NorthStar Navigation Explorer 721US, Explorer 721EU Send and Receive DSC Calls, What is DSC?

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Section 5 - Send and Receive DSC Calls

A valid user MMSID must have been entered to access the DSC functions. If you don’t have a user MMSID, see Appendix D.

Press CALL/MENU to show the DSC CALL menu. This shows the different types of DSC call that you make.

Sections 1.3 and 1.4 explain how to navigate around the menu and enter, save and change data.

5-1 What is DSC?

DSC (Digital Selective Calling) is a semi-automated method of establishing VHF, MF, and HF radio calls. It has been designated as an international standard by the IMO (International Maritime Organization) and is part of the GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System).

Currently, you are required to monitor Distress Channel 16, but DSC will eventually replace listening watches on distress frequencies and will be used to broadcast routine and urgent maritime safety information.

DSC enables you to send and receive calls from any vessel or coast station that is equipped with DSC functionality, and within geographic range. Calls can be categorised as distress, urgency, safety, or routine, and DSC selects a working channel automatically.

5-2 The DSC CALL Menu Options

					Make a routine, safety, urgency or distress call to a
INDIVIDUAL			ROUTINE		buddy or another individual.
INDIVIDUAL			ROUTINE		See Section 5-3.
			SAFETY
			URGENCY
			DISTRESS
					Show the details of the most recent incoming call.
					Show the details of the most recent incoming call.
LAST CALL					See Section 5-4.
LAST CALL
					Make a call to one of your three groups.
GROUP					See Section 5-5.
					Make a urgency, safety, routine, or distress call
ALL SHIPS			URGENCY		to All Ships,
ALL SHIPS			URGENCY		See Section 5-6.
			SAFETY
			ROUTINE
			DISTRESS
					Show the details of the 20 most recent incoming
					Show the details of the 20 most recent incoming
					calls.
CALL LOG					See Section 5-7.

					Show the details of the 10 most recent distress
					calls.
DIST LOG					See Section 5-8.
DIST LOG
					Request the LL position of a buddy.
LL REQUEST					See Section 5-9.

30	Northstar Explorer VHF Series: 721US, 721EU Operation and Installation Manual

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Contents Explorer 721US / 721EU Important Safety Information Contents Send and Receive DSC Calls Industry Canada General Information FeaturesHow to Display and Navigate Menus Customize your Northstar VHF RadioHow to Enter or Change Alphanumeric Data LCD Symbols and MeaningsNormal Menu Mode Edit Mode Push Space Symbol How the Microphone and Optional Handset Work Together Basic Operation and Key Functions Menu see and the DSC set up menu see Section CH2 or CH3 symbol disappears oﬀ the LCDWeather alert mode is on Then push to backupMatically exits you from menu mode and stops scanning Power transmission setting is incorrectComplete listing of channel charts You must release PTT to receive a signalRadio Menu Options Menu Show Weather, SNR or Happy Fish on Handset Info Data Maintain Your Buddy List Buddy List Add an EntryEdit an Entry Set Local Sensitivity Local or Distance Sensitivity LOCAL/DISTSet Distance Sensitivity Backlighting Backlight and Contrast ContrastGPS Data and Time GPS/DATA Set the Backlighting LevelSet the Contrast Level Manually Enter Position and UTC Time ManualGPS/DATA Manual Setting Local Time Time OffsetTime Offset Position Display Options LL display Select GPS/DATA, then Setting Select LL DisplayTime Display Options Time Display Course & Speed Display Options COG/SOGGPS Simulator GPS SIM Reset to Factory Defaults ResetGPS Alert Options Alert Select GPS SIM, then select on or OFF as desiredRadio Setup Menu Radio Setup Radio Setup Menu Options Radio SetupSelect the Channel Bank UIC Ring and Beep Volume Ring Volume and KEY Beep Change Channel Names CH NameInternal Speaker Connections INT Speaker Weather Alert WX Alert Set the Priority Channel Watch ModeSelect Radio SETUP, then WX Alert Nmea or Navbus protocol COM PortSelect Radio SETUP, then COM Port Select Baro & Temp Barometric Displays Baro SensorSet the Temperature Units Units Switch the Barometric Display on or OFF Baro DisplyTemperature Display Temperature Calibrate the Temperature Reading CALMaintain Your Groups Group Setup DSC Setup MenuDSC Setup Menu Options Create a Group Group SetupEdit Group Name or Group Mmsid Response to Individual Calls Indiv ReplyEnable Atis Functionality Atis Func Atis Mmsid & Atis FunctionalityEnter or Edit Your Atis Mmsid Response Type to LL Polling Calls LL Reply Select DSC SETUP, then LL ReplyDSC Functionality DSC Func Push the rotary knob to conﬁrmWhat is DSC? Send and Receive DSC CallsDSC Call Menu Options Retry a Routine Call Distress only when there’s a distress situationCall an Individual Individual Acknowledge an Individual Incoming CallCall All Ships ALL Ships Call the Most Recent Caller Last CallCall a Group Group This facility is useful and used frequentlyCall using the Call Log Call LOG Call using the Distress Log Dist LOGSet the channel and continue as explained in Section DSC Call Call LOG Dist LOG LL Request Request the LL Position of a Buddy LL RequestTrack Your Buddy Track Buddy SET Buddy BUDDY1 On OFFReceive an All Ships Call RCV ALL Ship Receive an Individual Call RCV IndivReceive a Group Call RCV Group Receive a Geographic Call RCV GeographReceive a Polled Position Call Rcvposition Receive a Distress Acknowledgement Distress ACK Distress CallsSend a Distress Call Open the red cover labelled DistressReceive a Distress Call RCV Distress Receive a Distress Relay RCV Distress RelayRelay a Distress Call from the Distress Log Relay GPS/NMEA input Yes Comm. port Baud NMEA, 38400 baud Navbus Appendix a Technical SpecificationsNorthstar Explorer 721US and 721EU Rotary channel selector YesChannel Naming Yes TransmitterAppendix B Troubleshooting Appendix C VHF Marine Channel Charts International EU-DSC onSpecial Notes on International Channel Useage Page USA Channel Chart Send Receive Traffic Type Ship Name TAG Wx03 RX Only 162.475 Wx01 RX Only 162.550Wx02 RX Only 162.400 Wx04 RX Only 162.425Canada Channel Chart 62A 156.125 Canadian Coast Guard Yes 28B RX Only 162.000 Public Correspondence, RX Only156.025 160.625 Public Correspondence, Duplex Yes 156.225 160.825 Public Correspondence, Duplex YesWeather EU Inland Waterway Channels Country Specific Digital selective calling for distress156.85 162AIS Page Appendix D Mmsid and License Information Checklist Install the ExplorerInstallation Options There are two ways to install the radio. You can chooseGimbal Installation Recessed Installation Change the Viewing AngleConnectors are on the rear of the base unit, as follows Install the Microphone Bulkhead MountDrill the two pilot screw holes where marked Connect the Radio CablesEnter Your User Mmsid Set Up the RadioMmsid Store Cancel User Mmsid Input Again GND. a ground connection is not usually requiredCompleted Installation with Optional Handset 0560