Use of DSC alerts?

The graphic WAS funny

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Solitaire

Solitaire

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It is becoming clear that many who have done their DSC operators certificate still find the whole issue confusing or at best have forgotten how to actually use the system.

Based on my response to a post on MOBO forum I thought I'd put a poll together to see if there was need for say a half day course to refresh people's use of DSC alerting. It may be that a lot of people did there certificates based on using the computer simulators and did not have the opportunity to use/practise on real sets without any fear of setting off false alert.
 
I thought this government had the upper hand at making money, But RYA instructors are getting good at it. How often would you think that an update should be undertaken and how much do you think you should charge. Print your own money.
 
But you do not have a DSC set how can you tell? /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I am fairly confident, but maybe there is a space for the odd seminar, or how about putting together a cheap RYAWAY video that people who would like a reminder can use.
 
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But you do not have a DSC set how can you tell?


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been there seen them HEARD them , will definitely not buy the T shirt!
 
Makes sense to me if you buy aDSC radio, it would be
useful to know how to use it.
When i did my radio course years ago i was taught how
to operate DSC on a simulator, but not ever having a
DSC onboard, or ever using one, i must confess i have
forgotten how to operate one, 'spect theres a few like me
 
Teaching on their own set might help as well - bit more of a pain for the tutor, but people see it in the class room and understand but then cannot translate to their own set cos of crap instruction manuals translated straight from japense to english IMHO.
 
I bought my DSC 2 years after doing the course, my aquastar died ... RIP.

A quick flick through the users manual brought me back up to speed. In fact the course tries to explain everything about DSC in an afternoon. To actually use the set you need very little. The bits you do need are different on different sets like which button to press to accept / cancel a dsc call / alert for example.

Do you still have the RYA book from the course?
 
I take it you're the NO then? This has nothing to do with the RYA, it's simply a straw poll. I suppose you work for nothing ? I'm simply asking if people would find such a course of value. If they do, then why should a market need not be fulfilled?

Judging by responses so far it would appear the need may be there; I'm very glad that 53% of respondents feel they are confident enough already. But then 40% say they would find it of interest. As to price? It would depend on numbers, the more that would like to avail themselves of such a course then market forces would prevail.
 
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You missed the option for those of us who believe that the DSC system is a piece of [--word removed--]

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I didn't miss it! DSC is an international fact of life! Whether you or I like it or not is a total irrelevance.
 
It looks to me that you are using this site for market research for your own commercial benefit.

In my book that's crossing the line. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
The mojority of the people on the course I did only passed because they were given the opportunity to correct thier papers and had books with all the answers at hand during the test.

I would imagine this is normal.

I think the initial course should be more involved so people thourouhgly grasp the information. I know also that it is very difficult to drag the course content out over a day too as it can be covered in only a few hours.
 
The course I did was fine. VHF proceedures in morning and dsc and practical in pm was I thought enough.

I also find the dsc facility brilliant especially the individual call to another boat. To set their reciever to the channel you set for the ship to ship call means that you can contact them even when you do not know what channel they are on is very usefull.
 
This might be useful, but only if you get someone to teach it who actually knows something about radio communications and turn it into a proper learning experience.
Then you could avoid half the silly questions on here like does a DSC radio have greater range than a VHF...I ask you...??
If you just blindly regurgitate the RYA course on radio then it wont be worth turning up, unless you just want to know which way round to hold the mic that is.
The RYA is good organisation for sailing matters, but their approach and knowledge with anything to do with radio or technology is poor...at very best.
As a matter of interest what qualifications in radio do you hold...other than the RYA radio instructors certificate?

Steve.
 
so what are your views on DSC range vs normal VHF? Most of the information available is that digital has a greater range, though once you drop back to voice, then the range is exactly the same

Solitaire runs courses above what most DSC courses offer from the feedback I've had, so no worries on that score. What other qualifications does he need. He is talking about operating DSC sets, not SSB

Many here don't understand how DSC radios operate, and that is what he is trying to get to root of. Do people who took DSC courses need top up on how to actually operate them. He needs no more radio experience than that.
 
I have never put forward any "formal" radio qualifications. I make reference simply to operational procedure and have always done so. The SRC certificate is a certificate of competence to operate. It is not a technology based course. You seem to constantly go down this "geek" route.

It seems to be enough for people to remember how to send a DSC alert without going into all the technobabble you seem to want to pursue. Do you think that the "science" is going to make for better marine radio procedure?

I hope that when people go away from one of my courses that they don't use Ch16 for a radio check, they know which channel to use to contact the coastguard in their operating area, that there are other channels that provide for assistnce in certain circumstances, that peoeple get to use a radio and not be afraid of doing so, that they can with confidence know the Mayday procedure, I encourage them, in fact give out at the end of the course the MCA procodeure card and say them to put it by the radio - unless you use it all the time I think most would not be able to remember their MMSI number. I want them to know how to make the appropriate call in the event of sending a DSC alert by mistake. That they don't dominate on Ch77 discussing the kids school fees or on Ch 08 wondering if Portsmouth FC will be playing at St Mary's next year for the next 20 mins!

The only "technical" question in the exam is regarding the possible range of one antenna reaching the other. I should also point out that the RYA operate the SRC certificate on behalf of the MCA and it is also the only course where the assesors are audited by an external quality control company. I receive feed back on average twice a year - I don't know who the students were or the school I did the course through. The students are asked a range of questions and the assesor is then rated out of 10 - I've never had less than 8! I add to my working knowledge of VHF all the time and make an effort to expand my knowledge in order to offer both a n informative and entertaing, fun day. I'll never have your in depth knowldge and perhaps it better that way, people go away rememberinh how to use the radio in the right way. I want them to leave alive, not feeling the need to cut their wrists in the first hour!





Reminds me of that famous saying - "Come in Tokyo" Do you live at 23 Railway Cuttings? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
How can it have greater range with exactly the same power and antenna system?
DSC because of how it uses the phase modulator in the radio may have greater intelligibilty but certainly not greater range.
The range of the radio is a factor mainly of height of both antennae, to a degree the RF output power, more importantly the receiver sensitivity of both radios, the type, quality and tuning of the antenna and feedline and the prevailing radio conditions including the level of QRM.
Digital selective calling is a function of the modulator section of the transmitter.
It is a series of pulses fed into the modulator audio section after the mic amplifier circuit.
It has no bearing on the range of the radio whatsoever.
If they teach you that on the RYA course then I'm staggered.
Range and intelligibilty are totally different things.
You need enough signal to be able to open the squelch at the receiving radio, and that is a function of how much carrier is being received, regardless of modulation method used.

Steve.
 
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