ICOM IC-M8 VHF Marine Transceiver

A black ICOM IC-M8 VHF Marine Transceiver is shown with its antenna extended. The front panel features controls and a display. The ICOM logo is visible.

Foreword

ICOM announces the debut of a versatile newcomer in the marine transceiver field, the IC-M8 pocket-sized handheld transceiver. Exceptionally flexible for a variety of uses yet surprisingly compact and easy to handle, the IC-M8 is a complete, high-performance integrated handheld, benefiting from the very latest in ICOM technical know-how and state-of-the-art integrated engineering. To fully enjoy the use of your new IC-M8 handheld, please study this instruction manual thoroughly prior to operation. Also, feel free to contact your nearest authorized ICOM Dealer if you have any questions relating to the operation of this transceiver.

Unpacking

Accessories included with the IC-M8:

1. Flexible antenna (QTY: 1)
2. Handstrap (QTY: 1)
3. MB-20 BELT CLIP (QTY: 1)
4. CM-21 BATTERY PACK (QTY: 1)
5. CM-25U WALL CHARGER (QTY: 1)

Diagram illustrating the accessories: A flexible antenna, a handstrap with a clip, a belt clip, a battery pack, and a wall charger.

Section 1: Pre-Operation

Battery Pack Installation

The supplied CM-21 BATTERY PACK is rechargeable and can be easily slipped ON or OFF the transceiver.

1. To recharge the battery pack: Use the supplied wall charger or the optional CM-50U AC BATTERY CHARGER, or a 12V-type cigarette lighter socket with the optional IC-CM1 CIGARETTE LIGHTER CABLE.
2. Battery charging time: Approximately 15 hours using the supplied wall charger or the optional IC-CM1. Approximately 1 hour using the optional CM-50U.

Battery pack note: The full charge capacity of NiCd rechargeable batteries may be reduced if repeatedly charged with only partial discharge periods. This is called the battery memory effect. If the battery capacity seems lower than new, discharge the pack through normal use, then charge fully using the proper charger.

Charger Connections

Diagram showing charger connections:

• CM-16 (Option): Connects to AC Outlet.
• CM-50U: Connects to AC Outlet.
• IC-CM1: Connects to AC Outlet and then to a 12V-Type Cigarette Lighter Socket.
• External 13.8V DC Power Source: Connects via a DC power plug connection.

Antenna and Handstrap Installation

Diagram showing antenna and handstrap installation:

• The flexible antenna screws onto the top of the transceiver.
• The handstrap attaches to the side of the transceiver.

Section 2: Control Functions

2-1 Top Panel

Diagram of the top panel with controls labeled:

• 1. ANTENNA CONNECTOR: Connects the flexible antenna.
• 2. FUNCTION DISPLAY: Shows current operating channel, status indicators (DUAL, LOW, WX), and memory channel information.
• 3. TRANSMIT INDICATOR [TX]: Lights up while transmitting. Indicates battery condition; if it goes out during transmission, the battery pack is exhausted.
• 4. DUAL WATCH SWITCH [DW]: Activates dual watch function.
• 5. POWER/VOLUME CONTROL [VOL]: Rotate clockwise to turn the transceiver ON and increase audio level.
• 6. SQUELCH CONTROL [SQL]: Rotate fully counterclockwise to turn OFF squelch. Rotate clockwise to raise the threshold level.
• 7. MEMORY CHANNEL UP/DOWN SWITCH [M CH]: Push up or down to change memory channels or weather channels.
• 8. MEMORY WRITE UP/DOWN SWITCHES [CHANNEL]: Used for writing operating channel numbers into memory channels.
• 9. WEATHER CHANNEL SWITCH [WX]: Push to set the transceiver to weather channel mode; push again to return to normal operations.
• 10. EMERGENCY CHANNEL SWITCH [CH 16]: Selects channel 16, the marine emergency channel for distress calls. Also sets the transceiver to normal operating mode.

