Bruce in Alaska wrote:
In article ,
Dave wrote:


On Wed, 25 Jan 2006 07:05:34 -0500, Larry said:


If they
have any DSC at all, it's transmit-only just like yours.

Perhaps you could explain the following from the manual for one of the
common VHF units:

"Receiving an All Ships Call
If you are currently on a selected working channel or private channel, in
the Monitor mode, or in the Scan mode, the radio automatically enters
DSC mode when an All Ships Call is received. The type of call is displayed
in the small channel display and an alarm is sounded.

Press the DSC/PRI key once and the radio automatically selects channel
16. There is no acknowledge required for an All Ships Call. If you do not
wish to accept the call, press the 16 key to exit the DSC mode."


Yep, the above IS correct. However, look at what it really says.....
"IF" you are in the "Monitor Mode", or the "SCAN Mode" then your radio
will respond to a DSC Call, but only IF it isn't already receiving on
another channel, AND the DSC Call lasts long enough for the scan rate of
the receiver to get to Ch 70, and decode a complete DSC Sentance....
otherwise you don't get any indication that a DSC Call was ever received.
Are you willing to BET your LIFE, that other boaters IN your area,
understand how to correctly operate their DSC equiped radio, AND
will respond to your call? This IS Exactly Why, the 406 EPIRB is
required equipment on any FVSA Compulsury Required Vessels AND any
SOLAS Required Vessels, and is the PRIMARY Distress Notification
Device aboard. It WORKS, and has a Proven SAR Track Record.

Bruce in alaska
When you compare VHF radios with EPIRBs you are comparing apples and
oranges. VHF radios are for short range comms including distress and
calling. (even the DSC ones) EPIRB are locator beacons used to help
find the beacon (hopefully associated with an emergency) EPIRBs are not
designed to be tossed over the side willy nilly for fire and flood or
what ever. They won't let the guy two miles off your starboard quarter
know you have a problem. VHF will.

Gaz

On Thu, 26 Jan 2006 01:03:27 GMT, Gary wrote:

They won't let the guy two miles off your starboard quarter
know you have a problem. VHF will.

Absolutely, just call mayday on channel 16. You'll get quicker
results in most places, and hopefully you already know your lat/lon.

I may know my position. My kids may know how to read it off the GPS.
But, if I should go overboard, we won't know until after it happens if
the lesson will stick in their minds when they are watching their
father disappear astern. I know that everyone in this newsgroup
always spends the first three hours when they take a guest sailing for
the first time on man overboard drills and lessons in how to use the
radio and GPS (right). I don't know whether those lessons will stick
under duress either. It isn't just going overboard. The outcome of a
fall, heart attack, stroke, getting hit by the boom, could be very
different. Even if I'm not disabled, being able to attend almost
instantly to the emergency while the micro chips call for the calvary
could significantly increase the odds.

I'm always amazed at how these threads get into "either / or" and
"which is best" spats. It's like arguing which is more important to
have in your onboard tool box, pliers, or a screwdriver. If I see
another boat and have time, I'll hail on 16 and avoid stirring up the
whole system. If I'm on fire and can't get it out, I'll push the
button and jump into the dinghy. If I'm sinking offshore, I'll have
and use the 406. It's a toolbox and DCS is a great new tool.

--

Roger Long



"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 26 Jan 2006 01:03:27 GMT, Gary
wrote:

They won't let the guy two miles off your starboard quarter
know you have a problem. VHF will.

Absolutely, just call mayday on channel 16. You'll get quicker
results in most places, and hopefully you already know your lat/lon.

On Thu, 26 Jan 2006 10:33:41 GMT, "Roger Long"
wrote:

I'm always amazed at how these threads get into "either / or" and
"which is best" spats.

It's a fallacious form of argument you see used in politics all the
time to push one agenda or another. "The money your want to spend on X
could be better spent on [insert speaker's favorite hobby horse]." The
fallacy is in arguing, not that it's a good idea to spend for [hobby
horse], but that we've already addressed whether to spend the money
and the only question is on what.

On Thu, 26 Jan 2006 10:33:41 GMT, "Roger Long"
wrote:

It's a toolbox and DCS is a great new tool.

No argument there, it has good potential. I'm not sure it's quite
ready for prime time however, and it is always good for at least one
other person on board to know how to work the radio.