Handheld DSC VHF radio question

[Lee1]

Can anyone tell me if the DSC feature can be switched off for my non emergency VHF communications or will all of my VHF transitions received by anyone monitoring my transition channel also receive my gps position? I ask this as I can't find this information on the standard horizon uk website relating to the HX870e handheld VHF with DSC. If the DSC can not be turned off on this model is there any handhelds makes/models that it can be? I've picked the HX870e for a new handheld VHF as it comes with a AAA battery tray as well as the 1800mAh battery, but if the DSC location can not be turned off for non emergency communications its no good to me as I don't want the GPS running all the time thus draining the battery.

Thanks

http://www.standardhorizon.co.uk/pro...ucts_id=100040

[ShinyShoe]

A STANDARD DSC message doesn't include a position. Only a response to position request or a DSC Distress / Urgency Messages.

The DSC Position doesn't HAVE to be current either. There are rules that define what is sent. Check the manual again - I'm pretty sure it does tell you.

(AAA batteries reduce output power.)

[jeffstevens763@g]

(AAA batteries reduce output power.)
Out of interest whys that SS

[Lee1]

Thanks for the posts guys, but I'm still unsure if you can turn off the GPS like you can on a smart phone GPS reciever (ie. . . Turn location off) I haven't brought the model in my op yet so I don't have a manual and can't seem to download a manual from standard horizons website???
With regard to the last post and running on AAA will be low power. . . this could be right as AAA (even the best ones) give low mAh so I doubt the power from the AAA battery tray will be anywhere near the 1800mAh of the lithium power pack, TX Max power might be reduced to a lower power say 3/4/5watt? Whilst running on AAA as the literature does state that the AAA battery tray is EMRGENCY!

[jeffstevens763@g]

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=ho...obile&ie=UTF-8

Ha found out mine has AA interesting to know though

[Lee1]

Looking at the 1000mAh for a lithium AAA puts the 1800 lithium battery pack to shame really? Even if the battery tray is only 4 x AAA that's 4 amps of power! So how could it be then running on low power unless it switches to low power when using the AAA battery tray to save power thus making it a emergency battery tray for extended use
I shall phone standard horizon uk help line to resolve both the switching off of the GPS mode and find out about the AAA battery tray use

[Fenlander]

Output is auto changed to 1w when using the extra battery tray. See manual page 26. When I researched this model it made the facility of very limited use to me.

[Lee1]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Output is auto changed to 1w when using the extra battery tray. See manual page 26. When I researched this model it made the facility of very limited use to me.

Ok, it switches to 1watt auto but can you then change the TX power or is that it, also does the 1 watt include ch16 use and a DSC push button mayday? Or are those uses transmitted on high power 5+ watts)
1 watt is ok and would make the radio last for days 1 watt would be OK if you was on a desert island with calm water and TXing from the top of a palm tree could get you out 3 plus miles to a tanker lol also 1 watt TX would be OK in the Solent or English Channel you would be heard but it's not good for use in the coves of north Devon at 1 watt TX

[HDAV]

I think it's fixed at 1watt when on AA/AAA cells I did check on my 851 and decide not to bother, other issues if you get splashed a lot like I do is the strobe going all the time draining battery too, battery won't last a day which is an issue and why I might change to a none dsc unit with 8hours use capability (realistic?)

Correction the 851 can do 5w on alkaline batts but much reduced endurance.

From hx870 manual
When the SBT-13 Alkaline Battery Case is used, only the low power (1W) can be set.
This is for the 851
When the FBA-38 Alkaline Battery Case is used, the HX851E is not able to transmit using 6 W power output.

Current consumption:

330 mA (Receive)
100 mA (Standby, GPS On)
60 mA (Standby, GPS Off)
1.6 A / 1.6 A / 1.0 A / 0.7 A
(TX: 6W / 5 W / 2.5W / 1W)

Manual for 870 here page 113 for gps on/off functions,in short yes you can turn it off to save battery

http://web.bootman.nl/manuals/14-4898_manual.pdf

[Lee1]

Originally Posted by HDAV

I think it's fixed at 1watt when on AA/AAA cells I did check on my 851 and decide not to bother, other issues if you get splashed a lot like I do is the strobe going all the time draining battery too, battery won't last a day which is an issue and why I might change to a none dsc unit with 8hours use capability (realistic?)