2-2 Front and Side Panel

Diagrams of the front and side panels with controls labeled:

• 11. LOCK SWITCH [LOCK]: Prevents accidental frequency and memory channel changes. Channels, memory, modes are locked when ON.
• 12. INTERNAL MICROPHONE: Operates when the transceiver is transmitting, but not if an external microphone is connected.
• 13. EXTERNAL MICROPHONE JACK [MIC]: Connects an optional speaker-microphone for added versatility. The internal microphone is disabled when an external microphone is connected.
• 14. EXTERNAL SPEAKER JACK [EXT SP]: Connects an 8Ω external speaker. The internal speaker is disabled when an external speaker is connected.
• 15. INTERNAL SPEAKER: Operates when the transceiver is receiving. Disabled when an external speaker is connected.
• 16. BATTERY CHARGE INDICATOR: Lights up while the battery pack is charging.
• 17. BATTERY CHARGER JACK: Accepts the output plug of the supplied CM-25U WALL CHARGER or a 13.8V DC power source.
• 18. PUSH-TO-TALK (PTT) SWITCH: Push to begin transmitting. [PUSH]
• 19. LIGHT SWITCH: Turns the backlight for the FUNCTION DISPLAY ON/OFF. Has a timer function.
• 20. BATTERY PACK RELEASE BUTTON [RELEASE]: Push upwards and slide to remove the battery pack.

2-1 Top Panel (Display Indicators)

Connect the supplied flexible antenna.

Diagram of the Function Display:

• A. CHANNEL INDICATOR: Shows the current operating channel number.
• B. MEMORY CHANNEL INDICATOR: Indicates the selected memory channel number.
• C. "LOW" INDICATOR: Illuminates when the IC-M8 is transmitting with LOW RF output power.
• D. "DUAL" INDICATOR: Illuminates when the dual watch function is activated.
• E. "WX" INDICATOR: Indicates that a weather channel is being used by the IC-M8.

2-1 Top Panel (Controls Continued)

• 3. TRANSMIT INDICATOR [TX]: Lights up while transmitting. Indicates battery condition; if it goes out during transmission, the battery pack is exhausted and should be charged again.
• 4. DUAL WATCH SWITCH [DW]: This switch allows a check of channel 16 while listening on another channel. Refer to page 14 for dual watch operating instructions.
• 5. POWER/VOLUME CONTROL [VOL]: Rotate clockwise to turn the transceiver ON and increase the audio level.
• 6. SQUELCH CONTROL [SQL]: Rotate this control fully counterclockwise to turn OFF the squelch function, and clockwise to raise the threshold level.

2-1 Top Panel (Switches Continued)

• 7. MEMORY CHANNEL UP/DOWN SWITCH [M CH]: Push up or down to change channel numbers programmed in a memory channel or any of the weather channels. Memory channels not previously programmed are skipped when the [M CH] SWITCH is pushed. See SECTION 4, step 4 for a description of how to monitor the 24 memory channels.
• 8. MEMORY WRITE UP/DOWN SWITCHES [CHANNEL]: These switches are only functional when writing operating channel numbers into memory channels. See SECTION 4 MEMORY WRITING.
• 9. WEATHER CHANNEL SWITCH [WX]: Push to set the transceiver in weather channel mode. Push again to return to normal operations. See page 12 for more information.
• 10. EMERGENCY CHANNEL SWITCH [CH 16]: This switch selects channel 16, the marine emergency channel for distress calls. See page 23 for detailed emergency call information. This switch also sets the transceiver in normal operating mode. See SECTION 3 and 4 for more information.

2-2 Front and Side Panel (Controls Continued)

• 11. LOCK SWITCH [LOCK]: This switch prevents accidental frequency and memory channel changes. Operating channels, memory channels, modes, etc., are locked when this switch is ON.
• 12. INTERNAL MICROPHONE: This microphone operates when the transceiver is transmitting. However, it will not operate if an external microphone is connected to the [MIC] JACK.
• 13. EXTERNAL MICROPHONE JACK [MIC]: The optional IC-CM9 SPEAKER-MICROPHONE can be connected for additional versatility to the [MIC] JACK. The internal microphone does not function when an external microphone is connected.
• 14. EXTERNAL SPEAKER JACK [EXT SP]: Connect an 8Ω external speaker to this jack. The INTERNAL SPEAKER will not operate if an external speaker is connected to the EXTERNAL SPEAKER JACK.
• 15. INTERNAL SPEAKER: This speaker operates when the transceiver is receiving. However, it will not operate if an external speaker is connected to the EXTERNAL SPEAKER JACK.
• 16. BATTERY CHARGE INDICATOR: Lights up while battery pack is charging with the supplied wall charger or the optional IC-CM1 CIGARETTE LIGHTER CABLE.

