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Class D VHF DSC controller (Simrad® DSC1400 as prototype)

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Features :
  • works only if connected to VHF radio
  • display and button backlighting
  • softkeys
  • all types of DSC calls : routine, group, safety, urgency, distress
  • receipt of all DSC calls
  • distress button
  • log of received calls
  • editable directory
  • connection to a GPS
    •
    Use of keys. Numeric keys are used to enter MMSI numbers of destinations. Letters are entered when filling up directory entries and accessed by multiple presses on a corresponding key, e.g. to type "S", press (7) four times. Button (C) is used to return to previous level; button [ENTER] to complete input. Distress button is covered by a flap.
    Function How to implement
    switch on switched on automatically together with VHF radio
    switch off switched off automatically together with VHF radio
    backlighting backlighting changes in parallel with VHF radio
    adjust display constrast press "Menu" softkey, then "LCD". Change contrast by softkeys marked by up and down arrows. Press (C) to return to previous level and DSC to return to normal operation
    specify ship position and time current ship position and time are normally updated automatically by a connected GPS receiver. However, it also can be entered manually. Press "Menu" softkey, then "Posn". Press "Posn" softkey to set position or "UTC" to set time. Use numeric keypad to set net values. Press [ENTER] on input completion. Press (C) to return to previous level and DSC to return to normal operation
    specify ship MMSI only group MMSI can be changed. Press "More", then "MMSI", then softkey marked by >. Edit MMSI using numeric keypad. Press [ENTER] on input completion. Press (C) to return to previous level and DSC to return to normal operation
    edit directory directory is a list of destinations each made up of MMSI number and a name. This list is used to facilitate identification of destination when sending and receiving calls. Press "Menu", "More", "Dir". Use "Add" and "View" softkeys to edit and view the list. Press [ENTER] on input completion. Press (C) to return to previous level and DSC to return to normal operation
    send a routine call by entering MMSI number of destination
  • press softbutton marked by "Call". The display will show "Routine to"
  • using keypad, enter 9-digit MMSI number of the destination. While entering, the backspace (to return back to previous cursor position) softkey is marked by < on the display. Press ENTER
  • select number of channel on which you suggest to communicate by pressing Ch.. softkey. For ship-to-ship communications, these are 06, 08, 72, and 77 VHF channels. Select one of them successively pressing "Chan" softkey. If you wish to set another channel, use numerical keypad. Press ENTER
  • Press "Send" softkey to send the call. Press ENTER to confirm. The connected VHF radio automatically switches to the channel specified for communication. The display shows "Waiting for acknowledge"
    •
    send a routine call by selecting a destination from directory
  • press softbutton marked by "Call". The display will show "Routine to"
  • press Dir to select an entry from the directory. Press ENTER
  • select number of channel on which you suggest to communicate by pressing Ch.. softkey. For ship-to-ship communications, these are 06, 08, 72, and 77 VHF channels. Select one of them successively pressing "Chan" softkey. If you wish to set another channel, use numerical keypad. Channel selection is not allowed for such destinations as coast radio stations. Press ENTER
  • Press "Send" softkey to send the call. Press ENTER to confirm. The connected VHF radio automatically switches to the channel specified for communication. The display shows "Waiting for acknowledge"
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    send an "All ships safety" call
  • press softbutton marked by "Call". The display will show "Routine to"
  • press "Type" softkey once. The display will show "All Ships Safety" and Ch16. This call always offers channel 16 for communication
  • Press "Send" softkey to send the call. Press ENTER to confirm. The connected VHF radio automatically switches to priority channel 16. The display shows "Waiting for acknowledge"
    •
    send an "All ships urgency" call
  • press softbutton marked by "Call". The display will show "Routine to"
  • press "Type" softkey twice. The display will show "All Ships Urgency" and Ch16. This call always offers channel 16 for communication
  • Press "Send" softkey to send the call. Press ENTER to confirm. The connected VHF radio automatically switches to priority channel 16. The display shows "Waiting for acknowledge"
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    send a group call
  • press softbutton marked by "Call"
  • press "Type" softkey until the display shows "Group call" and a group MMSI number (group MMSI numbers start from one leading zero). Type a new group MMSI number if needed using numeric keys. Press ENTER.
  • select number of channel on which you suggest to communicate by pressing Ch.. softkey. For ship-to-ship communications, these are 06, 08, 72, and 77 VHF channels. Select one of them successively pressing "Chan" softkey. If you wish to set another channel, use numerical keypad. Press ENTER
  • Press "Send" softkey to send the call. Press ENTER to confirm. The connected VHF radio automatically switches to the channel specified for communication. The display shows "Waiting for acknowledge"
    •
    send a distress alert
  • open the flap marked by "DISTRESS BUTTON"
  • press (DIST) button under the cover
  • the display will show "Distress Alert" in the first line, current coordinates, time and a nature of distress. The coordinates and time values are taken from a GPS receiver if one is connected or they are most recent values entered manually. You can change these values using a corresponding softkey and numeric keypad.
  • select nature of distress using the corresponding softkey
  • press and hold (DIST) key under protective cover until countdown of 5 seconds completes
  • the display shows "SENDING DISTRESS ALERT". The alerts are sent periodically until an acknowledgment from a coast radio station is received. Press (C) to cancel sending distress alerts
    •
    receiving a call on receipt of a non-distress call, the display shows the call type, sender MMSI, and a channel suggested for communication. If you press Ack (acknowledgment) softkey, the radio switches to the specified channel and you can start voice transmission by VHF radio. If you press Stop, the call is not acknowledged and the controller returns to its normal state
    receiving a distress alert when a distress alert arrives, the display shows "Distress alert", caller's MMSI and Ch16 sign. Additional information can be retrieved by using a softkey marked by up and down arrows. This include distress coordinates, time and nature of distress.
    Ships cannot send distress acknowledgments; this is a function of a coast radio station.
    view log of calls received press "Log" and use "Next" and "Back" softkeys to scroll through the logged entries. Press "DSC" to return to normal operation
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