Digital Selective Calling (Dsc); General; Maritime Mobile Service Identity (Mmsi); What Is An Mmsi - Standard Horizon MATRIX AIS/GPS GX2200E Owner's Manual

8 DIGITAL SELECTIVE CALLING (DSC)

8.1

GENERAL

This GX2200E is designed to generate a digital maritime distress
and safety call to facilitate search and rescue. To be effective as a
safety device, this equipment must be used only within communica-
tion range of a shore-based VHF marine channel 70 distress and
safety watch system. The range of signal may vary but under normal
conditions should be approximately 20 nautical miles.
Digital Selective Calling (DSC) is a semi-automated method of establishing a
radio call, it has been designated by the International Maritime Organization
(IMO) as an international standard for establishing VHF, MF and HF radio
calls. It has also been designated as part of the Global Maritime Distress and
Safety System (GMDSS). It is planned that DSC will eventually replace aural
watches on distress frequencies and will be used to announce routine and
urgent maritime safety information broadcasts.
This system allows mariners to instantly send a distress call with GPS posi-
tion (when connected to the transceiver) to the Coast Guard and other
vessels within range of the transmission. DSC will also allow mariners to
initiate or receive Distress, Urgency, Safety, Routine, Position Request,
and Position Report, Automatic Position Polling, and Group calls to or from
another vessel equipped with a DSC transceiver.
8.2

MARITIME MOBILE SERVICE IDENTITY (MMSI)

8.2.1 What is an MMSI?

An MMSI is a nine digit number used on marine transceivers capable of using
Digital Selective Calling (DSC). This number is used like a telephone number
to selectively call other vessels.
THIS NUMBER MUST BE PROGRAMMED INTO THE RADIO TO OPER-
ATE DSC FUNCTIONS.
How can I obtain an MMSI assignment?
Please contact the Radio Licensing Authority for your country for information
on how to obtain an MMSI number.
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