Uniden HH955 5 Watt Handheld VHF Marine Radio

Introduction

The HH955 is a portable two-way VHF transceiver. It is compact, lightweight, and rugged, fitting easily in your hand. This hand-held VHF marine radio provides consistent, outstanding performance in many conditions and situations. Uniden does not warrant this radio as water-tight nor water-proof. Please read this operating guide carefully before using the unit to ensure you get the most from the HH955's features.

Features

• Triple Watch Mode
• Priority Channel Startup
• One-touch Channel 16/9 with Dual Watch
• 10 Weather Channels
• Memory Channel Scan
• 1-watt or 5-watt Transmission
• International-USA Channels
• Back-lit Display
• Key Lock
• Uses Either AA Alkaline or Rechargeable Nickel Cadmium Batteries
• Belt Clip
• Wrist Strap

Technical Support and Service

For technical assistance and information, contact your local Uniden dealer. If your marine radio does not perform properly, take it to a Uniden dealer for servicing. The radio contains no user-serviceable parts. Unauthorized adjustment will void the warranty and may cause illegal radio operation. Be sure that a qualified technician services your radio equipment.

Caution! Changes or modifications to this product not expressly approved by Uniden, or operation of this product in any way other than as detailed by this Operating Guide, can void your authority to operate this product.

For additional assistance, call Uniden Customer Services at (800) 586-0409, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time.

Maritime Radio Services Operation

Although an FCC license is no longer required for individual use, you must comply with all applicable rules and regulations according to the FCC. For individuals requiring a license, such as commercial users, obtain a license application from your nearest FCC field office.

Included with Your HH955

If any of these items are missing from the box, contact your Uniden Dealer.

• HH955 Radio
• Antenna
• Wrist Strap
• AC Adapter AD137
• Belt Clip
• Operating Guide

Getting Started

Antenna

Make certain the antenna is firmly seated.

Batteries

Your marine radio is powered by either nine rechargeable AA nickel-cadmium batteries, nine alkaline AA batteries, or the AC (AD137) or DC (CLP9504) power adapter.

Caution! Before installing batteries in this radio, read all battery warnings on the inside front cover.

• To remove the battery cover (back of HH955), press firmly and move down.
• Set the switch to either Ni-Cd (nickel-cadmium) or ALK (alkaline).
• When transmitting, nickel-cadmium batteries will show a lower strength indicator on the battery strength meter than alkaline batteries.
• Put nine nickel-cadmium batteries or nine alkaline batteries in the battery compartment. Make certain that the polarity of the batteries is correct.
• Replace the battery cover.

AC Adapter/Charger

• Insert the Power cord connector into the PWR/ICHG connection on the side of the radio.
• Plug the other end into an AC power plug. The radio's power must be off to charge the nickel-cadmium batteries.
• Make certain that you have nine rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries in the radio and the switch is set to Ni-Cd. Refer to "Batteries" on page 4.
• Charge the batteries according to the manufacturer's instructions. Do not over-charge, as this will shorten the life of your rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries. As soon as the batteries are charged, disconnect from the power source.
• Use only the AC adapter (AD137) that comes with the HH955.

Belt Clip

Attach the belt clip using the included screws.

Operation

Refer to the Controls and Indicators fold-out drawing on the inside of this Guide's cover.

When you press any key, except PTT (Push-to-Talk on the radio's side), a short tone sounds.

When you turn on your HH955, it is tuned to channel 16, the United States Coast Guard frequency for distress, safety, and calling.

Setting the Squelch

1. To turn the unit on, rotate the volume control clockwise. Adjust the volume to a comfortable level.
2. Before setting the squelch control on your marine radio, you must select a channel that is not in use.
3. The squelch control acts as a gate. Turning the squelch control fully clockwise raises the "squelch gate" so high that only the strongest signals get through.
4. Turning the squelch control fully counterclockwise lowers the "squelch gate" so everything gets through – noise, weak signals, and strong signals.
5. To set the "squelch gate" to the desired level, turn the squelch control counterclockwise until you hear noise. Then, turn the squelch control back clockwise just until the noise stops. Now, strong, medium, and weak signals will get through.

