VHF with DSC

[Pilar]

Roeboat
Chromer
Member # 475

posted 03-21-2002 06:15 PM
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Just got the new VHF hooked up today that wifey got me for X-Mas. A nice waterproof (very important on my boat) VHF Raytheon with DSC. I fabricated a GPS connector out of lexan to save 35 bucks and a 2 week ordering delay. I've hooked it up to a Garmin GPS. The idea is, you have a mayday, you push the DSC button and it sends a message with your coordinates to the Coast Guard. Coast Guard monitoring is supposed to be in place by 2004 and dsc will be a requirement on all new vhf sales soon. Since it is new technology the info is scarce. I called Garmin and they said connect nmea data out of the gps to data in on the Raytheon and nmea data in on the gps to the nmea data out - on the Raytheon. I have no idea how to test my connections out. Have any of you hooked up one of the new VHF's?
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Posts: 102 | From: Kent, WA | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

Pilar
Ifish Forum Guide
Member # 270

posted 03-22-2002 08:47 AM
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Let me get this straight ... The radio gives your GPS position when you mayday?

What a great idea. I have listened to the CG trying to get positions reported by distressed boats for hours. They have to know where you are to come and get you.

Tell us more about this.

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The bend is your friend!

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Posts: 1629 | From: Portland, Or., U.S.A | Registered: Aug 2000 | IP: Logged

[otter]

Pilar,
Check out the attached.
DSL Info

[otter]

That should read DSC.

[jcarufo]

Pilar,
I too purchased a DSC radio (mine is by ICOM) and use it with my Lowrance 350A. On the Lowrance there are 4 wires on the power cord: red/power, black/ground, white/nmea out, green/dgps in. I was required to conect the white and the ground from the 350A to the DSC input on the radio and when on, my position (lat and lon)and radio ID# is displayed on the face of the radio. It is my understanding that when the system is fully up and running, when you lift the red cover on the 'mayday' button and push, an automated signal is immediately sent to the Coast Guard, including your position. I figured as long as I was buying a new radio, I went with the DSC, so my position at least would be staring me in the face if I need to manually call the Coast Guard or Vessel Assist in an emergency. As far as boat to boat: you exchange ID#s, enter them and you have a private conversation. It's also my understanding you can enter a network of ID#s and it's like a closed circut chat line. In an area like Buoy 10 in the fall, it cuts out all of the over chatter and you still can have your radio on dual or triwatch for channel 16/9. As far as I was concerned, after my prebuy research, a great feature that will only get better over time. Sorry this was so winded, hope it helped.
Jean

[AngleThis]

This new electronics bell/whistle sounds handy, but assuming the radio and GPS are both working, how long does it take to verbally transmit coordinates. even in an emergency?

[Pitch Pocket]

The DSC continuously transmits your coordinates until the power goes out. If you are going down and trying to put on your survival suit, gather life jackets, make sure your crew is safe, bailing water, changing fuses to the bilge, panicing etc, flipping the switch to transmit your coordinates takes 2 seconds. Accurately reading and transmitting your coordinates during the melee could take valuable minutes and you could make a mistake. Seems like good technology to me. I hope I never have to use it.