Marine Patrol will not hear your DSC-VHF distress call
 

In the Winter Projects thread, Kamper mentioned buying a DSC VHF radio. Please be advised that NH Marine Patrol at Lake Winnipesaukee is NOT yet DSC capable and the MP does not monitor for DSC distress calls. They do try to keep watch on Channel 16 but on a busy weekend CH 16 can be a nuisance for them to constantly monitor (my opinion). There are still many reasons for recreational boaters to use DSC and there are a lot of fun and useful features.

DSC is used only on Ch 70 and allows “silent monitoring”. You will still hear distress calls, alert messages, group calls or DSC calls directly to your vessel (if you have a Maritime Mobile Service Identity number - no fee to get your unique MMSI number). If one of your friends calls your boat with DSC your radio will work like a pager and you will get the message. The radio will then automatically move you to a working channel for voice communications (the exact process depends on the radio you purchase). You can even see (with a chartplotter) where your friends are, if they want you to see them.

All Marine non-walkie talkie Marine VHF radios FCC type accepted after mid 1999 must be DSC capable. That’s the reason older model non-DSC capable VHF radios have dropped in price.

I spoke with Marine Patrol a few times last month regarding their use of the DSC features of Marine VHF radio. The dispatcher did not know what DSC was but they said they would ask. I called a week later and they were aware of my question and referred me to Lt. Dunleavy. The Lieutenant confirmed that MP did NOT use DSC on Marine VHF. He did tell me that they were going to study the DSC system and that it would be an agenda topic.

So, at the moment, be aware that MP does NOT monitor Marine Channel 70 for DSC distress calls. They also do NOT send out any warnings or alerts using that DSC feature.

More info then you’ll want to read about Marine Radio Communications here ( Too much info on Marine Radio) but answers lots of questions via commentary and links to other parts of their web site. Covers recreational boats up through international commercial vessels. You may not be familiar with a few of the abbreviations they use.
VHF = Very High Frequency, it’s the Marine band that we use around the lake (Marine Patrol often monitors CH 16, the calling and distress channel in use around the lake).
MF = Medium Frequency band
HF = High frequency Band.. Neither MF or HF are used on the lake. Ocean Boaters may refer to either one as Short Wave Radio or Single Side Band.
DSC = Digital Selective Calling. A digital method used on all Marine bands to facilitate communications.

More on marine Radio and use by recreational boaters:
Marine Radio for recreational Boaters

Info on Marine Radio Distress Calls and procedures, click here Marine Radio Distress Calls

Speaking of VHF... I heard the MP boats don't use VHF radios at all. Is this true?

Does anybody know whether either of the two commercial towing companies are equipped to receive DSC distress calls? Or, perhaps, any of the marinas?

I'm currently in the market for a VHF for my new boat, and how much emphasis I put on automated DSC distress calling capability depends a lot on whether anybody is equipped to receive one!

On a related note, I'm ashamed to say that I've lost track of how "Mighty Mo" is doing.:( Is he still monitoring Ch 16? It was always very comforting to know that he was out there listening for anybody reporting a problem.

Silver Duck

Short money for extra protection....
 

The Skipper once again raises an important (and timely) safety issue....

I just perused the West Marine site, they have a fixed mount VHF transceiver (their brand) with full DSC capability for a sale price of $129.00 !!!

I think I would go ahead and spend the extra for the DSC and hope the MPs can get up to speed on the technology during the lifespan of my new radio....the price right now is definitely right!

Skip

It wasn't true as of the 2005 boating season, Dave. I copied the MP on 159.15 MHz all summer. They were using digital mode so a digital scanner is needed to decode their transmissions.

MP on VHF Radio and Mighty Mo II
 

DRH (Don) is correct, Marine Patrol has been using their own VHF Radio system for a few years. That service is specifically licensed to Marine Patrol and is all digital (digital voice - not to be confused with the digital data of DSC).

You might have been asking if the MP patrol boats carry VHF Marine Radios (the same type we would have on our boats). The answer to that question is NO (to the best of my knowledge). MP headquarters has a Marine VHF radio and often monitors CH 16 but their patrol boats are not so equipped.

Might Mo II (Bill) was still on watch during the 2005 season. He does monitor Marine Radio CH 16 and he can contact Marine Patrol (he is part of the MP Auxiliary). Last I knew, Mighty Mo was not DSC capable. I understand from Lt. Dunleavy that Mighty Mo is doing well - they spoke within the last month or 2.

Skip has good advice - get the DSC-VHF radio. Even if MP is NOT monitoring for VHF DSC calls, other boaters will be listening. The more DSC radios on the Lake the more chances your DSC distress call will be heard.

By the way, DSC VHF radios can be connected to GPS and Chartplotters for even more functionality.

Safe Boating, 73

Al

Thanks for the update about Mighty Mo II. It's good to know that he's doing well, and hopefully will be listening for us this year!:)

As for the DSC capability, my reservations were more centered aroung whether to worry about how easy it would be to interface the radio with my new GPS (a Standard Horizon 175C) than about price. But, you and Skip have convinced me. I'll just go with a Standard Horizon VHF to assure that interfacing the two won't be too much of a hassle.

Silver Duck