West Marine VHF580 manual Using Digital Selective Calling DSC Features, What is DSC?

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When you have entered the last value, the radio returns to the GPS Setup menu.

Using Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Features

What is DSC?

Digital Selective Calling (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

Your radio supports the following DSC features:

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

What is an MMSI number?

In order to use DSC features, you must be assigned an MMSI number and program that number into your radio. There are two kinds of MMSI numbers: individual numbers for

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Contents DSC Marine Radio Making a Voice Distress Call Making a Distress CallFaire un appel de détresse vocal Faire un appel de détresseCómo hacer una llamada de apuro por voz Cómo hacer una llamada de apuroContents Introduction FeaturesManual overview ConventionsWhat’s included Getting StartedButton Press to Press and hold to Parts of the RadioConnector/Cable Connects to For details, see Parts of the MicrophoneButton Press to Press and hold Mode What It Does Use It When To Turn it on./off Setting the UIC Channel Mode USA/CAN/INTHow It Works Turning on the RadioWatch Mode What It Does Use It When To Turn it on./off Normal mode operationNormal mode with Weather Alert Watch Using the radio in normal modeNormal mode with Triple and Dual Watch Message MeaningScan mode Normal mode with both Weather Alert and Triple/Dual Watch08 10 11 12 13 15 17 Scan mode with Weather Alert Watch Using the radio in scan modeScan mode with Triple and Dual Watch Scan mode with both Weather Alert and Triple/Dual WatchWeather mode Using the radio in weather modeWeather mode with Weather Alert Watch Using Your Radio Using Your RadioSetting the squelch level Setting the volumeMaking a voice Mayday call Changing the channelChoosing Triple Watch or Dual Watch Boosting the transmission powerUsing Fips codes for weather alerts Lamp adjust Setting the GPS position manuallyChanging display and sound options ContrastWhat is DSC? Using Digital Selective Calling DSC FeaturesAdvanced DSC features What is an Mmsi number?Individual or User Mmsi Number Entering Mmsi numbersGroup Mmsi number Using the DirectoryCall type What it does When to use it Making DSC CallsChannel Up Button Channel Down Button Select Individual Calling a single station Individual CallMaking an automatic distress call Calling a particular group of stations Group CallCalling all stations All-Ships Call Receiving a DSC call Canceling an automatic distress callReceive log DSC Call Type Receive Log InformationTest Calls Returning a callMaking Test Calls Test Receiving Test Calls Position Request and ReplyEnabling automatic test call reply Requesting another station’s position POS RequestReceiving a position request Position Reply Enabling automatic position replySending your own position Position Send Disabling automatic channel switching Putting the radio into standbyRenaming Channels ENT-1W/25W Mounting the radio Installing the HardwarePower Supply Requirements VHF Antenna Requirements Connecting the radioGround Wire Color Connecting to a GPS receiverGPS Data External Configuring the GPSConnecting to an External Speaker Connecting to a ChartplotterProblem Things to Try Maintenance and TroubleshootingEngine Noise Suppression Specifications Radio SpecificationsTransmitter Channel descriptions and what they mean Reference TablesReceiver Channel name/description Used forCh No RX Freq TX Freq Status Name on display US Marine Channels and FrequenciesCanadian Marine Channels and Frequencies Ch No RX Freq TX Freq Status Name on display International Marine Channels and Frequencies Ch No RX Freq TX Freq Status Name on display Emergency Alert System Same Information Weather Channels and Frequencies US, CAN, and INTCh No RX Freq Name on display Types of eventsFFW WFW No Response Event CodeNmea Operation Nmea OutputNmea Input Basic radio guidelines Three Year Limited Warranty Page QUESTIONS?