Do you use DSC?

Do you use DSC for making VHF calls

  • Yes - mostly

    Votes: 5 3.1%

  • Yes - regularly

    Votes: 18 11.1%

  • Seldom or never

    Votes: 125 77.2%

  • I don't have DSC

    Votes: 14 8.6%
  • Total voters
    162
In theory I'd use DSC - but in practice the situation rarely arises because I don't often call anybody on the VHF.

The most common call is probably to a marina, and then they aren't expecting and don't want a DSC call, so I don't.

I tried to call another yacht once on a forum meetup, but got no response on either DSC or voice. I think they said in the bar afterwards that they couldn't hear their radio from the cockpit anyway.

I don't think I've ever called the Coastguard, but I do have their MMSI programmed in so I could do it by DSC.

Pete
 
prv said:
The most common call is probably to a marina, and then they aren't expecting and don't want a DSC call, so I don't.
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Most of the marinas I go to prefer to be called by mobile phone ... probably because the duty dog can take a mobile onto the pontoons with him.
 
snowleopard said:
I don't have AIS at present but my experience of trying to call 'ship in position xxxxxxxx' suggests that an Individual Call on DSC would be better. OTOH calling the ship on ch 16 using the name you got from AIS would be just as effective.
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I must admit the only time I've called a ship for traffic purposes, it was as a voice call using the ship's name from AIS. No response on 16, but on 13 a resigned-sounding Russian or Ukrainian deigned to pick up :)

I wouldn't expect any answer without a name. Would they welcome a DSC call? I don't know, but I observe that ships routinely use voice on 16 by name to arrange passing.

Pete
 
I think that there will be a problem with interpreting the results of the poll. People who respond "Seldom or never" may make lots of VHF calls but rarely use the DSC functions, or may be people (like me) who rarely make outgoing VHF calls at all.
 
This thread reminds me I never received a response from registering my hand held DSC radio.. I should chase that up. Think it was dealt with by Falmouth coast guard or something?
 
GHA said:
maybe not a great example but never mind, digital can get through when voice will be unintelligible, on ham some of the psk31 & wspr signals aren't even audible yet the data gets through.

OK it's wiki Wiki and the sources don't work but all the same,..
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Selective_Calling
Because a DSC signal uses a stable signal with a narrow bandwidth and the receiver has no squelch, it has a slightly longer range than analog signals,[1] with up 25 percent longer range and significantly faster.[2].
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Not sure what they mean by stable signal, but the squelch bit seems plausible.
 
As already mentioned, the problem is implementation. Coupled perhaps with a lack of familiarisation

It could and should be as easy to make a DSC call as it is to make a mobile phone call but even a tech freak like me can't be bothered to wade through the obfuscated menu system on every VHF set I've encountered when it's so much quicker and easier to initiate a voice call

Most current VHF models are pretty poor at dealing with incoming calls too. A lack of differentiation between different types of DSC alarms is one issue I have followed by poor presentation if the incoming information

The idea is good, the manufacturers have once again failed to give the consumer a decent way of using it (very similar to AIS information handling - that though has improved enormously of late)

Never the less, the distress function of DSC sets is alone entirely sufficient justification, given that a DSC set can be bought for the cost of a good night out, to junk any non-DSC set in my 'umble
 
Never used DSC in all the years I've had one. Completely flawed implementation if you ask me. The only bit that seems worthwhile is the red button. All the rest of it they should redesign, or bin it.
 
My "Seldom or Never" response doesn't reflect my attitude or awareness of DSC it's just that...
- I don't really "sail in company" (Call me Billy No Mates but I prefer the term "Lone Wolf")
- On transmit, the VHF is mostly used for calling marinas and harbour masters for whom there's never published MMSIs
- I've called the Coastguard twice in 5 years. Once was a DSC routine traffic prior to a cross channel (which I don't bother with any more) and once responding to a pan pan near me which was by voice on 16.

