Batboard

Does anybody know if there is a DSC board or aftermarket device that can be added to an existing commercial VHF marine radio? I would hate to pull out my Motorola commercial gear and put in a cheap consumer grade radio in order to get the DSC features...

Thank you in advance,

John
N1CTF
Eglin AFB, Florida

I am unaware of any such device, and I have a dim recollection of a paper published a couple of years ago explaining why there would not be one (though I forget the reason why).

You can buy the top of the line ICOM for less than $500, and it is as good a marine VHF as you're going to get. What are you running now?

I am running an MCX1000 Marine unit now.

I have gathered some info on DSC, and was considering building an encoder out of a PIC chip. I just need to figure out what the data string should look like.
Any ideas where to begin?
John

N1CTF wrote:I have gathered some info on DSC, and was considering building an encoder out of a PIC chip. I just need to figure out what the data string should look like. Any ideas where to begin?

http://www.gmdss.com.au/ITU%20DSC%20tech%20spec.pdf

The earlier suggestion, "purchase" a DSC ready radio. As an
Electronics Engineer for the USCG/DHS, I highly suggest getting
the gear designed for that purpose.