Regency Polaris MT5500 Owners ManualTable of Contents General Description 1 Function Switches .......... 1 Program Panel 2 Channel Displays 3 Preparation for Use 3 Initial Operation Checks ....... 4 Manual Operation 4 ‘Scan 6 Priority Mode. 7 ‘Weather Channels 8 ‘Transmitting 9 IWASW Switeh......... ne 10 Day-Night Operation nl U.S./International Operation ee nL External Speaker un Specifications ‘ un U.S./International Frequency List 2 Warranty Statement Back CoverGeneral Description Your Regency Polaris MT'500 isa state ofthe art computer controlled VHF Marine Band (156-163MHz) FM transceiver which also features unique channel scanning capabilities The receiver can be programmed to scan a minimum of 2 channels or up to 20 channels The transmitter provides a solid 25 watts RF power output; the maximum allowed. The frequency for both transmitter and receiver are synthesized and controlled by the micro-processer so that no crystals are required Entries are made by touching the keyboard pressure pads. A “beep'”is heard each time a key is pressed to indicat that an action has taken place. The Polaris 'MT5500 is tuly an innovation in VHF Marine Electronics. Function Switches Before operating your MTS500, itis important to locate the function switches and program keys to understand their uses. iw asw A NOTE: Set these switches at positions indicated prior to initial power-up. ‘A. 25/1 Watt Switeh-Choose maximum transmitting power (25 watts) or ‘minimum power (1 watt) (see page 10). B. Day/Night Switch-Controls the brightness of the display and the illumination of the keyboard (see page 11). VOLUME & SQUELCH & ais NOTE: Set these knobs at positions indicated prior to initial power-up. ‘Volume —This control adjusts the audio to the most comfortable listening level ‘Squelch — Allows operator to eliminate annoying background noise when no message is being receivedProgram Panel ‘The Polaris MTSS00 key- board has 16 touch-entry keys for easy entry of all data. The keyboard is used to select the desired mode of operation and. to determine which channels are to be used for receive and transmit AN Provides for manual selection of any valid channel. (sce page 4) er Pos the unk i th scan rods! (asp 6 (see page 8) ISEEEMI Used for entering displayed channels into the operating smemoin, foee age 6) BRA LAM Alows youtoremove any displayed chanel fom the operating memory. (see page 6), Pats the unit inthe Priority mode. (sce page 7)Displays ‘Ared LEQ wilight while transmiting “The channels appear as yellow numbers Ayeliow LEDwilflash —__Ayellow LED indicates one Ayelow LED indicates when rapidly when the unitis ofthe 4 weather channels ¢ the acioisin the prioiy, scanning. (see page 6). being monitored. mode. Preparation for Use 1. Marine (VDC) Installation ‘The MTS00 transceiver is designed for marine mobile installation in any vessel that has a 12 VDC negative ground system. THE RED LEAD WITH THE FUSE HOLDER MUST BE CONNECTED TO THE POSITIVE TERMINAL OF THE BATTERY. THE BLACK LEAD SHOULD BE CONNECTED TO THE NEGATIVE TERMINAL OR TO A METAL HULL WHICH IS GROUNDED TO THE NEGATIVE TERMINAL OF THE BATTERY. In the event that the battery is remotely located, it may be necessary to install additional wires for this, purpose, 3. The MTS500 is equipped with a mounting bracket that allows 2 different ‘mounting positions, 1) console, or 2) bulkhead. CONSOLE BULKHEAD FRONT VIEW BACK VIEW We recommend you see your Regency Polaris marine dealer for proper assistance, A variety of transmitting antennas may be used to accommodate specific requirements you may have. Your Regency Polaris dealer can help you select the right antenna as well as other accessories. Regency Polaris antennas include Model MA-205, MA-210, MA-215, and MA-220,Initial Operation Checks 1, OFFIVOL Knob-The OFF/VOL knob is used to apply power to the unit as well as controlling the volume level. Turing the knob clockwise turns the unit on. click followed by a “beep'” tone indicates the unit ison. The priority channel will automatically appear in the display. The unit will also be in the manual ‘mode. When initially turing the radio “on”, channel 16is the priority channel and will appear in the display. Once the radio has been programmed, on subsequent turn on the display will show the priority channel and be in the manual mode 2. SQ Knob-Set the squelch by turning the knob clockwise until noise is heard “The knob should be turned counter-clockwise until the noise just disappears. ‘Your unit should now scan properly (when activated) and be free of noise between transmissions 3. Check the day/night switch by moving itto the "Night" position. The 16" in the display will dim while the program pane! becomes illuminated. 