Please refer to you radio’s owner’s manual or contact the radio manufacturer for additional information about you radio’s capabilities. Only the vessel being called will receive the initial contact, but the subsequent conversation will take place on an open, “working” channel, which can be monitored by any VHF equipped vessel within your broadcast range. In addition, a DSC equipped vessel with an MMSI number can make a 'private' hailing call to another DSC-equipped vessel. Should the operator become incapacitated, the radio will continue sending the mayday. In addition, if the DSC equipped radio is linked to a GPS or Loran unit, the distress call will include the vessel's position. to be equipped with the DSC feature.ĭSC radios have a one-button emergency transmit button that sends the vessel's unique MMSI number.
Since 1999, the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) has required new fixed mount VHF radio sold in the U.S. Digital Selective Calling (DSC) is a radio technology allowing enhanced distress radio messages to be sent digitally.
