Has DSC proved to be a bit pointless?

[chewi]

AFAIK You should not be registering the old boat MMSi on the new boat, it stays with the boat.
You had the option to leave the radio with the boat,
You may already have a mmsi assigned to the new (to you) boat,

 

[Praxinoscope]

The fixed radio went with the my last boat and the new boat came with a fixed radio, so no problem, it is my handheld that I have to get the MMSI re-done, I was not prepared to include a virtually new handheld in the inventory of my boat when I sold it.

 

[Daverw]

I did not think that the HH mmsi was linked to the boat anyway? I’m I wrong?

 

[Praxinoscope]

Good question Daverw, I thought it was as it had the same MMSI number, but maybe you are right? From the comment on this thread it does look as if either we are all ‘duffers’ and deserve to drown* or maybe the regs are too complicated?
*apologies to Arthur Ransome.

 

[solent clown]

I did not think that the HH mmsi was linked to the boat anyway? I’m I wrong?

hand held is a separate entity as long as it is registered as a portable licence, so not linked to the boat but to the individual, the MMSI is often just a number allocated to fill the gap. You do not need to renew it when changing boats.

 

[Praxinoscope]

Solent Clown

Thanks for info.

 

[solent clown]

Solent Clown

Thanks for info.

I only know as I recently asked questions on here, and upon advice, went through the process myself, for both ships and portable. The pooling of knowledge and experience is amazing

 

[GHA]

I did not think that the HH mmsi was linked to the boat anyway? I’m I wrong?

Like SOlent clown said =

[FONT=&quot]You must have a separate Ship [/FONT]Portable[FONT=&quot] Radio Licence for each hand held VHF DSC radio. This is because each individual radio is given a separate identity. The apparatus must not be used outwith UK territorial sea. So, it cannot be covered by a normal Ship Radio Licence, as this does not impose any territorial restrictions. If you already have a Ship Portable Radio Licence, you should ensure that it includes hand held VHF DSC. If it does not, you can change it online, free of charge.[/FONT]

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/manage-your-licence/radiocommunication-licences/ships-radio/vhf-faq

 

[Praxinoscope]

Hi GHA

My h/held DSC is licensed, it’s just that having changed boats my confusion was do I need to do anything now that I have changed boats.

 

[ShinyShoe]

Having just changed boats, I have to re-register the MMSI of the radio on my new boat, no problem, the real pain is that I have to return my hand held to the UK service centre pay some exhorbitant fee to have the MMSI reset.

Hi GHA

My h/held DSC is licensed, it’s just that having changed boats my confusion was do I need to do anything now that I have changed boats.

IF you registered it correctly originally then the MMSI on the Handheld DSC is different to the fixed unit. Done on purpose in cse you take it out on a mates boat etc.

You may have provided details to OFCOM that would be helpful to update. But they will know that might not be the boat the belong to.

You would expect the CG to have a link from the MMSI via MARS database to know the registered vessel name, but equally so you could expect them to confirm it. so not bothering with it anymore for that reason is perhaps premature, but I don't use my DSC either., except the (hopefully not) red button.

You would wouldn't you! But since they have to manually transcribe all the info you send on the EPIRB registration form into the database... ...I'm pretty sure they have an abacus to calculate the tide heights too!

They can access the MARS database. But they aren't integrated.

However, they don't need to... the procedure should be:

You digitally call the CG using their MMSI on CH70
They digitally reply directing you to a working channel - usually 67. Your set re-tunes to 67
You call them on 67 by voice in the normal way "Holyhead Coastguard this is Yacht NonSuch, MMSI 123456789, Over"
They reply "NonSuch this is Holyhead Coastguard, go ahead over"

Even the red button is flawed.
You cannot define your own likely emergencies at installation (eg Diver lost/overdue)

Your logic makes sense. BUT it is sent as a number code not text. For that is MOB not an appropriate option if you really want to specify. I'd love to know how many specify! Changing the specification now would mean all the existing kit wont cope.

and choosing from them is unfamiliar in a stressful situation.

Hold red button 5 seconds. Explain the issue by voice.!

No of persons on board should be asked for on each switchon.

An interesting suggestion. Might still be times that will change, but I can see the value.
A number key pad would be nice!
If it isn't answered what action would you want the set to take? Bear in mind GMDSS was designed at one stage to MANUALLY input the GPS co-ords...

For infrequent use the system has to be familiar. The user interface could become more phone-like now, but at the time of DSC introduction (pre smart phones) they weren't so familiar either....

Yes the interfaces are terrible, Although. Hold red button for 5 seconds is pretty darned simple!
The rest are potentially nice to have. I expect as AIS increases in popularity - we'll see more of the plotter being in command - you'll click the AIS target and press call on VHF. So they can have a full "contact book" and you'll initiate all your calls on there. Editable on a touch screen - or bluetooth or WiFi from the cloud..

 

[[70521]]

Not surprising, and Wikipedia agrees with you. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_selective_calling

With who? I'm tempted to edit that appalling Wiki entry.

It states that only a coastal station can acknowledge a distress message but then ambles on about class A mayday relays, we can all send a mayday relay by voice.