Mike_Martin
Well-Known Member
Of course if everyone was to write to the MCA explaining to them what the problem is, I am sure that it would be given some weight.
Mike
Mike
VHF DSC Radio
- Thread starter bendyone
- Start date
A
Anonymous
Guest
As a suggestion, could someone /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif produce a pro-forma letter that we can print and send? If the letter could be emailed (we would need the email address) it would be far easier for some of us who don't keep a printer interfaced at all times.
David
David
Sans Bateau
Well-Known Member
Jon
We welcome your concerns. We may need to address this direct with the MCA and via the RYA. These forums would be a good platform to launch such a campaign, maybe we could get the efforts of one of the IPC journals behind it too.
My own reasons for purchasing a DSC set are already explained on Scuttlebutt. However if the installation and use of any piece of safety equipment is let down by a poor system, you cannot possibly begin consider the device as a safety asset.
Could you advise us, who do we direct our concerns at, in the MCA?
Stephen Price
We welcome your concerns. We may need to address this direct with the MCA and via the RYA. These forums would be a good platform to launch such a campaign, maybe we could get the efforts of one of the IPC journals behind it too.
My own reasons for purchasing a DSC set are already explained on Scuttlebutt. However if the installation and use of any piece of safety equipment is let down by a poor system, you cannot possibly begin consider the device as a safety asset.
Could you advise us, who do we direct our concerns at, in the MCA?
Stephen Price
JonBrooks
Well-Known Member
Stephen
I guess Martin Hart would be the best bet.
Am sure Mike Martin will say if not.
I think Mike is looking at a standard e-mail/letter.
IMHO go direct to MCA forget RYA.
To many links in the chain.
Go to the top.
Maybe copy RYA in but direct you concerns to MCA.
Its down to them to address and sort this issue not RYA.
I fully understand your feeelings on this.
As I have said before both Mike and I boat.
We know and understand this issue.
We also are gravely concerned with the lack of faith in DSC.
Mainly caused by miss use of another country.
Not good in anyway shape or form.
Regards
I guess Martin Hart would be the best bet.
Am sure Mike Martin will say if not.
I think Mike is looking at a standard e-mail/letter.
IMHO go direct to MCA forget RYA.
To many links in the chain.
Go to the top.
Maybe copy RYA in but direct you concerns to MCA.
Its down to them to address and sort this issue not RYA.
I fully understand your feeelings on this.
As I have said before both Mike and I boat.
We know and understand this issue.
We also are gravely concerned with the lack of faith in DSC.
Mainly caused by miss use of another country.
Not good in anyway shape or form.
Regards
ShipsWoofy
Well-Known Member
According to my recent poll on the subject 12% of respondents list this as the main reason they are not going to upgrade to DSC.
This if true, is an enormous amount of people who need to be satisfied by what seems incompetent use of the system by certain shore stations.
This if true, is an enormous amount of people who need to be satisfied by what seems incompetent use of the system by certain shore stations.
JonBrooks
Well-Known Member
There are some 66,000 licenced radio users in the UK (Marine)
12% of that is a huge amount of people.
On the other side there hase been an even bigger number who have already brought DSC radio's.
The worry is that they are turning the sets off!
This issue urgently needs addressing IMHO
Regards
12% of that is a huge amount of people.
On the other side there hase been an even bigger number who have already brought DSC radio's.
The worry is that they are turning the sets off!
This issue urgently needs addressing IMHO
Regards
Sans Bateau
Well-Known Member
I feel a letter coming on! I will print off and send a copy of all recent posts on the subject, if we all do the same, they may get the message.
shipswoofy, I think we need a new post to get full support for a campaign of letters to the MCA.
shipswoofy, I think we need a new post to get full support for a campaign of letters to the MCA.
marina95
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
The worry is that they are turning the sets off!
[/ QUOTE ]
This is part of the reason that I decided to buy an integrated system (Simrad RT 1400 and ICS DSC 3). I can simply disconnect the DSC unit if it gets too bothersome and still have a working VHF...
The worry is that they are turning the sets off!
[/ QUOTE ]
This is part of the reason that I decided to buy an integrated system (Simrad RT 1400 and ICS DSC 3). I can simply disconnect the DSC unit if it gets too bothersome and still have a working VHF...
tome
Well-Known Member
Jon
I'm pleased to see that you are recognising this problem. My feelings were that you were rather dismissive when we first raised the issue almost 2 years ago.
I shall be pleased too add my voice to those writing to MCA on DSC problems. The main point I would like to make is that the lack of a volume control on the alarm is a gross error in equipment specification for leisure sailors.
Tom
I'm pleased to see that you are recognising this problem. My feelings were that you were rather dismissive when we first raised the issue almost 2 years ago.
