current operation. 
7.4  Individual call (Routine To) The user can carry out an individual call to a specific DSC station (a vessel or a 
costal station).  To carry out calls, you have to enter the MMSI code manually or 
recall it from the pre-programmed MMSI directory.  For further details on 
programming the MMSI directory, see par. 9.5.  
  
CTEST
 CHECKSUM   ON
WARN BEEP ON
DISPLAY ON 
						

							Page 19 7.4  Sending an individual call 
You can carry out an individual call using the following procedure:  
5. Press briefly the function key corresponding to 
CALL. On the display appears:  
 
6.  The outlined line below under Routine To” appears 
if no owner name was inserted in the column “Dir”, 
otherwise a similar situation may appear: 
 
 
7.  Press the function key “Ch 06”  to access the sub-menu.  
 
8.  Press several times the function key “Chan” in order to select one of the 23 
available channels (simplex channels) and confirm by pressing the “E” button. 
 
9.  Like mentioned above, it is possible, to insert manually the address you want  
to call (using the alphanumerical keypad), or to select one of the addresses 
previously stored (maximum 16) by pressing several times the function key 
related to the indication “DIR”.  
 
10.  Then, after you have selected the communication channel and the address, 
the call can be carried out by pressing the function key corresponding to 
“Send” and confirmed by pressing the “E” button.  
11.  After the call execution the radio operates as follows: 
−  If you have carried out a call to a ship, after the call, 
you will get an answer, the radio will move to the 
channel previously selected under step 3-4. 
 
12. At this point: 
− If the call comes confirmed from the other part, the 
display shows the message:  
   
  
In this case the answer is reached from ship 100000000 and the possible 
communication channel will be CH06. 
To confirm the reception of the received message, REGATTA 2 will emit an acoustic 
message that can be interrupted by pressing the function key corresponding to ”OK” or 
“STOP”. 
Pressing OK beyond interrupting the acoustic signalling, REGATTA 2 is set to the 
chosen communication channel (in our example 06).  
If no function key comes pressed at that time (1 minute)
 the acoustic message will 
extinguish automatically.  
− If the call is not acknowledged, the display will indicate 
(M)    ; by pressing the function key corresponding to 
“Stop” the radio will return to the normal radio mode.  
 
Once inside a sub-menu, you can return at any time to the 
main individual CALL-menu (Routine to) by pressing the C-
button and terminating the current operation. 
7.5  Group calling (Group Call)  This function allows the user to call a specific group of stations which have the same 
MMSI group code memorized in their transceivers and which signals the channel the 
user wishes to speak on.  Therefore you can only carry out the group call when you 
have programmed the addresses in a directory as described in par. 9.5 
Sending a group call 
1.  You can carry out a group call through following 
procedure: 
2. 1. Press briefly the function key corresponding to 
“Call”. On the display appears: 
 
3.  Press three times the function key corresponding to 
the written  “Type” in order to to visualize on the display the following situation: 
 
 
 
4.  The outlined line below under “Group Call” appears 
when no address has been programmed in the 
column “Dir”. 
5.  Press the function key “Ch 06” to access the sub-menu. 
6.  Press several times the function key “Chan” to select one of the 23 available 
channels (simplex channels) and confirm by pressing the “E” button.  
Fig. J 
Fig. K 
Fig. N 
Fig. L
Fig. O 
Fig. M  
						

							Page 20 7.  Like mentioned above, it is possible, to insert manually the address of who is 
desired to call (using the alphanumerical keypad), or to select one of the 
addresses previously stored (maximum 16) by pressing several times the 
function key related to “DIR”.  
8.  Then, after you have selected the communication channel and the owner 
address, the call can be carried out by pressing the function key corresponding 
to the script “Send” and confirmed by pressing the “E” button.  
9.  At this point you can communicate with the stations on the pre-selected 
channel that have given an answer to you.    
Once inside a sub-menu, you can return at any time to the main CALL-menu by pressing 
the “C” button. 
7.6  General call to all ships (ALL SHIP SAFETY – ALL SHIP 
URGENCY) Sending a call to all ships  , 
Sending a distress call without founded reason is a criminal offence.  Never use 
this function unless you find yourself in a situation that merits requiring help. 
 
1.  You can carry out a call to all 
ships through following 
procedure:  
2. Press  the  function  key 
related to the written “DSC”.  
3.  Press the function key related to  “Call”. 
4.  Press one time the function key “Type”  in order to select the type of call 
SAFETY(Fig. P), otherwise press two times to select the type URGENCY  
(Fig. Q). 
 
5.  Select the type of desired call and press the function key corresponding to 
“Send”.  Channel 16 is automatically selected and the display requests 
confirmation before sending the call with the message (Fig. R) 
 
 
 
 
 
 6. At this point: 
− If you wish to confirm the call, press the E-button to continue.  
− If you don’t want to carry out the call (because of errors), press the 16  button or 
the “C” button to leave the menu.   
7.  The call will be carried out on channel 70. The radio then will return to VHF 
mode on channel 16.  
  
During this procedure you are able to return to the main CALL-menu by pressing the “C” 
button.  
7.7. DSC DISTRESS call 7.7.a Sending a DISTRESS call  
IMPORTANT!  You can only send a DSC call if you have been assigned an individual 
MMSI code and this code has been programmed into the transceiver (otherwise the 
following commands will be deactivated).  For this operation, see par. 9.10  
, 
Sending a distress call without founded reason is a criminal offence.  Never use 
this function unless you find yourself in a situation that merits asking for help. 
You can carry out the distress call through the following procedure: 
1. Open the DISTRESS cover by pushing it to the right and hold it open.  
2.  Press momentarily the DISTRESS-button below. The display shows: (Fig. S) 
 
3.  Press the function key corresponding to  “Undefined”  in order to select the 
nature of the call (the pre-selection is 
UNDEFINED
): 
A. UNDEFINED
  
B. ABANDONING
  
C. PIRACY
  
D. M.O.B. 
(man over board) 
E. FIRE
  
F. FLOODING
  
G. COLLISION
  
Fig. P 
Fig. Q 
Fig. R 
Fig. S