Standard horizon dsc radio

John, this point about DSC alerts inhibiting the message is the most serious of all. If your hands are tied up with sheets, for example, you can't get to the set or the RAM mic. These things are not a problem with a full crew but for the typical husband and wife cruiser when one is having a sleep, it is a big issue. You might think that this is something that happens once in a blue moon but that's not so. It is an issue several times per passage, in my experience.

What happens is the radio goes ballistic, making a noise at a level equivalent to an intruder alarm and continues until you shut it up - no doubt it stops eventually? I don't know I have never put up with it that long. The MRCC that sent the DSC alert makes the transmission almost immediately so unless you are Twizzle or move with the speed of Superman you will miss the MRCC transmission. Very often that MRCC transmission is to tell you which channel to tune to get the further information - e.g. gale warnings, securitees, etc. so you are completely stuck as you have no idea which channel to tune to.

I suggest that the DSC alert should be inhibited during all received transmissions or at the very least set to a level below the transmission volume itself so that the user can always hear the transmission.

You'd think you would be OK by staying tuned to Ch16 - surely then you would hear the MRCC transmission? No. The DSC alert still comes out, disabling the MRCC's transmission.

This is dangerous and entirely wrong.

I understand that there are requirements laid down by the standards and I have not read the standards, but this is dangerous, indefensible and plain wrong. It should be changed without delay and firmware updates made available to existing users. One day this will come up in an accident inquiry - I just hope that nobody is killed or harmed as a result.
 
Some interesting points raised.

Firstly changing the make of your DSC radio will not solve this problem.
All DSC units work in the same way.
Yes the Uniden will help as you can have the RAM mic with you at all times, as long as you remember to pick it up oh and that the battery is charged!

DSC, as we all know, was designed for the commercial world and not for the lesiure world.
Most commercial boats have more than one guy on board and this problem has never, time my knowledge, been an issue.

The system was not designed with the single handed sailor in mind.
As a lesiure boat there is not requirement to have a VHF on your boat so until it is or something, sadly, goes very wrong I, IMHO don't see things changing in the near future.

There is no adjustment for the "alarms" although some sets now, SH included, have an accending alarm but as you say until you cancel it the alarm will continue to sound.

The DSC set works by always listening to CH70, no matter what else is happening so when a DSC message comes in it will over ride an other incoming voice message.

I am sure not you wanted to hear but that facts as I understand them at this time.

Cheers
 
Jon,

Thanks for being direct and answering the question accurately - I would rather hear that than any amount of BS. It is not just an issue for single-handers. Few yachts have someone close enough to the VHF to catch the beginning of the messages that the MRCCs send out in this part of the world. You would have to be sitting right on top of the radio and expecting the alert - I normally sit, in harbour, only six feet from the radio and I often miss the transmissions. I am thinking of buying a second-hand conventional VHF as this really does not suit me at all.

It is a bit of a let-down that the industry (suppliers, trade associations and yachting associations) haven't supported the needs of the recreational sailor.

Thanks for your (as ever) knowledgeable and accurate information, though!
 
Thank you for your comments, nice to know not all think I am whinging schoolboy /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

These kinds of issues need to be fed back.
I try to ensure that it happens.
The main issue is that a lot of this does not get feed back to the like of the RYA etc.

If I am a loan voice most will not see this as an issue
Everyone who has issues with this needs to feed it back.

Whilst forums are great place to get help and have your say they are not how this sort of issue needs to be feed back.

All the best
 
[ QUOTE ]
Whilst forums are great place to get help and have your say they are not how this sort of issue needs to be feed back.

[/ QUOTE ] What is the best way for me to voice my concerns?
 
I can only add my recommendation to the others, i have had one alomst since they were released here in the UK. there was a problem with it not automatically switching to high power when 16 was pressed but that was fixed and the firmware upgraded promptly. A great display, nice big buttons and great clarity and the RAM mic is good too
 
Excellent. Thats sold it for me. Often sail single handed or with inexperienced crew, so hate having to dash below when requesting permission to enter a marina, or even worse in a crisis! Didnt want to drill more holes for external speaker either? Thanks for speedy response!

Mark
 
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