User Guide

Section 7 - Sending and receiving DSC Calls
WARNING
A valid USER MMSI must be entered into this radio before these DSC functions can be
used. See section 5-1.
7-1 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 categorized as distress,
urgency, safety, or routine, and DSC selects a working channel automatically.
7-2 Sending DSC Calls
You can call any other person that has another DSC equipped radio.
• Quick press the CALL / MENU key to access the following DSC CALL menu options – select
LAST CALL to quickly call back the person who called you.
• Note that only four DSC CALL menu options can be shown on the LCD at any one time.
• Press + or – on the microphone or turn the Channel Select knob on the base station to
scroll up or down through the menu until the cursor is positioned at the desired option.
Press ENT (the center of the Channel Select knob) to display that option.
The following options are available:
DSC CALL INDIVIDUAL Make a DSC Call Section 7-3
LAST CALL Repeat the last DSC Call Section 7-5
GROUP Make a Group DSC Call Section 7-6
ALL SHIPS Make an All Ships DSC Call Section 7-7
CALL LOG View DSC Call Log Section 7-8
DISTR LOG View DSC Distress Log Section 7-9
SENT CALL View DSC Sent Call Log Section 7-10
LL REQUEST Request a position report Section 7-11
TRACK BUDDY Automatically track Buddy’s Section 7-12
DSC TEST Make a DSC Test Call Section 7-13
MMSI/GPS View MMSI and GPS information Section 7-14
Lowrance - Link-8 Operation Instructions 45