4, Most areas are served by a National Weather Service transmitter. Press the WX key and the radio wil scan for the first available weather channel. To check for ‘other weather channels in your area simply press WX again. Since these ‘weather stations transmit continuously, you should find activity right away Example: PRESS: (..) ‘A “beep” tone will be heard following each entry. The display will show the ‘weather channel you have selected by either a 1,2,3 or 4. The yellow LED located under WX will indicate that you have selected a weather channel. If you do not get proper results after performing the above checks, refer to the Preparation for Use section to be sure all connections have been made properly. Manual Operation ‘The purpose of the manual mode isto be able to enter any channel at random in order to hear activity. A special feature of the MTS500 allows manual entry of any authorized channel by simply touching the channel number. Once that channel is selected, the unit is automaticaly in the manual mode for continuous monitoring. Whether you are in the scan mode or receiving a signal on any channel (including weather 1-4), you may select another channel of your choice by a simple 2 keystroke entry.ENTERING A CHANNEL ‘Any of the valid 64 channels you wish to enter must be done so by using a 2 keystroke entry. The LED display will show 2 places: a “tens” place and PRESS: (9) (a “beep” tone will follow each keystroke entry). The “"0"” will appear in the “tens” place. After 2 seconds, ifthe second digit has not been entered, the “units” place will blink **0"" to remind you to complete the channel entry EE blinking “0"" Now, PRESS: (2) Display: ie] (if an invalid channel* entry is attempted, the first digit will flash. To correct this, simply enter another channel number) "An invalid chanel is any channel between 30-59 and 90-99, Display ‘The unit is now in the manual mode on channel 2. Any other channel may be selected in the same manner. Remember: You do not need to press “MANUAL” to change a channel. USING THE MANUAL KEY ‘The purpose of the "MANUAL" Key is to place the unit in manual on a particular channel for continuous monitoring or to review the channels in the ‘operating memory. Examples: 1, When a signal is received (squelch opens) on a desired channel, the ‘MANUAL key can be used to put the unit in manual on that channel. Now ‘you can wait for additional incoming calls as well as transmit using that anne When in the SCAN" mode, you may also select manual operation by pressing “MANUAL”. The unit will stop on a channel and identity it inthe display. If it didnot stop on the desired channel, simply select the channel you want using a 2 keystroke entry. Resume SCANNING by pressing the appropriate key.3. To review the channels in the operating memory, press MANUAL" until all channels have been reviewed. (SCAN is described below). In addition to using the MANUAL key, you may also select MANUAL automatically in the following way: Microphone — While scanning and a signal is received, momentarily pressing the PUSH-TO-TALK button on the side of the microphone automatically puts the unit in MANUAL on the channel being received. Scan Selecting the SCAN function allows the unit to step through any number of channels between two and twenty looking for activity. The channels will be sean monitored at a rate of about 12 per second or all 20 in less than 2 seconds. PROGRAMMING A CHANNEL ‘The sophisticated microprocessor-controlled circuitry eliminates the need for crystals and allows easy fingertip touch entry