Garmin VHF 315 Modular with Hailer & GPS Instruction Guide
- June 3, 2024
- Garmin
Table of Contents
Garmin VHF 315 Modular with Hailer & GPS
Introduction
A modular communication system is the 25-watt VHF 315 marine radio with Class D DSC. By adhering to the most recent industry standards, it offers the assurance of dependable communication and comprehensive NOAA weather notifications on the sea. It is simple to use and easily combines with the Garmin onboard system. It includes a connector for the necessary external antenna and an inside GPS receiver. A GHS 11 handset and new active speaker for use as an intercom between up to three stations are included with VHF 315.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
WARNING
See the Important Safety and Product Information guide in the product box for product warnings and other important information.
CAUTION
To avoid possible personal injury, always wear safety goggles, ear protection, and a dust mask when drilling, cutting, or sanding.
NOTICE
When drilling or cutting, always check what is on the opposite side of the surface to avoid damaging the vessel.
TOOLS NEEDED
- Pencil
- Drill
- 22 mm (7/8 in.) drill bit or hole saw
- 3 mm (1/8 in.) drill bit
- 13 mm (1/2 in.) drill bit
- 76 mm (3/16 in.) wrench (for mounting the handset connector)
- Additional drill bits appropriate for the surface and hardware
- Phillips screwdriver
- Rotary cutting tool or jigsaw (for mounting the active speaker)
- Marine sealant (optional)
MOUNTING CONSIDERATIONS
NOTICE
This device should be mounted in a location that is not exposed to extreme temperatures or conditions. The temperature range for this device is listed in the product specifications. Extended exposure to temperatures exceeding the specified temperature range, in storage or operating conditions, may cause device failure. Extreme-temperature-induced damage and related consequences are not covered by the warranty.
- You must mount the device in a location where it will not be submerged.
- You must mount the device in a location with adequate ventilation where it will not be exposed to extreme temperatures.
VHF ANTENNA MOUNTING AND EME EXPOSURE
WARNING
Radio operators with cardiac pacemakers, life-support machines, or electrical medical equipment should not be exposed to excessive radio-frequency (RF) fields, because the RF field may interfere with the function of their medical equipment.
CAUTION
This device generates and radiates radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic energy (EME). Failure to observe these guidelines may expose people to RF radiation absorption exceeding the maximum permissible exposure (MPE).
Garmin® declares an MPE radius of 2.48 m (97.64 in.) for this system, which was determined using 5 W output to an omni-directional, 6 dBi gain antenna. The antenna should be installed to maintain a distance of 2.48 m (97.64 in.) between the antenna and all people.
MOUNTING THE DEVICE
NOTICE
If you are mounting the device in fiberglass, when drilling the pilot holes, use a countersink bit to drill a clearance counterbore through only the top gel-coat layer. This will help to avoid cracking in the gel-coat layer when the screws are tightened.
Before you mount the device, you must select a mounting location and determine the mounting hardware needed for the surface.
NOTE: Mounting hardware is included with the device, but it may not be suitable for the mounting surface.
- Place the device in the mounting location and mark the location of the pilot holes.
- Using a bit appropriate for the surface and the mounting hardware, drill a pilot hole for one corner of the device.
- Loosely fasten the device to the surface with one corner and examine the other three pilot-hole marks.
- Mark new pilot-hole locations if necessary.
- Remove the device from the mounting surface.
- Drill the appropriate pilot holes for the other three marks.
- Secure the device to the mounting location.
ACTIVE SPEAKER MOUNTING CONSIDERATIONS
NOTICE
This device should be mounted in a location that is not exposed to extreme temperatures or conditions. The temperature range for this device is listed in the product specifications. Extended exposure to temperatures exceeding the specified temperature range, in storage or operating conditions, may cause device failure.
Extreme-temperature-induced damage and related consequences are not covered by the warranty.
The included active speaker is optional, and is not required when installing the VHF 315 device. When selecting a mounting location for the active speaker, observe these considerations.
To avoid interference with a magnetic compass, do not install the active speaker closer than 50 cm (19.6 in.) to a compass.
- You must install the active speaker in line with a GHS™ 11 handset.
- You must install the active speaker within 1.2 m (48 in.) of the location you want to connect the GHS 11 handset.
- You must install the active speaker connected to the primary handset (connected to the GHS 11 STATION 1 port) in the wheelhouse or an adjacent room, in accordance with FCC law.
- You can use the included 10 m (32 ft.) extension cable to connect the active speaker to the VHF radio. You must select a mounting location for the speaker where you can connect the extension cable to the active speaker and to the GHS 11 STATION 1 port on the VHF radio. If needed, additional extension cables are available from your Garmin dealer.
MOUNTING THE ACTIVE SPEAKER
NOTICE
Be careful when cutting the hole to mount the speaker. There is only a small amount of clearance between the case and the mounting holes, and cutting the hole too large could compromise the stability of the speaker after it is mounted.
Before you can mount the speaker, you must select a mounting location.
- Trim the template and make sure it fits at the mounting location.
- Secure the template to the mounting surface.
- Using a 13 mm (1/2 in.) drill bit, drill a hole inside the corner of the line on the template to prepare the mounting surface for cutting.
- Using a rotary-cutting tool or jigsaw, cut the mounting surface along the inside of the dashed line on the template.
- Place the speaker in the cutout to test the fit.
- If necessary, use a file and sandpaper to refine the size of the cutout.
- After the speaker fits correctly in the cutout, ensure the mounting holes on the speaker line up with the pilot holes on the template.
- If the mounting holes on the speaker do not line up, mark the new pilot-hole locations.
