coastguard - advice please on dsc calling

[Burnham Bob]

its easier to look a numpty on here than over the airwaves by calling them and bothering them.......the coastguard has started requesting that routine traffic calls are done by dsc rather than a hail on 16 ......we get a reminder in front of the weather forecast........

when i make a dsc call i not only enter the dsc number i want to call but suggest a channel - should i suggest 67 the routine traffic channel in my dsc call?

6,8,72,77 dead straightforward on calls to other boats but to the coastguard i'm not so sure about 67......

advice and not too much scorn please......

 

[JohnP]

DSC

Select routine call to the Coastguard station either by your directory or by the MMSI. Designate Channel 67 for response. Send. Wait for acknowledgement from Coastguard to appear on the radio screen. You can then call them as your radio will already be on 67 after the acknowledgement. Do not wait for them to contact you by voice. Their acknowledgement is the contact. Be prepared for the Coastguard to ask your MMSI to check it was you that contacted them.

 

[NormanS]

Select routine call to the Coastguard station either by your directory or by the MMSI. Designate Channel 67 for response. Send. Wait for acknowledgement from Coastguard to appear on the radio screen. You can then call them as your radio will already be on 67 after the acknowledgement. Do not wait for them to contact you by voice. Their acknowledgement is the contact. Be prepared for the Coastguard to ask your MMSI to check it was you that contacted them.

Guaranteed to put people off from calling the Coastguard. Maybe that's the idea

 

[pcatterall]

As I am DSC less will they get the hump?

 

[Boathook]

As I am DSC less will they get the hump?

+1

 

[VicMallows]

A well intentioned idea that was obsolete before it was implemented ??

Vic

 

[stav]

Have been using DSC to call the CG for the last 3 years use 82 for our lot and did get in a muddle a few times to start with but CG seemed understanding and supportive of the fact at least I was trying and trying I am!

 

[Gwylan]

Does that mean I have to put the numbers for the rapidly reducing number of CG stations in my radio? So that I can call the one appropriate to the area I am in

 

[TomW]

Just started Coastal sailing sometimes up to 20 miles off felixstowe. Can onE just dial 999 for coastguard as don't have a radio. If phonE is out of range does 999 still work?

 

[jtwebb]

One snag with DSC calling is that the usable range seems to be more than that needed for reliable voice communication. Hence, all works until you try and pass your message! Surely when calling a shore station they allocate the channel, 67, 72, 11 etc.

 

[NormanS]

To TomW.

For all the cost, you would be well advised to get a VHF radio, even just a hand held one. One advantage is that if you did require assistance, everyone within range will hear your call, not just the one that you try to call with a phone.

No, if the phone is out of range, it is out of range, whatever number you try to call.

 

[Allan]

Just started Coastal sailing sometimes up to 20 miles off felixstowe. Can onE just dial 999 for coastguard as don't have a radio. If phonE is out of range does 999 still work?

If you go out of range from your supplier, 112 MAY get you the emergency services on another network if there is one in range. In my opinion it not worth the risk. For a few quid you can get a good VHF which will reach the coastguard and/or other boats which my be nearby.
Allan

 

[andygc]

Surely when calling a shore station they allocate the channel, 67, 72, 11 etc.

No, not if you are using DSC - the calling station chooses the channel. If the shore station doesn't like it they reject your call.

EDIT
Sorry, that previous line was wrong - that only applies to ship-to-ship - as someone else points out later, if you call a shore station on DSC the shore station's acknowledgement also switches your set to the shore station's selected channel.
END EDIT

The whole point of using DSC to call the CG is to reduce traffic on 16 and on their working channel (WC). You call them on DSC with their WC selected - that puts no traffic on 16 or the WC - when they can take your call they press a button and your DSC makes its beep - you speak to them - straight in, get your business done. Simple.

If you need a radio check from the CG (once a year?) and call them on DSC you don't waste their time on 16 or bore everybody else for miles around, and you also check that your DSC is working.

 

[scottie]

Last Saturday

Coastguard ask for any vessel in vicinity to assist a Shetland with no power.

Various replies cumulating in this conversation

I have been searching the area and can see no sign of any vessel match description

Coastguard I will call him back and advise you

Nuffield said!

 

[angelsson]

No, not if you are using DSC - the calling station chooses the channel. If the shore station doesn't like it they reject your call.

The whole point of using DSC to call the CG is to reduce traffic on 16 and on their working channel (WC). You call them on DSC with their WC selected - that puts no traffic on 16 or the WC - when they can take your call they press a button and your DSC makes its beep - you speak to them - straight in, get your business done. Simple.

If you need a radio check from the CG (once a year?) and call them on DSC you don't waste their time on 16 or bore everybody else for miles around, and you also check that your DSC is working.

I recently purchased a DSC and installed it, was recommended VHF DSC handbook, 3RD Edition written by Sue Fletcher.

It covers all the points, and more raised in this thread, and I am pleased I purchased a copy. (I have no connection with the author or publishers just a satisfied end user)

 

[ithet]

If you need a radio check from the CG (once a year?) and call them on DSC you don't waste their time on 16 or bore everybody else for miles around, and you also check that your DSC is working.

And not just for DSC - I am amazed at the amount of unneccesary calling traffic on CH16 especially in the Solent. E.g. If I need a Radio check on my non DSC radio I call directly on 67 i.e.
"Solent Coastguard"...etc..- "Request Radio check on 67"

They seem happy with that.

 

[VicMallows]

And not just for DSC - I am amazed at the amount of unneccesary calling traffic on CH16 especially in the Solent. E.g. If I need a Radio check on my non DSC radio I call directly on 67 i.e.
"Solent Coastguard"...etc..- "Request Radio check on 67"

It's only applicable to certain major stations (such as Solent) though. Other stations do not continuously monitor their working frequency. Better still pick a big marina a sensible distance away and call them on their channel (probably 80). Gives the bored chap in the office something to do.

An argument which always amuses me is 'I must check it before every trip in case it has failed since last time'. If you have that little confidence in the installation it is just as likely to fail DURING the current trip!.

Vic

 

[prv]

If I need a Radio check on my non DSC radio I call directly on 67 i.e.
"Solent Coastguard"...etc..- "Request Radio check on 67"

They seem happy with that.

They used to tell people calling for radio checks on 16 to use 67 in future, with just the right tone of voice to make it a minor telling-off while remaining polite. They don't seem to do that any more.

Pete

 

[prv]

An argument which always amuses me is 'I must check it before every trip in case it has failed since last time'.

I think in many cases it's not a carefully thought-out rationale, just a habit, a ritual that they believe must be done. Which makes you wonder where they get it from in the first place. Are comp crew / day skipper courses teaching it? I know my VHF instructor advocated against the practice - do some in fact advise it? Or is it just that they hear so many voices asking, and assume it's the done thing, because by definition the silent majority of non-checkers won't be apparent to them?

(I'm considering only the Solent, and only the practice of calling the Coastguard for a radio check on leaving the berth every time for however short a trip - not all radio checks under all circumstances everywhere.)

Pete

 

[Bilgediver]

No, not if you are using DSC - the calling station chooses the channel. If the shore station doesn't like it they reject your call.
.

I believe I read somewhere that the coastgurds equipment has been modified so that it The Called station can divert the call to 67 .. Seems the mod is accepted by calling stations and like sheep they go....ANy one confirm this????