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2 Sending a Call
2.1 General
Making a DSC call using the DSC1400 is very
simple. First, choose the call type (Routine,
Safety, Urgency, Group or Distress Alert). If
required, enter the destination and working
channel, then press
ENTER
.
2.2 Routine
To make a routine call, either enter an MMSI
number with the keypad from the main screen
or press
Call
and use the
To
key to cycle through
the numbers which have been previously
entered into the directory (see section 4.2).
If the call is to a coast station, then the channel
will be displayed on the screen as --, as the
acknowledgement from the station will auto-
matically tune the VHF to the working channel,
which is selected by the coast station (Fig 1.5).
If the call is to another vessel, a working chan-
nel can be specified by pressing the channel
softkey to select a channel from the list (see sec-
tion 4.10). Alternatively, this can be selected
using the channel knob on the RT1400.
Press
ENTER
to send the call. The DSC1400
will indicate that it is waiting for a reply. When
the reply is received, the RT1400 will automat-
ically set to the specified working channel. A
voice call can then be made in the normal way.
2.3 Urgency & Safety
While the Routine DSC call will only be heard
by the station or vessel with the specific MMSI
number entered, both Urgency and Safety calls
are All Ships calls - they will be heard by any
vessel or station within VHF range.
From the main screen, press
Call
twice to select
Safety Call (Fig 1.6) or three times to select
Urgency Call. While you may use the RT1400
channel select knob to select a different work-
ing channel when making a Safety Call (default
is 16), Urgency Calls always use channel 16.
1.3 MMSI Number
For the DSC1400 to function an MMSI
(Maritime Mobile Service Identifier) number
will need to be entered. This can be obtained
from the local radiocommunications authority.
1.4 Keypad
The telephone style ITU keypad is used for
entering numeric data. When required, the
keys will automatically switch to character
mode allowing letters, numbers and punctua-
tion characters to be entered. Repeatedly
pressing a key will cycle through the characters
available on that key (Fig 1.2).
The Cancel key will stop a task and return to the
main screen. The
ENTER
key is used to confirm
actions, such as sending a call.
1.5 Softkeys
The functions of the four softkeys - one for each
line of the display (Fig 1.3) - will change to suit
the menu that is currently displayed. A label
indicating the function of the softkey will be
displayed on the right side of the correspond-
ing display line.
1.6 Distress Button
The distress button is located under a protec-
tive cover that must be lifted before the button
can be pressed (Fig 1.4).
THIS BUTTON
MUST ONLY BE USED IN A DISTRESS
SITUATION.
Refer to section 2.5 for more
details.
1.7 Working Channels
While all DSC transmissions from the DSC1400
are made digitally on channel 70, once the call
has been put through, communication with the
other vessel or station will be via a normal
voice channel, which is specified when the call
is made. This is referred to in this manual as a
working channel
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
sp
- A D G
J
M P T W
(
,
B E H K N Q U X
)
. C F
I
L O R V Y
% /
?
!
:
"
'
S & Z
1 Press
2 Presses
3 Presses
4 Presses
5 Presses
Fig 1.2 - Keypad character map
1
4
7
C
Fig 1.3 - Softkeys
Softkeys
Fig 1.4 - Distress Button
1
4
7
C
Routine call
To SOLENT C’GUARD
On --
52º02’N
Call
001º35’E
08:54 UTC
Log
Ch 06
Menu
Fig 1.5 - Sending Routine Call
1
4
7
C
Safety Call call
To ALL SHIPS
On 16
Fig 1.6 - Sending Safety Call
