FCC Seeks Comment on Coast Guard-Requested Change for Safety Radios
The FCC Wireless Bureau sought comment on a request by the U.S. Coast Guard that passenger-carrying vessels required to carry VHF radiotelephone equipment with digital selective calling (DSC) capability be permitted to carry Class D VHF-DSC radios instead of Class…
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A equipment. “Under Commission’s rules, only Class A VHF-DSC equipment, which is intended for large, ocean-going ships to meet the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) requirements, meets the VHF-DSC carriage requirement,” the bureau said. “Also available, however, is Class D equipment, which is less costly and provides minimum facilities for VHF DSC distress, urgency, and safety, as well as routing calling and reception.” The Coast Guard maintains that both Class A and Class D radios “are sufficient … and provide an equivalent level of safety, because both share the same basic capabilities to instantly send distress alerts and to initiate or receive radiotelephone calls,” the notice said. Comments are due June 20, replies July 5.