of all data “To place a channel into the sean list, first press the desired channel number by using a 2 keystroke entry Example: Entering channel 2 PRESS: (9) (2) Display: tae pe re ‘Then, PRESS Display: (if an invalid channel entry is made, the first digit will flash. To correct this simply enter another channel number). Repeat this procedure for each channel to be programmed, NOTE: If the scan lists full, LE. 20 channels, and the 21st channel is attempted tobe entered, the display will goto the channel inthe scam list that was used last. If ‘you are satisfied with this set of channels, press: SCAN ‘The unit will now sample each channel in your personal set until a signal is received. If the radio has an empty scan list, then ‘*e"” will flash when SCAN, MANUAL, DELETE, or ENTER is pushed, while the radio is not in the priority mode.Display: ac] blinking “ec” NOTE: You may add to your set of channels at any time by pressing the channel number using a 2 keystroke entry followed by ENTER. ‘To delete a channel from the scan list first gt the channel wished to be deleted showing in the display. There are three ways to do this: 1. Press the number of the channel wished to be deleted using a2 keystroke entry. 2. Press MANUAL until the channel wished to be deleted is showing in the display. 3. While scanning, the channel is active and showing in the display Pyaats ‘Then, PRESS: If the scan list is then empty, the display will flash Priority Mode Pressing the PRIORITY CHAN key activates the priority LED while the display shows the priority channel. Display NOTE: After selecting the priority mode, the manual, entering, deleting, going to a channel, and weather modes will sample the priority channel once every second for activity. The scan mode wil place the priority channel at the beginning of the scan list To leave the Priority Mode simply press the PRIORITY CHAN key. To program a different priority channel, first get the desired channel in the display ‘There are three ways to do this:1. Press the number ofthe channel wished to be entered using a2 keystroke entry. 2. Press MANUAL until the channel wished to be entered is showing. 3. While scanning, the channel is active and showing in the display. ‘Then, PRES: ‘The display is now flashing the channel wished to be entered as the new priority ‘channel, ‘Ten, PRESS: (HAN) The channel is now the priority channel and the Priority LED is lighted. Weather Channels ‘The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) broadcasts continuous weather information via transmitters throughout the U.S. 24 hours @ day. Three frequencies are used in the U.S. ‘WX1-162.550 WX2-162.400 WX3-162.475 ‘Canadian Weather can be monitored on: WX4-161.650 ‘Your M7500 is capable of receiving all 4 weather frequencies using a simple keystroke entry Example: Selecting WX PRESS: (..] ‘The first available weather channel will appear in the digital display while the yellow LED below “"WX" will also come on, If WXI is the frequency used in your area, you should hear broadcasts immediately. If reception is weak, press “"WX"" again until a stronger weather broadcast is found. IMPORTANT ‘The transmitter is disabled when receiving a Weather Station. ‘The priority channel may be monitored while listening to a weather station by pressing the PRIORITY CHAN key. NOTE: The digital display as well as the audio will be interrupted at regular intervals as the priority channel is sampled. a ———Transmitting ‘The MT5500 transmitter is capable of 25 watts output power or 1 watt output power as determined by the front panel switch. You may transmit on any of the 34 available VHF Marine channels. Each channel consists of a transmit and receive frequency as allocated by the FCC (see chart on page 12). When a channel is selected, a frequency synthesizer, controlled by the keyboard, puts the unit on both the transmit and receive frequency associated with that channel automatically MAKING THE CALL There are two ways to establish communication with another ship or coastal station: 1. Manual Selection 2. Response to a received signal MANUAL SELECTION ‘Two way communication can be