DSC Function - Anyone using it?

D

Danno

Member
Joined
Sep 5, 2002
RO Number
10045
Messages
274
A post on the Ask the Captain forum got me thinking about this. I have had this available on my radio for quite a few years and have it hooked up but other than in a distress situation(which I have not had)or the training I have given my wife should something happen to me 'JUST PRESS THE RED BUTTON' I have never used it. Back when I installed it none of the folks I knew had the feature and over the years I just forgot about it but times have changed and many of us may now have it. I think my radio has a group calling function and was curious if anyone would want to post their MMSI # ? Maybe start a Sticky where we can post them like the gas thread?

Added : My MMSI # is 338030053
 
No idea how MMSI works, but my number is 338088082
 
I haven't tested or used the DSC function yet. I first connected the GPS to the radio last week so the DSC would work in an emergency. I checked the wiring repeatedly, so I know it's correct. I reprogrammed the GPS, following the directions given to me by the representative at Garmin, but the radio still shows "No Data Received" and "No GPS." I don't know if there's a problem with the GPS or with the radio and am presently at a loss as to how to trouble-shoot it. The radio was already installed in the boat when we bought it last year so I don't know if it has an MMSI number registered, what the number is, or how to check on it. Other than that I'm ready to use the DSC function at any time! Not! Hy
 
You need to get a number for yourself and the vessel and enter it in to the radio. If the old owner of the boa had an MMSI number entered in to the radio, that number has his name and the name he used for the boat attached to it. You can change the number in the radio if there is one in it already.
I got my number from Boat US. I don't think you need to be a member to get a number. I think you can get it from Sea Tow too. Just google MMSI number and you'll find places to get it online instantly. It doesn't cost anything.
If you press the red button it sends out a distress single to the Coast Guard and any other vessels monitoring for Distress signals. You can monitor for Distress signals with your DSC radio if you set it up to do so.
If you have it networked to a GPS, your position will automatically be transmitted with the distress signal. I know that my radio gives me the option to manually enter a position if I don't have it linked to a GPS. If you manually enter it an alarm will go off after I think 4 hours letting you know it's time to update.
Try to download an owner's manual for your radio. It should explain everything.
My MMSI number is 338122779.
 
It's a great asset. Not only for distress, but to contact other boats. It can show the location of the other boat on your GPS. It has a distinctive ring when another DSC boat calls you, and will leave a log of who called, if you don't answer right away.
 
In theory, DSC is a great tool.

I have my DSC radio connected to my Garmin GPS; my coordinates show up on the radio readout and will be transmitted if I activate the emergency call feature.

In practice, I've never actually used it. I have not found a practical way to test the function w/o making an actual emergency call. The group or individual boat call is cool, but you must know the MMSI before it can work: no one I know locally that I want to communicate with has a DSC radio.
 
I have mine connected that way too now.
Why not post up your MMSI numbers if you've got them? We can put them in our radios.
 
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