DSC Solution (theory)

[Sans Bateau]

With the many posts just recently about DSC alarms disturbing 'off watch' crew, I have been giving it some thought. Main criteria, the solution or fix has to be simple (for me).

I believe I have come up with a fix but not a solution to the problem. Our new DSC radio (Raymarine) is 100% waterproof. I intend to mount the radio at the helm, with the extension speaker at the chart table with an on/off switch. During the day with the extension switched 'on' weather reports Etc can be recorded at the chart table, as per normal. During 'off watch' periods the extension speaker is switched off, crew can then get their shut eye. The watch responding to the radio.

This fix will also solve the problem of the need to respond to the radio, just as you are coming alongside and the crew are ready to jump ashore or are engaged in some other activity, keeping everyone on deck.

Its not perfect, but untill the number of DSC alarms is reduced, it might just do.

 

[Stingo]

Easier, just turn the ******* thing off and have a handheld in the cockpit

 

[pvb]

Even easier solution...

My solution's even simpler - I haven't bought a DSC radio.

 

[Stingo]

Re: Even easier solution...

Agree. But being a smart-arse yuppie that cannot exist without the very lastest electronic gadgetry, I bought a DSC and gave my old radio to charity. Doh!

 

[Sans Bateau]

Re: Even easier solution...

It was not as simple as that, the old radio was no longer reliable and a new DSC set seemed like a good idea. Now stuck with the side effects, I am trying to find a positive way forward. When others have to replace their old set, they too will have to go with DSC, lets hope not many 'just turn it off'.

 

[Evadne]

Re: Even easier solution...

It does sound like anyone selling a second hand non-DSC vhf at a boat jumble this spring is going to find themselves very popular!

 

[Das_Boot]

Re: Even easier solution...

Are the alarms realy that bad, I took my old vhf out on the weekend but still have it, if it is that bad maybe I should just leave it in and sell the new one which is still in the box.

 

[fireball]

Re: Even easier solution...

More simplistic perhaps - what most people want is a volume control for the alarms ...
well - if your set can turn off the internal speaker, run external speakers, with their own POT - volume control - and turn up the volume on the radio to the same as the urgency alert. You can then turn the WHOLE LOT down with the POT - thus if an emergency call does come through you don't wake the dead whilst realising that your in no possition to help.....

 

[Talulah]

Re: Even easier solution...

It's not that bad. It depends where you are. It is however going to get worse before it gets better. I am waiting for the first recorded accident due to a DSC set. Scenario - Individual listens to VHF radio using headset at low volume so as not to wake up rest of crew. DSC alarm goes off at full volume. Person immediately jumps up in shock reaching to get headphones off in panic. Hits head on cabin ceiling, knocked out etc. I don't know if they ever thought about someone wearing a headset!

 

[StugeronSteve]

Re: Even easier solution...

Consequences could be an awful chain reaction, resulting in the overload of the emergency services and financial meltdown of government, following record payouts, for hearing impairment, to Coastguards etc:

Scenario continues as follows.....

Off watch crew wake, find skipper unconscious, on cabin sole, with split head. DSC alert sent out, meanwhile elsewhere on the high seas....

 

[bruce]

Re: Even easier solution...

am wondering, didn't the EU or what ever is in control over there make dsc manditory and will ban std marine vhf in near future, as i said, just wondering...

 

[Oldhand]

I've been trying to point out that a DSC radio should be controllable from the helming station for ages - I'm glad you have eventually caught up! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[tome]

I know this is your preferred solution, but let me explain why it isn't mine.

The cockpit can be a very noisy place in any heavy weather compared to the chart table. If you do get involved in casualty working in such a situation, you will want to have paper and pen to hand and to both hear and be heard. You will need lighting. You will also probably need to make adjustments to squelch, volume and perhaps change channels.

All this is difficult to do on deck with all the wind-noise, poor lighting and the difficulty of using a pen and paper. Especially at night. All IMO of course, but I've tried both and formed my conclusions from my own experience.

It is possible to get dual station sets, but these are expensive and I don't want to invest any more in DSC. As an aside, plugging in an external speaker on my set does not disconnect the internal one.

 

[Sans Bateau]

Sorry Oldhand, must of missed that bit!

Tome, as I said its only a fix, better than switching off. Adding a volume control would be new hardware, so who would go out and buy a replacement set!

I take your point about needing control at the chart table. But in a situation with two of you on board, one goes over the side (God forbid), what do you do turn the boat around and start searching or go below and radio for help?

With DSC radios so cheap now maybe the answer is two sets, one at the helm and one at the chart table, or how about a cleaver bit of cabling leting you move the radio from one place to the other!?

There must be a more responsible short term fix than turning off, I'm sure you will agree with that.

 

[philmarks]

As it's waterproof, keep the set down below in a bucket of water, and listen to the cockpit speaker in the regular way. The advantage is that whenever you want a cup of tea, you have a bucket of hot water, heated up by all the alarm energy from the internal speaker. I believe that you will still be operational within the terms of the ship's licence.

Of course, a closed container would be advisable to prevent all the hot water slopping over, maybe with a snap down lid so that you can still get at the set in a hurry.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

[ QUOTE ]


It is possible to get dual station sets, but these are expensive .....

[/ QUOTE ]

I've been contemplating the Icom 601 since LBS as they have come down in price and the remote handset for the cockpit is less than £100. Just need to work out where to fit it. My reasoning is to have full power in the cockpit whenever I need it, if we are light handed, rather than going to the chart table. The handheld is OK, but obviously less power and finite battery life.

The ability to cancel any DSC alarms will be an added bonus (although I am not certain it can be done on the remote)

 

[bigmart]

The trouble is that the Icom Second Handset doesn't operate the DSC control of the Radio, only Basic functions.

The Standard(Brand) Fixed mount set offers FULL Control of all functions of the Radio including DSC & its Cheaper.

Martin

 

[Oldhand]

Why not a "black box" DSC set with two full control waterproof handsets, that's what I use.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

Thanks I have been meaning to look at the Standard too, but haven't found one to physically investigate. They are only 10miles down the road from us, but I can't get there during the work day.

On the Vertus website, they are shown as the American version with a 16/9 Dual Watch button etc. Is the UK version any different?

 

[Ships_Cat]

I agree with that Tome. We use a handheld in the cockpit with main radio having an extension speaker in the cockpit also (but a local switch on it to stop feedback if using the handheld on same channel).

I would also add that I think it is bad practice to have any critical electronic or electrical (eg engine panel) equipment in the cockpit unless it is under cover of a hard dodger or pilothouse. Reliability is inversely proportional to exposure to weather, sea and sun - the chances of failure and shortening of life are increased greatly, whether claimed to be waterproof or not.

John