5
5-Salt Fever
Guest
I am not sure if you boys have DSC in BC but even if the Coasties haven't yet implemented the system it is a super handy feature to have for letting your buddies in on the hot bite without having to broadcast your numbers to the entire Province on the VHF.
I have my VHF/DSC networked (0183 NEMA connection) into my GPS plotter. When I receive a reply to a position request sent to a buddy, an boat icon pops up on the plotter showing their exact postion; simply move your curser to the icon and select from GPS menu "navigate to" .... viola you have course, distance, time to their exact position.
Most handy and, in the event on an emergency your VHF will broadcast your postion every 1-2mins to all points, aiding in your receiving help much quicker and without your having to put down the extinguisher/bailing bucket to run the radio.
Good tutorial on DSC can be viewed at:
As stated in March 2007 edition of Sea magazine, “The tutorial, “Can you Hear Me?,” educates boaters on the basics of DSC VHF radios. The 35-minute, narrated program also allows viewers to try radio buttons and sounds on their computers to simulate a DSC VHF radio. Topics include radio installation, emergency signaling and an overview of the Coast Guard’s “Rescue 21” program.” The tutorial was created by the USCG and BoatU.S., and it is a top notch program.
The entire tutorial does not have to be viewed at one setting, and you can skip around various segments. One subsection I found interesting was the example audio radio calls to and from the USCG. One thing I learned is that the USCG may ask for your MMSI # (in the example the boater had made an errant distress call, and the USCG wanted to confirm the MMSI# so they would cancel the incorrect alert, and not a real one).
BoatU.S. MMSI Page and link to DSC Radio tutorial: http://www.boatus.com/mmsi/
I have my VHF/DSC networked (0183 NEMA connection) into my GPS plotter. When I receive a reply to a position request sent to a buddy, an boat icon pops up on the plotter showing their exact postion; simply move your curser to the icon and select from GPS menu "navigate to" .... viola you have course, distance, time to their exact position.
Most handy and, in the event on an emergency your VHF will broadcast your postion every 1-2mins to all points, aiding in your receiving help much quicker and without your having to put down the extinguisher/bailing bucket to run the radio.
Good tutorial on DSC can be viewed at:
As stated in March 2007 edition of Sea magazine, “The tutorial, “Can you Hear Me?,” educates boaters on the basics of DSC VHF radios. The 35-minute, narrated program also allows viewers to try radio buttons and sounds on their computers to simulate a DSC VHF radio. Topics include radio installation, emergency signaling and an overview of the Coast Guard’s “Rescue 21” program.” The tutorial was created by the USCG and BoatU.S., and it is a top notch program.
The entire tutorial does not have to be viewed at one setting, and you can skip around various segments. One subsection I found interesting was the example audio radio calls to and from the USCG. One thing I learned is that the USCG may ask for your MMSI # (in the example the boater had made an errant distress call, and the USCG wanted to confirm the MMSI# so they would cancel the incorrect alert, and not a real one).
BoatU.S. MMSI Page and link to DSC Radio tutorial: http://www.boatus.com/mmsi/