2-2 Front and Side Panel (Controls Continued)

• 17. BATTERY CHARGER JACK: This jack accepts the output plug of the supplied CM-25U WALL CHARGER or 13.8V DC power source.
• 18. PTT (PUSH-TO-TALK) SWITCH: Push this switch to begin transmitting. [PUSH]
• 19. LIGHT SWITCH: Push this switch to turn ON and OFF the backlight for the FUNCTION DISPLAY. The backlight has a timer function and will turn OFF automatically unless switches are being used.
• 20. BATTERY PACK RELEASE BUTTON [RELEASE]: Push this button upwards and slide the battery pack out to remove it from the transceiver.

2-3 Rear Panel

• 21. RF OUTPUT POWER SELECTOR SWITCH [HIGH] [LOW]: Selects RF output power.
  • HIGH: 1W. Greater coverage for long distance transmissions. (2.5W when used with the CM-24 BATTERY PACK)
  • LOW: 300mW. Low output power for conserving battery life. (1W when used with the CM-24 BATTERY PACK)
• 22. CHARGER TERMINALS: These terminals are used for battery charging with the CM-50U AC BATTERY CHARGER.

Section 3: General Operation

3-1 Receiving

1. Turn power ON: Turn power to the transceiver ON. The number "16" appears on the FUNCTION DISPLAY, indicating the transceiver is set in channel 16.
2. Adjust [VOL] CONTROL: Rotate the [VOL] CONTROL clockwise for a suitable noise level from the speaker after rotating the [SQL] CONTROL completely counterclockwise.
3. Adjust [SQL] CONTROL: Rotate the [SQL] CONTROL clockwise until the channel noise just disappears. This is the threshold point where signals can be received. The transceiver remains silent after this adjustment until a signal is received which opens the receiver's squelch circuit.

3-1 Receiving (Continued)

4. Push [CH 16] SWITCH: Push the [CH 16] SWITCH and the transceiver will automatically move to a pre-programmed memory channel.
5. Push [M CH] SWITCH: Push the [M CH] SWITCH up or down to select another pre-programmed memory channel. Holding this switch continuously in the up or down position successively moves the IC-M8 through every programmed memory channel.
6. Weather channel watching: Push the [WX] SWITCH for weather channel mode and listen to any of the weather channels (receive only). The "WX" INDICATOR appears on the FUNCTION DISPLAY when weather channels are being used. Push the [M CH] SWITCH up or down to move through the weather channels. Push the [WX] SWITCH again to exit weather channel mode and return to normal operations. The PTT SWITCH does not operate in weather channel mode.

3-2 Transmitting

The following transmitting procedures should be started after finishing the steps described above in SECTION 3 - 1 RECEIVING.

1. Select output power: Set the rear panel RF OUTPUT POWER SELECTOR SWITCH in the [HIGH] or [LOW] position. Refer to page 10. "LOW" appears on the FUNCTION DISPLAY when LOW is selected. There is no "HIGH" power indicator.
2. Select an operating channel: Push the [CH 16] SWITCH and then push the [M CH] SWITCH up or down. Listen carefully to ensure that the channel you wish to transmit on is clear.
3. Push PTT SWITCH: Push the PTT SWITCH to call the party you wish to contact. Speak into the microphone using your normal voice level. After contact, release the PTT SWITCH to return to receiving.

3-3 Dual Watch Operation

This function allows a check of channel 16 while listening on another channel. When a signal appears on channel 16, the transceiver automatically switches to channel 16 until this signal has cleared, then the transceiver returns to the original channel.

1. Select an operating channel: Push the [CH 16] SWITCH and then push the [M CH] SWITCH up or down. An operating channel number appears on the FUNCTION DISPLAY.
2. Rotate [SQL] CONTROL: Rotate the [SQL] CONTROL clockwise until the noise from the speaker just disappears.
3. Push [DW] SWITCH: "DUAL" appears on the FUNCTION DISPLAY. The transceiver now alternates between watching the operating channel and channel 16. When a signal appears on either channel, that channel is monitored. Push the [DW] SWITCH again to return to normal operations.

