To be or not to be

[Malboer]

Hi

I have been looking around at what combos would suite me best.

1. Keep my fishfinder and handheld gps and just buy a Full DSC Vhf radio base station.

2. same as above but get a DSC handheld vhf radio.

3.Get a new ff gps combo unit and install a DSC capable base station.

As we know too much electronics and sea water dont mix. Much more can go wrong also looking at power consumtion from all the electronics.

At this piont a handheld (lowrance link) seem to be the best option. just want to hear how the rest is doing it.

How long will the handheld be accepted as good enough for use on a jetski Cat D.

Any sugestions will be helpfull.

Regards
Malboer

 

[Psy]

I was also given similar advice about the very concerns you have.

It was suggested by Serra Moz to have separate units as there is less power drain, and if one goes down you still have the other as back-up.

A handheld GPS is a bonus as well as a handheld VHF ~ to be kept in your safety gear.

 

[The Ancient Mariner]

I used to carry a VHF handheld(the waterproof floating one that flashes when its wet)radio with me.It was on the emergency channel,I think its 16.On numerous occasion out at sea in Pomene,Moz,I did a radio test,and there was never a reply.Tried it at Cape Vidal,Paindane,Mili with the same result.I don't know if I was doing something wrong,but if I was in trouble,no-one was picking up.Then to add insult to injury,I ended up driving over it,so now am without radio.I think I may have gone off topic a bit here!

 

[Malboer]

Hi Tam

Yes I do understand that. And the places I do fish the most does not have any support struckture at all when something does go wrong at any of these places.

unfortunatly rules is rules and even if those that enforce them or make them I still have to be complient. and stay complient. So as a matter of fackt my Radio will be a white elephant. staying in the capsize bottle just to stay complient. and keep my registration up to date.

Handheld VHF With DSC here I come.

regards
Malboer

 

[The Ancient Mariner]

Hi Malboer,

Is it compulsory to have a VHF radio in Moz?I don't think it is in RSA?I normally fish in St-Lucia where I use a cellphone,have the beach control officers number.

Best regards,
TAM

 

[The Ancient Mariner]

Malboer wrote:

Hi Tam

Yes I do understand that. And the places I do fish the most does not have any support struckture at all when something does go wrong at any of these places.

unfortunatly rules is rules and even if those that enforce them or make them I still have to be complient. and stay complient. So as a matter of fackt my Radio will be a white elephant. staying in the capsize bottle just to stay complient. and keep my registration up to date.

Handheld VHF With DSC here I come.


regards
Malboer

I forgot to ask,what is DSC?

 

[Malboer]

HI TAm

Yes it is if you want to COF your ski for CAT D ( more than 1 nm to 5NM) Cat E no radio is needed for a pwc.

As of 1 Jan 2017 it is compulsory for all seagoing vessels to be equiped with a vhf radio with a dsc function.

Direct selective Calling. (gps system)

in short it is a panic button that will immediatly let all vessels and towers in proximity know who you are, type of vessel gps location at the moment. and many other features i cant even mention.

regards
Malboer

 

[The Ancient Mariner]

Hi Malboer,

Thanks for this info.DSC is a clever function.I am still registered with ICASA,so must update membership and repair/replace squashed radio.I am getting a small outboard fitted to my jetski,so I think an upgrade to Cat D is now a good option for me.Yes a handheld that lives in the capsize bottle seems like the best way with a jetski,where storage space is an issue.

Best regards,
TAM.

 

[MichaelK]

Please read SAMSA notice 32 of 2016

Because the VHF towers have not all been upgraded to enable DSC, SAMSA has stated that VHF (radio only) is still legal.

The 1/01/ 2017 cut off for VHF DSC no longer applies and they will inform us in future when the new cut off date will be introduced.

I strongly advise you to do the VHF DSC full course or conversion course as soon as possible and obtain a DSC enabled radio.

 

[Malboer]

Just a edit to my post. its not direct selective calling but digital . sorry dont know where my head was.

Thanks Micheal. Yes i do agree better do the full course and get a radio with dsc function ready even if the towers are not up and running. otherwise you might get caut with your pants down an alot of money out the pocket to buy a vhf now and have to replace it with DSC compatable one later in the year.