FURUNO DANMARK A/S

Hammerholmen 44-48, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark

Phone: +45 36 77 45 00 Fax: +45 36 77 45 01
E-mail: furuno@furuno.dk
www.furuno.dk

August 31, 2022

MSC.1/Circ.1460/Rev.3 / ITU Radio Regulations impact on Furuno VHF radios

Dear Customer,

In accordance with MSC.1/Circ.1460/Rev.3, all VHF models for SOLAS vessels must comply with
the latest ITU Radio Regulations which requires new channels and expanded TX frequency range
up to 161.600 MHz from 161.475 MHz.

The implementation schedule is before the first radio survey on or after January 1, 2024.
Necessary action should be one of the followings depending on which VHF model is currently
installed onboard;

1. FM-8900S: Update software of the FM-8900S to the ver. 4.01.

2. Old VHF models such as FM-8500/8700/8800D/8800S: Replace with the model, FM-
8900S, Make sure the software version is Ver.4.01.

- List of new channels (International)

Implementation deadline
Until the first radio survey on or after January 1, 2024.

Required actions on recent VHF models

Model Required actions
FM-8500 / 8700 Due to the old design, both hardware and software have no room to add new
function. These models MUST be replaced with the FM-8900S w/Ver. 4.01.

FM-8800S / 8800D

FM-8900S Upgrade software to Ver. 4.01

No hardware modification necessary.

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 FURUNO DANMARK A/S
Hammerholmen 44-48, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark
Phone: +45 36 77 45 00 Fax: +45 36 77 45 01
E-mail: furuno@furuno.dk
www.furuno.dk

August 31, 2022

How to check the software version of the FM-8900S

Please check the software version by conducting a self-test as below. The procedure is also
mentioned in the operator’s manual (Chapter 7-1 of operator’s manual, OME56800K).

1. Rotate the CHANNEL/ENTER knob to select [TEST] screen then push the knob.
2. The daily test starts. After the test is completed, the audio alarm sounds.
3. The screen shown below appears. Please check the red frame part.

Yours Sincerely

Frederik Aidi Hallstrøm

Key Account Manager / Master mariner

Furuno Denmark
Hammerholmen 44-48
DK-2650 Hvidovre

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