VHF DSC functionality

Sneaks

New member
One of the members on The Hull Truth made a nice 3 minute video covering DSC functions. Specifically how to request a position from a fellow boater and how it is returned.

Just go HERE and click on the DSC video.

Basically, one must preprogram your DSC capable VHF with the MMSI number of the person or persons you wish to share info with, then request their position and it will be sent to your radio. Some radios with two way NEMA capability can send the data to your chartplotter display.

Don
 
Does anyone know if there was a thread that talked about how to connect DSC to your GPS system and getting registered?

I have the ICOM 402 with DSC and have not connected it yet.

Thanks,
Steve
 
You can register and get your DSC MMSI number here - it is under the Boating Safety link on the bar at the top. You then have to enter the MMSI number into the radio, check your manual as to how to do that. Connecting the GPS and radio is a matter of getting your manuals out again and connecting the NMEA (not "NEMA," it stands for National Marine Electronics Association, which promulgates the standards) out on the GPS to the in on the radio, and connecting up the grounds.


seabran":1nn5h8gc said:
Does anyone know if there was a thread that talked about how to connect DSC to your GPS system and getting registered?

I have the ICOM 402 with DSC and have not connected it yet.

Thanks,
Steve
 
Hi Steve. Last time I laid eyes on you, you were lounging around in an upscale Coronado hospital. Good to see you back doing important stuff.

To get a free MMSI number, just go to the Boat USsite. Once you have the number itself, your ICOM instruction book will tell you how to both program it in and check it. Be very careful, you have only two tries to get it right and if you don't, the unit has to be returned to Icom so they can flush the internal memory.

A hint: This programming can be done at home with a 12 volt battery connected to the Icom power leads. No antenna is needed but just don't key the transmitter...!

Once programmed, you need only connect the GPS NMEA output leads to the two Icom NMEA input leads, turn on the GPS, then the Icom and the Icom will tell you if it's correct. If not, first try reversing the leads from the GPS before giving up and calling tech support.

I don't think the M402 has two way NMEA but if it does, then the Icom output has to be connected to the GPS input as well.

Don
 
Pat Anderson said:

Connecting the GPS and radio is a matter of getting your manuals out again and connecting the MNEA (not "NEMA," it stands for National Marine Electronics Association, which promulgates the standards) out on the GPS to the in on the radio, and connecting up the grounds.


MNEA? What does the Missouri National Education Association have to do with this? :wink


Don
 
Yeah, that's it Uncle Don, you exposed my dyslexia ("What is a dyslexia agnostic? He is not sure if Dog exists...")

Sneaks":xmmya323 said:
MNEA? What does the Missouri National Education Association have to do with this? :wink


Don
 
Pat Anderson":2k04g8e2 said:


Yeah, that's it Uncle Don, you exposed my dyslexia


Had to come from your mother's side of the family, Pat, unless you've been spiking your morning OJ with some of your grandpa's Gilly.

Don
 
Back
Top