DSC VHF Replacement for old VHF?

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Gypsyjoss

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I'm upgrading my reliable Simrad RT1400 VHF to a basic DSC VHF. Needs to be simple to use for SWMBO with a good display and knobs for most operations.

I'm considering the M Tech MT500 and the Cobra F55.

What's not to like about these two radios?

Cheers!
Pete
 
Whilst I agree with the sentiments of the previous two posters, DSC does give you the advantage that with only two on board a single press of a button can alert the CG if an emergency arises, you fall overboard leaving SWMBO to cope for instance.

As for make, Simrad radio's were always good quality. There are plenty of good quality DSC radios around from Icom, Raymarine or Standard Horizon. I wouldnt choose anything less. A quality radio will introduce a DSC alarm gradually, no sudden ear piercing screech! In fact with our Icom radio with command mike, you can turn off the alarm at the base station leaving it active at the helm.
 
I've noticed in recent years that the use by Cherbourg Traffic of the DSC calling has died down. Maybe the initial novelty has worn off.
No longer am I turning off the set because of all the DSC alarms.

I have an old Icom M601 for sale. Maybe I should put it in the "for sale" section /eBay.
The MMSI would need to get reprogrammed by ICOM.
 
neale said:
Is it really that bad?
Click to expand...

+1

Used to get lots of alerts in Cornwall years ago for routine announcements of range times and submarine exercises, but they seem to have stopped that. Can't speak for elsewhere in the world but I don't find DSC alerts a problem on the South Coast.

Pete
 
Gypsyjoss said:
Needs to be simple to use for SWMBO
Click to expand...

Whoops! Not very PC that comment! :D

None of them are that simple to use. If your wife has trouble with the video recorder or sky box, then she will have trouble with the radio since the large majority of the DSC operations are menu driven and not user friendly.

Mind you, you can probably solve the issue by showing the post to your wife - the resulting bust up will mean you sail single handed and possibly in a smaller boat.
 
we don't list Cobra for a reason...

Icom
Raymarine
Standard Horizon

not necessarily in that order, but you won't go wrong with any one of them.

The M601 offered could be a good deal, we can reprogram for you if required.

Kevin
 
Just ordered today SH GX1100E, £99.95 from Marine Superstore. Already have SH CP180i & HX751 HH VHF, good gear & reasonable price I think...
 
cheap dsc?

I've just wired in an Icom M411 Euro bought for around 120 squids. Big screen, 6 big press buttons....what else do you want? Simple, cheap, sends lat n long if you're in the sh*t; learn how to use it. Like Windows 7, it sometimes pays to keep abreast of contempory technology otherwise we'd all be using semaphore, Morse and smoke signals. Tomorrow? Thought controlled communications. Today? DSC.
 
I replaced my VHF set with an M-Tech MT-500 last year and have been very pleased with it.

I took the Short Range Certificate course using an Icom radios and found its user interface to be very poor compared with the M-Tech. The M-Tech controls seem very logical and easy to use whereas the Icom was downright confusing.

We cruise on the Thames, both tidal and non-tidal, and I have never been bothered by irrelevant messages as described by those in the Solent.
 
Thanks for you replies folks.

I'm told that there are not many DSC alerts out in the Aegean! Radio Olympia does listen out for them and follow them up. For SWMBO's peace of mind, it's a useful button to hit if I happen to fall overboard - then of course she might not!

Re: VHF choice - seems nobody has bought one of these sub £100 units!
Not to worry - I'm in the process of buying a s/h Icom M601

Cheers
Pete
 
just another - probably too late - plug for standard horizon with command mic. its great to use in the cockpit as well as down below. i have the same problem with SWMBO - but funnily enough that's why i like dsc. all she has to do is press the red button if i'm unconscious.
 
At risk of being picky, there's a bit more to it than just 'pressing the red button' - that just sends the distress alert, it needs to be followed up by a proper Mayday call.
(guess who's just done a DSC course... :) )

When it comes to choosing a DSC set, it's worth seeing them first hand, the Menu text displays on some sets are incredibly tiny - no point in getting something cheap if you can't make out how to use it...
 
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greenalien said:
At risk of being picky, there's a bit more to it than just 'pressing the red button' - that just sends the distress alert, it needs to be followed up by a proper Mayday call.
(guess who's just done a DSC course... :) )

When it comes to choosing a DSC set, it's worth seeing them first hand, the Menu text displays on some sets are incredibly tiny - no point in getting something cheap if you can't make out how to use it...
Click to expand...

I think most, if not all, will transmit anyway if you keep the red button pressed. Mayday call is nice but if it's a panic then at least the DSC call has been sent.
 
ostell said:
I think most, if not all, will transmit anyway if you keep the red button pressed. Mayday call is nice but if it's a panic then at least the DSC call has been sent.
Click to expand...

Exactly - there have been cases of single handed sailors being rescued following a heart attack - so long as you can hold the button for the regulation five seconds, someone will come to find out what's going on.

Our instructor on the DSC SRC course told us that the basic principle is to press the red button briefly, release, then press and hold till the radio starts bleeping - that will get you rescued with every set that has been marketed. If you have the time and knowledge, do the flashy things like selecting an emergency type from the menu and making the voice call on channel 16.
 
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