Mounted vhf radio q’s

[Richard19068]

I’ve had a DSC radio for 9 years and have used the DSC functions exactly zero times,,.

That's great. I've had a PLB for many years and never used it. But I'm still glad I have it.

I don't rmuch get the benefit of DSC for selective calling but for emergencies it can be very helpful, especially when coupled with GPS.

If you get a modern radio DSC is esentially free. As Barry said it is standard on all fixed mount marine VHF's.

A handheld VHF with GPS and DSC makes me feel a lot safer when wearing it single handing. And well under $200 US for a decent one.

Edit: You can also get a very decent fixed mount VHF with integrated GPS for under $200.

 

[JoeWhite]

Jssailem. On my VHF I have DSC. If I forget to turn on the GPS aswell, a few minutes later it beeps and let me know that there is no GPS data. It seems that DSC radios must have GPS signal or it can not be used.

 

[Hello Below]

Not that one would ever want to do it, but you can input your coordinates manually. Here is an excerpt from a Garmin manual but I believe it is similar for most if not all VHFs with DSC.
“Manual Position Information
If you do not have a GPS device connected to your radio, you can manually enter your position and time of entry. The position data is transmitted with DSC calls. When you enter the position and time manually, MANUAL POS appears on the screen.
Manually entered position information must be updated regularly, and the radio displays two alerts to remind you to update the position data.

• When the position data you entered manually is more than four hours old, DATA IS OVER 4 HOURS OLD appears on the screen. The radio continues to transmit this position data, but you should update it before it becomes invalid.
• When the position data you entered manually is more than 23.5 hours old, it is considered invalid and DATA IS INVALID appears on the screen. The radio does not transmit invalid position data, and you should update it immediately.”

 

[Richard19068]

On my VHF I have DSC. If I forget to turn on the GPS aswell, a few minutes later it beeps and let me know that there is no GPS data. It seems that DSC radios must have GPS signal or it can not be used.

My radio does the same thing when it is not getting the GPS signal. You just have to press a key to mute that alarm.
It will still transmit an emergency call but won't include your position. If that's the case hopefully the coasties can triangulate your position with a radio direction finder. Better to be hooked up to a GPS though (or have a VHF with a built in GPS).

 

[Caboteur]

Fred, you say you will sail on the Ottawa river. The handheld will mostly do the job there. If you go down to Oka the same applies. If you want to do the triangle, you will need the fixed VHF on the St-Lawrence; that is what is needed to reach the coast-guard.
If you are doing the triangle or even going to Kingston, the mast will be down for some of the trip so you’ll also need the handheld.
When you are in coast-guard territory, in a pinch you can reach them for any emergency on cell phone by dialing *16
If you are doing the triangle it is better to do it counter-clockwise to have the current & wind in the back on the St-Lawrence.
Pierre

 

[JohnShannon]

The neat thing about DSC is it sends your exact coordinates to the CG ( well everybody really) when you press the mommy button. I have to imagine in a real emergency things could get muddled with an old fashion radio call . The format of the coordinates for instance. The DSC solves all of that. They are available with integrated GPS.