DSC alerts - what do you do when they sound?

[NFCN]

Like many, I expect, I tend to turn the VHF off then back on again to get rid of the blasted noise. I then listen into Ch 16, as usual, to find out if there's anything going on. I've noticed that some of the French weather and info broadcasts seem to be preceded by them when over their side.

I just wonder what the forum's view is. No doubt somebody will post on what one should actually do...

 

[black_sheep]

I don't know why these noises are broadcast so frequently. I immediately turn off my radio to stop them. If they are intended to indicate distress, they have the opposite of the desired effect, as many people do not use their radios because of these noises

 

[seamaster30]

I have a 'cancel' button on my radio that stops the alarm. - On the inland waterways of Ireland I have only ever heard it go off once, with no other transmission, so guess it was in error.

 

[flyingscampi]

Read this THREAD

I bought a icom 505 bundle with the cockpit mike extension so I can cancel the alarms from the tiller.

 

[saltwater_gypsy]

What else is there to say??????

 

[Csail]

I just binned the dsc and went back to vhf and epirb.

 

[charles_reed]

Interestingly, in 3 years of DSC set use, I've never had one.

As it appears to be a phenomenon strictly limited to la Manche, you could
a) move cruising area or
b) purchase one of the many vhf sets which have a remote control or
c) send a petition to the authorities requesting such misuse of an international distress channel be stopped. I'd start with the IMO and move on to my MEP (that'll keep the bu**er busy and stop him spilling the beans about our Revered Leader)
The latter would be the most socially responsible, but least likely to succeed and the first the cheapest and most certain.

PS Personally, subscribing to the conspiratorial view, I think it's the Coastguard revenging themselves on generations of RadioCheckers and, as the Red Queen put it "They only do it to annoy.."

 

[chanelyacht]

There appears to be a common misconception that DSC alerts are for distress only, for example :

[ QUOTE ]
misuse of an internation distress channel

[/ QUOTE ]

Ch70 is NOT a distress only channel, nor is Ch16. They are both Distress, Safety and Calling - therefore notice of forthcoming MSI broadcasts or similar is not misuse.

Don't forget you are complaining about DSC issues in a very small cruising area - the GMDSS system is worldwide and therefore has to address issues wider than the Solent!

 

[pikeyrm]

press either cancel or enter depends on the system you have. all dsc radios have one or the other

 

[Cantata]

[ QUOTE ]
I don't know why these noises are broadcast so frequently..........

[/ QUOTE ]
Who's doing it? In my first year with a DSC set round here on the East Coast I can't recall getting any at all. Is it the CG? Have Solent CG got a different policy to other MRCCs?

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

yeah... me too....

I occasionally ask the boat next door to send me a DSC call to see if its still working...... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[MarkJohnson12345]

They do happen in South Wales but not very often.

Certainly when there is Mayday, but also when there is a gale warning.

Agree if they become too frequent, then it is like crying wolf.

Also when you forget to switch on the GPS!

Only irritating if you let it be.

I would hate to miss a Mayday if I was in a position to help.

Like no doubt you would be irritated if someone sailed by when you needed help.

(Think I have reached a grand!!)

 

[maxi77]

I think there are many who consider the Solent to be the whole world and the rest of us a mere figments of a fevered imagination.

 

[Fantasie 19]

You mean there's somewhere other than the Solent to sail???

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif