Need information regarding SI-TEX Model 850

[dragon48]

I picked up a radio for $20.00 at a garage sale and need help setting it up and would like some information about the model, such as how old it is and if it is considered a good model.

It is listed as a SI-TEX FULL SYNTHESIZED MARINE VHF.FM RADIOTELEPHONE

http://i.imgur.com/Bhe2971.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/lWjFZxB.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/vnBkFEH.jpg


I'm assuming that I got a good deal on the unit, because I saw a price of $229.95 written on it.

The seller told me that he never used it.

These are the issues:

1 - The power cord doesn't terminate into anything that I can plug in. A you can see, the cord ends with
two exposed wires and the voltage is listed as 13.6 V DC. Is there something I can buy to get
this powered on indoors? I'd prefer a direct cable. I'm not very handy and don't want to have to twist
the wires into anything.

2 - What kind of antenna do I need?

3 - I don't currently have a boat, so I'm just going to use it to listen, but I would like to test a transmission.
Am I legally permitted to use a certain channel to announce myself and ask if anybody can hear the
transmission, or do I need to get some FCC License first?

Thanks

 

[N1GJB]

1. You need a power supply that will power a mobile radio. Radio shack (if there are any left) is a good source, especially if you can find one going out of business and they are pretty cheap. Then just wire the black lead to the negative terminal and the red to the positive. Keep the inline fuse to protect the radio.

2. You can use pretty much anything to receive and not damage the radio. But considering most of marine is direct ship to ship or ship to shore you wont hear much without a long antenna made for VHF radios. You could probably get away with a magnet mount whip antenna... even a CB one would work for listening purposes even though it's tuned for a lower frequency band. Again, try radio shack.

3. You cannot use Marine radios from land without a license, and licenses are only given to people with legitimate need (sea tow operators, yacht clubs, harbor patrol outfits, etc).