Standard Horizon Marine Tranciever GX1255S Operating Instructions

							GX1255S7.3  KEY BEEP (ON or OFF)
1.Press and hold down the CALL/SET key until “RADIO
SETUP” appears.
2.Press the CALL/SET key, then press the UP or DOWN
key to select “KEY BEEP.”
3.Press the CALL/SET key to enable adjusting this item
(The number in the display will flash).
4.Press the UP or DOWN key to select “on” or “oF (off).”
5.Press the CALL/SET key to store the selected setting.
6.Press the DOWN key to select “EXIT,” then press the
CALL/SET key.
7.Press the DOWN key to select “EXIT,” then press the
CALL/SET key to return to the normal operation.
7.4  WEATHER ALERT (ON or OFF)
1.Press and hold down the CALL/SET key until “RADIO
SETUP” appears.
2.Press the CALL/SET key, then press DOWN key to se-
lect “WX ALT.”
3.Press the CALL/SET key to enable adjusting this item
(The number in the display will flash).
4.Press the UP or DOWN key to select “on” or “oF (off).”
5.Press the CALL/SET key to store the selected setting.
6.Press the DOWN key to select “EXIT,” then press the
CALL/SET key.
6.Press the DOWN key to select “EXIT,” then press the
CALL/SET key to return to the normal operation.Page 29 
						

							GX1255SPage 30 7.5 CHANNEL NAME CHANGE
1.Press and hold down the CALL/SET key until “RADIO
SETUP” appears.
2.Press the CALL/SET key, then press DOWN key to se-
lect “CH NAME.”
3.Press the CALL/SET key, then press the UP or DOWN
key to select the channel on which you wish to change
a name.
4.Press the CALL/SET key to enable adjusting this item.
5.Press the UP or DOWN key to select the first character
(letter, number, or symbol) in the name you wish to store,
the press the CALL/SET key to move to the next char-
acter.
6.If you make a mistake, press the H/L key to move back,
then re-select the correct letter, number, or symbol.
7.Repeat step 5 as many times as necessary to complete
the name tag (up to 12 characters).
8.Press and hold the CALL/SET key to store the new
name.
9.Press the DOWN key to select “EXIT,” then press the
CALL/SET key.
10.Press the DOWN key to select “EXIT,” then press the
CALL/SET key to return to the normal operation. 
						

							GX1255S7.6  TIME OFFSET
Sets the time difference between local time and UTC (Universal Time Coor-
dinated or GMT Greenwich Mean Time). Time is displayed, if connected a
GPS receiver.
1.Press and hold down the CALL/SET key until “RADIO
SETUP” appears.
2.Press the CALL/SET key, then press the DOWN key to
select “TIME.”
3.Press the CALL/SET key to enable adjusting this item
(The number in the display will flash).
4.Press the UP or DOWN key to select “Time Offset” from
UTC. Be sure that when selecting the offset that the
display shows “TIME –” for negative offset, or “TIME +”
for a positive offset. Refer to Offset Time Table.
See illustration below to find your offset time from UTC.
If 0:0 is assigned, the time is the same as UTC.
6.Press the CALL/SET key to store the time offset.
Press the DOWN key to select “EXIT,” then press the
CALL/SET key.
7.Press the DOWN key to select “EXIT,” then press the
CALL/SET key to return to the normal operation.
NOTE
During Daylight Saving time subtract 1 hour from the offset shown above
and enter this offset in step 4 above.OFFSET TIME TABLEPage 31 
						

							GX1255SPage 32 7.7  INDIVIDUAL DIRECTORY SETUP (DSC)
1.Press and hold down the CALL/SET key
until “RADIO SETUP” appears.
2.Press the DOWN key to select “DSC
SETUP”.
3.Press the CALL/SET key to select “IN-
DIVIDUAL DIRECTORY.”
4.Press the CALL/SET key to select
“ADD.”
5.Press the CALL/SET key to enable setting this item.
6.Press the UP or DOWN key to select a first character of
the Station Name, then press the CALL/SET key to move
to next character.
7.Repeat step 6 as many times as necessary to complete
the Station Name (up to 12 characters).
8.Press and hold the CALL/SET key to store the Station
Name and enable setting the MMSI ID code.
9.Press the UP or DOWN key to select the first digit of the
MMSI ID code, the press the CALL/SET key to move to
next character.
10.Repeat step 9 as many times as necessary to complete
the MMSI ID code (9 digits).
11.Press and hold the CALL/SET key to store the MMSI ID
code.
12.Press the DOWN key to select “EXIT,” then press the
CALL/SET key.
13.Press the UP or DOWN key to select “EXIT,” then press
the CALL/SET key to return to the normal operation. 
						

