Quote:
Originally Posted by PRBuzz
I thought the DSC/MMSI was one-on-one not public vs. conversing over 69.
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I don't think so but I am not an expert on this (so you may want to explore this...I would like to know more myself). From what I understand if you know the MMSI number of your buddy, you can request his position in an automatic fashion that is a digital signal over channel 70 so it is not broadcast to the world but it does not allow private voice communication. If you request a voice call it will switch to the channel you requested but when you talk it is a broadcast conversation. I don't believe you can have a private voice conversation with a VHF/DSC radio. You can do a group poll as well. If set up right their positions should show up on your chart plotter. So again, that aspect is private but any voice aspects are broadcasting to everyone.
I am going to try to use it to locate my buddy this season. (A position request) We generally send each other cell phone texts but when you are out of cell phone coverage we have been blabbing on the radio. The nice thing about this is that it is automatic, he does not have to respond, his radio does it automatically. I suppose I could call him on a sat phone but I like the idea of getting a position and an icon on chartplotter with the push of a button than firing up all kinds of other comm devices.
I am really surprised more people don't use this feature but I guess with the advent of GPS in cell phones and it has become secondary as they already know how to use a cell phone.
I would like to fully understand this technology this summer and dive into all the AIS stuff as well. IMO there is almost too much communication "stuff" out there and none of it does it all.