Dunaruna ..... DSC VHF

[Peter J Fraser]

Mate,<br />Latest NZ Fishing News Mag has 'JRC' DSC capable VHF radio's available for NZ$299.00.<br />Bracket mount and Flush kit available.<br /><br />Looks as if the DSC is starting to ramp up here.<br /><br />Regards<br /><br />Peter.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Dunaruna ..... DSC VHF

Hi Peter,<br /><br />I don't know 'JRC', have you got a web link?<br /><br />I really like the new navman7200 but its around $450.00 - loaded with features. Its appearance is identical to my Navman 5100 plotter so it would look good on the boats dashboard and its made in NZ! In comparison, the icom m402s is $517.00. Apart from your 'JRC', they are the only DSC radios on the Australian market.<br /><br />Thanks.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[Peter J Fraser]

Re: Dunaruna ..... DSC VHF

Hi Aldo,<br />Advance Trident Ltd ATL Home are the local agents but they have no info on there website about that model yet. They do have a link for mail that you could use for an enquiry. I dont have the model of the unit at my finger tips but I can get it and reply to you.<br />Better idea <br />I just rang ATL and spoke with them. DSC has not got approval in Aus yet and they are going to submit the JRC radio for type approval very soon as the brand is not marketed in Aus either.<br />They are in the process of setting up shop in Brisbane.<br /><br />You can ring me on 1-800-127290 (direct inbound to NZ) and ask for me later (lunchtime here now)<br /><br />Regards<br /><br />Peter Fraser

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Dunaruna ..... DSC VHF

Approval is probably not the correct term, its up and running in Aus is just not compulsory yet. Thanks<br /><br />Aldo

 

[Peter J Fraser]

Re: Dunaruna ..... DSC VHF

Thats interesting as I only repeated what ATL said to me.<br />Apparently DSC is monitored here on HF CH70 by Taupo Marine Radio but there is no service at present for VHF.<br />I guess that if it is working in Aus then it must be only a question of time for us.<br />Got to be good for you.<br /><br />Peter

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Dunaruna ..... DSC VHF

I got this info straight from the coastguards mouth, DSC in Austalia is monitored 24/7 in Canberra by the Aust. Coastguard also various volunteer organisations monitor VHF, VF & CB but not 24/7, only in season (holiday weekends etc).<br /><br />Tests have shown that response times are measured in minutes, not hours. The coastguard immediatly knows your position and can relay that to another boat with DSC and be guided using GPS co-ordinates. Its fully automated and bulletproof (I think).<br /><br />Don't quote me on this but I believe the monitoring covers (via relay) Australia, NZ, Sth.Indonesia and all the tiny islands inbetween and maybe antartica (only Australia, NZ & chile hear the calls from those stupid sailors). <br /><br />It would be logical for NZ & Aust. to share the monitoring for the Sth Pacific. Time will tell.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[Peter J Fraser]

Re: Dunaruna ..... DSC VHF

Thanks for that info Aldo. Reading between the lines I would say that it is only a matter of time before we have full service with more and more equipment coming available now with DSC.<br />I am doing the last part of my exams next week (Tues) for my CG Boatmaster Certificate so I must remember to ask the examiner about this.<br />I'll update you with the news unless my 'CRAFT's" disease kicks in.<br /><br /> <br /><br />Peter

 

[Peter J Fraser]

Re: Dunaruna ..... DSC VHF

Aldo,<br />Latest news on DSC here is that according to the retailers along the road from me his news is that the system is 12 - 24 months out from implementing.<br />The news from ATL was that those JRC sets that they have for sale here for NZ$300.00 actually retail in the US for around US$450.00 so some one must be creaming off some profit on those.<br />I also spoke with the examiner last night but Heather had no more information to offer.<br />The good thing however, is that I have passed my Boatmaster Exam and have the certificate in hand now. I only have to finish my boat now to get it back into the water again so I can put everything into practice.<br />Can you give me a call on that 1-800 # or email me peter@eaglespares.co.nz <br /><br />Regards<br /><br />Peter

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Dunaruna ..... DSC VHF

Peter, you've got mail.<br /><br />For me to understand this I've gotta convert NZ dollars to AUS dollars and then to US. Whats the exchange rate between the Aussie & NZ dollar these days?<br /><br />FWIW, I had an interesting experience when I bought my plotter, I could buy it from the US $300.00AU cheaper than in Australia including shipping & insurance. Same unit, same base maps, made in NZ BUT no warranty unless I bought it from an Australian retailer. Somebody's making a killing!<br /><br />Aldo

 

[Peter J Fraser]

Re: Dunaruna ..... DSC VHF

Aldo,<br />Hi there,<br /><br />Exchange rates today:<br />1 x $AUD = 89/90cents NZ.<br /><br />If you find stuff made / available here and want a price comparison give me a call.<br />Getting goods across the ditch to you is no drama from here. Our company is DHL's biggest a/c here with all the cargo we shift in each day.<br /><br />Regards<br /><br />Peter

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Dunaruna ..... DSC VHF

O/K. thanks.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[Peter J Fraser]

Re: Dunaruna ..... DSC VHF

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Dunaruna ..... DSC VHF

Just a quick note about DSC: I recommend getting the DSC option if it is available to you regardless of any gov’t monitoring. The appropriate government authorities may or may not be monitoring at any time, but the system is set up to active ANY other DSC radio within range. The system does not depend on any other equipment…just any two DSC enabled transceivers. Even if the gov’t never monitors it I would still say get it. If you have a problem and my boat is within range, I will receive your distress info on my DSC VHF. I can/will relay the info to the Coast Guard.<br /><br />DSC also has the option to ‘ping’ another DSC radio. Every radio has a unique ID number. You can ping to see who is out there and where they are. You can also ping a specific radio to see if your buddy’s boat is in range of you and its location.<br /><br />One of several different distress codes will be associated with any DSC distress signal you broadcast, depending on the nature of the distress. If a DSC signal comes in I can touch a button on my autopilot and it will automatically take me to the position of the distress. My chartplotter will show me where you are, predict how long it will take to get there, etc. Please know there is a specific DSC code for a vessel being overrun by pirates. If you send this distress code, I will NOT push the button on the autopilot.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Dunaruna ..... DSC VHF

This is a interesting learning curve for me, I'd heard about "other features" but had no idea as to the extent of the automation. Very interesting!<br /><br />Thanks 18rabbit.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[Peter J Fraser]

Re: Dunaruna ..... DSC VHF

Thanks for that 18rabbit.<br />Probably means that I will buy soon on that basis.<br />We have a big boat show on here in town in 2 weeks time so I hope that all those options will be on display. Might make the choices easier.<br /><br />Peter