DSC and MMSI – What they really are, what they mean to you and how to get yours!
Last article we talked about your VHF radio and it limitations. Lets talk about DSC (digital selective calling) and MMSI (maritime mobile service identity).
For those of us who spend any amount of time on the water we know that not only is channel 16 the busiest channel on the vhf band, it’s for one purpose only, international hailing and distress calling. Unfortunately there are many “weekend warriors” who firmly believe that channel 16 is the good buddy channel and is for their exclusive use to talk to one another about anything and everything. Well for the serious mariner help is on the way. It’s called DSC (digital selective calling) and is part of the Global Marine Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). DSC radios permit one touch distress calling. DSC equipped radios will transmit a distress message, your latitude/longitude (if interfaced with your GPS), universal time code and your MMSI number, all by pushing that red button on your radio (if you are so equipped). The Coast Guard has already stared updating their radio system and expects to be DSC ready in 2006. This does not mean that you can’t use your DSC now.
Those of us that already are DSC equipped will receive a DSC distress call on our radios and can transmit the call to the Coast Guard by voice on channel 16 in fact the Coast has asked that those of us that have DSC radios do just that! In this case you are your brothers keeper.
DSC will eventually replace “listening” watches by the Coast Guard on distress frequencies and also be used to announce routine and urgent maritime safety information broadcasts. While this is good news for those of us who are already DSC capable, it’s not so good news for those of you who aren’t because it will mean you will have to eventually replace your VHF radio.
In order for your DSC radio to be an effective tool there are several things you must do once you get the radio: 1- your radio and GPS must be interfaced