DSC handheld VHF

[EASLOOP]

Are handheld DSC sets available? Would have thought iCom would have been ahead of the game in this field if they are going to introduce a model.

Has anyone out thee seen such a unit?

 

[pvb]

Standard Horizon...

Standard Horizon make 2 feature-packed waterproof handhelds with DSC calling capability - the HX471S and the HX600S. If a GPS feed is wired into their charging cradle, the radio stores the current position whenever it's in the cradle. In an emergency, grab the radio and you can send a DSC distress call complete with the vessel's position. There's a recent test report here.

However, although these radios will work perfectly well in European waters, it's not legal for us to own them!

 

[rogerthebodger]

Yes combined HH VHF , GPS with DSC its the Uniden Mystic
here

 

[Swagman]

Suspect others with more knowledge can clarify, but suspect neither of these two examples are type approved by OFCOM for use this side of the Atlantic.

 

[Solitaire]

H/H DSC sets were available in Europe for a time - most notably Simrad. MMSI numbers were allocated starting 2359. They are now no longer available in UK. They only worked for Distress alerts and would only function when in their cradle - so pretty useless really. Plus they were expensive.

 

[JonBrooks]

Swagman

The products in the US and the old Simrad are/were a lower class of DSC, class F or lower.
Thses do not meet the class D level as required by the UK/EU.

That a side the US sets are not CE marked so have not been tested for emmisions and again this makes them not up to UK/EU standards.

I am sure in time a full class D hand held will appear but not just yet.

Hope that helps a bit.

Best regards

 

[pvb]

Class D...

Jon, just to clarify this a little, isn't it true that the Standard Horizon HX471S and HX600S both comply with SC101 standards, and that SC101 may be used according to international law on leisure boats anywhere?

As I understand it, the main benefit of Class D is that the radio has 2 receivers; one constantly monitoring channel 70 for DSC calls. In the context of a handheld used in emergency conditions, the key need is surely the ability to send a distress call with MMSI and position data, and the SC101 radios can do this.

Unfortunately, as you rightly say, they're not CE-marked so we can't legally use them here.

 

[JonBrooks]

Re: Class D...

Hi PVB

To the very best of my knowledge:-

SC101 it not approved for EU/UK spec.
Class D is the only approved class of DSC for VHF.
There are moves to look into letting lower specs be used but at this time it is still Class D.
If a US vessel leaves US waters it must fit a Class D DSC.
Hence you will start to see a number of Class D sets appearing on the US market.
Models like Icom M504, M604, Standard VM3500, GX1500 and GX3000.

The cheaper models like the Icom M402 and 302 are for US use only.

The Simrad DSC hand held did as you stated but was felt it was not a high enough standard hence its with drawl from the UK/EU market

Hope that helps

Best regards

 

[JonBrooks]

Re: Class D...

I borrowed this from the USCG website
"RTCM Recommended Minimum Standard for DSC, Version 1.0, 10 Aug 1995, RTCM Paper 56-95/SC101-STD. Applies to VHF and to MF/HF. This standard is not generally recognized outside of the U.S. and should be replaced soon by the ITU Class D and E."

Hope that is a tad clearer now

All the best