Hand held VHF DSC or not

[mlthomas]

The battery on our Cobra hand held VHF is starting to fade quite quickly, which is probably not bad after seven years. So I thought I would have a look around at new hand held vhf's and there are loads on the market.
Came across two models from Standard Horizon and the difference (apart from price) seemed to be whether it had DSC or not. Most of the time we use the hand vhf to call into the mariina’s, however most of the time there is only the two of us on board and I got to thinking what if something went wrong. Its not going to have the longest range given it is 6W max and in an emergency would probably be used close to sea level, so is the additional cost worth the added safety?
Sailing area Irish sea and into the Clyde from Whitehaven usually
What does the panel think? I know the cheapest option is to replace the battery

 

[mikemanor]

Go for DSC

Personally, if I had the cash, I would go for the DSC option.

The Standard Horizon radio has had some good reviews. Icom has also just launched a DSC handheld - the IC-M91D. May be worth a look.

(remember if you go for the DSC handheld it must be licensed as a Ship Portable radio - it has its own MMSI)

 

[pvb]

Came across two models from Standard Horizon and the difference (apart from price) seemed to be whether it had DSC or not.........so is the additional cost worth the added safety?

Difficult to put a price on safety but, for under £200, the SH HX851E is the one I'd buy. The new Icom is nearly twice the price.

 

[Dave_Seager]

I do not know which model of Cobra handheld VHF you have but the one I have uses stabndard AAA rechargeable batteries. If yours is similar you could buy a new set from Maplins for a few pounds and it should be as good as new.

Personally, I would invest your budget in a fixed DSC VHF radio and aerial. It will have far better range that a handheld and will not depend on your remembering to keep its batteries charged.

 

[Seajet]

For fixed VHF sets, if I was buying again I'd go for the Standard Horizon model with AIS, it's a small screen but a lot better than nothing.

Personally I think DSC is awful, and while my fixed set is so equipped I use it as old style.

I'd be more concerned with making sure a handheld is waterproof, as it will be used in the tender or in emergency.

One tip; don't get a Silva S12 handheld ! I bought it without trying it out, only to find it's the most user unfriendly bit of kit I've ever encountered.

Also the squelch is in digital steps, at one level it's roaring static, one notch up the squelch is so high everything is cancelled out ! Useless.

 

[arto]

I've read that unlike the Coastguard, ships rarely listen on Ch.16 these days, relying on DSC instead. If that's true and your portable might be used as a short range means of indicating distress - potentially out of range of the Coastguard - then DSC sounds like it might be worth some $.

Of course, if you're paranoid, perhaps a EPIRB is a better idea.

Or better still, put on your lifejacket and walk, carefully, to the nearest cemetery.

 

[LadyInBed]

DSC or not

If you decide on a DSC model and you don't want to use DSC in the near future, don't program the VHF with the MMSI #

 

[pvb]

If you decide on a DSC model and you don't want to use DSC in the near future, don't program the VHF with the MMSI #

Why would you have a DSC handheld without programming it with an MMSI? It's a bit like having an EPIRB without a battery.

 

[[2574]]

I've gone for the SH dsc capable handheld because I see it as a useful addition to the MOB armoury. We have a rule that the on watch helm at night has a PLB and handheld Dsc VHF on their person. The ship VHF can then poll the handheld VHF for location if necessary and the Mob can initiate a plb alert. We also have the raymarine life tag system to wake the off watch crew that the on watch crew has gone overboard. Paranoid? Maybe, but I'll use every tool available to me in a mob situation.

 

[l'escargot]

I've just bought a a Standard Horizon waterproof DSC handheld. I am often out in boats on my own and I keep it clipped onto my life jacket. I reckon it will improve my chances of being picked up if I go over the side.

 

[robyonfrome]

Sorry to go off on a tangent but my radio is receiving but not transmitting would it be an aerial problem

 

[mlthomas]

I do not know which model of Cobra handheld VHF you have but the one I have uses stabndard AAA rechargeable batteries. If yours is similar you could buy a new set from Maplins for a few pounds and it should be as good as new.

Personally, I would invest your budget in a fixed DSC VHF radio and aerial. It will have far better range that a handheld and will not depend on your remembering to keep its batteries charged.

Hi Dave
We have a fixed DSC, unfortunately the only option with the boat electronics package was the raymarine that you can't put a remote station on. I'm thinking what happens if it all goes wrong very quickly and you cant get below or we ever got into a MOB (hopefully not).
I think the view is for the DSC, thanks all for the contribution.

Didn't know it had to have a separate MSSI - thought this would be the same as the fixed radio as it was for the same craft. Interesting point.

Mark

 

[LadyInBed]

Why would you have a DSC handheld without programming it with an MMSI?

Personally I don't like or want DSC, but you can't get non DSC fixed sets now and I'm guessing that h/h's with DSC are probably better spec'ed.
Secondly, when the boat is sold, the new owner can make his own decision about DSC, and if it is yes then he doesn't have to fork out for a new DSC handheld.

It's a bit like having an EPIRB without a battery.

No! Having a handheld without a battery is "a bit like having an EPIRB without a battery".
No, correct that, it's it's not just a bit like, it's the same.

Having a DSC handheld without programming it with an MMSI is making a considered decision not to use DSC, it doesn't make the handheld inoperable.

 

[jerrytug]

What are these people on? Quote "handhelds with DSC are probably better spec'd"? D'OH! Yes love they can send a mayday with the press of a button!

 

[mikemanor]

Separate Ship Portable Licence

Didn't know it had to have a separate MSSI - thought this would be the same as the fixed radio as it was for the same craft. Interesting point.

This is because as a handheld it could be taken aboard any ship. There would then be potential to send a DSC Distress Alert with the "wrong" MMSI causing confusion as to which boat was in Distress. Hence DSC Handhelds must be licensed separately, and given their own MMSI in the range 2359xxxxx. Full details on the Ofcom website:

http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/radiocommunication-licences/ships-radio/faq/vhf-faq/

 

[davydog]

I have the standard horizon and like it so far, it is waterproof and obviously also has GPS giving backup for (Or in my case the only GPS info) on a small boat, you can even use it to navigate to waypoints.
IMHO On the DSC note, it seems pointless paying out 200 quid for this unit if you were not going to bother putting in an MMSI number, renders it an expensive standard hand held.

 

[mlthomas]

This is because as a handheld it could be taken aboard any ship. There would then be potential to send a DSC Distress Alert with the "wrong" MMSI causing confusion as to which boat was in Distress. Hence DSC Handhelds must be licensed separately, and given their own MMSI in the range 2359xxxxx. Full details on the Ofcom website:

http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/radiocommunication-licences/ships-radio/faq/vhf-faq/

Thanks for the link

Mark

 

[pvb]

What are these people on?

I'm not sure!

 

[bbg]

To the OP, FWIW - in a handheld VHF I would like to see the following features, in order of priority (assuming transmission / reception / ease of use being equal)
- waterproof (so you can leave it in the cockpit without worrying about it)
- Li-ion battery (NOT NiMH - so the battery life is useful)
- DSC
- small size
- floating

You can get them all in a couple of models, but it is up to everyone how much each of the features is worth.

 

[wadget]

I've read that unlike the Coastguard, ships rarely listen on Ch.16 these days, relying on DSC instead. .

Thats not true, they are just not required to listen on 16 but they still do.

Basicly they have to keep a watch on VHF Ch 70 (DSC) however just like a radio on yacht you still have to be listening to a normal voice channel so channel 16 is the natural choice.

The only time they won't be listening to ch 16 is when entering a port that requires to to use 2 different port control/VTS channels.