Correction the 851 can do 5w on alkaline batts but much reduced endurance.

From hx870 manual
When the SBT-13 Alkaline Battery Case is used, only the low power (1W) can be set.
This is for the 851
When the FBA-38 Alkaline Battery Case is used, the HX851E is not able to transmit using 6 W power output.

Current consumption:

330 mA (Receive)
100 mA (Standby, GPS On)
60 mA (Standby, GPS Off)
1.6 A / 1.6 A / 1.0 A / 0.7 A
(TX: 6W / 5 W / 2.5W / 1W)

Manual for 870 here page 113 for gps on/off functions,in short yes you can turn it off to save battery

http://web.bootman.nl/manuals/14-4898_manual.pdf

Thanks for full info it said alkaline battery tray, but what if lithium batteries are used? They are much higher amps where alkalines are low I'm thinkiging cheap alkaline batterys 10 in a pack for £1 from the pound shop!
I might just go with a new no DSC handheld as I need at least 24hs standby power

[HDAV]

Battery tray is battery tray, the voltage should be the same so could try it.

PBO Tested: 10 handheld VHF radios - Practical Boat Owner

Entel has highest capacity battery of those tested all things being the same should last the longest, check and compare standby consumption

But the 870 rated as better unit and better range with ability to turn GPS off

[Lee1]

Originally Posted by HDAV

Battery tray is battery tray, the voltage should be the same so could try it.

PBO Tested: 10 handheld VHF radios - Practical Boat Owner

Entel has highest capacity battery of those tested all things being the same should last the longest, check and compare standby consumption

But the 870 rated as better unit and better range with ability to turn GPS off

Well if the gps can be turned off it a winner I didn't get round to calling standard horizon today but I will tomorrow. . . . .

[HDAV]

Originally Posted by Lee1

Well if the gps can be turned off it a winner I didn't get round to calling standard horizon today but I will tomorrow. . . . .

It's in the manual as posted previously....

[HDAV]

Originally Posted by HDAV

Current consumption:

330 mA (Receive)
100 mA (Standby, GPS On)
60 mA (Standby, GPS Off)
1.6 A / 1.6 A / 1.0 A / 0.7 A
(TX: 6W / 5 W / 2.5W / 1W)

Manual for 870 here page 113 for gps on/off functions,in short yes you can turn it off to save battery

http://web.bootman.nl/manuals/14-4898_manual.pdf

See manual........

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by HDAV

See manual........

Too easy[emoji57]

[Lee1]

Resolved spoke to standard horizon, battery tray TX is always 1 watt due to low voltage not low amps, gps can be switched off but DPS push distress will always transmit gps, I guess this would be at 1 watt if your on battery tray mode? I forgot to ask that lol

[Fenlander]

>>> I forgot to ask that lol

Go on... ring them again... you know you want to.

(Assume smiley thingy which I have no idea how to add)

[ShinyShoe]

Originally Posted by Lee1

Looking at the 1000mAh for a lithium AAA puts the 1800 lithium battery pack to shame really? Even if the battery tray is only 4 x AAA that's 4 amps of power!

Erm... No!

If thats a 1000mAh 1.5V battery, you are putting those 4 in series to get 6V and still be at 1000mAh.

The 1800mAh will probably be a 7.2V LiIon so higher voltage and nearly twice the current output. So you could (very very theoretically) run nearly 13W of electronicity for an hour. Your backup unit would last 27 minutes for the same job.

There is a good possibility it actually has to up the voltage to 7.2V from 6V which is a 'gas' guzzler.

Add to that the performance of AAA's in cold is probably poorer than a LiIon.

If you were to use NiMH your voltage will be only 4.8V, and power down to 4.8W.

Originally Posted by Lee1

Resolved spoke to standard horizon, battery tray TX is always 1 watt due to low voltage not low amps, gps can be switched off but DPS push distress will always transmit gps, I guess this would be at 1 watt if your on battery tray mode? I forgot to ask that lol

RTFM

[markmullen]

Yes you can switch GPS off. The AAA battery tray is designed as a backup rather than for continual use, mine is in my grab bag loaded with lithium AAAs together with my second PLB for emergency use in case I'm adrift long enough to flatten the main battery.