NASA and Which DSC

[jimbouy]

Now I have got the DSC licence, (frighteningly easy!!!) I feel obliged to get a DSC radio.

Does anyone have experience of the model SX35 from Nasa?

Any comments and will I be able to get a cable to hook up a Garmin Etrex to the GPS input.

<hr width=100% size=1>"If it weren't for the last minute, nothing would get done."

 

[sailorman]

why

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[gtmoore]

I've been making some enquiries about this with the intention to upgrade soon and quite like the look of the Silva S10. This is an S15 without the GPS and Navtex functions but benefits from the large 8x40 display thereby hopefully making it straightforward for the family to use in an emergency. It's currently around £199 - might be worth a look?

Cheers

<hr width=100% size=1>Gavin

 

[jimbouy]

I have a boat. I need a radio. I have a DSC radio licence.

Ok i have got a very knocked about second hand unit i was going to try and get some life out of but......... why not???

Are there any disadvantages like constant alarms going off??

<hr width=100% size=1>"If it weren't for the last minute, nothing would get done."<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by jimbouy on 02/12/2003 17:17 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[jimbouy]

Gavin

Any web sites selling it or with info?

Jim

<hr width=100% size=1>"If it weren't for the last minute, nothing would get done."

 

[Gunfleet]

The bigger, the better

one piece of advice about buying a dsc - buy one on which you can read the screen easily, preferably without specs. Trying to work out what a code means, what that message from the coastguard was or whether you've inputted the right numbers is a nightmare in a seaway on my navico/simrad diddy little screen.

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[gtmoore]

Jim

Very little -there's a press release on the S10 on the Silva web site <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.silva.se/pressroom/news/031118f.htm>http://www.silva.se/pressroom/news/031118f.htm</A> but I emailed Iain Henderson at Silva (iain@silva.ltd.uk) who was very helpful and sent me some more details by email and post.

Cheers

<hr width=100% size=1>Gavin

 

[paul03332]

I have been using a Nasa SX35 since April and I am very pleased with it. I find it very simple to use. I particularly like the speed at which you can select a channel on the microphone keypad. I find the display clear enough for me and I did not need to adjust the brightness or contrast settings from the standard ones. It is easy to connect to a gps, just two wires. It will connect to a Garmin etrex but you will need a lead with an open end from your Garmin dealer. As a DSC user in the solent I have only ever had two alarms to acknowledge all season but I'm not sure if this is a typical experience for most people.
Hope this helps!


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[[3889]]

Had one since last year and agree with most comments. Keypad on mic can be operated accidently-there may be a lock but I'm too lazy to read the book. Have aad several alarms, all weather warnings from CG; they can make you jump on a peaceful afternoon. The screen is OK but a larger one would be nice. Its good value but not necessarily the best.

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[Jools_of_Top_Cat]

Silva s10

Euwww, all rubber buttons. So when you are cold, wet, shivering, scared you have to key up and down that tiny pathetic keypad.

I want clunky switches, big clunky rotors, strong and simple to use, for gawds sake it is a radio not a computer.

I will stick with my ol' navico 5600 then for now.

<hr width=100% size=1>Julian

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.topcatsail.co.uk/movies.html>Dolphin Movie From Top Cat</A>

 

[MedDreamer]

Need to be careful where you mount it as it is not fully waterproof (as claimed in some advertisements)- A fact confirmed by NASA when I rang them. I bought one to mount at the helm but when it arrived the box, unit and manual all had stickers on them saying "for internal mounting only"

Martyn

<hr width=100% size=1>Do you think a Fleming 55 would look out of place on Windermere?

 

[JonBrooks]

Dependent on how soon you need the radio it may be worth a trip to the London Boat Show in January.(8th-18th)
You will be able to see everyone's radio's live and working.
Nice way to compare products.

Also there is bound to be lots of deals on offer.


Just a thought

Kind regards

<hr width=100% size=1>Jon Brooks Icom UK Ltd. 01227 741741

 

[jimbouy]

Yeah,

Crossed my mind. Might have to keep some money aside.

Don't tell she who loves retail.

<hr width=100% size=1>"If it weren't for the last minute, nothing would get done."

 

[milltech]

Well maybe not "working", but certainly "switched on".


<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>

 

[MIKE_MCKIE]

Re: Silva s10

Had one for a year & very pleased with it. As others, easy to connect to GPS & no problem to use.
Also you don't HAVE to use the little keypad buttons, there is a perfectly good rotary switch for channel changing, and anyway, if you are cold, wet,shivering & in trouble, you probably only want the RED button anyway!!.
Horses for courses, the previous owner of my boat had a 20 yr old vhf & E/S & a rotator log. I ditched the lot & got new, although there was absolutely nowt wrong with the original gear. Wish I had known then about ebay tho, may have made a few quid!
Cheers
Mike

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[whisper]

Re: Silva s10

Had the NASA for a year - perfectly adequate bit of kit with a good screen at an excellent price. Speaker is perhaps a bit "tinny" sounding. Only one alarm in 130 + hrs use and that was a navigational warning.

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[TargaLout]

Hi,
Unfortunately I bought a Silva S15 at last years London Boat Show. I have had 7x different delivery dates for the Navtex Dual Frequency Antenna all come and pass, latest is "in time for LBS" this year I presume?. So without the Navtex bit I eventually got round to installing it in August. Very "Tinny" sound on receive and according to other boats that I have travelled with I come over muffled. The description is like I've got my hand over the microphone? Also there can not be any form of low frequency rejection coz it constantly buzzes when my fidge is on which is 3 meters away. The ever-so-nice 8x40 LCD display has just recently got a couple of permanent rows of black lines across it all this and I have hardly used it, and dont bother trying to read it in sunlight as the display goes totally black !!. Silva UK aren't that bothered and are accusing my fridge manufacturer as the cause, but the previous unit didn't make that noise.
My opinion is cheap crap!! I should have bought a Simrad DSC or something that is well known. I would not want to rely on it. Wait till I see them at LBS............


<hr width=100% size=1><http://www.fairlinetarga37.com>

 

[gtmoore]

Thanks for the advice

<hr width=100% size=1>Gavin

 

[Birdseye]

Got a Simrad which works OK - but if I had my time again, I wouldnt get the DSC bit.

The problem is the alarm, and the number of times it goes off. The volume of the alarm cannot be adjusted, it cannot be switched off (without switching off the radio) and it cannot be ignored. Contrary to what you might be told, the alarm still goes off repeatedly for the same problem (or at least mine does), so even if its miles away and you heard it the first time, and you cant be of any help, you still get alarm signals coming though time and again and you have to respond to them.

So I now sail without radio most of the time - which is not good and not what was intended. I would prefer to listen to the radio chatter in the background

Oh, and the last time I used DSC to call the UK coastguard, I got a return call on 16 saying "will the station calling on DSC please identify themselves". Both French and Spanish CG simply ignored DSC calls.

Its a system designed for the shipping industry by civil servants - and reflects that.


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[muchy_]

I've got the SX35. I found it to be very reliable and easy to use although I did have problems with it interfering with my GPS and the only way I could sort it out was to buy a new GPS unit with an external aerial. The previous one had a built in antena and it just wiped the signals out.

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