I shall be pleased too add my voice to those writing to MCA on DSC problems. The main point I would like to make is that the lack of a volume control on the alarm is a gross error in equipment specification for leisure sailors.
Tom
JonBrooks
Well-Known Member
I may seem it but never am. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
All is taken onboard (no pun intented) and passed on if needed.
We as a company so not just sell and forget
If we were not committed to the marine industry I would not be here as Jon Brooks of Icom.
Mike and I can only do so much.
It needs the collective voice of you all.
Regards
All is taken onboard (no pun intented) and passed on if needed.
We as a company so not just sell and forget
If we were not committed to the marine industry I would not be here as Jon Brooks of Icom.
Mike and I can only do so much.
It needs the collective voice of you all.
Regards
philip_stevens
Well-Known Member
"Could you advise us, who do we direct our concerns at, in the MCA?"
Captain (MN) Stephen Bligh, I believe.
You may remember he got some stick last year - in one of the PBO's.
Forget the RYA, as they appear to be "yes" men (and to be PC - women) and toothless.
Captain (MN) Stephen Bligh, I believe.
You may remember he got some stick last year - in one of the PBO's.
Forget the RYA, as they appear to be "yes" men (and to be PC - women) and toothless.
Thistle
Well-Known Member
Don't be too quick to condemn the RYA as "toothless". They spend a great deal of time dealing with public bodies, such as MCA, on behalf of the boating population. We all know what a slow and frustrating process this can be and we should be grateful that someone on our side is prepared to do it. Because of its continuing work in this kind of field, the RYA is highly regarded by the MCA (and other like bodies) and is listened to by them. (And in many cases these bodies are actually obliged to listen to the RYA. Look at what happened with the reporting regulations when this consultation did not take place.)
We also need to remember that as recreational boaters we are only part of picture and the rules need to be written / amended to suit everyone. This will be a slow process and won't be achieved overnight regardless of the number of letters sent. We also need to appreciate that the final outcome might be one that suits others better than ourselves.
So by all means send letters to the MCA but send them to the RYA as well and seek their long-term support.
We also need to remember that as recreational boaters we are only part of picture and the rules need to be written / amended to suit everyone. This will be a slow process and won't be achieved overnight regardless of the number of letters sent. We also need to appreciate that the final outcome might be one that suits others better than ourselves.
So by all means send letters to the MCA but send them to the RYA as well and seek their long-term support.
paulburton44
Well-Known Member
i made a random vote so i could see the results ????
i am considering buying the navman ?????
i am considering buying the navman ?????
silvertop
Well-Known Member
Upgraded from a hand-held and went for the NASA inexpensive rather than cheap.
No complaints so far
No complaints so far
fireball
Well-Known Member
I could see the merit in having the option to filter "All Ships" calls and have different volumes for different alerts (like travel programs on the normal radio!). It would also be of use to filter out calls from outside the boats range - a programmable variable set on installation.
Does the current system transmit enough information to enable these changes to be simple software upgrade or would all sets need to be upgraded to provide enough detail.
The info would need to be:
Senders position (recieving set can filter out if distance to position from current is too far)
Alert type - distress / weather / etc
I'm doing my VHF course next month so will have a better idea then! I'll delay purchasing a DSC set for a while though!
Does the current system transmit enough information to enable these changes to be simple software upgrade or would all sets need to be upgraded to provide enough detail.
The info would need to be:
Senders position (recieving set can filter out if distance to position from current is too far)
Alert type - distress / weather / etc
I'm doing my VHF course next month so will have a better idea then! I'll delay purchasing a DSC set for a while though!
bendyone
Well-Known Member
If the he alarm at night time is the main problem, surley this could be overcome by adding a switch and resistor in the alarm speaker/sounder circuit for use at night.
Oldhand
Well-Known Member
If you widen your horizons beyond budget sets, you can avoid the problems that the likes of ETAP_Owner and Tome are getting all hot under the collar about. See my responses to the Scuttlebut post! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
tome
Well-Known Member
What, throw enough money at the equipment and the problem will disappear?
See my responses on SB. Not getting hot under the collar, but have enough industry involvement to recognise a specification cock-up.
What hope of sorting this out when we cannot even agree amongst ourselves?
See my responses on SB. Not getting hot under the collar, but have enough industry involvement to recognise a specification cock-up.
What hope of sorting this out when we cannot even agree amongst ourselves?
BrendanS
Well-Known Member
I agree. One cross channel trip was enough to convince me. I see/hear it in the Solent all the time...what is illuminating is when you are out in the early hours of the morning or doing shifts
JerryDillon
New Member
Educate me please. I have an ICOM M421. What is a Channel group and a Call channel as referred to in page 6 of my instruction manual. Channel 16 is the only call channel I know.
