On 29 Dec 2003 03:38:23 -0800, (Rob) wrote:

Hi,

I have been looking at VHF DSC radios and amazed by the price
difference between USA models and UK models. For example, a neat ICOM
402 is readily available in USA for around $170 and in UK you cannot
get a VHF DSC radio for less than £199.

Can you say "value added taxes" without cursing? USA doesn't have
them.....Shhhh....we don't want them, either!

I understand that there are two classes of DSC - Class F and Class D
which may account for the price difference.

There are as many classes as their are letters in the alphabet, I
think. It keeps changing and expanding, exponentially. The higher
the class, the more complex the capabilities of the equipment.

Class F equipment is simply capable of transmitting basic GMDSS
information, basically MMSI and position, an if it gets a reply it
will go to channel 16 or whatever the high class station has told it
to go to, for voice comms only. A good example is the Icom M59 basic
marine VHF radio. That's a class F radio. It isn't much of a
GMDSS-enabled radio, but will kick off the alarm in that containership
over there and alert them you are in trouble.....or that's the theory.


Can anyone explain the situation???

TVMIA

Class A and B are compulsory ship classes that have full GMDSS
capabilities. If you want to read the ITU's manual, it'll cost you 60
Swiss Francs, even to download it from:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-R/publication...=mm2002&lang=e
Er, ah, ships are REQUIRED to have this manual aboard. It's just good
business....(c;