DSC VHF RADIOS

[cc150a]

Hey do any of you guys have any experience with this DSC function of a VHF radio? Can I call the coast gaurd to test it? Seems very complicated. MMSI numbers?
Bob

[John Jones]

I don't know of any provisions for testing it.  If you press the button just to see what happens you will have some ticked off Coasties when they find out there is no distress but you caused them to scramble and burn a couple of thousand dollars worth of fuel.

The system is not complicated.
Go here to register your radio and get your MMSI number.  (free)   http://www.boatus.com/MMSI/

Follow your radio's instruction manual to program the MMSI into the radio.

It's not worth very much if you don't have the output of your GPS wired to the radio DSC input.  Without the GPS signal, all the radio can do is broadcast that there is an emergency.  Sure, they will know it's you from the MMSI number but that is all.  With the GPS location the DSC signal also tells them exactly where you are located.  They can still do radio direction finding but that's a very slow process and not very accurate.

By the way, the DSC distress signal not only goes to the USCG.  Everyone else in range with a DSC radio gets the distress signal.  Some radios (ICOM for sure) even send a received DSC location to your GPS.  My ICOM/Garmin setup will show the location of the distressed vessel on my GPS screen.

[seabob4]

Interesting that you guys bring this up.  I've installed dozens of Icoms and Standard Horizons, all with DSC, always wired them to the GPS, but never tested the feature due to the very reasons  John mentions.

Call the coasties and see what they say...

[John Jones]

I actually "tested" the one I had in my CCP.  It was truly an accident but the button got pressed while on the trailer in the yard.  Ch. 16 immediately went crazy with all kinds of people asking why their radio DSC alarm went off.  Most had no clue what it meant.  Then the CG started calling the Catch 22.  There was so much confused traffic on 16 that I could not get through so I called Sector St. Pete on my cell.  They were very grateful that I called because they were about to send a chopper.  He said they were hesitant because the location plotted out to be near water but on land.  He was grateful and said "you just saved us a bunch on our fuel budget by calling in.  Thanks for calling and don't do it again."  

[wingtime]

I'm glad to see this thread since I have been considering upgrading my VHF to a DSC unit to tie into my Garmin plotter.   Can anyone recommend a reasonably priced VHF DSC unit?  I like the idea of being able to see other DSC units on my chart plotter.    I have also heard that some DSC radios will transmit your your position all the time so other boaters will know where you are.  Is this true?

[MarshMarlowe196]

I have a cheap $100 unit and it's DSC capable, and yes that is true  8)

[seabob4]

Wing,
Check this Standard Horizon out at Star Marine Depot.  $164 ain't bad, but you may want to look around, see what Defender or BOE has...

[seabob4]

I have a cheap $100 unit and it's DSC capable, and yes that is true  8)

Jessie,
What brand is it and how has it served you?  In my opinion, lots of bells and whistles on a VHF just confuse me.  I just want it to work!

[MarshMarlowe196]

I have a cheap $100 unit and it's DSC capable, and yes that is true 8)

Jessie,
What brand is it and how has it served you? In my opinion, lots of bells and whistles on a VHF just confuse me. I just want it to work!

I wanna say it's a Cobra.  It's done very well for me- I stay mostly inshore anyway so it mainly just serves as a warning for bad weather, but it's nice to have just in case, and I can stay in touch with my buddies without getting my cell phone wet.  It hooks right into my GPS and it displays the Lat and Long in the little screen. Purty Cool.

[John Jones]

Any ICOM or Standard Horizon radio will be good.  I bought a Cobra handheld and it is a POS.  I can't vouch for their other units but after the handheld I'll not touch another Cobra.

[seabob4]

Any ICOM or Standard Horizon radio will be good.  I bought a Cobra handheld and it is a POS.  I can't vouch for their other units but after the handheld I'll not touch another Cobra.

...but they make a dang good CB radio...

[John Jones]

I know they used to be THE top CB.  I still have a little Cobra 19 in the garage somewhere.

[Ben87]

I had my neice and her friend on my boat one afternoon.  My neice, who was 9 last summer, was operating the boat.  

I was sitting on the front console seat just enjoying the ride and could hear jabber on the VHF, and could fainly hear my neices friend-Lisa, talking, but dismissed it.  I looked and saw her talking on the VHF and told her to put it down and that it was not a toy.  

A few minutes later, my cell phone is going off, I look and to my shock, it is the Coast Guard as I had programmed their number into my cell phone.  They said they got a distress call.  I explained that it had to have been my neices friend and that we were ok, that there was NO emergency and they thanked me for letting them know.  

Another minute went by, maybe 2 and I get a call from the SAR-center and had to explain the same thing to them on the cell phone.  

I was livid that Lisa had pushed the DSC/distress button but at the same time, was glad to know it was working and hooked up to my GPS properly.

[DOCREED]

I don't know of any provisions for testing it.  If you press the button just to see what happens you will have some ticked off Coasties when they find out there is no distress but you caused them to scramble and burn a couple of thousand dollars worth of fuel.

The system is not complicated.
Go here to register your radio and get your MMSI number.  (free)   http://www.boatus.com/MMSI/

Follow your radio's instruction manual to program the MMSI into the radio.

It's not worth very much if you don't have the output of your GPS wired to the radio DSC input.  Without the GPS signal, all the radio can do is broadcast that there is an emergency.  Sure, they will know it's you from the MMSI number but that is all.  With the GPS location the DSC signal also tells them exactly where you are located.  They can still do radio direction finding but that's a very slow process and not very accurate.

By the way, the DSC distress signal not only goes to the USCG.  Everyone else in range with a DSC radio gets the distress signal.  Some radios (ICOM for sure) even send a received DSC location to your GPS.  My ICOM/Garmin setup will show the location of the distressed vessel on my GPS screen.

NOTE:
If you are planning on leaving  US waters, you must get your MMSI number from the FCC.  As for me,  I dont see it happening--so Boat US is ok.