DSC Test Calls.

[TangaraToo]

If you can get your get hold of / borrow a hand held DSC VHF then you can practice using that and the fixed vhf as both should have different MMSI numbers.

 

[maby]

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

Interestingly, due to a firmware bug, mine sets channel zero as the nominated channel - makes it possible for us to hear the emergency traffic.

 

[Giblets]

Another answer may be to have an organised session at your club linking up several radios round a table ashore (with no aerial) and practice using them and their features.

Will that not cause damage to the sets involved by transmitting without an aerial?

 

[maby]

Will that not cause damage to the sets involved by transmitting without an aerial?

It is not good for the power output stage, but I would hope that any modern transmitter includes the circuitry to detect the lack of an antenna and protect itself.

 

[Giblets]

It is not good for the power output stage, but I would hope that any modern transmitter includes the circuitry to detect the lack of an antenna and protect itself.

Thanks. I was harking back a few years with dire warnings about no aerial connected.

 

[chrishscorp]

Will that not cause damage to the sets involved by transmitting without an aerial?

That is an interesting point, i wonder if when we were instructed using them in that way there was a dummy load they were connected too, we had 6 sets plugged together in a classroom. perhaps someone else may be able to advise ?

 

[maby]

That is an interesting point, i wonder if when we were instructed using them in that way there was a dummy load they were connected too, we had 6 sets plugged together in a classroom. perhaps someone else may be able to advise ?

When we did our VHF course, the school used specially modified training kit which had the output power cut right back to a few milliwatts - enough to permit communication across the class room, but far too low to be received more than a hundred yards outside.

 

[maby]

Thanks. I was harking back a few years with dire warnings about no aerial connected.

I would not knowingly transmit on high power without an antenna for any length of time - you are relying on the transmitter protection circuitry to stop the output stage blowing up. But equally, any transmitter that does not have the protection is of little use on a boat - the antenna is in a hostile environment and it is by no means unheard of for it to be lost in a storm or due to the failure of rigging bringing the mast down.

 

[chrishscorp]

I have ferreted through the manual on my brand new radio and found in small print that transmitting without an ariel will damage the set, so deleted part of my earlier post, so i am not sure how the sea school linked them up or whether we were transmitting to each other, but on a tiny power output

 

[jakeroyd]

Tried both Brixham and Falmouth again on 25 watts and again no acknowledgement.
so perhaps I'm doing something wrong.

Out in the Sound I called Rame NCI for a normal , non DSC radio check and the kindly replied immediately.

 

[prv]

i am not sure how the sea school linked them up

Training radios are specially modified by the manufacturer and supplied for the purpose. When the requirement came in it annoyed a lot of small-scale freelance instructors who didn't want to have to buy half a dozen special radios to run club courses once or twice a year.

Pete