initiated most easily by selecting a specific channel using a 2 keystroke entry. The unit is now in the manual mode on that cchannel until a subsequent change is made. You may now use that channel 10 transmit by pressing and holding the push-to-talk switch. The red transmit LED indicates proper transmit operation TK SCAN Wx PRORTY If the Push-to-talk switch is depressed and the red transmit LED does not come fon, check the following: 1. Are you on a Weather channel or channel 00, 15, 29, 75, 76 or 89? (display will blink) 2. Are you in the SCAN mode and squelch is not open? 3. Is the radio tured on and power connected? ‘To make the call, speak clearly, distinctly and directly into the microphone. Call the ship, using its name followed by the name of your vessel, its name and FCC Call sign. It is not necessary to use phrases such as “*Can you hear me?"" Also, do not use phonetics unless transmission conditions are exceptionally poor. Release the push-to-talk switch and wait for a reply. Limit the first transmission to 30 seconds or less then wait at least 2 minutes before repeating the call if contact is not made. Now try to make the call again in the manner described above. Do not repeat this procedure more than 3 times. If you are still unable to make contact, wait 15 minutes before making another attempt. Keep all communications as brief as possible and give the call name of the ship at the end of the communicationRESPONSE TO A RECEIVED SIGNAL ‘A transmission may be received when in manual on a channel or when the unit stops on an active channel in the SCAN mode. When this occurs, you may communicate on that channel using the push-to-talk switch, MANUAL ‘The steps for responding to a received signal while in MANUAL are similar to those discussed earlier in this section. Since you are already on a channel when the signal is received, simply press the push-to-talk switch to transmit a reply. The frequency synthesizer automatically reverts from the receive frequency to the ‘transmit frequency on that channel WHILE SCANNING If the unit stops on an active marine channel while SCANNING, you may use that channel to transmit a response, You must do one of the following AS SOON AS THE SCANNING STOPS ON A CHANNEL, in order to be able to transmit: MANt 1, Press the key. 2. Press the push-to-talk switch on the microphone. Either step will put the unit into the MANUAL mode. You are now ready 0 begin transmitting NOTES If the unit resumes scanning before the operator can react to follow either step 1 of 2 above, he may go back and select that channel by using 2 2 keystroke entry. The unit will automatically be in MANUAL on that channel. IMPORTANT YOU CAN NOT TRANSMIT WHILE THE UNIT IS SCANNING. THE. MICRO-PROCESSOR DISALLOWS TRANSMITTING DURING SCAN BECAUSE IT RECOGNIZES THE UNIT IS NOT ON A CHANNEL. 1W/25W Switch With the switch in the 25W position, the transmitter delivers full power output to the antenna, Moving the switch to the IW position reduces the transmitter output 10 1 watt to comply with FCC regulations for in harbor opera- tion 10Day/Night Operation ‘The Day-Night switch controls the brightness of the display NGHT DAY and illumination of the keyboard. In the "DAY" position, _ the digit light is at maximum brightness and keyboard is not lighted. In the “NIGHT” position, the brightness of the display is reduced and the keyboard is lighted. U.S./International Operation ‘The channel frequencies used in International Marine Communications are not allthe same asthe channel frequencies used inthe United States, though they share the same channel NUMBERS (see US/INT frequency list, page 12). ‘The International channels are available by rearranging an internal jumper. Consult your local Regency Polaris service center for details External Speaker An external (or remotely mounted) 8 ohm speaker, such as Regency's MA-230 can be used by inserting the mating phone plug into the 3.5mm jack on the unit's rear panel. (Sce back view diagram on page 3). An 8 ohm speakers recommended for optimum performance. The internal speaker is not disconnected when an external speaker is used, Specifications GENERAL, RECEIVER Dimensions (LxWxH) 10.7x6.5x2.6 | Channels 64 Weight Sib. | Sensitivity (max) Temperature Range:°C —20t0 +50 | 20db Quicting SOuV Power 13.8vDC | 12ab Sinad 35uV Unit OFF (save Memory) ...0.08A | EIA Selectivity Tod Stari ate fer eso TA | hae rosin Joa Transmit... 