MMSI usage
- Thread starter clyst
- Start date
caiman
Well-Known Member
I thought it was quite amusing and sums up DSC quite well.
Seriously,if ever you send a spoken Mayday,I for one, who might be on the recieving end of it,have absolutly no interest in your MMSI number.Give me your call sign and more importantly,your position,before your radio dies/boat sinks etc
Cheers
Seriously,if ever you send a spoken Mayday,I for one, who might be on the recieving end of it,have absolutly no interest in your MMSI number.Give me your call sign and more importantly,your position,before your radio dies/boat sinks etc
Cheers
VicS
Well-Known Member
I can hardly believe that anyone would be so crass as to write that.
Anyone who has a DSC licence would would realise it was not a serious suggestion and be PTL like Pro Dave.
Anybody operating a DSC radio without the correct licence who did it deserves the consequences.
laika
Well-Known Member
Obviously you need to read the manual for the specifics but as you say, the basic principle is pretty much the same for many radios.
First thing is you want to plug those numbers into the radio's directory (ie phone book) so you can select the yacht name by dialing it up rather than typing it in when you want to make a call. As pagetslady said, that can be pretty awkward (unless, like me, you shelled out for a radio with a keypad).
This will usually start with pressing the menu button, selecting "(DSC) Set up" by moving the dial button and hitting "enter" when the option you want is highlighted, then selecting "Add individual ID" (ICOM) or "INDIV DIR" then "ADD" (SH) or similar. You can then plug in each mmsi and an associated name (ie yacht's name) using the rotary dial and "enter" keys. You then select "exit".
Do put in the MMSIs of your local and adjacent coastguards while you're at it. numbers are in your almanac or here: http://www.coastalradio.org.uk/mmsi.htm
To make a call to another yacht, as others have said, it's usually a case of hitting "menu", selecting "individual call" and "enter" this will normally bring you up your directory which you can scroll through, hitting "enter" when the station you want to call is highlighted. If you want to call a station not in the directory, "manual input" is usually the first option you can select.
After selecting the station to call, you select a channel to use, hit enter, then there's usually some confirmation "enter" to hit before the message is sent.
When/if an acknowledgment is received, the radio tunes to selected channel (usually with a beep or similar) and you can commence voice communication, not forgetting to include your mmsi in your station identification.
Note that calling up the coastguard is slightly different in that the channel you select makes no difference (they'll override it with their working channel) and they control the call.
I'll lay good money that most people who don't use DSC regularly will forget how it's supposed to work (except maybe the red button thing) a matter of months after completing a VHF course.
First thing is you want to plug those numbers into the radio's directory (ie phone book) so you can select the yacht name by dialing it up rather than typing it in when you want to make a call. As pagetslady said, that can be pretty awkward (unless, like me, you shelled out for a radio with a keypad).
This will usually start with pressing the menu button, selecting "(DSC) Set up" by moving the dial button and hitting "enter" when the option you want is highlighted, then selecting "Add individual ID" (ICOM) or "INDIV DIR" then "ADD" (SH) or similar. You can then plug in each mmsi and an associated name (ie yacht's name) using the rotary dial and "enter" keys. You then select "exit".
Do put in the MMSIs of your local and adjacent coastguards while you're at it. numbers are in your almanac or here: http://www.coastalradio.org.uk/mmsi.htm
To make a call to another yacht, as others have said, it's usually a case of hitting "menu", selecting "individual call" and "enter" this will normally bring you up your directory which you can scroll through, hitting "enter" when the station you want to call is highlighted. If you want to call a station not in the directory, "manual input" is usually the first option you can select.
After selecting the station to call, you select a channel to use, hit enter, then there's usually some confirmation "enter" to hit before the message is sent.
When/if an acknowledgment is received, the radio tunes to selected channel (usually with a beep or similar) and you can commence voice communication, not forgetting to include your mmsi in your station identification.
Note that calling up the coastguard is slightly different in that the channel you select makes no difference (they'll override it with their working channel) and they control the call.
