Cobra Electronics MRF45 Digital Selective Calling DSC, Maritime Mobile Service Identity Mmsi

Digital Selective Calling (DSC)

VHF Marine Radio Protocols

For Example

The vessel Corsair calling the vessel Vagabond:

Corsair: “Vagabond, this is Corsair.”

Vagabond: “Corsair, this is Vagabond. Reply 72 (or any proper working channel).”

Corsair: “72” or “Roger”

■After communications are completed, each vessel must sign off with its call sign or vessel name and switch to Channel 16.

NOTE

For best sound quality at the station you’re calling, hold the microphone at least 2 inches [5 cm] from your mouth and slightly off to

one (1) side. Speak in a normal tone of voice.

Digital Selective Calling (DSC)

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Digital selective calling is a semi-automated system for establishing a radio call. It has been designed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as an international standard for VHF, MF, and HF calls and is part of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).

DSC will eventually replace aural (listening) watches on distress frequencies and will be used to announce routine and urgent maritime safety information broadcasts. Until DSC is fully implemented, it is still necessary to maintain a listening watch on Channel 16.

The DSC system allows mariners to instantly send a distress call with GPS position coordinates (requires a GPS receiver to be connected to the radio) to the Coast Guard and other vessels within range of the transmission.

DSC also allows mariners to initiate and receive distress, urgent, safety, routine, position request, position send, and group calls between vessels equipped with DSC capable radios.

Maritime Mobile

Service Identity (MMSI)

VHF Marine Radio Protocols

Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI)

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An MMSI is a nine (9) digit number used on a marine radio capable of using digital selective calling (DSC). It is used to selectively call other vessels or shore stations and is similar to a telephone number.

For your CobraMarine radio to operate in the DSC mode, you must enter your maritime mobile service identity (MMSI) number. See page 49 for instructions on how to enter it.

The MMSI Number Is Available In The U.S.A. From Any Of Three (3) Sources:

■BoatU.S.: 1-800-563-1536 – www.boatus.com/mmsi

■Maritel: 1-888-Maritel (1-888-627-4835)

■Sea Tow International: 1-631-765-3660 – www.seatow.com

In Canada, Contact:

■Industry Canada Spectrum Management Office (only available on the Internet): http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/insmt-gst.nsf/vwGeneratedInterE/sf01742e.html

To Obtain An MMSI Number Outside The U.S.A.:

Users can obtain an MMSI from their country’s telecommunications authority or ship registry. This may involve amending or obtaining a ship station license.

WARNING

This equipment is designed to generate a digital maritime distress and safety signal to facilitate search and rescue. To be effective as a safety device, this equipment must be used only within communication range of a shore-based VHF marine channel to distress and safety watch system. The range of the signal may vary, but under normal conditions should be approximately 20 nautical miles.

8 English Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra® 9