Using DSC on the VHF, I know I can receive emergency calls from other vessels and I can receive a "buddy" call from a friend's boat who just wants to establish communications.
Does anyone know if the radio "bell" or ring that comes thru announcing a call is different for the two calls so you know right away which is an emergency call and which is a routine call?
From what I've read, this is important because if you respond to an emergency call before the Coat Guard does, you will stop the vessel in distress' emergency call from continuously going out automatically. All printed instructions tell you to wait 5 minutes to see if the CG responds before taking action on an emergency call. Obviously if its a buddy call, you wouldn't want to wait.
I called Horizon (the manufacturer of my radio) and their response was they "thought so" but didn't know what the difference was.
Chuck Parker
HelenRita 2072 Mk II
2002 Tall Rig - Winged Keel
Atlantic Highlands, NJ
I use Standard Horizon 2150. A distress call indicates the location, the name and the type of distress. Even if the audio is the same - the display will indicate if it is distress or not.
Sail La Vie 1999 Catalina 36 MKII,(link is external) M35B-17031, Coyote Point, San Mateo, CA (link is external)
About Sail La Vie(link is external)
Thanks.... thats what Horizon thought was the answer... you have to go and look at the screen , you cna't tell by the audio tone.
Chuck Parker
HelenRita 2072 Mk II
2002 Tall Rig - Winged Keel
Atlantic Highlands, NJ
I have a Icom tied to a garmin4208. If a emergeny call comes it will display a blue cross on my chart plotter
Bill Miller
S/V Lorraine
Pacific Northwest,Sound Sound
Grapeview,Wa
1990 Mk1
Thanks Bill... what I seem to be finding from different sources is that it pretty much depends on your radio and complete setup
Chuck Parker
HelenRita 2072 Mk II
2002 Tall Rig - Winged Keel
Atlantic Highlands, NJ