Can you all help, another DSC question....?

[Talon]

I know, I know this post has been done before, only there is a slightly different angle on this one.

We need to get outselves a DSC radio. Our main set has packed up, so we may as well invest into a nice DSC one.

Firstly when are we required to have a DSC radio?

Secondly, we have a Garmin GPS 75. Old hand held jobbie. Now from what I understand, the DSC radio's distress call feature will only work if it is linked to a sat nav system. However this must be a sat nav system that is compatible with NMEA 0183 Ver 2.0 and above. I don't think that our Garmain is compatible with that version.

For our needs the GPS 75 is fine and I really do not want to replace it. Is there such a thing as a DSC radio with built in GPS? Or are we going to have to replace our Garmin?

Thanks...............

<hr width=100% size=1>Alex

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.mad-als.com>http://www.mad-als.com</A>

 

[No1_Moose]

The DSC Distress function will still work without a Lat/Long input from an NMEA GPS, however you will need to enter your position manually. The good news is that your 75 does output NMEA, so all you need is the Garmin "bare wire" data cable. I think you will have to switch off every output sentence except the Lat/Long.

You don't legally need a VHF, so you don't need to have a DSC VHF (they are good though, especially when you want to contact somebody whose MMSI you know)






<hr width=100% size=1>Ross

 

[Talbot]

The Silva S15 should meet your needs. In addition to the radio you will need to get a proper GPS aerial it will then provide that standard basic GPS features inaddition to the VHF. If you want to go silly, then also add a Navtex aerial, and this unit will also provide normal navtex functions as well - and all at a reasonable price (for its functionality)

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[sailorman]

Silva S15
comes with d.s.c.+ navtex + g..p.s prices start @ £256 but i think u may start with a basic set & add various antenna.
try all usuall on-line outlets

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[Medskipper]

I have just bought and installed the Silva S15.

Firstly you cannot buy a VHF radio which is not DSC. Every new radio sold has to be digital sective calling.

Secondly, This radio does not have an internal gps, any long & lat has to be entered manually unless its linked to a gps NMEA output.

I have just linked my Garmin 128 to the radio. It was very easy to do and its working fine! its a nice radio and seems good value. I would think its a waste of time linking the Navtex to it as the screen is so small!

Barry


<hr width=100% size=1>I just want to retire with my boat to the Med!

 

[BrendanS]

You can buy radios which are not DSC. They just have to be able to be uprated to DSC. Basically, you can buy radios now which are just like VHF of old, but you can add an additional box later to make them DSC. Or, you can buy a DSC ready system which might be in one box, or two.

To say that you cannot buy a radio which is not DSC is inaccurate to some extent, as you can still buy radios which do not require a DSC licence or upgrading of an existing VHF marine licence to operate

<hr width=100% size=1>Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabris, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam.

 

[JonBrooks]

Brendan is spot on

All VHF's now sold have to be a min of DSC upgradalbe.
We do 2 radio's that are standard VHF radio's with an add on DSC controller.

If you wanted radio only and did not want DSC at this time this could be the solution.

There are still large numbers out ther that only want a VHF.

If you are going the DSC route then to have a GPS wired in is the ideal.
If, god forbib you need to send a distress you dont want to waste time punching in you LAt and LONG.

Hope that helps

Kind regards

<hr width=100% size=1>Jon Brooks Icom UK Ltd. 01227 741741

 

[Oldhand]

I would be very surprised if you can't buy a radio without DSC, the regulations are they have to be "DSC compatable", i.e able to take an add-on DSC controller.


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[milltech]

"Firstly you cannot buy a VHF radio which is not DSC. Every new radio sold has to be digital sective calling".

You can of course continue buy hand-helds without DSC.

<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>
<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by milltech on 17/05/2004 10:34 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[Medskipper]

Brendon, I made several enquiries before purchasing my Silva, and I was informed by every sales place I went to that you cannot now by law purchase a Non DSC radio!

Quite frankly I cannot see why anybody wanting a new VHF would want a non DSC radio anyway? its the future, when you replace something get the modern replacement.

Barry


<hr width=100% size=1>I just want to retire with my boat to the Med!

 

[BrendanS]

They are talking complete crap the, and if they are that ignorant, I'd find another supplier who actually knows what they are talking about!

See post from Jon Brooks, he works for Icom, a marine VHF radio company (amongst other things). Marine VHF radios have to be able to be upgraded to DSC, but you can still buy VHF radios which don't have the DSC part, but can be upgraded with another box at a later date if you wish.

Not everyone likes DSC - just take a look in scuttlebutt about the enforced receipt of loud message alerts on a continual basis.

<hr width=100% size=1>Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabris, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam.

 

[JonBrooks]

Barry

If only everyone on the water felt like you.
It is a sad fact that there is still a huge number who think DSC is a bad idea.
There is a few on this forum.

There is still a large market for non DSC radio's.
Our sales figures prove that.

It has to be the way to go, DSC I mean.

Regards

<hr width=100% size=1>Jon Brooks Icom UK Ltd. 01227 741741

 

[Talon]

This is all very interesting reading! Thanks for all the responses.

Okay, so I understand that I do not legally need DSC, but when is Channel 16 no longer monitored.

I just want to make sure I have a way of putting out a mayday and someone coming to help. /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>Alex

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.mad-als.com>http://www.mad-als.com</A>

 

[Alistairr]

Somebody mentioned this too me last week, They said it was 2005, which was a shock to me.

However i shall continue to use my Handheld NON-Dsc Vhf. I usually leave mine on CHL16 as do most people, So some-ones bound to here any Mayday or Panpan.



<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://arweb.co.uk/argallery/alistair?&page=1> My Pictures, Look if you want.</A>

 

[BrendanS]

They are already off dedicated Ch16 watch in some areas, and onto speaker. Been discussed quite frequently. Ch16 is still monitored, and will be for quite some time

<hr width=100% size=1>Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabris, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam.

 

[Mike_Martin]

Just to clarify:

The law is that the set must either be DSC or able to be linked to a DSC controller and therefore be DSC. The statement of "must be DSC" is just a distillation of the whole statement and is very common in boating circles as i'm sure we've all noticed.

Mike

<hr width=100% size=1>Team Executive,
Maritime & Aeronautical Team, Ofcom

 

[Mike_Martin]

1st of February 2005 was the date announced by the MCA back in 1999 (and mentioned in all manner of fora since that time) for MRCCs downgrading the Distress watch on C16 to a loudspeaker-only watch .

Last September, individulal Watch Managers at MRCCs were allowed to go to loudspeaker-only if it was required operationally.

Mike

<hr width=100% size=1>Team Executive,
Maritime & Aeronautical Team, Ofcom

 

[Oldhand]

Quite agree, DSC is excellent, time everyone had it and got off channel 16.

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[Tomsk]

It's not very often that I feel the need to contact the Coast Guard for a radio check - usually only after 'playing around with' or 'breaking' something. With a DSC set, would you still call on 16 for a check or use the local CG's MMSI?

<hr width=100% size=1>Tomsk -

What the hell... it's only money!

 

[JonBrooks]

You can do it either way
You can do a DSC call to the CG, they will then give you a channel to go to.
You would then carry on as normal with voice on that channel.
You have then checked both part of you radio.

If more people did it this way it would free up CH16 no end.
It would also, IMHO make it less likely for major CG stations to say "no more radio checks" as happens on busy weekends in the Solent.

Regards



<hr width=100% size=1>Jon Brooks Icom UK Ltd. 01227 741741