VHF Radio and DSC

[Jomac]

Hi,
I'm looking for a bit of advice on types of radio and DSC

I'm in the process of buying a boat which will be for coastal use with the odd trip across the channel, some 40 miles or so. Currently there is no radio fitted to this boat. I have a Sailor RT144 VHF which is non DSC which i would like to fit to the boat. I'm also planning on buying a handheld with DSC with the option to connect this to an external aerial.

The reason for wanting to fit the Sailor is quite simple, I used to work for SP radio back in the early 70's and was their first ever apprentice, I was trained to work on these way back then.

 

[pvb]

Whilst I can understand the emotional appeal of the RT144, you'll find a modern VHF much easier to use with far more functionality.

 

[PetiteFleur]

And of course a modern radio is MUCH smaller and probably more specific modern marine channels, and will use less power.

 

[jac]

Keep the Sailor as a momento / museum piece. My personal choice would be any DSC set with remote mic / speaker allowing you to hear / use it in the cockpit as well as below. HH is great but if you connect to an aerial you're losing the portability and they can't TX at 25w. so lose some range.

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

I sympathise completely - for twenty five years I kept one in various lofts and garages until someone on here wanted one and I realised that I'd probably never get round to fitting it.

Your bond is stronger, so I'd say fit it and use it with pride, but hide a proper DSC unit somewhere else - for the 25 watts that you can't get out of a handheld.

(@jac beat me on the latter point).

 

[Jomac]

This was the reason for having a DSC handheld alongside the RT144. I simply wondered if there could be any operational issues using a vintage radio? I'm pretty old skool and whilst i can find my way around modern kit (eventually) I would feel more comfortable with the RT144 for general use.

 

[pvb]

This was the reason for having a DSC handheld alongside the RT144. I simply wondered if there could be any operational issues using a vintage radio? I'm pretty old skool and whilst i can find my way around modern kit (eventually) I would feel more comfortable with the RT144 for general use.

Modern radios are very easy to use. Great features which you may find useful are tri-watch, memory scan, and priority scan.

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

This was the reason for having a DSC handheld alongside the RT144. I simply wondered if there could be any operational issues using a vintage radio? I'm pretty old skool and whilst i can find my way around modern kit (eventually) I would feel more comfortable with the RT144 for general use.

The DSC stuff still works in exactly the same way for the spoken word, so carry on using the Sailor for that. My point was that when you need to use the big red button on the DSC you really want to know it's sending on 25W, which the handheld can't do. Most of the other functions stay unused for most of us, mobile 'phones do so much more.

Edt - you'll need to do the additional DSC exam though, and will pick up on the use when you do the course.

 

[Bilgediver]

Hi,
I'm looking for a bit of advice on types of radio and DSC

I'm in the process of buying a boat which will be for coastal use with the odd trip across the channel, some 40 miles or so. Currently there is no radio fitted to this boat. I have a Sailor RT144 VHF which is non DSC which i would like to fit to the boat. I'm also planning on buying a handheld with DSC with the option to connect this to an external aerial.

The reason for wanting to fit the Sailor is quite simple, I used to work for SP radio back in the early 70's and was their first ever apprentice, I was trained to work on these way back then.

If you really want to do that then there is nothing stopping you sending the DSC initial call via the handheld which will give position and type of emergency and then follow up with the voice call on the Sailor. They wont know ashore One advantage of DSC is it travels better than voice over longer distances so the 5 watts will go a long way especially with a good external antenna.

 

[prv]

I tend to think that it's actually the non-DSC practicalities that matter most here. That is, the fact that the modern radio will be smaller, probably consume less power, be usable from the cockpit without having to run up and down stairs, be more robust particularly against water (most are rated for full submersion) and perhaps have clearer audio due to modern digital signal processing. More reliable too - though in this case perhaps the OP would be able to fix the old one if it went wrong . To me those are all bigger benefits than DSC - the routine calling is little-used in practice. An EPIRB or PLB would give the one-button distress notification if needed, albeit with more of a delay than a DSC alert as the SARSAT report trickled through the various processing centres.

As far as the actual voice VHF functionality - that's the same as it ever was and your old radio (if it's in working order) will work fine.

Pete

 

[Gary Fox]

It's nice to have two 25W fixed sets, because the DSC alarm function cannot be disabled on modern radios and random alerts will, at some point, disturb exhausted crew trying to get badly-needed sleep. Sleep deprivation a a vital safety issue, plus it is really annoying. This results in DSC sets being switched off to ensure a good kip.
A non-DSC set like a classic Sailor will allow you to keep a listening watch without sirens and bleepers go off.
Ideally fit both. Icom and Standard Horizon offer tiny plastic sets with all the bells and whistles.

 

[Refueler]

Spent many years with the Sailer sets on ships ....

But have to say that the Cobra 77 set with built in GPS for the DSC etc. is so much better ...

Nostalgia is fine - but in reality - the DSC set is worth the change.

 

[lustyd]

Fit the old one inside at the chart table for use in calm conditions or while stopped. Fit a waterproof modern one at the helm. Both problems solved