Section 4: Memory Writing

1. Turn power ON: Turn power to the transceiver ON. The number "16" appears on the FUNCTION DISPLAY.
2. Push [CH 16] SWITCH: Push the [CH 16] SWITCH. The operating channel and memory channel numbers appear on the FUNCTION DISPLAY.
3. Hold LIGHT SWITCH IN and push [M CH] SWITCH up or down: Hold the LIGHT SWITCH IN and push the [M CH] SWITCH up or down to select the required memory channel. Pushing the [M CH] SWITCH continuously up or down successively moves the IC-M8 through all 24 memory channels.

Section 4: Memory Writing (Continued)

4. Hold LIGHT SWITCH IN and push [CHANNEL] SWITCHES up or down: Hold the LIGHT SWITCH IN and push the [CHANNEL] SWITCHES up or down to select a channel to operate in. Pushing these switches continuously up or down successively moves the IC-M8 through each channel number. If a memory channel contains no stored channel number, the IC-M8 automatically reverts to channel 16 when the [CHANNEL] SWITCHES are pushed.
5. Release LIGHT SWITCH: Release the LIGHT SWITCH to write the operating channel number into a selected memory channel.

Section 5: Operating Rules and Guidelines

Prevent Interference

Before transmitting, monitor the channel you wish to use to avoid interrupting transmissions in progress.

Call Procedures

Calls must be properly identified and time limits must be respected.

1. Give your call sign each time you call another vessel or a coast station. If you have no call sign, identify the station by giving the vessel name and the name of the licensee.
2. Give your call sign at the end of each transmission of more than 3 minutes duration.
3. You must break and give your call sign at least once every fifteen minutes during long ship-to-shore calls.
4. Keep your unanswered calls short (less than thirty seconds) and do not repeat a call for two minutes.

Diagram of a boat with "CALL SIGN" written on it.

Priorities

1. Read all the rules and regulations pertaining to priorities and keep an up-to-date copy handy. Safety and Distress messages take priority over all others.
2. You must monitor and be able to transmit on channel 16.
3. False or fraudulent distress signals are prohibited and punishable by law. Unnecessary transmissions are not allowed.

Privacy

1. Information overheard but not intended for you cannot lawfully be used in any way.
2. Indecent or profane language is prohibited.

Logs

Use of this equipment requires entry of the watch period of channel 16 by the operator with vessel name, call sign and operator signature. All distress, emergency and safety messages must be recorded in complete detail. Log data activity is usually recorded in 24 hour time. Universal Time (formerly GMT) is frequently used.

Adjustments, repairs, channel frequency changes and authorized modifications affecting electrical operation of the equipment must be kept in the maintenance log and entries signed by the authorized licensed technician performing or supervising the work.

Radio Licenses

1. Ship Station License: When your craft is equipped with a VHF/FM transceiver such as the IC-M8 you must possess a current radio station license before using the equipment. It is unlawful to operate a Ship Station which is not licensed. Ask your dealer or the appropriate government agency for a Ship Radiotelephone License application. This license states your craft's call sign.
2. Operator's License: A Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit is the license most small vessel radio operators have when a radio is not required for safety purposes. You can usually obtain this permit by mail without examination. Contact your marine dealer or appropriate government agency for information or applications. The Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit must be posted or be kept with the operator. Only a licensed radio operator may operate a transceiver. However, non-licensed individuals may talk over a transceiver if a licensed operator starts, supervises, and ends the call, and makes the necessary log entries. A current copy of the applicable government regulations is usually required to be kept.

Section 6: Marine VHF Transceiver Channel Chart

Section 6: Marine VHF Transceiver Channel Chart (Continued)

Section 7: Emergencies

If your vessel requires assistance, attract the attention of other vessels and the Coast Guard by sending a distress message on channel 16.

Procedures for sending a distress signal:

1. MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY (repeat three times)
2. THIS IS (name of the vessel)
3. LOCATED AT (give position)
4. Give the reason for the distress call.
5. Explain what assistance you need.
6. Give additional information to help those come to your assistance (vessel length, color, type, etc.).
7. Use channel 16 only to make initial contact.
8. After making initial contact agree on an alternate frequency such as channel 22A or channel 6 and clear channel 16 for other traffic.

Memo

Please record the serial number of your IC-M8 transceiver below for future servicing reference:

Serial number: ____________________

Date of purchase: ____________________

Place where purchased: ____________________