26X dimensions help for AIS install

[tuxonpup]

Our handheld VHF is set up for distress DSC calling, pull the red tab and it starts transmitting a distress VHF message with our MMSI and the coordinates of the GPS built into the radio, but the new em-trak has the ship-to-ship calling DSC functionality, where you just touch the AIS marker of any displayed ship to place a direct VHF call. Looks very user friendly.

[Starscream]

If you want to call a boat directly, you use the MMSI number shown on the AIS. After you enter the MMSI, the radio will give you the choice of working channels to automatically switch to after the call-ee accepts the call. The "ringing" part of the call is private, but the convo becomes public after both radios automatically switch to the working channel. All the call-ee has to do is accept the call and the radio should switch automatically to the working channel selected by the call-er.

The "Ring" you get on the DSC radio is shocking. The first few times you get it you wonder what alarm you've triggered but it gets more normal after you've got a few calls.

I haven't made any DSC calls yet, but have received a few. They're very convenient. An example was in a commercial lock with a ton of radio chatter on the working frequency: another yacht that was in the locks with us DSC called and offered us to come up to shoulder with them to avoid our mast contacting the high lock walls. I wasn't even monitoring 16 at that point because we were on the commercial lock operator frequency, and I certainly would have missed the call on 16 and if the yacht had called on the working frequency I bet the lock crew wouldn't be happy about it.