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What is DSC?
Digital Selective Calling (DSC) is a standard that allows you to call other stations using their
unique identification code (the Maritime Mobile Service Identity or MMSI number), just
like you would call a phone number. To call another station, just enter that station’s MMSI
number and choose the voice channel you want to talk on. The radio uses channel 70 to
transmit your MMSI number to the other station along with the voice channel you requested.
If the other station accepts your call, both radios automatically switch to the requested voice
channel so you can talk to the other station.
DSC provides a system for automated distress calls. At the touch of a button, the radio can
transmit your MMSI number, the nature of your distress, and your current position based
on data from your GPS receiver. The radio repeats the distress call every few minutes until it
receives an acknowledgement.
The DSC standard dedicates a VHF channel—channel 70—to digital transmissions only. Since
digital transmissions require less bandwidth voice transmissions, channel 70 avoids the
problems of busy voice channels.
Advanced DSC features
Your radio supports the following DSC features:
Feature Menu Item Function
Individual Call Individual Contact another vessel from your directory.
Group Call Group Contact all vessels that share your group MMSI
code.
All Ships Call All Ships Broadcast to all vessels within range (used for
safety or advisory messages).
Position Request POS Request Request the current location of another vessel.
Position Send Position Send Transmit your current location to another
vessel.
Test Call Test Make sure your radio is working and configured
correctly.
Name and MMSI
Directory
Directory Store a list of 20 names and MMSI identification
codes for DSC calls.
Standby Mode Standby Automatically respond to all DSC calls within an
“Unavailable” status.
Received Call Log Receive Log Display the last 10 distress calls received by the
radio and the last 20 general calls.
What is an MMSI number?
In order to use DSC features, you must be assigned an MMSI number and program that
number into your radio. There are two kinds of MMSI numbers: individual numbers for
use by single boats and group numbers for use by fleets, boating organizations, event
coordinators, etc.
UM380_20101221.indd 18 4/13/2011 11:25:11 AM