August 14, 2006
DSC On Your VHF Radio
Ever wonder what happens when you hit that red "distress" button on your VHF radio? Nothing. That is unless you’ve properly registered your radio and vessel through MSSI, the Maritime Mobile Service Industry.
Most VHF radios these days are equipped with a DSC function (Digital Select Calling), which dramatically increases your safety at sea by taking advantage of enhanced communications options. In the event of an emergency your VHF radio can link you to other vessels and rescue facilities and, if you have a compatible GPS unit, can provide the exact location of your vessel at sea, allowing search and rescue efforts to become simply a rescue effort.
DSC technology makes a VHF radio work like a telephone. It allows boaters to send a digital call directly to another DSC-equipped vessel or shore station, much like a person-to-person telephone call. In the event of an emergency, you can push the "distress" button on your VHF and automatically transmit a May Day call, which would include your MMSI number and location if the radio is linked to a GPS receiver to every DSC radio within range. When the Coast Guard receives the MMSI number it will use the information on file (emergency contact number, type of vessel, etc.) to mount a more effective rescue effort.
So - how do you equip your radio's DSC with GPS capabilities? Here's how: You first need to register your safety information and receive your free MMSI number from Boat US, at http://www.boatus.com/mmsi/ . Follow the steps to complete the registration, providing emergency contact names and cell phone #'s, vessel information and registration #'s, etc. You will then receive your free MMSI number, which you will use to program your VHF and GPS. Your owner's manual for each unit will give detailed instructions on how to enter your MMSI number into the VHF and connect the radio to your GPS. The following link from ICOM is very useful in learning how this whole system works. http://www.icomamerica.com/marine/video/
Posted by ribcraftusa at August 14, 2006 05:31 PM
Comments
What great info Fred!! I finally have my MMSI number and was able to set-up my VHF radio's distress button. Hopefully I'll never have to hit it!
I hope to get a Garmin GPS soon, and will link the two together, which seems pretty easy to do.
Thanks again.
Posted by: tibs at August 15, 2006 04:44 PM
But the question is, does this system work? I've never heard of anyone being rescued by hitting their DISTRESS button on the VHF. Most people and manufacturers don't set up the system up. Wonder if there is a reason why???
Posted by: Wes at August 15, 2006 04:56 PM
Good question Wes. I haven't heard of anyone using the system during an emergency either. I think it's still a new technology that needs more time to become familiarized. Even so, knowing that I'm that much more prepared makes a big difference.
I also just learned that by using the DSC function on the VHF radio you can make private calls to another DSC equipped VHF, which will dramatically reduce the clutter we all here on the working channels. Pretty cool.
Posted by: tibs at August 17, 2006 09:21 AM
