Resetting DSC Radio`s

migel

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5 Jan 2004
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What is the mystery in resetting DSC Radios
Can it be reset easily or is it complicated?
to make one mistake in a mmsi, and then have to send the radio back to the supplier`s seems rather unneccessary,anyone out there able to shed any light on this uissue
 
Just to clarify, you get more than one chance to enter the MMSI. Mine let you enter it twice completely separately and then it checked the two, if they were the same it accepted, if not try again. I would have thought it be very difficult to enter it wrong twice though.

As for reseting, apparently the only ones who can do it are the manufacturers.
 
As JMKENT ha s said there is no mystery. I have set up a few DCS radios. You have to confirm the MMSI number after entering it.

OK, the last resort is to return the set to the supplier if you have inadvertently entered the wrong MMSI number. But in my experience you have to make one heck of a cock-up to have to resort to this.
 
I have reset mine three times?? The first time was when I bought the radio,the other two times I have had to put the number in has when the batteries have gone completly flat.
 
Going off the subject a bit. Ive just bought a new DSC set, have VHF Licence and don't want to use DSC only VHF, do I still have to get a MMSI number to start using the set? if so I presume that I would have to take the DSC Test to get a number, but did not want to sit another test.
 
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I have reset mine three times?? The first time was when I bought the radio,the other two times I have had to put the number in has when the batteries have gone completly flat.

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How does that work then??? They must remember the number surely. Just by, what is the same, disconnecting the battery for something should not mean that the VHF loses its MMSI number. If it did, we wouldn't have to worry about sending them back to be reset.

What set have you got? fixed or h/h?
 
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Going off the subject a bit. Ive just bought a new DSC set, have VHF Licence and don't want to use DSC only VHF, do I still have to get a MMSI number to start using the set? if so I presume that I would have to take the DSC Test to get a number, but did not want to sit another test.

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When I did the RYA DSC course in March, it became clear that you do not need the certificate to get a license and MMSI number - but the set must be used, or the user supervised, by someone who is certificated.

Cheers,

Richard
 
When I bought my radio silva s10 I entered my mmsi and was aware it could be entered once, however when the batteries went flat and after charging and turning on the radio it asked for my mmsi I was a bit surprised and wary of putting my mmsi in again, however I did and all was well. This has now hapened twice,why this should be I have no idea except when the batteries went flat I had forgotten to turn the radio off,and this is what had flattend the batteries.
 
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Going off the subject a bit. Ive just bought a new DSC set, have VHF Licence and don't want to use DSC only VHF, do I still have to get a MMSI number to start using the set? if so I presume that I would have to take the DSC Test to get a number, but did not want to sit another test.

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1. I would think that as your VHF has DSC capability, the fact it is DSC capable should be advised for the ship's radio license.
2. You may be able to convince an Ofcom inspector that you never use DSC if you haven't programmed in an MMSI number and thus don't have a DSC operator's license. However, is your French good enough to explain this if you were in France?
3. Why don't you want to use DSC? It doesn't make sense if you ever have to convey an emergency situation by VHF and for non emergency traffic you have to clog up Ch16 to call anyone. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
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3. Why don't you want to use DSC? It doesn't make sense if you ever have to convey an emergency situation by VHF and for non emergency traffic you have to clog up Ch16 to call anyone. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[/ QUOTE ]I think it might be something to do with the f'n alarms screeching away. Until someone produces a DSC radio with mutable alarms I for one will stay VHF only. If the "Law" says I must fit one (DSC) then so be it but it will not be switched on unless I want to use it.

I go sailing for the peace and quiet and don't wish to have my pleasure time ruined by some radio squawking away and having to go shut it off.

As for "clogging up ch16" when sending a mayday, yes I can see that being a problem stopping people doing the umteenth radio check of the season or talking to their buddies and inviting them over for drinky-poos - yes a real inconvenience and certainly "clogging up ch16" with unnecessary chit-chat /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

The Rules for using Marine VHF Radio (incl GMDSS) make interesting reading especially what the radio is to be used for and what it is NOT to be used for. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
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"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
 
Well, it seems that Silva haven't made them quite as secure as others. Just flatten/disconnect the battery and there you have it, a fully reset vhf... just don't let it be too well known, or these would deffinitely be the easy pickings for would be thieves.

Have you queried this with them at all?
 
Depends on the radio. I moved our Nasa SX35 from Amber to Gladys. John at Allgadgets gave me the instructions on how to do it but only on confirmation of the invoice number (i.e. proof of purchase)
 
I think you can keep and move your DSC and the same MMSI number even if you move boats. Ofcom can alter the details against the MMSI number.
 
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I think you can keep and move your DSC and the same MMSI number even if you move boats. Ofcom can alter the details against the MMSI number.

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Incorrect. The call sign and MMSI number stays with the vessel through change of name and ownership. It's like your car registration number, stays with the vehicle until it is a metre square block of metal!

In terms of the "anomaly" of the Silva S10 losing it's MMSI number. I use the S10 as a training radio. The sets are powered via a 12 volt transformer and as such are disconnected and reconnected every time they are used. I have never had to renter the MMSI numbers each time I re power.

A couple of other points:

All radios produced after 1999 must be DSC compatible, in other words have the capability to have a separate DSC controller added. I think ICOM were the only ones to produce such a unit.

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While all commercial vessels must be fully GMDSS compliant, which includes use of DSC, leisure vessels do not legally - although it is strongly advised - have to conform. The holder of the old style VHF certificate may operate a non DSC radio, but as soon as they install a DSC set and intend to use that function then the appropriate certificate must be held. However, as in all cases anybody may use a marine VHF radio in the event of a Mayday situation even if an operators certificate is not held. A reason why it is a good idea to have a Mayday procedure card situated by the radio in the event of an emergency.
 
Well, I cannot find where I read it, so I must be getting confused with something else...... what you are saying deffinitely makes sense.

The operation of your S10 deffinitely makes sense... I cannot believe that a set would lose its mmsi number.
 
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