Using Digital Selective Calling (Dsc) Features; What Is Dsc; Advanced Dsc Features - Uniden UM455 Owner's Manual

Using Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Features

Using Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Features

What is DSC?

Digital Selective Calling or DSC is a standard that allows you to call other stations
using their unique identification code (the Maritime Mobile Service Identity or MMSI
number), just like you would call a phone number. To call another station, just enter
that station's MMSI number and choose the voice channel you want to talk on. The
radio uses channel 70 to transmit your MMSI number to the other station along with
the voice channel you requested. If the other station accepts your call, both radios
automatically switch to the requested voice channel so you can talk to the other
station.
DSC provides a system for automated distress calls. At the touch of a button, the
radio can transmit your MMSI number, the nature of your distress, and your current
position based on data from your GPS receiver. The radio repeats the distress call
every few minutes until it receives an acknowledgement.
The DSC standard dedicates a VHF channel—channel 70—to digital transmissions
only. Since digital transmissions require less bandwidth voice transmissions, channel
70 avoids the problems of busy voice channels.

Advanced DSC features

The UM455 supports the following DSC features:
Feature
Individual Call
Group Call
All Ships Call
Position Request
Position Send
Test Call
Name and MMSI
Directory
Standby Mode
Received Call Log Receive Log
Menu Item Function
Individual Contact another vessel from your directory.
Group Contact all vessels that share your group
MMSI code.
All Ships Broadcast to all vessels within range (used for
safety or advisory messages.)
POS Request Request the current location of another vessel.
Position Send Transmit your current location to another
vessel.
Test Make sure your radio is working and
configured correctly
Directory Store a list of 20 names and MMSI
identification codes for DSC calls.
Standby Automatically respond to all DSC calls with an
"Unavailable" status.
Display the last 10 distress calls received by
the radio and the last 20 general calls.
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