What is DSC Marine Radio?

Digital Selective Calling (DSC) radios use satellite technology to allow recreational boaters to make ship-to-ship telephone calls. A separate distress channel is also available and is accessible by commercial ships.

Features

The "brain" of a DSC radio is the controller. The controller is the piece that encodes and decodes signals sent and received. It is most often a single unit with the entire radio but it can also be a separate piece.

Identification

The DSC radios must be registered with the Federal Communications Commission and must be equipped with a nine-digit Maritime Mobile Service Identity number. This number acts like a telephone number and allows a user on a single ship to call another single ship and have a private conversation.

Prevention/Solution

The DSC radios also come equipped with a special red "emergency button" that, when activated, automatically sends out a distress signal. Commercial ships weighing more than 300 tons are required to monitor channels for these signals.

Geography

Recreational vessels are able to send signals greater distances with the aid of the DSC radio.

Fun Fact

Communications such as those made possible by the DSC radio are governed by the Safety of Life at Sea conventions, which were enacted after the sinking of the Titanic.