User's Manual
Table Of Contents
- Section 1 - General Information
- Section 2 - The Radio Menu (MENU)
- Section 3 - Radio Setup Menu (RADIO SETUP)
- Section 4 - DSC Setup Menu (DSC SETUP)
- 4-1 DSC Setup - Menu Options
- 4-2 Enter or View Your USER MMSI (USER MMSI)
- 4-3 Maintain Your Groups (GROUP SETUP)
- 4-4 Response to Individual Calls (INDIV REPLY)
- 4-5 ATIS MMSI & ATIS Functionality
- 4-6 DSC functionality options (DSC FUNC)
- 4-7 Response Type to LL Polling Calls (LL REPLY)
- 4-8 Automatic Channel switching (AUTO SWITCH)
- 4-9 DSC Test Reply (TEST REPLY)
- 4-10 Set the inactivity timer (TIMEOUT)
- 4-1 DSC Setup - Menu Options
- Section 5 - Sending and Receiving DSC Calls
- 5-1 What is DSC?
- 5-2 Sending DSC calls
- 5-2-1 Make a Routine Call (INDIVIDUAL)
- 5-2-2 Retrying a Routine Call
- 5-2-3 Acknowledgement of an Individual Incoming Call (INDIV)
- 5-2-4 Recall the Most Recent Incoming Call (LAST CALL)
- 5-2-5 Call a Group (GROUP)
- 5-2-6 Call All Ships (ALL SHIPS)
- 5-2-7 Call using the Call Log (CALL LOG)
- 5-2-8 Call using the Distress Log (DISTR LOG)
- 5-2-9 Call using the Sent Call Log (SENT CALL)
- 5-2-10 Request the LL Position of a Buddy (LL REQUEST)
- 5-2-11 Make a DSC test call (DSC TEST)
- 5-3 Receiving DSC Calls
- 5-2 Sending DSC calls
- 5-1 What is DSC?
- Section 6 - Distress Calls
- Section 7 - Installation
- Appendix A - Technical Specifications
- Appendix B - Troubleshooting
- Appendix C - US & ROW VHF Marine Channel Charts
- Appendix D - EU VHF Marine Channel Charts
- Appendix E - MMSI, FCC and License Information
Lowrance | Link-5 VHF User Guide 29
Section 5 - Sending and Receiving DSC Calls
5-1 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 Mari-
time Organization) and is part of the GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System).
Currently, you are required to monitor the VHF 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 categorised as distress,
urgency, safety, or routine, and DSC selects a working channel automatically.
5-2 Sending DSC calls
Press CALL to show the types of DSC call that can be made.
The following options are available through CALL key:
WARNING
A valid USER MMSI must be entered into this radio before these DSC functions can be
used. See 4-2 Enter Your USER MMSI (USER MMSI).
Make a individual call or acknowledgement to a new caller or a
buddy. See Section 5-2-1, 5-2-2, and 5-2-3.
Make a call to one of your three groups.
See Section 5-2-5.
Show the details of the most recent incoming call.
See Section 5-2-4.
Make an All Ships call.
See Section 5-2-6.
Show the details of the 20 most recent incoming calls.
See Section 5-2-7.
Show the details of the 10 most recent distress calls.
See Section 5-2-8.
Request the LL position of a buddy.
See Section 5-2-10.
INDIVIDUAL
LAST CALL
GROUP
ALL SHIPS
CALL LOG
DISTR LOG
SENT CALL
LL REQUEST
DSC TEST
MMSI/GPS
Make a DSC TEST call.
See Section 5-2-11.
Show the programmed MMSI and GPS information
See Section 5-2-12.
Show the details of the 20 most recent sent calls.
See Section 5-2-9.
Draft - Final approval