Selecting a Channel

• Turn on your marine radio.
• To select a higher channel, press the Up arrow key [⬆️].
• To select a lower channel, press the Down arrow key [⬇️].

One-touch Channel 16/9 with Dual Watch

Example: While monitoring channel 19, you want to check channels 16 and 9.

• To monitor channel 16, press the 16/9 key.
• To monitor channel 9, press the 16/9 key again.
• Press the 16/9 key again.

“TRI” flashes, indicating Dual Watch is on. To return to channel 19, press the 16/9 key again. Your radio will now automatically monitor channel 16 and 9 for activity every 2 seconds while you are monitoring channel 19.

Triple Watch

• When monitoring a channel, press the Triple Watch key [Triple].
• Now, the HH955 also watches for activity on channels 16 and 9.
• While scanning, you can press the Triple Watch key to toggle Triple Watch between on and off.

Memory-Channel Scan

Before you can use the memory scan function, you must enter channels into memory.

Entering channels into memory

• Select a channel to enter into memory using the Up [⬆️] or Down [⬇️] keys.
• To enter the channel into memory, press the MEM key. “SCAN” flashes in the display.

Removing Channels from Memory

• Select a channel that you want to remove from memory (e.g., channel 19).
• To remove the channel, press the MEM key again. “SCAN” disappears from the display.

Scanning channels in memory

• Turn on the HH955.
• To start scanning channels in memory, press and hold the MEM key until you hear a double beep (about 2 seconds). When HH955 receives a transmission, “SCAN” flashes rapidly.
• Once you start scanning, Triple Watch comes on automatically.
• You can toggle between Triple Watch on and off by pressing the Triple Watch key.
• To stop memory channel scanning, press the WX key or press and hold the MEM key.

Caution! If, while scanning, you press and immediately release the MEM key, you will erase the active channel from memory.

Weather Channels

The HH955 has 10 preprogrammed weather channel frequencies, represented by 1 through 0. Select the clearest channel to monitor weather.

• To listen to the weather channels in your area, press the WX key. The display shows “WX”.
• To move up to the next weather channel, press the Up arrow key [⬆️].
• To move down to the previous weather channel, press the Down arrow key [⬇️].

International-USA Channels

• To listen to international marine channels, press the INT key. “INT” appears in the display.
• To switch back to USA marine channels, press the INT key again. “INT” disappears from the display.

For USA and international marine channels and their functions, refer to pages 11 and 12.

Transmit

• To transmit, press and hold the PTT (Push-to-Talk) key.
• To receive, release the PTT key.

1-Watt or 5-Watt Transmission

The HH955 is set to transmit at 5 watts by default. To save battery power, you can transmit at 1 watt.

• To switch between 1 and 5 watts transmission, press the 1/5W key.

Channels 13 and 67 automatically transmit at 1 watt. In an emergency, you can switch channels 13 or 67 to 5-watt transmission by holding the 1/5W key as you press the PTT. As long as you hold the 1/5W key, you transmit at 5 watts.

Lighted Display

• Press and release the [*] key; you will hear a beep. The display lights for about 5 seconds.
• If you press any key on the front keypad while the light is on, the display light stays on for another 5 seconds.

Key Lock

• Press and hold the [*] key until you hear two beeps. The keypad is locked. If you press any key on the keypad, you will hear a warning beep.
• To unlock the keypad, press and hold the [*] key until you hear two beeps.

Marine Channels & Functions

USA Channels

International Channels

Optional Accessories

• External Microphone (Model HH9807)
• Cigarette Lighter Adapter (Model CLP9504)

Specifications

General

Transmitter

Receiver

Specifications shown are typical and subject to change without notice.

Warnings

• The HH955 is neither waterproof nor water-tight.
• Do not operate the transmitter of any radio equipment unless all the Radio Frequency (RF) connectors are secure and any open connectors are properly terminated.
• Do not operate the transmitter of any radio equipment near electrical blasting caps or in an explosive atmosphere.
• Do not let children operate any transmitter-equipped radio equipment.
• Have your radio equipment serviced by a qualified technician.
• Do not operate the transmitter of any radio equipment with the antenna touching or close to the eyes, face, or exposed body parts.

