DSC Radios

[Mike_Martin]

Hi Byron,

That's not strictly true, the Channels all have clear and distinct purposes which at the moment have an overlap due to the transition of pleasure craft to the GMDSS. Once everyone has bought the ever cheaper DSC radios the overlap will cease to be there and HMCG can get on with monitoring the GMDSS/DSC Emergency/Calling channels.

Charles, as ever, draws attention to why things had to change, it comes down to the blatant misuse of C16 both here and within other administrations. I always like to pretend (because I'm nice ) that this was by un-certificated operators, however, I have met a lot of these people over the last 7 years and know that a lot of it was down to extreme misunderstanding of what the service is there to do.

Mike

<hr width=100% size=1>Manager,
Aeronautical & Maritime Services Section,
Radiocommunications Agency

 

[Mike_Martin]

Re: Superfluity of channels

Charles,

Yes, wouldn't a split to 12.5 Khz channel spacing (with double the channels available) be wonderful but just think of all those people who would moan about having to buy new radios.

The main problem though is that it can't really be done unilaterally as the specs exist to ensure that Mobile Maritime units can communicate safetly anywhere in the World.

Mike

<hr width=100% size=1>Manager,
Aeronautical & Maritime Services Section,
Radiocommunications Agency

 

[Jools_of_Top_Cat]

Actually the reason for change as told to me by a few proffessionals is to remove the radio operator from ships. A ship with DSC equipment no longer has need for a dedicated radio operator as all broadcasts etc can now be controlled from the bridge. The alarm as with the coastguard removes the dedicated listening.

It is a sad world, but it will save the industry millions by cutting down the crew still further.

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=blue> Julian </font color=blue>

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ukstaffords.com>http://www.ukstaffords.com</A>

 

[Mike_Martin]

Fair enough ?

Mike

<hr width=100% size=1>Manager,
Aeronautical & Maritime Services Section,
Radiocommunications Agency

 

[jolliffe]

Will somebody please tell me what DSC stands for and will it make VHF completely obsolete and if so when. Should I buy a handheld VHF now or pay a lot more for a DSC. Thanks Guys! Dugsie

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[Mike_Martin]

Hi Dugsie,

DSC stands for Digital Selective Calling, it is now the standard calling protocol for Maritime radio equipment and for VHF it utilises C70.

It replaces the old practise of intership calling on C16 for all calling.

Mike

<hr width=100% size=1>Manager,
Aeronautical & Maritime Services Section,
Radiocommunications Agency

 

[jolliffe]

Thanks Mike - now I know - Regards - Dugsie

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[alant]

What does DAB mean?


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[Mike_Martin]

Digital Audio Broadcasting

MM

<hr width=100% size=1>Manager,
Aeronautical & Maritime Services Section,
Radiocommunications Agency

 

[tome]

This has been happening for years, and I believe we said goodbye to our last radio operator over 10 years ago with the advent of digitally tuned HF radios. The 'radio room' is now just a cabin with Inmarsat terminal and fax, mobile telephones, and the output stage of the HF radio which is controlled from the bridge.

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[Grehan]

DSC and Europe?

At the risk of extending an already long thread . . do I take it from some of the postings that the UK is well behind Europe (France, Med, etc) in the transferrance of all VHF traffic onto DSC?
Including French canals - ecluse-keepers?

So anyone crossing the Channel long-term had better blimmin' well get on and get one?

Info/opinion would be much appreciated. Thanks folks.

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[Mike_Martin]

Re: DSC and Europe?

The answer is yes and no.

We are behind Holland, who made it compulsory for all its boats to have the correct equipment if they choose to carry radio, so the majority of their pleasure boats were ready for the change back in 99.

As I understand it, France is about even with us and Spain is behind us, from the pleasure boat perspective. Obviously all SOLAS vessels were equipped for the change over in 99, with smaller Fishing and Passenger Vessels following quickly. If I remember rightly UK's Coastguard were first to declare fully operational Sea Area A1 in UK T. Waters.

Mike

<hr width=100% size=1>Manager,
Aeronautical & Maritime Services Section,
Radiocommunications Agency

 

[snowleopard]

outside Europe...

coverage is thin on the ground. a year ago i picked up a dsc mayday in the caribbean. i tried to report it to the antigua coastguard who hadn't a clue what i was talking about. i eventually got on to MRCC in martinique which covers the whole area and they hadn't much more clue. they were unable to look up the MMSI i gave them.

don't give up on ch 16 yet!

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[duncan]

Inevitably this gets one thinking and after pushing th eold mouse around I find that it will coat me 285 to aquire the DSC unit to partner my RT64 (bought dsc compatible) or about 370 for a whole RD68 which would fit the existing RT64 flush mounting..........someone is extracting the old yellow stuff here! Note I am not getting into a comparison of 199 for a silva v 600 for an Icom - I suppose it' sindicative of us paying more fo rthe marketing, distribution, stock management, tooling , case and packaging than the actual 'inards'.

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