Dsc Overview; What Is Dsc; Dsc Messages - Furuno FM-8900S Operator's Manual

2.

DSC OVERVIEW

2.1

What is DSC?

DSC is an acronym meaning Digital Selective Calling. It is a digital distress and gen-
eral calling system in the VHF band used by ships for transmitting distress alerts and
general calls and by coast stations for transmitting the associated acknowledgements.
For DSC distress, safety and urgency callings in the VHF band, the channel is 70.
Distress, Safety, Urgency and Routine DSC Calls
CH70 RX ANT
2.2

DSC Messages

DSC calls are roughly divided in two groups: distress messages and general (safety,
urgency and routine) messages. Below are the types of DSC messages.
Call
DISTRESS ALERT
DISTRESS RELAY
ALL
DISTRESS RELAY
INDIVIDUAL
MEDICAL MSG*
NEUTRAL MSG*
INDIVIDUAL MSG
PSTN MSG
TEST MSG
GROUP MSG
ALL SHIPS MSG
POSITION MSG
POLLING MSG
*SPECIAL MSG: To send these messages, set [SPECIAL MSG] to [ABLE]. See
section 5.17.
Distress, Safety, Urgency and Routine DSC Calls
TRANSCEIVER
Your ship sends distress message.
Your ship relays distress call to all ships.
Your ship relays distress call to a coast station or all ships.
Inform areas that your ship is carrying medical supplies.
Inform areas that your ship is not a participant in armed conflict.
Call to a specific address.
Call over Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).
Send test signal to a station to test your station's functionality.
Call to a specific group.
Call to all ships.
Your ship requests position of other ships.
Confirm if your ship is within communicating range with other ships. (Re-
ceive and answer only)
ANT
UNIT
Description
2-1