I'll lay good money that most people who don't use DSC regularly will forget how it's supposed to work (except maybe the red button thing) a matter of months after completing a VHF course.
alan17
Well-Known Member
DSC Mayday
I also found it amusing and realise that VicS was only joking but with some people dialing 999 because they have run out of Paracetamol or toilet paper there is a need to be careful about making humorous suggestions!
I thought it was quite amusing and sums up DSC quite well.
Seriously,if ever you send a spoken Mayday,I for one, who might be on the recieving end of it,have absolutly no interest in your MMSI number.Give me your call sign and more importantly,your position,before your radio dies/boat sinks etc
Cheers
I also found it amusing and realise that VicS was only joking but with some people dialing 999 because they have run out of Paracetamol or toilet paper there is a need to be careful about making humorous suggestions!
ostell
Well-Known Member
If it is your DSC radio that has received the DSC distress call the details will be in the log that is kept in the receiver memory. So you know the location AND you can call them back using the DSC before the boat sinks.
But then you knew that.
This was to good effect a couple of years ago off Chichester harbour when the owner went overboard and his wife eventually realised that all she needed to do was press the red button (after a plaintiff "Help!" on Ch16). An adjacent boat was able to pick up the coordinates and go to assist, closely followed by the lifeboat.
Boo2
Well-Known Member
NormanS
Well-Known Member
Anyone who has a DSC licence would would realise it was not a serious suggestion and be PTL like Pro Dave.
Anybody operating a DSC radio without the correct licence who did it deserves the consequences.
It might not have occurred to you that there could be some on here who might have a DSC radio, but who might have forgotten to upgrade their VHF licence, or indeed, have no licence at all.
I did realise that it was probably a humorous suggestion, but in that case why not use a smilie?
Personally, I have never used the DSC function on my VHF, (but I do have the upgraded licence), and where I normally sail, there is so little radio traffic, that it is entirely unneccessary.
VicS
Well-Known Member
reply deleted
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caiman
Well-Known Member
Hi Boo2
Second attempt.
It is a requirement that you include the callsign of the station called,and your own callsign,in any* radio transmission.IIRC this is a 'legal' requirement.
My concern about a spoken Mayday stems from an instructional video I have recently seen(but can't remember where),that depicts a guy sending a Mayday-
'Mayday,Mayday,Mayday.
This is nonsuch,nonesuch,nonsuch,
Mayday nonsuch,
My MMSI number is 1234554321,
My position is ......
etc,etc,etc.'
As far as I'm concerned,the vessels position is much more important to me than the MMSI number.
Has the Mayday procedure changed?Or has the director of the video got it wrong?
Cheers
*Mayday being the exception-this automatically goes out as 'All stations'
Second attempt.
It is a requirement that you include the callsign of the station called,and your own callsign,in any* radio transmission.IIRC this is a 'legal' requirement.
My concern about a spoken Mayday stems from an instructional video I have recently seen(but can't remember where),that depicts a guy sending a Mayday-
'Mayday,Mayday,Mayday.
This is nonsuch,nonesuch,nonsuch,
Mayday nonsuch,
My MMSI number is 1234554321,
My position is ......
etc,etc,etc.'
As far as I'm concerned,the vessels position is much more important to me than the MMSI number.
Has the Mayday procedure changed?Or has the director of the video got it wrong?
Cheers
*Mayday being the exception-this automatically goes out as 'All stations'
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LadyInBed
Well-Known Member
I thought it was funny and I don't have a DSC licence
(got a set, but have not got round to fitting it yet).
(got a set, but have not got round to fitting it yet).
and I can read between the linesDeleted
mcframe
Well-Known Member
If we were meeting for lunch, would you like a "Position Send" message that appears as a waypoint on your plotter?
(As long I've already given you my MMSI, it'll even show my vessel name).
What does my callsign tell you? (Assuming you don't mean vessel name)
If I send a spoken mayday, I'll give the last four digits of my MMSI, so the CG know it was me that sent the DSC alert 10 seconds earlier.
