I just purchased a Uniden 235 handheld VHF. It has GPS/DSC with the class D receivers(2 receivers). It seems like a great piece of safety equipment to be able to send out an instant distress call that gives exact coordinates.
Does anyone have experience with DSC radio you can share?
DSC radio is a great piece of equipment. The big thing is it has to be hooked up to your GPS correctly in order for it to work proper. If not when and you are in distress and hit the button it is still like tying to find a needle in a hay stack to the coast guard. If it is hooked up proper with the new coast guard equipment they have they will be able to get your lat and long no problem for a quicker rescue.
Chad
Cobia 256 Express
Pulled by a Dodge Ram 3500
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The big thing is it has to be hooked up to your GPS correctly in order for it to work proper.
Many of the newer radios have a built in GPS receiver now and don’t require a separate interface. I think this is what he’s referring too.
You should apply for a MMSI number for maximum effectiveness. See http://www.boatus.com/mmsi/
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
This handheld radio has the GPS built in, no need for extra wiring. Boat US provided the MMSI online, very easy, which basically requires some personal contact information, description of boat, etc. The MMSI is programmed into the radio, it is a 9 digit number that identifies me in case of use. The boat mounted DSC radioes require the extra wiring to the GPS for position and plotting information.
This handheld was under $200.
Curious if anyone had tested theirs with the CG TEST MMSI, or had false alarms or real alarms from themselves or other boats?
I have used mine with the CG but it wasn’t a test. It works as advertised 
I got in a bad situation one nasty night about 20 miles off St. Helena and wasn’t sure if I could get the boat home or not. I called USCG Tybee and notified them of my problems and concerns, and set up a 15 minute check in for the rest of the night. They stayed with me all night until I got to the dock in Beaufort. They knew who I was and where I was every time I keyed the mike. Very warm and fuzzy feelings there. Don’t leave home without it:smiley:
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
well that shattered all my lofty perceptions
I thought you could navigate home in any conditions with an AM radio, WD 40, and JB Weld.
I can I didn’t need help to navigate even a little bit, but it was a much appreciated guardian angel that night. Several boats much larger than us sunk and the CG was busy. We didn’t have any major problems, just wanted someone to know we might and where we were, because it wasn’t looking good[:0] It’s very difficult to relay GPS coordinates by voice in an open boat, in pouring rain and wailing wind and breaking waves. This does it just by keying the mike.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
backpedaling are we now? : )
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backpedaling are we now? : )
No. Wasn’t ever worried about finding my way home, was worried about capsizing.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
Larry, was that with a fixed mount or handheld?
Sea Hunt BX22 Br
WS Tarpon 140
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Originally posted by PeaPodwell that shattered all my lofty perceptions
I thought you could navigate home in any conditions with an AM radio, WD 40, and JB Weld.
The old timers…
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Originally posted by 23Sailfishquote:
Originally posted by PeaPodwell that shattered all my lofty perceptions
I thought you could navigate home in any conditions with an AM radio, WD 40, and JB Weld.
The old timers…
It’s blowing 15 knots. I figured you’d be gigging
Thursday night brother, you want to go? I’ll have you home by midnight so you don’t turn into a pumpkin.
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Larry, was that with a fixed mount or handheld?
Fixed mount radio, antenna on T-top. I don’t go out of sight of land with just a handheld radio. That’s crazy. Hand held is a backup only for me. You need to be able to communicate from whatever distance you are away from land. That requires antenna height and full power. The DSC signal is digital and transmits better than voice though, like a text message versus a phone call in a bad cell coverage area.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
Thank you Larry. I figured it had to be fixed mount (with antenna), but just wanted to be sure. I didn’t want to just assume, we know how that goes…
Sea Hunt BX22 Br
WS Tarpon 140