DSC Test Calls.

[jakeroyd]

I commented in another thread that I had tried two DSC test calls , one to Brixham and one to Falmouth.
No response to either.
A forumite reminded me that Brixham closed a couple of years ago.
This is not news to me.
But it set me thinking about how I have understood the Cg now work.

If I call Brixham CG my assumption is that the aerials are still there and route my call to Falmouth or perhaps elsewhere. I assume this is for a voice call or a DSC test call which only needs software at the other end to respond.

I know this gets discussed here quite often , my assumption is that If I call the CG calling them Brixham, Falmouth or whatever it's a central office now that responds and effectively pretends in my case to be Brixham.

Am I correct ?

 

[Lyndsey Doyle]

I don't know, but I had exactly the same assumption as you.

 

[chanelyacht]

If I call Brixham CG my assumption is that the aerials are still there and route my call to Falmouth or perhaps elsewhere. I assume this is for a voice call or a DSC test call which only needs software at the other end to respond.

I know this gets discussed here quite often , my assumption is that If I call the CG calling them Brixham, Falmouth or whatever it's a central office now that responds and effectively pretends in my case to be Brixham.

Am I correct ?

All the remote masts are exactly where they were, so, for example, Berry Head aerial will still receive your call.

Those aerials are grouped on the network, so for example area 7 aerials (Beer Head to Prawle) will be an aerial group, and will be worked by whoever has logged into that group that day. In that example, it will usually be the NMOC, but could be Falmouth, Belfast or Shetland.

It's one reason that "UK Coastguard" has been adopted as the radio identifier, although of course the old names will persist for some while.

The original plan was the ICS platform which runs DSC would auto-acknowledge, but not sure if this is running yet.

 

[laika]

I commented in another thread that I had tried two DSC test calls , one to Brixham and one to Falmouth.
No response to either.

I assume you're aware but just in case...the procedure is that you send them a DSC individual call, they set your working channel then it's your responsibility to speak. A few people seem to have been caught out by this (from previous threads) expecting the coastguard to reply to them by voice. Tim Bartlett (sadly missed from this forum) commented that up until 2008 the who-speaks-first bit wasn't really defined:
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?309612-Using-DSC-for-Routine-calls&p=3461319#post3461319

 

[johnalison]

I assume you're aware but just in case...the procedure is that you send them a DSC individual call, they set your working channel then it's your responsibility to speak. A few people seem to have been caught out by this (from previous threads) expecting the coastguard to reply to them by voice. Tim Bartlett (sadly missed from this forum) commented that up until 2008 the who-speaks-first bit wasn't really defined:
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?309612-Using-DSC-for-Routine-calls&p=3461319#post3461319

I've done a number of DSC calls to Coastguards here and abroad and never had a problem, but these things aren't always obvious to users with less experience or application. I feel that the system, and those using it, need to be aware that many or most sailors are muppets when it comes to radio procedures and allowances need to be made for them.

 

[ShinyShoe]

So ChanelYacht I always understood the DSC Test call was automated... is that correct?

Does placing a DSC (test) call to Group 7 using the old DSC for Brixham work?

In which case the OP should assume he has a fault? Maybe followed by a DSC test to a local vessel and the a DSC routine to CG?

 

[chanelyacht]

So ChanelYacht I always understood the DSC Test call was automated... is that correct?

Does placing a DSC (test) call to Group 7 using the old DSC for Brixham work?

In which case the OP should assume he has a fault? Maybe followed by a DSC test to a local vessel and the a DSC routine to CG?

ICS can auto-respond to test calls, however if the signal is corrupted or not clear to the system, it will kick it into the manual ops queue.

As I understand it, the old MMSIs are still within the system and monitored, although I can't say 100%.

A test to a separate station should identify any fault.

 

[laika]

I feel that the system, and those using it, need to be aware that many or most sailors are muppets when it comes to radio procedures and allowances need to be made for them.

That's a little unfair if you followed the link I posted: the correct procedure isn't in the RYA VHF handbook, wasn't defined prior to 2008 (i.e. when I took my VHF course) and probably hasn't been highlighted by all VHF course instructors subsequent to that (I've personally known a couple of VHF instructors in the last 5 years who were quite clueless about DSC). Most people don't regularly use DSC and I don't doubt that many never have. Its perfectly possible to (generally) be very accomplished at radio procedure without knowing how this part of DSC works.