5A. | Spurious Rejection 7o4b TRANS Primary Image Rejection 60d Channels . we SO {ago Ovtput @10% distortion Max. Power... 2sw “ EoPoentitacas 1Ww me re Spurious Emissions... grap | Modulation Acceptance &7/5KHz Audio 23% Stability esses 001%U.S./International Frequency List USA INTERNATIONAL Channet . Transmit, | Rective ‘Transmit Receive | 00 ae 156,000 156.000 o1 156.050 160.650 136.050 160.650 02 156.100 160.700 156.100 160.700 03 156.150 160.750 156.150 160.750 4 156.200 160.800 156.200, 160.800 05 156.250 156.250 156.250 160.850 06 156.300 156.300 156.300 156.300 o7 156.350 156.350 156.350 160.950 08 156.400 156.400 156.400 156.400 0 156.450, 156.450 156.450 156.450 10 156.500 156.500 156.500 156.500 n 156.550 156.550 156.550 156.550 R 156.600, 156.600 156.600 156.600 1B 156.650 156.650 156.650 156.650 14 156.700 156,700 156.700 156,700 15 156.750 156.750 16 156.800, 156.800 156.800 156.800 7 156.850 156.850 156.850 156.850, 18 156.900 156,900 156,900 161.500 19 156.950 156.950 156.950 161.550 20 157.000 161.600, 157.000 161.600 2 157.050 157.050 157.050, 161.650 2 157.100 157.100 157.100, 161.700 2B 157.150 157.150 157.150 161.750 24 157.200 161.800 157.200 161.800 25 | 157.250 | 161-850 157.250 161.850 2 | 157.300 161.900 157.300 | 161.900 2 157.350 161.950 157.350 | 161.950 2B 157.400 162.000 157.400 | 162.000 29 | 157.450 157.450 60 156.025 | 160.625 156.025, 160.625, 61 156.075 | 160.675 156.075 160.675 12USA, INTERNATIONAL (Channel ‘Transmit Receive ‘Transmit Receive 2 156.125 160.725 156.125 160.725 63 156.175 160.775 156.175 160.775 64 156.225 160.825 156.225 160.825 65 156.275 156.275 156.275 160.875 66 156.325 156.325 156.325 160.925 67 156.375 156.375 156.375 156.375 68 156.425 156.425 156.425 156.425 9 156.475 156.475 156.475 156.475 70 156.525 156.525 156.525 136,525 1 156.575 156.575 156.575 156.575 R 156.625 156.625 156.625 156.625 B 156.675 156.675 156.675 156.675 4 156.725 156.725 156.725 156.725 15 156.775 156.775 16 156.825 i 156.825 m7 196.875, 156.875 156.875 156.875 B 156.925 156.925 156.925 161.525 9 156.975 136.975, 156.975 161.575 80 157.025, 157.025 157.025 161.625 81 197.075, 157.075, 157.075 161.675 82 197.125 197.125, 157.125 161.725 83 157.175 197.175, 157.175 161.775 84 157.225, 161.825, 157.225 161.825 85 197.275 161.875 157.275 161.875 86 157.325 161.925 157.325 161,925 87 157.375 161.975 157.375 161.975 88 157.425 157.425 157.425 162.025 89 157.475 157.475 wx! 162.550 162.550 wx2 162.400, 162.400 wx3 162.475 162.475 wx4 161.650 161.650Regency Pola: One Year Limited Warranty 1. The Regency Polaris units: NC7200, NC7100, MT7000, MTSSO0, MT1200 are warranted to the original or subsequent purchasers to be free of defects in material and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the date of purchase as shown on the original consumer purchaser's receipt 2. Warranty service will be provided free of charge ifthe unit is delivered to a Regency Polaris authorized service station accompanied by original consumer proof of purchase, Any transportation, removal or reinstallation charges will be paid by the purchaser whenever incurred in connection with this warranty. In absence of proof of purchase receipt the warranty period shall be one (1) year from the date of manufacture as indicated by serial number on unit. Purchaser need not return the registration card to obtain warranty service. 3. The warranty does not apply to units subject to misuse, neglect, accidents, incorrect wiring not our own, improper installation, or units used in violation of the instructions furnished by us. This warranty ‘excludes any incidental and consequential damages connected with failure or defect in the product. 4. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state why w Regency ELECTRONICS, INC. ™ 7707 Records St., Indianapolis, IN 46226 Part No. 7001-1287-900 685 Printedin US.A.