BLUEMOMENT

aquaplane wrote:Don't get me wrong, I'm proud to be a Luddite.

Sometimes I can see the advantage in addopting these new fangled ideas though.

DaveS, with an MMSI number you can call someone on VHF and the message only goes to them from you. When they answer you can chat without anyone else listening in. The set will even beep to tell you there is a message for you much like a moby phone call.

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When you call another DSC set using the MMSI number, you set the desired working channel before you transmit the call, usually 6,8,72 or 77. When the called person presses the acknowledge button on their set, both sets switch to that working channel automatically, you can be overheard by anyone listening to that working channel. It is only the initial call which is specific to the MMSI.

You can also request a position from another DSC equipped vessel automatically if you know the MMSI, if you have your sets set to auto acknowledge, you can easily keep track of any vessel you are sailing in company without any voice coms.

To use all the functions available easily, a set with a key pad is much easier than those without. Some sets I have come across are not intuitive and have the menus hidden away in the most obscure fashion.

It is worth noting that since the advent of DSC most big ships no longer listen on 16, they do however listen for other ships on 13 which is for bridge to bridge coms. If you are calling a ship on 16 who doesn't respond, try 13.

So_Sage_of_Lorne wrote: (snip)
It is worth noting that since the advent of DSC most big ships no longer listen on 16, they do however listen for other ships on 13 which is for bridge to bridge coms. If you are calling a ship on 16 who doesn't respond, try 13.

Ahh, so I will still be able to arrange my VHF assisted collisions then . . .

None of this rings my bell or floats my boat. I WILL NOT be parting with any more beer tokens until I NEED to! Call me as many names as you like, I don't need the "innovative technology" thank you.

Now kindly remove your foot from my door jamb or feel the pain as I attempt to slam it, VERY HARD!

They used to say that about Fire and the wheel, then it was the infernal combustion engine, electricity and flight!

Arghiro wrote:None of this rings my bell or floats my boat. I WILL NOT be parting with any more beer tokens until I NEED to! Call me as many names as you like, I don't need the "innovative technology" thank you.

Now kindly remove your foot from my door jamb or feel the pain as I attempt to slam it, VERY HARD!

That was the point of this thread, a bit. With the mass closure of all local CG stations maybe that time is coming...

Out of interest, if you were given a DSC set gratis today, would you fit it?

Julian wrote:(snip)
Out of interest, if you were given a DSC set gratis today, would you fit it?

That's mighty generous of you Julian, certainly I would Just leave it with the HM at Caernarfon & I will pick it up next time I'm out.








It's OK, I know you were only asking rhetorically

Arghiro wrote:

Julian wrote:(snip)
Out of interest, if you were given a DSC set gratis today, would you fit it?

That's mighty generous of you Julian, certainly I would Just leave it with the HM at Caernarfon & I will pick it up next time I'm out.

It's OK, I know you were only asking rhetorically

I have a good idea as to what would happen if someone gave me a DSC set free!

It would probably lie around for quie a few months, then one day when the weather is shyte, in a fit of utter boredom I would fit it in place of the old set. Whould I set up all the fancy functions? Not a hope in hell! Once it was fitted and working, I'd put the kettle on, have a brew and admire my handywork.

Once another few months have passed and the weather was again shyte, I MIGHT get around to setting up the functions if I was completely bored once more.

So_Sage_of_Lorne wrote:When you call another DSC set using the MMSI number, you set the desired working channel before you transmit the call, usually 6,8,72 or 77. When the called person presses the acknowledge button on their set, both sets switch to that working channel automatically, you can be overheard by anyone listening to that working channel. It is only the initial call which is specific to the MMSI.

Ohhh, I understood it wrong then, it's not the first time and it won't be the last. Thanks for pointing that out. I suppose I should read the instruction book to see what my radio will do and what it won't.
Once I could get the inshore forecast I lost interest a bit.