 

[jakeroyd]

Interesting responses which indicate we all have a variable level of knowledge here.
I have just bought a Standard Horizon GX2200 and the manual there shows how to make a DSC test call but does not show if it is fully automated or not.
However it does not ask for a channel to switch to once the call is acknowledged so i assume all takes place on ch 70.
It sits there waiting for the Ack..............

 

[Seven Spades]

I have the GX2100 and when you man the call you are asked for the destination channel. It might not be in the manual but I am sure it will ask you when you place the call.

 

[jakeroyd]

You are correct , S Spades for a normal DSC call but a test call does not need a nominated channel.

 

[GHA]

However it does not ask for a channel to switch to once the call is acknowledged so i assume all takes place on ch 70.
It sits there waiting for the Ack..............

I've found when a test call is successful the ACK comes through in a few seconds, all automatic so no voice channel required.

 

[nigelmercier]

Interesting responses which indicate we all have a variable level of knowledge here...

Even though I have an Amateur Radio Licence as well as Marine SR VHF, I consider myself clueless when it comes to radio technique. I thought the RYA course fairly hopeless in this respect. If anyone could perhaps recommend a book?

 

[johnalison]

That's a little unfair if you followed the link I posted: the correct procedure isn't in the RYA VHF handbook, wasn't defined prior to 2008 (i.e. when I took my VHF course) and probably hasn't been highlighted by all VHF course instructors subsequent to that (I've personally known a couple of VHF instructors in the last 5 years who were quite clueless about DSC). Most people don't regularly use DSC and I don't doubt that many never have. Its perfectly possible to (generally) be very accomplished at radio procedure without knowing how this part of DSC works.

Either I didn't make myself clear, or you misunderstood me. I only intended to suggest that we are all constrained by limited experience or usage, myself included, and was merely suggesting that the system needs to take this into account, especially when they have made changes which are clearly not widely known.

 

[RadiumRob]

I'm with Nigel on this. I have to admit to feeling inept and nervous when using VHF. I did the RYA DSC course a few years ago and finished feeling quite confident but have hardly used the VHF since.

I installed a new Standard Horizon set the other week and fumbled my way through a manual test call but didn't display any real competence or confidence . It's difficult to find reasons to practice using the radio regularly for day to day coastal sailing but I do feel that is what I, and probably others, need in order to raise my standard. So, if regular functional checks are frowned upon, as they perhaps rightly are, what is the answer? Does anyone know of an online training/practice facility?

 

[yoda]

From all I have read on here there appears to be a need for a clear and concise user guide to DSC procedure. For practice I guess a friend on another boat is a good start for inter-ship working but for ship-shore not sure what the answer is.

Yoda

 

[laika]

Either I didn't make myself clear, or you misunderstood me.

You stated clearly, I just misunderstood, sorry. I mistakenly thought you were saying that people were muppets for misunderstanding procedure rather than making the (very good) point that procedure should take into account the limitations of the average user of the system. My bad.

For practice I guess a friend on another boat is a good start for inter-ship working

It's interesting how many people will start looking nervous and assure you that their VHF "doesn't do that" when you start asking your friends if you can test out DSC features like position request/report with them....

 

[jakeroyd]

With ref to my original post.
I'm wondering if I was on 1 watt. That might be why my test call was not acknowledged.
Will try again on 25w.

 

[Lucky Duck]

I'd be surprised if you can select 1W/25W for the Channel 70 transmissions

 

[chrishscorp]

From all I have read on here there appears to be a need for a clear and concise user guide to DSC procedure. For practice I guess a friend on another boat is a good start for inter-ship working but for ship-shore not sure what the answer is.

Yoda

Get the cruiser section together at your club and get everyone to put their MMSI numbers and boat names on a list, then the next time several of you go out or a rally you can practice polling requests and DSC calls to other boats using their MMSI numbers. you can programme into your radio MMSI numbers for chums boats or even have a group call to x number of boats its all wizard stuff. If you guys can programme a chart plotter you can work a DSC radio.