Got a phone call from the CG yesterday.... - The Hull Truth

chesterpeake · 04-21-2003, 07:19 AM

After setting up the new DSC # in my ICOM 402S and not being familiar with the DSC functionality on the radio, I got out the owner's manual and decided to try to learn about it.
I was careful to NOT lift the red Distress cover and push that button underneath. Trying to get the DSC menu to come up on the screen, I pushed the DSC button. Nothing. Tried again, nothing. So I pushed it and held it. After a second or so, an exteremely loud tone drowned out my swearing and the screen indicated DSC distress call. I quickly turned off the radio, but within a few minutes recieved a phone call at the house from the Norfolk Coast Guard (about 40 miles south of my house). They were very nice about it - said they have to check every call to verify no emergency. I appologized and went back out to the boat to see how I could have missed in the owner's manual where it says that pushing and holding the DSC button will send a distress call. It doesn't say it anywhere. The owner's manual says that to send a DSC distress call, you must lift that red cover and push the button underneath. There is some ambiguity though because apparently the functionality is slightly different from the ICOM 402 which shares the same manual.
Nice to know that it works so well, but if you own a 402S and have your DSC number programmed in, be careful with that DSC button!
Anybody know anything more about this? I'm going to email ICOM and ask them about it. Maybe I just don't know what I'm doing (wouldn't be the first time).

FishinWuf · 04-21-2003, 07:40 AM

I just installed the same radio and am also new to the DSC system.

Do you have to be on channel 70 to get the DSC menu up?

Keep us posted since there seems to be some lack of clarity in the manual.

captadamnj · 04-21-2003, 08:05 AM

i did something similar with the 502 just yesterday morning...was trying to enter my mmsi code...i'm not really sure what i did (was definitely something in holding down that dsc button, NOT THE BIG RED ONE!) turned it right off and didn't get any coast guard calls...

Megabyte · 04-21-2003, 08:34 AM

I just installed an Icom 402s this past weekend and have not registered my DSC yet. Was reading the manual last evening trying to figure out how to register and operate it properly.

I agree that the Icom manual that comes with the 402s is not very clear. I think I remember seeing that you can register your radio online. Can anyone verify that? Are there better instructions than what is shipped with the radio?

My next project will be to connect the 402s to the Garmin 182c, but that is for another weekend....

captadamnj · 04-21-2003, 09:05 AM

you can get an mmsi number through the website from sea tow at http://www.seatow.com/mmsiinfo.htm. i believe some other sites provide the same option, but i don't know them off the top of my head...

Birdman · 04-21-2003, 09:50 AM

You can also register for free at the BoatUS web site. www.boatus.com

There is NO DIFFERENCE in functionality between the 402 and the 402S. The 402s jsut does not have the plug/interface for adding the remote Commander mic, everything else is exactly the same.

Chester,
If you did what you said, you DID NOT set off an "emergency DSC call". the ONLY way to send a distress signal is by lifting the red cap and pressing and holding the button under it for 5 seconds.

By pressing and holding the button labeled DSC you are sending a DSC call out. To to that, first you need to program and store in your own MMSI # into the radio. Then, you need to enter somebody elses MMSI # into the radio. You can store up to 30 of your friends MMSI#'s (see "Programming Address ID" on page 16 of manual). Now, after you press the DSC button, select "Individual call", then select one of the programmed ID's, then press DSC again. You will send them a request.

The manual if pretty clear on this, you just have to read the entire thing before you understand the whole thing...

Here's a link to the manual online:
http://www.icomamerica.com/support/manuals/ic-m402.pdf

Birdman, Capt of

Scout Abaco 280 Click here!

chesterpeake · 04-21-2003, 10:11 AM

Birdman
1) There IS a difference in functionality between the 402 and 402S. Carefully read the owner's manual like I did and look at the bottom right of page 2. It states that you can hold down the DSC button for one second to switch the 402 to intercom mode. It does NOT say what happens when you do that on the 402S. That is what I did and
2) if I did not send a DSC distress call yesterday, then why did my radio nearly deafen me with an alarm and why did the Coast Guard call me at my house just a few minutes later and ask for my DSC number and if I was having an emergency?

chesterpeake · 04-21-2003, 03:00 PM

Here's the response from ICOM:

Pushing the DSC button does NOT activate emergency alarm....there also
is no intercom.
If your unit is malfunctioning, please send in for service.

Gerd
Icom Technical Support
425 454 7619 FAX 425 637 8417
www.Icomamerica.com
PARTS 425 454 8155

Guess I'll be taking the ICOM in for service.

Haven't even had it a year yet.

If mine is malfunctioning, maybe some of you guys with a 402S and DSC number should push that DSC button and hold it for a second or two.

Just to see what happens.
Thanks to all who replied.
Chesterpeake