							GX1255S7.8  INDIVIDUAL REPLY
1.Press and hold down the CALL/SET key
until “RADIO SETUP” appears.
2.Press the DOWN key to select “DSC
SETUP.”
3.Press the CALL/SET key, then press the UP or DOWN
key to select “INDIVIDUAL REPLY.”
4.Press the CALL/SET key to enable setting this item.
5.Press the UP or DOWN key to select “AU (Automatic)”
or “oF (off).”
6.Press the CALL/SET key to store the selected setting.
7.Press the UP or DOWN key to select “EXIT,” then press
the CALL/SET key.
8.Press the UP or DOWN key to select “EXIT,” then press
the CALL/SET key to return to the normal operation.
7.9  INDIVIDUAL ACK
1.Press and hold down the CALL/SET key
until “RADIO SETUP” appears.
2.Press the DOWN key to select “DSC
SETUP.”
3.Press the CALL/SET key, then press the UP or DOWN
key to select “INDIVIDUAL ACK.”
4.Press the CALL/SET key to enable setting this item.
5.Press the UP or DOWN key to select “Ab (Able)” or “Un
(Unable).”
6.Press the CALL/SET key to store the selected setting.
7.Press the UP or DOWN key to select “EXIT,” then press
the CALL/SET key.
8.Press the UP or DOWN key to select “EXIT,” then press
the CALL/SET key to return to the normal operation.Page 33 
						

							GX1255SPage 34 7.10  INDIVIDUAL RING
1.Press and hold down the CALL/SET key
until “RADIO SETUP” appears.
2.Press the DOWN key to select “DSC
SETUP.”
3.Press the CALL/SET key, then press the UP or DOWN
key to select “INDIVIDUAL RINGER.”
4.Press the CALL/SET key to enable setting this item.
5.Press the UP or DOWN key to select ringing time of a
INDIVIDUAL CALL.
4:3 minutes continuously
3:15 times
2:10 times
1:5 times
6.Press the CALL/SET key to store the selected ringing
time.
7.Press the UP or DOWN key to select “EXIT,” then press
the CALL/SET key.
8.Press the UP or DOWN key to select “EXIT,” then press the CALL/SET
key to return to the normal operation.
7.11  POSITION REQUEST REPLY
1.Press and hold down the CALL/SET key
until “RADIO SETUP” appears.
2.Press the DOWN key to select “DSC
SETUP.”
3.Press the CALL/SET key, then press the UP or DOWN
key to select “POS REQUEST REPLY.”
4.Press the CALL/SET key to enable setting this item.
5.Press the UP or DOWN key to select “AU (Automatic)”
or “oF (off).”
6.Press the CALL/SET key to store the selected setting.
7.Press the UP or DOWN key to select “EXIT,” then press
the CALL/SET key.
8.Press the UP or DOWN key to select “EXIT,” then press
the CALL/SET key to return to the normal operation. 
						

							GX1255S7.12  DSC SCANNING
When the radio is shipped from the factory it is programmed so CH70 (the
DSC channel) is scanned at all times. There is a selection in the SETUP
MENU to disable the DSC SCAN. However, turning off DSC SCAN will dis-
able the radio from receiving DSC calls i.e.: Individual Call, All Ships Call,
Distress Call and Position Requests. If you want to use any of the functions
the selection must be left ON.TO CHANGE DSC SCAN METHOD:
1.Press and hold down the CALL/SET key
until “RADIO SETUP” appears.
2.Press the DOWN key to select “DSC
SETUP.”
3.Press the CALL/SET key, then press the
UP or DOWN key to select “DSC SCAN.”
4.Press the CALL/SET key to enable setting this item (The
number in the display will flash).
5.Press the UP or DOWN key to select “on” or “oF (off).”
6.Press the CALL/SET key to store the selected setting.
7.Press the UP or DOWN key to select “EXIT,” then press
the CALL/SET key.
8.Press the UP or DOWN key to select “EXIT,” then press
the CALL/SET key to return to the normal operation.Page 35 
						

							GX1255SPage 36 7.13  USER MMSI INPUT
1.Press and hold down the CALL/SET key
until “RADIO SETUP” appears.
2.Press the DOWN key to select “DSC
SET.”
3.Press the CALL/SET key, then press the DOWN key to
select “USER MMSI.”
4.Press the CALL/SET key to enable setting this item (The
number in the display will flash).
5.Press the UP or DOWN key to select first number of
your MMSI, then press the CALL/SET key to define the
setting.
6.Repeat above step to set your MMSI (up to 9 digits).
When the last number of your MMSI is in place, press
and hold the CALL/SET key to store your MMSI.
7.Press the DOWN key to select “EXIT,” then press the
CALL/SET key.
8.Press the UP or DOWN key to select “EXIT,” then press the CALL/SET
key to return to the normal operation.
WARNING
If the user MMSI is enabled more than 2 times, the LCD will show “ER-
ROR TOO MANY ENTRIES.” The radio will have to be sent back to
Standard Horizon factory Service in order to be able to program in an-
other MMSI. 
						