Rechargeable Alkaline Battery Warning!

Do not attempt to charge rechargeable alkaline batteries in this unit! Doing so may cause serious damage to the product and void the warranty. If you use rechargeable alkaline batteries in this unit, they must be already charged in their manufacturer's charger.

Nickel-Cadmium Battery Charging Warning!

Before attempting to recharge nickel-cadmium batteries, make sure you have installed nine rechargeable, nickel-cadmium batteries and the selector switch is set to Ni-Cd.

Battery Warning!

Do not mix alkaline batteries with rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries.

Maritime Radio Services Operation Warning!

This transmitter will operate on channels/frequencies that have restricted use in the United States. The channel assignments include frequencies assigned for exclusive use of the U.S. Coast Guard, use in Canada, and use in international waters. Operation in these frequencies without proper authorization is strictly forbidden. For frequencies/channels that are currently for use in the U.S. without an individual license, please contact the FCC Call Center at 1-888-CALL-FCC.

Controls

1. TNC Antenna Connector
2. Squelch Control
3. On/Off and Volume Control
4. Light/Keypad Lock
5. PTT (Push-to-Talk)
6. LCD Display
7. Scan/Memory
8. 1/5 Watt Transmission
9. USA/International Channels
10. Speaker
11. Microphone
12. Channel 16/9 - Dual Watch
13. Channel Up [⬆️]
14. Weather Channels
15. Channel Down [⬇️]
16. Triple Watch
17. Microphone Jack
18. Speaker Jack
19. AC Adapter Input

Indicators

1. Scan Mode
2. 5 Watt Power Transmit
3. International Channels
4. Battery Strength
5. Triple/Dual Watch
6. Weather Channel
7. Transmit
8. Channel

Warranty

ELEMENTS OF WARRANTY: Uniden warrants, for three years, to the original retail owner, this Uniden Product to be free from defects in materials and craftsmanship with only the limitations or exclusions set out below.

WARRANTY DURATION: This warranty to the original user shall terminate and be of no further effect 36 months after the date of original retail sale. The warranty is invalid if the Product is (A) damaged or not maintained as reasonable or necessary, (B) modified, altered, or used as part of any conversion kits, subassemblies, or any configurations not sold by Uniden, (C) improperly installed, (D) serviced or repaired by someone other than an authorized Uniden service center for a defect or malfunction covered by this warranty, (E) used in any conjunction with equipment or parts or as part of any system not manufactured by Uniden, or (F) installed or programmed by anyone other than as detailed by the Operating Guide for this product.

STATEMENT OF REMEDY: In the event that the product does not conform to this warranty at any time while this warranty is in effect, warrantor will repair the defect and return it to you without charge for parts, service, or any other cost (except shipping and handling) incurred by warrantor or its representatives in connection with the performance of this warranty. THE LIMITED WARRANTY SET FORTH ABOVE IS THE SOLE AND ENTIRE WARRANTY PERTAINING TO THE PRODUCT AND IS IN LIEU OF AND EXCLUDES ALL OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY NATURE WHATSOEVER, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR ARISING BY OPERATION OF LAW, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THIS WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER OR PROVIDE FOR THE REIMBURSEMENT OR PAYMENT OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. Some states do not allow this exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you.

LEGAL REMEDIES: This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state. This warranty is void outside the United States of America.

PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING PERFORMANCE OF WARRANTY: If, after following the instructions in this Operating Guide, you are certain that the Product is defective, pack the Product carefully (preferably in its original packaging). Include evidence of original purchase and a note describing the defect that has caused you to return it. The Product should be shipped freight prepaid by traceable means, or delivered, to warrantor at:

Uniden America Corporation
4700 Amon Carter Blvd.
Fort Worth, TX 76155
(800)586-0409
8 a.m. To 5 p.m. Central, Monday through Friday

(c) 1997 Uniden America Corporation
Printed in the Philippines

All Rights Reserved.