Handheld VHF with DSC

[Garry @ S/V TASHTEGO]

Does anybody know of a handheld VHF radio with DSC? By 2003 the SOLAS requirement for commercial vessels to monitor Channel 16 continuously (ha!) will be lifted and only DSC will get a distress call through. Of course the US Coast Guard will maintain Ch. 16 monitoring requirements in US waters for a couple of years after that but cruising offshore will require DSC and I'd like a DSC handheld for my bailout bag. I don't want to buy one that will be obsolete in 3 or 4 years.

 

[Don Alexander]

HH VHF + DSC

Hi,My info is that the spec is not yet finalised for Europe so I presume same applies to USA.Main anxiety is that the Coastguard will co-ordinate ALL rescues but there is little chance of them receiving a vessel with no mast, the range of the handheld being insufficient to reach shore from more than about 10 - 15 miles. In this case it would seem as if GMDSS reduces safety for us.UK government is gently pressurising our Coastguard to cease watch on ch 16 to "encourage" yachtsmen to go over to GMDSS. Fortunately CG have more sense - at least for the time being; though some countries have already stopped. eg Holland.Regards,

 

[Garry @ S/V TASHTEGO]

Handheld Range

Even though the range of a handheld is fairly small, the number of survival tales in which passing ships failed to notice a raft or other casualty, combined with an end to Ch 16 monitoring suggests that a DSC handheld is going to be important. Europe aside, the DSC regulations are written by SOLAS/IMO and the Europeans will have to comply with them.