(Note to self: Print out *additional* MMSI sticker for next to cockpit mic)
oldvarnish
Well-Known Member
I've been sailing in parts of the southern hemisphere where DSC does not seem to have been adopted.
Nevertheless, they seem to struggle by with a marvellous little system. They have a switch on the top of microphone and, having selected a channel, they just press the switch and talk! It's amazing.
Of course, they're all looking forward to the day when they have to first get out the manual, then plough through a menu or two before entering a several digit code number with wet fingers on a dark and wild night.
Nevertheless, they seem to struggle by with a marvellous little system. They have a switch on the top of microphone and, having selected a channel, they just press the switch and talk! It's amazing.
Of course, they're all looking forward to the day when they have to first get out the manual, then plough through a menu or two before entering a several digit code number with wet fingers on a dark and wild night.
Momac
Well-Known Member
I only wanted to know the basic principle of it .
You can enter the MMSI numbers of other boats in the 'phone book' of your VHF set. You can save each number under the name of the person or their boat name as you wish. Like you save numbers on a mobile phone.
Then you can make or receive calls very much like using a mobile phone.
If you receive a call your vhf set will sound an alarm and prompt to to accept the call.
The two VHF sets automatically set to the channel selected by the sender.
VicS
Well-Known Member
Oh Jeez it's as bad as that is it?
DSC radio obviously not for me then!
caiman
Well-Known Member
VicS
I concur.I use my moby for idle chit chat.
(I've got a DSC main radio,but only cos it was the cheapest,it also is not 'interfaced'(is that the word?)With the various GPS sets I have available.
Old Varnish
I concur.Sometimes 'old antipodean ways' are the way to go,never mind which hemisphere you'r transmitting from.
Mcframe.
Free lunch???They don't exist.Well, at least not in my Latitude.But thanks for the offerWhere in your 'Spoken Mayday message'(God forbid that you will ever have to send one) would your MMSI number appear?Before or after your position?
OP,my apology for the 'thread drift'.
My question stands.On the vid I saw,the MMSI number was given, on a spoken Mayday,before the vessel's position.Is this now the correct procedure? Or had the director got it wrong?Simple.Genuine question.Please educate.
Cheers
I concur.I use my moby for idle chit chat.
(I've got a DSC main radio,but only cos it was the cheapest,it also is not 'interfaced'(is that the word?)With the various GPS sets I have available.Old Varnish
I concur.Sometimes 'old antipodean ways' are the way to go,never mind which hemisphere you'r transmitting from.
Mcframe.
Free lunch???They don't exist.Well, at least not in my Latitude.
But thanks for the offerWhere in your 'Spoken Mayday message'(God forbid that you will ever have to send one) would your MMSI number appear?Before or after your position?OP,my apology for the 'thread drift'.
My question stands.On the vid I saw,the MMSI number was given, on a spoken Mayday,before the vessel's position.Is this now the correct procedure? Or had the director got it wrong?Simple.Genuine question.Please educate.
Cheers
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Nostrodamus
Well-Known Member
Oh Jeez it's as bad as that is it?
DSC radio obviously not for me then!
Does it play games.. I have not managed to find any yet or the photo button
Burnham Bob
Well-Known Member
yes i do have a couple of friends with dsc sets that i call using their numbers.
but i'm gld to say that this year on the east coast we seem to have been getting less securite announcements from the continent preceded by a dsc howling for which i am grateful
but i'm gld to say that this year on the east coast we seem to have been getting less securite announcements from the continent preceded by a dsc howling for which i am grateful
lenseman
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Does it play games.. I have not managed to find any yet or the photo button
The photo button is under the red flip-up cover and you have to press it down for 6 seconds!
VicS
Well-Known Member
I can hardly believe that anyone would be so crass as to write that.
It might not have occurred to you that there could be some on here who might have a DSC radio, but who might have forgotten to upgrade their VHF licence, or indeed, have no licence at all.