Coast Guard warning for VHF radios with DSC

[StephenOvalle]

The Coast Guard recommends turning off the automatic channel switching due to hazard.

http://forums.powerandmotoryacht.com/blogs/richard_thiel_pmy/archive/2010/04/17/dsc-danger.aspx

 

[tobnpr]

I can understand why the gubment is doing this CYA, but I regard it as just that (hype). Odds of a problem are one in...well, a bunch...

99 percent of the time a VHF communication is not "critical"; meaning if your traffic gets interrupted by an emergency DSC signal it's no big deal. In fact, I would surmise part of the purpose of Rescue 21 is to provide this type of alert to other boaters in the area. Isn't that why we have our VHF's integrated into the plotters- to receive and display distress calls?

I just can't see any likelihood of a problem here. I'll leave mine connected...