DSC questions

[beachcombersc]

I have just purchased my second VHF radio with DSC functions. I am still fuzzy on how they work. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Equipment owned/ Installed
Standard Horizon Quest x
Raymarine 215
Standard horizon ps 2000

I still cant get a straight answer if the Charleston area is truly rescue 21 ready.( If the boats on fire, do I push the panic button or not? I have been told just last week that the system isn't done, and that some other state will get the relay and send it VIA satellite link, and that I should act as if its truly working. Please advise....

Once you hit the button what truly will happen to my radio. Will I need to switch from 70 to 16? Or does it just send the info on 70, and it switches to 16 then automatically? I have read it many times but still have issues with understanding this system. Plus, the only way to "drill" this feature is by a false alarm...

Both of the Standard Horizons have a feature called polling. I have the PS 2000 in the jetski. I want to be able to have it behave similar to an AIS system. I have the other two VHF units connected to Garmins 3010 chartplotter. How do you get the polling features to respond this way?

Thanks everyone!!!

 

[estebanj]

Once you initiate a distress call, the distress signal is sent on 70 and remains active until acknowledged or canceled. The radio goes to 16 for communication since no voice is sent over 70.

You should still transmit a MayDay on 16 if applicable.

Try the tutorial at http://www.boatus.com/foundation/dsc/player.html and also

http://www.boatus.com/mmsi/

To confirm, the VHF should be connected to your GPS so it can send the Lat/Lon. On mine, and I believe on all, DSC will not even work if it isn't connected to a GPS signal.

And also remember to register your radio (at BoatUS for free) and get a MMSI number assigned to you.

Esteban