New DSC Features?

[DJE]

Installed my new ICOM M421 last Saturday. Easy. Since realised that I don't even know how to set it on to dual watch; so I sat down with the instruction book last night. 64 pages. Am I supposed to learn all this?

Most of it I remember from my radio operator's course (Distress Calls, Indiviual Calls, Group Calls, Acknowledgements, Etc.) But then I got to page 33 "Polling Request Calls" & "Position Request Calls" (Plus the accompanying acknowledgements) I dont remember anything about these from my course. And the previous DSC set (yes I am on my second one already) never mentioned them. Are these new features of the DSC system?

 

[duncan]

read my manual yesterday and came to some similar conclusions!
unit goes in over the weekend
I have decided to (1) actually programme the TAG Scan and other settings as I would want them, together with MMSI numbers and groups and (2) put together an A5 2 sided quick reference guide to enable me to make use of them (although it would have been nice if ICOM had packaged one with the unit.... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif)

re new capabilities I don't think they are but are getting more more visibility. Certainly in the fishing club discussions have occured around if you request a position check on some boats out you can guarantee it will be declined!!!

 

[ShipsWoofy]

[ QUOTE ]
I got to page 33 "Polling Request Calls" & "Position Request Calls" (Plus the accompanying acknowledgements) I don't remember anything about these from my course.

[/ QUOTE ]

Is this something like I have on my Navman called buddy position or something similarly dumb. It means, I can request a position of a fellow sailor from his MMSI. I think he has to allow this once to activate, but from then on I can press a button and get his plot. Handy for flotilla sailing I guess. I have not read the instructions for that yet, got a bit long winded.

I do not know if is is set dependant, or whether I could make a request from my Navman to your Icom for example. I would guess not as the manufacture would like to encourage friends to all buy the same equipment.

It might be something completely different, if that is the case I will get my coat eh!

 

[DJE]

The instructions are long on the detail of which buttons to press but very short on the background. It reads as if it will work with any DSC radio. I have a few other boats' MMSI numbers; I will just have to try it out with them some time.

 

[duncan]

yes it is based on standard functionality so as long as the radio is on, and he says he's happy to advise you of the info by acknowledging, you get the data.
shame it can't send it back to the plotter to show position without transposing!

 

[bigmart]

The set that Ive got will do exactly that, provided you have one of their plotters.

Martin /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[duncan]

remind me never to bet on who gets to the marina first then!

pray tell which units?

 

[bigmart]

Standard Vertex Radio & Standard Chartplotters.

Martin

 

[Cornishman]

[ QUOTE ]
Are these new features of the DSC system?

[/ QUOTE ]

Not of the system but of some sets, which is why you won't learn about it on the course.

 

[JonBrooks]

Position request and polling are feature available to all who make DSC radio's

The idea is you can "page" any DSC unit and find their position if they are happy to send it.

On our kit if you get a position request you have to tell the unit to send the position back.

As Martin said on a few radio's on the market you can then output this info to a plotter.

All morden Garmin kit has DSC software.
If yours does not call Garmin they will tell you if it can take it, if it can you can upload it for free!!

The M601 has NMEA out like the Vertex 3500.

Both radio's will output data on getting a DSC distress as well.

We use this feature on the patrol boat I work on.
We have a M601 wired to a Garmin 188c.

If you have probelms getting it to fly on your M421 please fell free to call me in the office, I will be happy to go through it with you on the phone.

Hope that all helps.

Regards

 

[DJE]

No chartplotter I'm afraid. Just a Furuno GP-32. Can the M421 send waypoints to the Furuno? I dont recall anything about NMEA output in the instructions at all.

 

[JonBrooks]

Sorry no.
Only the M601 in our current line up has the NMEA output feature.

Regards

 

[DJE]

No worries. I was just chuffed when it got its position from the GP-32 at the first attempt. Even with my wiring.