Oops, my dyslexia kicked in.
That's DSC (not DCS).
DSC = Digital Selective Calling.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_VHF_radio
http://www.vhf-dsc.info/
All new VHF radios have this feature. You need to register for a free MMSI number for your boat. You can do this online at several places (see links above).
Some radios have a a built in GPS, for those that do not, you interface with your other GPS (if you have one). Then when you make a distress call, your position is sent automatically out.
Sounds nice, it's becoming the standard on the ocean, but I'm not sure if anyone uses it here on the lake. I have my radio setup for this and also wired to my GPS. I'd love to test it with someone to make sure it works.
I even backwired my radio to my GPS, so if someone makes a DCS call, I should see their position show up on my GPS also.
This uses the NEMA183 or NEMA2000 wiring to interface with the GPS. I have two different brands of equipment (West Marine brand radio and Garmin GPS) and they interfaced and work together well using the NEMA183 connections.
There is a distress button on my radio under a safety cover, press it and it can make an automatic emergency call, show my position and the nature of the emergency (man overboard, sinking, medical, etc.).
Or I can make non emergency calls directly to another boat if I know their MMSI number (sort of like a phone number).
It seems DSC is DCS on steroids.