							GX1255S8  OPERATING PRACTICES
8.1  EMERGENCY (CHANNEL 16 USE)
Channel 16 is known as the Hail and Distress Channel. An emergency may
be defined as a threat to life or property. In such instances, be sure the
transceiver is on and set to CHANNEL 16. Then use the following proce-
dure:
1.Press the microphone push-to-talk switch and say “Mayday, Mayday,
Mayday. This is       ,       ,       ” (your vessel’s name).
2.Then repeat once: “Mayday,       ” (your vessel’s name).
3.Now report your position in latitude/longitude, or by giving a true or mag-
netic bearing (state which) to a well-known landmark such as a naviga-
tion aid or geographic feature such as an island or harbor entry.
4.Explain the nature of your distress (sinking, collision, aground, fire, heart
attack, life-threatening injury, etc.).
5.State the kind of assistance your desire (pumps, medical aid, etc.).
6.Report the number of persons aboard and condition of any injured.
7.Estimate the present seaworthiness and condition of your vessel.
8.Give your vessel’s description: length, design (power or sail), color and
other distinguishing marks. The total transmission should not exceed 1
minute.
9.End the message by saying “OVER”. Release the microphone button
and listen.
10.If there is no answer, repeat the above procedure. If there is still no
response, try another channel.
8.2  CALLING ANOTHER VESSEL (CHANNEL 16 OR 9)
Channel 16 may be used for initial contact (hailing) with another vessel.
However, its most important use is for emergency messages. This channel
must be monitored at all times except when actually using another channel.
It is monitored by the U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards and by other ves-
sels. Use of channel 16 for hailing must be limited to initial contact
only. Calling should not exceed 30 seconds, but may be repeated 3 times at
2-minute intervals. In areas of heavy radio traffic, congestion on channel 16
resulting from its use as a hailing channel can be reduced significantly in
U.S. waters by using channel 9 as the initial contact (hailing) channel for
non-emergency communications. Here, also, calling time should not exceed
30 seconds but may be repeated 3 times at 2-minute intervals.
Page 37 
						

							GX1255SPage 38 Prior to making contact with another vessel, refer to the channel charts in
this manual, and select an appropriate channel for communications after
initial contact. For example, Channels 68 and 69 of the U.S. VHF Charts are
some of the channels available to non-commercial (recreational) boaters.
Monitor your desired channel in advance to make sure you will not be inter-
rupting other traffic, and then go back to either channel 16 or 9 for your initial
contact.
When the hailing channel (16 or 9) is clear, state the name of the other
vessel you wish to call and then “this is” followed by the name of your
vessel and your Station License (Call Sign). When the other vessel returns
your call, immediately request another channel by saying “go to,” the num-
ber of the other channel, and “over.” Then switch to the new channel. When
the new channel is not busy, call the other vessel.
After a transmission, say “over,” and release the microphone’s push-to-talk
(PTT) switch. When all communication with the other vessel is completed,
end the last transmission by stating your Call Sign and the word “out.” Note
that it is not necessary to state your Call Sign with each transmission, only
at the beginning and end of the contact.
Remember to return to Channel 16 when not using another channel. Some
radios automatically monitor Channel 16 even when set to other channels
or when scanning; see your Owner’s Manual.
8.3  MAKING TELEPHONE CALLS
To make a radiotelephone call, use a channel designated for this purpose,
The fastest way to learn which channels are used for radiotelephone traffic
is to ask at a local marina. Channels available for such traffic are designated
Public Correspondence channels on the channel charts in this manual.
Some examples for USA use are Channels 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 84, 85, 86,
and 87. Call the marine operator and identify yourself by your vessel’s name,
The marine operator will then ask you how you will pay for the call (tele-
phone credit card, collect, etc.) and then link your radio transmission to the
telephone lines.
The marine telephone company managing the VHF channel you are using
may charge a link-up fee in addition to the cost of the call.