Larry the ICOM 802 i have is outputing NMEA 3.0 DSC formatted sentences that
only some chartplotters can understand. In fact i've been yelling at
software companies all over the world for support of position output on
their software and sorry not available yet.

Only a handfull of GPSmap and plotter supports it. I changed my GPS 152 for
GPSmap 172C in order to have DSC plotting. Here is the answer i've received
from Garmin as to which model supports DSC:


cheers !

Dear Andre,

Thank you for contacting Garmin International. Unfortunately, the GPS152
will not have the DSC compatibilities. The unit's that can be hooked up to a
VHF radio supporting DSC are the GPSMAP 172C, 182, 182C, 232, 2006, 2006C,
2010 and the 2010C. The GPSMAP Sounders 178C, 188, 188C and the 238 models.
Our top of the line GPSMAP 3006C and 3010C (available late this quarter)
will also have this abilities

Please note that all the units above will need the most up to date software
inside. With the newest updated 5.3 version in the units above can do the
DSC feature straight from the Main Menu off your unit.

It is very easy. You will need to contact your local navcen for the MMSI
number. The MMSI number serves as both a nine digit "telephone number" and
as a unique identification number for the U.S. Coast Guard to use in order
to locate and identify you in an emergency (DSC call). During normal
communications, vessels with DSC capable radios may call each other over
channel 70 using the MMSI as a "telephone number" (appears as Position
Report on our plotters). The signal will only be received by those vessels
with the MMSI numbers that were called. During an emergency, the boater may
push a button to automatically transmit a May Day call which would include
their MMSI number (and location if the radio is linked to a GPS receiver) to
every DSC radio within range. When the U.S. Coast Guard receives the unique
MMSI number, it will use the information on file (emergency contact number,
type of vessel, etc.) to mount a more effective rescue effort.

For more information regarding MMSIs, visit:
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/gmdss/mmsi.htm





"Larry W4CSC" wrote in message
...
"André Langevin" wrote in
:

Larry,

I just check with Nobeltec, Maptech and Fugawi and some others small
Navigation software builder and NOBODY support NMEA DSC sentences yet.
So i sold my Fugawi and bought a Garmin GPSmap172c instead.

Bye bye PC !!!

If you got a signal from DSC it might be a chartplotter not a PC with
a navigation software.

Interesting. Showed up as a waypoint on our system. I'll have to go back
to Icom to see what the M802 is putting out. Thanks.

Larry