Login or Register for FREE!
Subelement D
DSC & Alpha-Numeric ID:
Section 26
DSC Format and Info Sent:
What sequence best describes an MF-HF DSC Distress menu transmission?
  • Vessel name, Distress priority code, vessel position & time, nature of Distress,
  • A string of dots to stop the DSC scanner, vessel MMSI, vessel position & time, nature of Distress, frequency for follow-on communications.
  • Vessel MMSI, frequency & emission for follow-on communications, vessel position & time, Distress priority code.
  • Correct Answer
    A string of dots to stop the DSC scanner, Distress priority code, vessel position & time, emission for follow-on communications, DSC frequency.

What sequence best describes an MF-HF DSC Distress menu transmission?

(A). A string of dots to stop the DSC scanner, Distress priority code, vessel position & time, emission for follow-on communications, DSC frequency.

From Code of Federal Regulations, see the articles at § 80.1113 Transmission of a distress alert.

47 CFR 80.1113(a) The distress alert must identify the station in distress and its position. The distress alert may also contain information regarding the nature of the distress, the type of assistance required, the course and speed of the mobile unit, the time that this information was recorded and any other information which might facilitate rescue.

47 CFR 80.1113(b) The format of distress calls and distress messages must be in accordance with ITU-R M.493-13 and ITU-R M.541-9 (both incorporated by reference, see § 80.7), as specified in § 80.1101.

Per US Coast Guard, guidance is provided by article on Transmission of DSC Distress Alert

  1. Calibrate the transmitter to either MF 2187.5 kHz or VHF Channel 70, to send a DSC distress call.
  2. Provide info regarding:
      - the nature of distress
      - ship's last known latitude and longitude
      - UTC time when the location was known
      - Mode of further communication, such as   telephony

Prepare for future communications using distress traffic channel either 2182 kHz on MF, channel 16 on VHF, and wait for the DSC distress acknowledgment.

Last edited by markadlerdallas. Register to edit

Tags: none

MF-HF DSC alerts are transmitted using what emission type?
  • Correct Answer
    J2B to ensure compatibility with DSC receivers.
  • J3E to ensure correct voice follow-on frequencies are used.
  • F1B to ensure correct SITOR (NBDP) follow-on frequencies are used.
  • A3E to achieve the best transmission range.

MF-HF DSC alerts are transmitted using what emission type?

(A). J2B to ensure compatibility with DSC receivers.

The Emissions Designator J2B stands for radio signal that is transferring data using Digital format and a modulated wave.

The J2B is used for DSC and NB-DP 14 types of emissions.
For more information, see Code of Federal Regulations, article on § 80.207 Classes of emission.

Last edited by markadlerdallas. Register to edit

Tags: none

When sending a DSC call:
  • Vessel's position will automatically be sent with DSC calls specifying an alternate frequency.
  • Correct Answer
    Vessel's position will automatically be sent if the vessel is sending a "Distress Hot Key" alert.
  • Vessel's MMSI will indicate its ocean region and vessel position.
  • Vessel's MMSI and position will automatically be sent for all types of DSC calls.

When sending a DSC call:

(B). Vessel's position will automatically be sent if the vessel is sending a "Distress Hot Key" alert.

From Code of Federal Regulations, see the articles at § 80.1113 Transmission of a distress alert.

47 CFR 80.1113(a) The distress alert must identify the station in distress and its position. The distress alert may also contain information regarding the nature of the distress, the type of assistance required, the course and speed of the mobile unit, the time that this information was recorded and any other information which might facilitate rescue.

For more specifics, please see US Coast Guard article on DSC DISTRESS

Last edited by markadlerdallas. Register to edit

Tags: none

DSC transmissions are encoded:
  • Using J3E mode for proper follow-on communications.
  • Using F1B mode to ensure proper reception.
  • Correct Answer
    Using a ten-bit error detecting code.
  • Using J2B mode for correct transmission.

DSC transmissions are encoded:
(C). Using a ten-bit error detecting code.

For details of the 10-bit error detection code, please see Rec. ITU-R M.493-11, paragraph 1.7 and Table I, on Digital selective-calling system for use in the maritime mobile service

More on error detection and correction, please see pdf presentation from Princeton University, Detecting and Correcting Bit Errors

Last edited by markadlerdallas. Register to edit

Tags: none

DSC transmissions are received:
  • Using voice or TELEX modes as appropriate.
  • Using J3E or H3E modes as appropriate.
  • Correct Answer
    Using digital decoding by the DSC controller.
  • Using F1B and/or J2B decoding by the transceiver.

DSC transmissions are received:
(C). Using digital decoding by the DSC controller.

DSC decoder transforms maritime mobile service messages through DSC, or Digital Selective Calling module. The decoder changes messages to readable format and records their content.

For full details please see, DSC decoder decodes Digital Selective Calling (DSC/VTS)

Last edited by markadlerdallas. Register to edit

Tags: none

Properly formatted MF-HF DSC transmissions can request which of the following emissions for follow on communications?
  • J3E/H3E telex emissions
  • F1B/J2B voice emissions
  • J3E/F3E voice emissions
  • Correct Answer
    J3E/H3E voice emissions

Properly formatted MF-HF DSC transmissions can request which of the following emissions for follow on communications?

(D). J3E/H3E voice emissions

J3E: Single side band, suppressed carrier single channel , analog transmission, telephony, voice.

H3E: Single side band, full carrier single channel, analog transmission, telephony, voice.

For more information, please see US Coast Guard article on SPECIAL CONDITIONS AND PROCEDURES FOR DSC COMMUNICATION ON HF

Last edited by markadlerdallas. Register to edit

Tags: none

Go to 25 Go to 27