DSC - Digital Selective Calling on VHF - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

B-assman · 02-11-2004, 10:23 PM

Hi - I was just playing with my xmas present - a new VHF with Digital Selective Calling. As Im reading the manual i'm thinking this will be pretty cool - You can call a specific boat and transmit your gps coordinates or receive their coordinates (in private) So you could talk about a hot spot without having to give it away to the world. Pretty cool! So - has anyone out there been using it?

Clammer · 02-12-2004, 12:09 AM

if they ain,t in my boat I ain,t taking to them

Clammer · 02-12-2004, 12:10 AM

Oh, except m/m =I have no worries about him finding us

BigBo · 02-12-2004, 12:15 AM

Yup, good safety feature too incase you need to call for help. The reciever on the other end, be it CG, Harbormaster, Tow boat, etc, will have a fix on your position. The latest and greatest to take over for Radio Directional Finders with more accurate information at a much cheaper price.

MakoMike · 02-12-2004, 08:11 AM

Yeah, great idea, except the coasties don't have them and neither do most marine patrols or harbormasters

B-assman · 02-12-2004, 12:04 PM

Yeah - The safety issue is a no brainer - Good to have and as the USCG / Tow services upgrade - they will have them.

As far as private use of the system - If others dont have DSC Capable VHF's and know how to use them then it's no good. It's kind of like fax machines were in the late 70's - if you were the only guy with a fax - you were pretty lonely!!

As i understand the process - You have to register to get a unique 9 digit ID number. Then if you know the other guys 9 digit number you can hail them directly. Maybe all the S-B folks should list their ID number in their profile!

missing link · 02-12-2004, 09:34 PM

have it on my VHF..but have never looked into using it

Bob Senior · 02-12-2004, 09:42 PM

My VHF is all set up for the DSC stuff but I don't know anyone else who is. If I have a problem I just hit the red panic button and it starts transmitting all the vitals, automatically. I just don't think there would be anyone listening, yet. I wonder if it'll transmit under water?

Registering your boat and getting your number is easy. Some of the marine retailers are registration sites. I think I went through Boaters' World website--one of those. Or was it the CG site--don't remember.

The one I got has a lot of features that'll take some time to learn how to use. Mine has a PA feature, and I put a PA speaker on the front of the electonics box, and found it was a lot better than screaming at people in other boats. It's really loud and clear.

I WANNA GO FISHIN'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bob Senior · 02-12-2004, 09:58 PM

I just checked on where I registered to get my MMSI # and it was BOATUS.com.

You can send DSC calls to individuals, to a group of individuals, or to all ships, in addition to distress calls on a frequency.

For the automatic distress call to include position, the NMEA output from GPS has to be connected.

Great toy!! And I hope it remains a toy, and never becomes a tool!!

B-assman · 02-12-2004, 10:04 PM

Thanks Bob - I just went to boat us and registered mine.

In case anybody else is interested - the link is http://www.boatus.com/mmsi/default.htm

If you want to play with your system some time give me a shout at 338025379!

Dave

Bob Senior · 02-12-2004, 10:11 PM

Great. Mine is 338020807.

We could set up a group of S-B guys, once more people are set up.

What kind did you get?

Bob Senior · 02-12-2004, 10:18 PM

Maybe we could get John to add MMSI# to the profile page.

B-assman · 02-12-2004, 10:19 PM

Std Horizon Quest.

Im having a T-top installed this spring with an instrument box. I'l mount it there. Previously I had been using a handheld but got tired of running down the batteries and having to recharge it. So i'll keep that as a spare.

Man i can't wait to get back out there - Went down to the harbor today (EG) and the ice is starting to break up!! I'll plan to be in the water before tax day.

Bob Senior · 02-12-2004, 10:30 PM

I've got the 2nd week in March off, and I'll be in Salt Pond, at least, if it kills me. I'm trying to get an enclosure made for it but I don't think I can get it done in time.

I got the SH Spectrum+ last year and I love it. I caught a deal at last year's Prov. show. Mine's mounted in the elect. box, too, along with the AM/FM.

Screaming at the tourists in the gap at Galillee is fun with the PA, as is scanning them at night with the spotlight. It's amazing what they do on the rocks on a warm summer night after dark!!