The action you need to take depends on who has ownership of the radio(s) that were programmed with the MMSI number you obtained: If your radio contains or is connected to a GPS, the signal will also provide your exact coordinates. The DSC functions do not work until an MMSI number is programmed in. If everything is working properly, your radio will almost immediately receive the Coast Guard’s acknowledgement of your call, providing assurance that both your radio and the Rescue21 system are operating properly.Īlternatively you may also use the DSC function to privately hail another boater’s MMSI number so that they can verify what MMSI came up on their ID. Your radio will silently hail the Coast Guard with a digital signal on channel 70.

Enter this number into your radio’s calling memory and select the “Test Call” option from the radio’s list of individual DSC calls, then press the “call” or “enter” key. If you need to test to see if the DSC feature is working, do not test the red distress button as this will send out an illegal false alarm and cause an unnecessary rescue response! Instead, you may run a test call to the nationwide Coast Guard MMSI number, 003669999. 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.

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