- Using a 3 mm (1/8 in.) drill bit, drill the pilot holes.
- Remove the template from the mounting surface.
- Install the included mounting gasket 1 on the back of the speaker.
- Make the necessary wiring connections (Connecting the Active Speaker to the VHF Radio and Handset, page 7).
- Place the speaker in the cutout.
- Secure the speaker to the mounting surface using the included M4 screws 2.
- Snap the screw cover 3 in place.
INSTALLING THE HANDSET CONNECTOR IN THE MOUNTING SURFACE
Before drilling a hole to mount the handset connector from the active speaker, you should mount the active speaker and verify that the cable from the active speaker is long enough to reach the handset-connector mounting location (Mounting the Active Speaker, page 4).
If you do not install the active speaker, you must verify that the included extension cable is long enough to connect to the GHS 11 STATION 1 port on the VHF radio and to the handset-connector mounting location.
You can use the included hardware to mount the handset connector from the active speaker on the dashboard or other mounting surface. If you do not install the active speaker, you can use the hardware to mount the handset connector from the included extension cable on the dashboard or other mounting surface.
- Using the mounting plate 1 as a template, trace the cable hole in the center of the mounting plate and mark the screw locations.
- Set the mounting plate aside. Do not drill through the mounting plate.
- Using a 22 mm (7/8 in.) drill bit or hole saw, drill the center cable hole 2 in the mounting surface.
- Using a 3 mm (1/8 in.) drill bit, drill the pilot holes.
- Apply marine sealant between the mounting plate and the mounting surface to help seal the holes (optional).
- Using the included screws, attach the mounting plate to the mounting surface.
- Select an option:
- If you installed the active speaker, route the long cable from the active speaker to the connector mounting location.
- If you did not install the active speaker, connect the female end of the included extension cable to the GHS 11 STATION 1 port on the VHF radio, and route the male end of the extension cable to the connector mounting location.
- Feed the connector 3 through the back of the mounting surface.
- Apply marine sealant around the connector in the mounting plate to help seal the hole (optional).
- Secure the connector to the mounting plate using the weather cap 4 and the nut 5.
VHF 315 SERIES SPECIFICATIONS
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 6 x 20.5 x 18.1 cm (2.36 x 8.07 x 7.13 in.) |
|---|---|
| Weight | 1.527 kg (3.37 lb.) |
| Operating temperature range | From -15° to 55°C (from 5° to 131°F) |
| Storage temperature range | From -20° to 70°C (from -4° to 158°F) |
| Compass-safe distance | 50 mm (2 in.) |
| Water rating | IEC 60529 IPX71 |
| Antenna connector | S0-239 (50 ohms) |
| Operating voltage | 12 Vdc |
| Wireless frequency | 156 to 162 MHz @ 44 dBm (25 W) maximum |
| Standby current draw | 350 mA |
| Receive current draw | 600 mA |
| Transmit current draw | From 2 A to 6 A (from 1 W to 25 W) |
| Maximum antenna gain | 9 dBi |
| Antenna port impedance | 50 ohms |
| Hailer output power | 20 W at 4 ohms |
| Hailer horn impedance | 4 ohms |
| NMEA 2000 LEN @ 9.0 Vdc | 1 (50 mA) |
FAQs
Which module does GPS use?****
By accurately timing the signals provided by GPS satellites, a GPS receiver determines its location. Nowadays, GPS is widely utilized and has integrated into smartphones.
How precise are GPS units?****
For instance, in clear skies, GPS-enabled cellphones typically have an accuracy of 4.9 m (16 ft) or less (view source at ION.org).
What is the GPS module’s range?****
Each antenna is made to pick up the 1.5752 GHz GPS L1 frequency. GPS functions best when the antenna is placed and designed properly.
Does a GPS module need Internet access?****
No matter if your mobile device has a cellular or internet connection, GPS is always available.
why does the description say white…can you confirm this product is gray, not white?****
It’s not white.
What does the GPS module do?****
For tracking or determining location, GPS receivers are typically utilized in cellphones, fleet management systems, military equipment, etc.
How durable are GPS devices?****
Most GPS watches have a lifespan of seven years or more. However, rechargeable batteries, which do have a shelf life, are used in ALL GPS watches.
Do GPS modules function inside?****
GPS cannot be used indoors for two main reasons: poor signal quality and poor accuracy. The GPS signal is weak when it leaves the satellite and becomes significantly weaker when it travels a long way to reach the GPS receiver, barely strong enough to be functional.
A GPS module must it have an antenna?****
Each satellite transmits a coded signal that includes the precise time and location of the satellite. An antenna is used by every GPS receiver to pick up these signals.
A sensor, the GPS module?****
GPS sensors are receivers with antennas that employ a satellite-based navigation system to give location, velocity, and time data from a network of 24 satellites in orbit around the earth.
Which antenna does the GPS module employ?****
Patch and quadrifilar helix antennas, also known as “quad helix” for short, are the two most common types of antennas used in GPS receivers.
Can GPS function without a power source?****
The quick answer is that both hardwired GPS trackers and plug-in connection GPS (OBD GPS trackers) can run without batteries.
Where should a GPS module be mounted?****
Use the metal roof’s central antenna at least 5 cm away from any roof bars or radio antennae for the greatest results. Mounting the antenna too close to the edge of the roof could cause signal interference from ground reflections.
Where should GPS modules be placed?****
The dashboard, either in the center or far left of the driver’s seat, is the safest spot to attach your GPS unit. To successfully attach the suction cup to any surface, you might need to wet it.
What information does GPS use?****
The GPS receiver needs two types of data to identify the location of the GPS satellites: the almanac and the ephemeris.
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
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