DSC procedure

[Sgeir]

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We have DSC'd Falmouth 2x, Dublin 2x, Liverpool 2x, Belfast 5x and Clyde 2x

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Why do people talk to the coastguard so often? Just interested.

[/ QUOTE ]Judging by the locations I'd say longish passages, possibly overnight. I think that's fairly normal if sailing a yacht overnight.

Could also be single or short handed

 

[Piers]

Some points....

I have used DSC for CG contact many times.

When I call the CG on DSC, my Icom 601 recognises the CG's MMSI and does not allow me to nominate a working channel. This is (correctly) left to the CG.

After the CG has responded and I make a voice call on their nominated channel, I have sometimes been asked to verify my MMSI number since they have no way on knowing that I was the chap who called them on DSC!

 

[Birdseye]

Interesting - my DSC ceratinly allows you toi nominate the working channel when you make the call but the coastguard have a different class oc DSC controller which allows them to change the working channel you nominated back to one they want to use. This controller also allows them to acknowledge your mayday and in so doing cancel your sets pre-programmed repeat of the mayday every (I think) 4 mins.

 

[tome]

1) You cannot chose the DSC channel for shore stations (MMSI numbers beginning 00). This is under shore station control

2) You should use DSC to make the call. The CG station will log your call and MMSI number plus signal strength, and when they acknowledge your set will change to their designated channel

3) They may be busy so wait until the channel is clear and then call them giving vessel name and your MMSI number so that they can match you to the incoming DSC alert.

Solent CG will give you a signal strength (1 to 5, 5 being best) but bear in mind that their antenna is at Boniface Down on the SE side of IOW so a good time to try it is on a x-channel when near Ventnor when you should get a 5. In the Solent, you probably won't get more than a 3