Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 08-25-2015, 08:52 AM   #1
Guru
 
hmason's Avatar
 
City: Stuart FL
Vessel Name: Lucky Lucky
Vessel Model: Pacific Mariner 65
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,759
DSC Distress Call Test

I often wondered if my DSC distress function of my VHF really worked. I went through the owners manual and discovered that there is a means of testing it. You can place a test call to a specific MMSI number that will give you an audible response indicating that the signal was received by the USCG. If you have never tested yours, check it out. It has given me a level of comfort that it will work in an emergency.

Howard
__________________
Howard
Lucky Lucky
Stuart, FL
hmason is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-25-2015, 09:18 AM   #2
Guru
 
LarryM's Avatar
 
City: League City, TX
Vessel Name: Pelago
Vessel Model: Wellcraft 3300 Coastal
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,069
Howard,

Like you, I was pleased to discover the Coast Guard MMSI test feature.

I also use Sea Tow's Automated Radio Check service, which is available in my area. This service actually re-transmits your radio check so you can hear your actual transmission. It is interesting to hear the difference at high and low power, or fixed vs. handheld.


I have both tests scheduled every 90 days on my maintenance calendar for all radios.
__________________
Larry
M/V Pelago
LarryM is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-25-2015, 09:44 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
SaltyDawg86's Avatar
 
City: Carrollton, Va
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 458
I use other boats lol. "WAKE UP!"
SaltyDawg86 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-25-2015, 10:05 AM   #4
Guru
 
LarryM's Avatar
 
City: League City, TX
Vessel Name: Pelago
Vessel Model: Wellcraft 3300 Coastal
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,069
Quote:
Originally Posted by SaltyDawg86 View Post
I use other boats lol. "WAKE UP!"
'Other boats' don't let you hear back what you actually transmit, the relative strength of the transmission or the quality.

These radio checks are not on hailing or busy working channels so they don't interfere with more important radio traffic.

Finally, 'other boats' certainly can't conduct a DSC Test Call.

BTW - been "AWAKE" for hours . . . . .
__________________
Larry
M/V Pelago
LarryM is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-25-2015, 10:45 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
SaltyDawg86's Avatar
 
City: Carrollton, Va
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 458
Deeps breaths there pal, the "other boats" have friends of mine on there and I send them around 3am to mess with them. I know what it does and I know it works because they let me know.
SaltyDawg86 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-25-2015, 11:11 AM   #6
Guru
 
LarryM's Avatar
 
City: League City, TX
Vessel Name: Pelago
Vessel Model: Wellcraft 3300 Coastal
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,069
Quote:
Originally Posted by SaltyDawg86 View Post
Deeps breaths there pal, the "other boats" have friends of mine on there and I send them around 3am to mess with them. I know what it does and I know it works because they let me know.
Sorry, too much caffeine I think.

I use known friends too whenever they are available or in range. It is of mutual benefit too.

Unfortunately, where I do most of my boating, you can get a lot of novice responses to radio checks that are, shall we say, less than usable. Other than the fact that your VHF just transmitted something, there is no indication of strength or their location. Or, on weekdays, silence.

When I found out about the automated system I figured it was a quick no-brainer, and thought I'd pass it along.

I think I need to find more of those friends with radios I can mess with like you do.
__________________
Larry
M/V Pelago
LarryM is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-25-2015, 12:03 PM   #7
Guru
 
Alaskan Sea-Duction's Avatar
 
City: Inside Passage Summer/Columbia River Winter
Vessel Name: Alaskan Sea-Duction
Vessel Model: 1988 M/Y Camargue YachtFisher
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 8,046
OK so how do you find the USCG MMSI test is your area?
Alaskan Sea-Duction is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-25-2015, 12:08 PM   #8
Guru
 
psneeld's Avatar
 
City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,119
For VHF DSC radios equipped with the Test Call feature, test transmissions should be made to the US Coast Guard MMSI 003669999 to receive an automated VHF DSC test response. You must use the “Test Call” category of your radio because “Individual” category ................


http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=DSCTesting
psneeld is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-27-2015, 08:35 AM   #9
Veteran Member
 
City: Portsmouth
Vessel Name: TWILIGHT TIME
Vessel Model: SENATOR SUNDECK
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 32
Salty Dawg 86 close by neighbor in Portsmouth let me know if you want to take a look at a SENATOR for space. kwon you said you were looking
Twilight time is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Trawler Port Captains
Port Captains are TF volunteers who can serve as local guides or assist with local arrangements and information. Search below to locate Port Captains near your destination. To learn more about this program read here: TF Port Captain Program





All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:09 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2006 - 2012