DSC radio owners plugged in - Boat U.S. Reports

Boat/US Magazine, Jan, 2003

More than three-fourths of boaters with DSC radios are connecting them to their Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers, according to a survey of those who have been issued a radio ID number by BoatU.S.

The survey was conducted in response to concerns by the U.S. Coast Guard that owners of VHF radios having the digital selective calling (DSC) feature are not taking the precaution of connecting the radio to their Global Positioning System receiver. BoatU.S. offered to help find out.

The major benefit of a DSC radio is that, in the event of a mayday, a DSC digital distress call is encoded with important information automatically, including the vessel's location -- but only if the GPS is hooked up. Even though Coast Guard monitoring is three years away (see story, page 22), the GPS connection could still be a lifesaving one right now because commercial ships and many towing companies are monitoring the DSC Channel 70 and can relay a mayday to the Coast Guard.

Since BoatU.S. has registered more DSC radios with special ID numbers than anyone else, the Association began surveying thousands of radio owners via email last summer and fall. So far, having queried about half, some 3,000 radio owners by presstime, BoatU.S. found that 77% said they had connected the GPS to the radio.

Of those who had not, most said they were waiting until the Coast Guard began monitoring digital maydays (set for 2006) or they needed more time or assistance with the connections. The Coast Guard is looking into a possible new type of VHF radio that contains a GPS receiver in it, if technical issues regarding antennae can be worked out.

Anyone who has recently purchased a VHF-DSC radio should register it and obtain an MMSI number. If your boating is in U.S. waters only, you can obtain a number from BoatU.S. for free by registering online at BoatUS.com/mmsi, or by calling 800-563-1536.