NASA SX 35 DSC - Manual (Page 19)

SX 35 DSC 17
OPERATING PROCEDURES
Primary Calling Channel
VHF Channel 16 (156.8 MHz) is the Distress Safety and Primary Calling
Channel. All vessels, not actively engaged in communication, are required
to maintain a listening watch on Channel 16.
Transmitting
The transmitter is activated, for normal voice communications, by pressing
the Push To Talk (
PTT ) button on the microphone. Always listen for mo-
ment on a channel before transmitting. If the channel is busy, do not trans-
mit until the channel is clear. For DSC calling and Distress calls, the trans-
mitter is activated automatically during the appropriate operating proce-
dure. After DSC contact is established, proceed as in normal voice commu-
nication. Continuous transmitter operation is limited to five minutes and
the transmitter will automatically stop.
To establish normal voice communication:
• Press the 16 key to select the Primary Calling Channel. The Pri-
mary Calling Channel is 16. The Primary Calling Channel number ap-
pears in the upper left corner of the display.
• Listen on the Primary Calling Channel to make sure the channel is clear.
• Press the PTT button. Speak directly into the microphone in a normal
tone of voice --clearly--distinctly. Say “(name of vessel being called)
THIS IS (your vessel’s name and call sign).”
• Release the PTT button and listen for a reply.
• Once contact is made on the Primary Calling Channel, each vessel must
switch to a working channel to continue conversation. Refer to the chan-
nel chart for proper usage.
• After communication is completed, each vessel must give its call sign
or vessel name and switch to the Primary Calling Channel and resume
listening watch.