So "seldom" (once). But if I was intending on calling anyone whose MMSI was available I would use DSC.
 
Bru said:
As already mentioned, the problem is implementation. Coupled perhaps with a lack of familiarisation

It could and should be as easy to make a DSC call as it is to make a mobile phone call but even a tech freak like me can't be bothered to wade through the obfuscated menu system on every VHF set I've encountered when it's so much quicker and easier to initiate a voice call

Most current VHF models are pretty poor at dealing with incoming calls too. A lack of differentiation between different types of DSC alarms is one issue I have followed by poor presentation if the incoming information

The idea is good, the manufacturers have once again failed to give the consumer a decent way of using it (very similar to AIS information handling - that though has improved enormously of late)

Never the less, the distress function of DSC sets is alone entirely sufficient justification, given that a DSC set can be bought for the cost of a good night out, to junk any non-DSC set in my 'umble
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Here Here.

My previous club used to circulate members MMSI numbers so I logged most of my friends into my radio. However when I changed clubs MMSI numbers were ignored and were not even circulated on rallies.
 
My VHF usage goes like this:
First X Channel trip of the year around April/May I call CG on main set and give them a passage info call to prove the set is working ok, then it seldom gets used (switched off) for the rest of the year!
H/H is on in cockpit, used to warn off ships that AIS says are going to pass within a quarter mile and listen out for any Mayday or the like. I have it on scan, cus I'm nosey :o
I seldom call Marinas, I just turn up and take pot luck.
 
dunedin said:
Identical to my experience. Most useless piece of kit on board
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Hopefully it won't be useless when the sh*t hits the fan but agree pretty useless otherwise. Only times I've used DSC were when I tested the radio on installation and again when a friend wanted to test his. Only used the vhf once last year to call Marina Bay. Thankfully, we don't get the incessant chatter down here but shore stations set the alarm off for every minor transmission so it's often switched off.
 
laika said:
How do you know where to park? There's not many UK marinas where someone comes out, points you at a berth and takes your lines.
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Most of the ones I go to have visitors' sections listed in "Welcome Anchorages", so if there is no response from calling them it's easy enough to find somewhere and then, if necessary, renegotiate in person.
 
I don't have DSC.

I have to call Peterhead Harbour for permission each and every time I leave/enter the harbour, therefore I've tested my radio.

I've been called once in 10 years, and got the surprise of my life! I was stodging around in Cromarty looking for the visitors buoys, and someone who was tied to one of them, called me up to say where they were.

I have called another vessel once when I was having engine problems off Fraserbugh, and another Peterhead boat was nearby, who gave me a tow.

Other than these 2 occasions, apart from listening to the CG weather forecasts, the VHF is never used.
 
laika said:
- I've called the Coastguard twice in 5 years. Once was a DSC routine traffic prior to a cross channel (which I don't bother with any more)
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Mmm... You survived once so clearly no value in submitting future TRs.

LadyInBed said:
seldom gets used (switched off) for the rest of the year!
H/H is on in cockpit, used to warn off ships that AIS says are going to pass within a quarter mile and listen out for any Mayday or the like.
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So you use your less powerful radio using its battery to listen for my weak mayday that didn't quite reach the CG mast, thanks.
As for AIS handheld range is c5miles. How far in advance are you trying to call 'em. What's their manoeuvring capability? How long does the call take? How much manoeuvring time left..
 
ShinyShoe said:
Mmm... You survived once so clearly no value in submitting future TRs.
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I have a CG66 submitted. I use reliable shore contacts who are ex-crew who know the boat, callsign etc. I email them my passage plan, details of likely delays and variations and instructions on exactly when/how to alert the coastguard if we don't check in. I confirm receipt of that by voice. I don't believe a routine traffic call would add anything except to confirm that my VHF is working.

I sense a certain disparaging tone in your post. Would you care to make the reason for that more explicit?
 
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