How to call the coastguard on dsc

[Burnham Bob]

My half remembering previous posts is what confuses me so apologies. Calling another boat is easy. Select MMSI, select channel, press button.

But IIRC previous posts say the Coastguard is different - their response will automatically switch my receiver to ch 67. Is that the case? Which would mean just selecting the MMSI and pressing the button. Or should I select 67 as the working channel after selecting the MMSI for the Coastguard and then press the button?

Apologies but google searches and the CG websitte don't help.

 

[elton]

Nobody knows.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Making a call.

After you have entered the MMSI number, select the channel on which you want to communicate. The radio transmits this request with your call.

The radio transmits the call on Channel 70 and returns to the current working channel. The radio listens for an acknowledgement on Channel 70 while staying on the working channel. After an acknowledgement is received, the radio automatically tunes to the channel you selected.

Receiving a call.

When receiving an individual routine call, “INDIVIDUAL” is displayed on the screen.
“ROUTINE” is shown as the type of call. If the channel request is for an invalid channel, “INVALID CH REQUEST” is displayed on the screen. If the channel request is for a valid channel, select OK to change channels. If you select CANCEL, the radio does not change channels and continues to receive on the current channel.

Cut and pasted from my radio manual.

Some more info here : http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?280562-coastguard-advice-please-on-dsc-calling

 

[PaulRainbow]

Nobody knows.

Speak for yerself

 

[pvb]

My half remembering previous posts is what confuses me so apologies. Calling another boat is easy. Select MMSI, select channel, press button.

But IIRC previous posts say the Coastguard is different - their response will automatically switch my receiver to ch 67. Is that the case? Which would mean just selecting the MMSI and pressing the button. Or should I select 67 as the working channel after selecting the MMSI for the Coastguard and then press the button?

Apologies but google searches and the CG websitte don't help.

I always thought that there's no need for you to specify a working channel when calling shore stations, such as the Coastguard. Their response will automatically switch your set to their preferred working channel.

Edit: Your radio may not even allow you to specify a working channel.

 

[Burnham Bob]

Thanks PaulRainbow but that is the standard procedure I use to call another vessel. pvb's reply seems to suggest the coastguard reply switches my set to channel 67 but I'm still in the dark as to what actually happens and i don't want to call the coastguard unnecessarily to check

 

[Cantata]

You could phone Dover or Humber and ask them. They should be pleased to help.

 

[pvb]

Thanks PaulRainbow but that is the standard procedure I use to call another vessel. pvb's reply seems to suggest the coastguard reply switches my set to channel 67 but I'm still in the dark as to what actually happens and i don't want to call the coastguard unnecessarily to check

You don't need to call the Coastguard to check. PaulRainbow's post relates only to ship-to-ship calls, and ship-to-shore calls are different. All shore stations have an MMSI beginning with 00, and the radio should recognise this and should not invite you to select a working channel. I have no idea whether all radios do this correctly or not. But the shore station certainly sends a reply which will switch your set to their preferred working channel. This is also referred to in the thread which PaulRainbow linked to, but perhaps didn't have time to read, as he's apparently busy "doing real world things".

 

[PaulRainbow]

This is also referred to in the thread which PaulRainbow linked to, but perhaps didn't have time to read, as he's apparently busy "doing real world things".

I don't need to read it, i know how to do it.

I posted two pieces of information :

A cut and paste from my manual (saved me typing it) for ship-to-ship.

A previous thread explaining exactly how ship-to-shore works.

Later DSC sets don't even have the option of entering a MMSI number when you call a shore station from the DSC directory.

 

[pvb]

I don't need to read it, i know how to do it.

I posted two pieces of information :

A cut and paste from my manual (saved me typing it) for ship-to-ship.

A previous thread explaining exactly how ship-to-shore works.

Later DSC sets don't even have the option of entering a MMSI number when you call a shore station from the DSC directory.

OK, good to know that you're up-to-speed with the procedures. Just curious as to why you posted the ship-to-ship instructions at all when the OP was asking about calling the Coastguard.