VHF Radio DSC

[Walleyed]

Gerry,

I upgraded 2 years ago, to a Standard Horizon GX2200, DSC/AIS builtin GPS. It sends the DSC/AIS/GPS data out via a NMEA 0183 port, which I hooked into my Raymarine MFD.

Now the MFD will display AIS data, let you set all the various alarms, and if a neighboring boat sends a DSC alert, I receive it and it displays right up on the MFD.

And of course, it gives the chartplotter one more option for GPS data.

You can also register a MMSI on the BoatUS website.

No down side to it.

[Capt. Debbie]

You can also get an MMSI # assigned by Sea Tow. I did the GPS NMEA hook up to the GPS,

Gerry, the USCG do NOT run on these Alarms you know? It's not like a radio bases EPIRB.

SAR assets will go to a voice request only. May spur USCG interest but you better get on that radio if you want to see a SAR boat anytime soon.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Originally Posted by Capt. Frank

You can also get an MMSI # assigned by Sea Tow. I did the GPS NMEA hook up to the GPS,

Gerry, the USCG do NOT run on these Alarms you know? It's not like a radio bases EPIRB.

SAR assets will go to a voice request only. May spur USCG interest but you better get on that radio if you want to see a SAR boat anytime soon.

Good to know Frank. So first order of business when you’re in imminent danger is to make your Mayday voice announcement on channel 16...

[Gerry Zagorski]

Originally Posted by Walleyed

Gerry,

I upgraded 2 years ago, to a Standard Horizon GX2200, DSC/AIS builtin GPS. It sends the DSC/AIS/GPS data out via a NMEA 0183 port, which I hooked into my Raymarine MFD.

Now the MFD will display AIS data, let you set all the various alarms, and if a neighboring boat sends a DSC alert, I receive it and it displays right up on the MFD.

And of course, it gives the chartplotter one more option for GPS data.

You can also register a MMSI on the BoatUS website.

No down side to it.

Yeah I’ve seen AIS in action and it’s cool.... Boats in the area, their speed and direction show up on your chart plotter... You do however have to purchase a VHF that has AIS and your chart plotter has to be AIS capabile as well... DSC on the other hand works with or without a chart plotter and AIS...

[Capt. Debbie]

But that's only AIS receive. You need a separate electronic gadget and its own antenna that costs about $600 to transmit yourself into the AIS system.

I use that expensive Standard Horizon VHF radio with AIS receive as a joke in my classes...… At least you know the name of the ship that ran you over. A cool and very expensive toy with money better spent on a $200 hi gain vhf antenna on board.

We have one of these VHF/AIS units down at S/T. Disappointing... Its on the VHF radio screen. Too damn small a screen to be of any use. Maybe 2.5" diagonally.

But still a very cool toy.


The DSC stuff is great way off shore and out of cell phone range to talk to partner on another boat and not burn spots. But inshore the go to gadget is still the cell phone to get your bud.

Originally Posted by Gerry Zagorski

Yeah I’ve seen AIS in action and it’s cool.... Boats in the area, their speed and direction show up on your chart plotter... You do however have to purchase a VHF that has AIS and your chart plotter has to be AIS capabile as well... DSC on the other hand works with or without a chart plotter and AIS...