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West Marine VHF50 Radio Owner’s Manual
Welcome!
Thank you for purchasing the West
Marine VHF50. This product was
designed and built for boaters to use in
the harsh marine environment. With prop-
er care this product should provide you
with years of trouble-free operation.
Your satisfaction with this product is
backed by the entire West Marine organi-
zation worldwide.
Remember:
•
Safety and distress calls take priority
over all others.
•
You must monitor Channel 16 when
you are not operating on another
channel.
•
False or fraudulent distress calls are
prohibited under law.
•
Information overheard but not intend-
ed for you cannot lawfully be used in
any way.
•
Indecent or profane language is pro-
hibited.
Service:
In the event that the radio fails to per-
form, or needs servicing, please send
directly to our Electronics Repair Center
in Hollister, CA. Be sure to include your
return mailing information and a detailed
accounting of the problems experienced
and/or the service requested.
West Marine
Electronics Repair Center
2395 Bert Court
Hollister, CA 95023
[email protected]
831-761-4205
Radio Licenses:
1. Ship Station License
An FCC ship station license is no longer
required for any vessel traveling in US
waters which uses a VHF marine radio,
RADAR, EPIRB, and which is not
required to carry radio equipment. A
license is necessary however for a DSC
MMSI number, or for any vessel required
to carry a marine radio on an international
voyage, carrying a HF single side band
radiotelephone or marine satellite termi-
nal. For more information, see the FCC’s
Fact Sheet PR 5000 #14. FCC license
forms, including applications for ship
(506) and land station licenses can be
downloaded via the Internet at
www.fcc.gov/forms. To obtain a form
from the FCC, call (888) 225-5322.
2. Radio Call Sign
Currently the FCC does not require recre-
ational boaters to have a Ship Radio
Station License. The USCG recommends
that the boat’s registration number and the
state to be used.
3. Canadian Ship Station
Licensing
You do not need a license if your vessel is
not operated in sovereign waters of a
country other than Canada or the USA. If
you do need a license, contact their near-
est field office or regional office or write:
Industry Canada
Radio Regulatory Branch
Attn: DOSP
300 Slater Street
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada, K1A OCA
