Standard Horizon Gx5500s - Manual (Page 38)

GX5500S Page 38
11.3 DSC DISTRESS CALL
The GX5500S is capable of transmitting and receiving DSC Distress mes-
sages to all DSC radios. The GX5500S may be connected to a GPS to also
transmit the Latitude, Longitude of the vessel.
11.3.1 Transmitting a DSC Distress Call
NOTE
To be able to transmit a DSC distress call an MMSI number must be
programmed, refer to section “11.2.2 Programming the MMSI.”
In order for your ships location to be transmitted a GPS must be connected to
the GX5500S, refer to section “8.3 ACCESSORY CABLE.”
1. Lift the red spring loaded DISTRESS cover and
press the [DISTRESS] key. The “ DISTRESS ALERT DISTRESS ALERT DISTRESS ALERT DISTRESS ALERT DISTRESS ALERT”
menu will appear on the LCD.
2. Press and hold the [DISTRESS] key. The radios dis-
play will count down (5-4-3-2-1) and then transmit
the Distress call. The backlight of the LCD and key-
pad flashes while the radios display is countdown.
3. When the distress signal is sent, CH70 and “ ”
icon will appear on the LCD.
4. The transceiver “shadow-watches” for a transmission
between CH16 and CH70 until an acknowledgment
signal is received. “DISTRESS” and “WAITING” will
appear on the LCD.
5. If an acknowledgement is received, select channel
16 and advise your distress situation.
6. If no acknowledgment is received, the distress call is repeated in 4 minute
intervals until an acknowledgment is received.
7. When a DSC Distress acknowledgment is received, a distress alarm sounds
and channel 16 is automatically selected. The LCD shows the MMSI of the
ship responding to your distress.
RECEIVED ACK: acknowledgment signal is received.
RECEIVED RLY: relay signal is received from another vessel or coast station.
8. To cancel the DSC distress alarm signal from the speaker, press any key.