Garmin GPSMAP 182C - Manual (Page 28)

22 GPSMAP 182/182C Owner’s Manual
B
ASIC
O
PERATION
> DSC
DSC
The DSC tab on the Main Menu allows you to control and set up
the Digital Selective Calling (DSC) features on the GPSMAP 182/
182C.
Digital Selective Calling (DSC) uses marine VHF radio and
Global Positioning System (GPS) technologies to transmit and
receive location information. The chartplotter repeats the call
properties received from the VHF radio on the chartplotter. The
GPSMAP 182/182C requires input from a DSC enabled VHF radio
to display position, and sound/display alerts from a Distress Call or
Position Report. Conversely, the VHF radio requires input from a
GPS to transmit position coordinates for a Distress Call or Position
Report. For connection information, refer to “Connecting the
Power and Data” on page 98.
An emergency DSC Distress Call allows a vessel in trouble
to transmit a substantial amount of information in a single
transmission or call, without the need for voice communication.
When any nearby rescuer receives the DSC signal, an alarm sounds
and they immediately receive the location of the caller. The rescuer
can then choose to navigate to the caller’s location to assist, or
forward the call on to the Coast Guard. When the Coast Guard
receives the call, they can immediately access the caller’s
information (such as who they are and the type of vessel) in their
database while they are in transit to the caller’s location.
A non-emergency DSC Position Report allows mariners to
exchange and display the positions of one another. When a DSC
position is received, the mariner can choose to create a waypoint or
to show the received location on an electronic map.
Anytime a vessel receives a DSC call, they can store and quickly
navigate to that location using a Go To. This makes DSC a time
saver, especially in an emergency situation. To use DSC, a user
must first register their VHF radio with the FCC and receive a
Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number.
For more information about Digital Selective Calling and Maritime
Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) numbers, refer to page 103 in the
“Appendix.”
Understanding Distress Calls
When the GPSMAP 182/182C receives a Distress Call from
a connected DSC-enabled VHF radio, an alert message and
notification page appear, and an alarm tone sounds. Distress Calls
are shown in the DSC Call List and Log with a checkered symbol.