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