Confused on Radios - VHF/DSC

[m1taylor]

I have read various bits of information which suggest that VHF is being replaced by DSC, such that VHF channels may not be monitored in the future? However, it seems that only fixed radios for sale are DSC, not hand held ones? So, does this mean that buying a VHF handheld radio is a waste of time/money. Is there a DSC handheld set? I am due to do a radio cert course over the winter, so I am sure I'll be less confused then, but in the meantime I'd be interested to know more on DSC vs VHF.




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[duncan]

DSC is a function of a VHF set.

If you do a search on this, or the Scuttlebutt forum re DSC you will find a large number of very long threads that will give you a lot of information.

<hr width=100% size=1>madesco madidum ..../forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[Evadne]

DSC is VHF. Instead of "analogue" calling on channel 16, there is a digital bolt-on front end (as they say in the trade) where you dial in a telephone number or receive a "dial" signal from another DSC set that your number (MMSI) has been punched into on anothger channel. The digital bit is like a mobile phone, only much more primitive and much more expensive. DSC handhelds are available. It's a crap system,IMO, for the yachtsman but if everyone stops listening on ch16 as promised, its the one we're stuck with so there is no choice really. You can still call on Ch16 with a DSC set, its just that in the future big ships and coastguards won't be listening.

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[halcyon]

Re: Confused on Radios -coastguards

Just thinking, if the coastguard is not listening on channel16 anymore, not doing radio checks, looking out the window at the ships, answering silly questions on vhf re weather and passage departure/arrival, and we are not pressing our red distress button every couple of minutes.
What does the coastgaurds do to pass the day away?

Brian

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[Evadne]

Re: Confused on Radios -coastguards

I'm sure they'll find something. They'll be doing things like investigating all the DSC alerts that go off in their area once every yottie has a cheap and cheerful DSC set fitted and starts pressing buttons without reading the manual. Ditto Epirbs. On the plus side, they'll still be able to answer radio checks! You'll still be able to call them on DSC or (even worse from their point of view) on Ch67. I think one reason DSC was embraced by the HMCG because it was seen as an opportunity to centralise and downsize the workforce, as usual I suspect it will increase the workload of the operators at the sharp end without benefiting us at all. But then I'm just a sad old cynic.


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[floatything]

Re: Confused on Radios -coastguards

"Just thinking, if the coastguard is not listening on channel16 anymore, not doing radio checks,"

I've never heard the Coastguard ask for a radio check (Allships, allships, allships, this is Falmouth Coastguard. Radio check please....)


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[Robin]

Re: Confused on Radios -coastguards

I have heard Solent and Portland call each other for checks and also Portland and Brixham, so Brixham & Falmouth probably do it too. Maybe it is done out of normal yottie hours.

<hr width=100% size=1><font size=1>Sermons from my pulpit are with tongue firmly in cheek and come with no warranty!</font size=1>

 

[halcyon]

Re: Confused on Radios -coastguards

Or will they transfer it to a call centre in India.
Local radio did or does a daily check to Falmouth Coastguard, they cover a fair chunk of the clobe, and it's not often that they have a shout on, so there not that many alarms going off.
Are we heading for a coastgaurd system based at a call centre in the Midlands covering all the coast? are we happy with that? Or will the Coast Watch take over /have to take over the vhf watch as well.

Brian

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[Graham_Wright]

How do you you check that your distress call is working? This seems a big problem to me. You can't check it except for real.

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[Evadne]

I guess the only bit you can't check is the digital side, which is less likely to go wrong than the power transmission, which is what your "radio check" call is checking. There's lots of things you can't check without using them for real: Epirbs, radar reflectors and flares for example. How many of those with a liferaft check that it is working before they set off? At some point, I guess, you've just got to trust the machinery, or not rely on it 100%. Or just get completely paranoid!

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[JohnL]

If the Coastguard is not listening on ch16 whats the point of doing a normal voice mayday after pressing the red button and filling in the form on a DSC set.

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[philip_stevens]

Re: Confused on Radios -coastguards

Falmouth and Brixham Coastguards have called each other during normal working hours in the summer for radio checks.

I would suspect that on the north coast of Cornwall, they do the same or with Swansea Coastguard.

Unlike Mike Martin, no-one from CG answers queries on R2R - or at least, I've not seen any replies.

<hr width=100% size=1>regards,
Philip

 

[aitchw]

I understood that the CG IS listening but just not on headset. Therefore Ch16 is being monitored.

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[sailorman]

BIG SHIPS still use v.h.f for ship to ship so can we , its just that HMCG will not use "head-set" watch but loud speaker on Ch 16, just the same as u & me.
i do not propose to buy DSC

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[TRH]

With VHF you talk to Vessels and Coastguard Stations,With DSC you PAGE the Coastguard Station with your (MMSI)No, this alerts the Coastguards to your need for immediate assistance and your position,and to expect a MAYDAY call on the distress working channel.

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[BrendanS]

If you send a DSC call correctly, it is a Mayday call in it's own right (you can send other types of call other than Mayday though). The follow up voice call is a back up, and to provide further information. A Mayday broadcast on DSC is not sent just to Coastguard, it is sent to all DSC equipped vessels in the area

<hr width=100% size=1>Me transmitte sursum, caledoni

 

[bigmart]

Re: How many times

have posts on this subject been seen here.

Isn't it wonderful that we have a new safety & communication system being forced apon us. Yet those that are giving us this system whether we like it or not have totally failed to educate the general populace as to its use & or benefits?.

Martin

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[BrendanS]

Re: How many times

It would help significantly, if people who obviously don't know how the system works, or how to use it correctly, would stop posting mis-information on these boards, as it compounds the confusion!

<hr width=100% size=1>Me transmitte sursum, caledoni

 

[Ships_Cat]

Re: How many times

/forums/images/icons/smile.gif - In complete agreement with that.

Radio and electrolysis/galvanic corrosion both attract amazing amounts of absolute twaddle from people who obviously have no clue whatsoever what they are talking about.

John

<hr width=100% size=1>I am the cat but I am only 6.

 

[cliff]

The "red button" transmits your distress call on channel 70 and alerts the CG of the mayday. If you follow the "rules" they will have your position (from your gps) or at least your position 4 hours ago. They will also have the nature of the emergency electronically on channel 70 and your details from your mmsi number which again is transmitted automatically.

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