Digital Selective Calling (DSC) is a key component of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). DSC enables VHF radios to place and receive digital calls directly with other vessels and shore stations, including the USA and Canadian Coast Guards. Your radio includes full Class-D DSC capabilities.

Your latitude, longitude, and the current time can be transmitted when you send a distress call or other type of DSC call. If your radio is installed in a location with poor GPS reception, you can connect an external GPS antenna and turn off the internal GPS antenna (System Settings). Your radio can also use GPS position data received from another device over NMEA 2000^® or NMEA^® 0183.

Channel 70 is reserved exclusively for DSC calls, and your device uses a dedicated receiver to maintain a constant watch on Channel 70. You do not need to change the channel to make a DSC call. Your device changes to Channel 70 automatically to transmit a DSC call. Your radio sends the DSC data over Channel 70 in less than one second, and then tunes to an appropriate channel for voice communications.

The icon appears on the device screen when you have an incoming or missed DSC call.