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Article: VHF Radio Roundup: With DSC, new VHF radios offer safety and convenience.(Digital Selective Calling, Very High Frequency)
- Article from:
- Yachting
- Article date:
- August 1, 2005
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2005 Bonnier Corporation. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: Chuck Husick
Today, the typical marine electronics or equipment catalog may list 30 different fixedmount, 55-channel-programmable scanning VHF radios, some selling at prices that begin at less than $100! While these are usable, the newer radios, those that are "type accepted" (approved for sale by the FCC) after the beginning of 1999, are a cut above because they are required to have at least a minimum Digital Selective Calling (DSC) with mandatory distress call capability. These radios, often referred to as complying with the "SC-101" specification, sell at prices as low as $150. More capable DSC radios conform to the Class "D" DSC specification and ...