DSCdecoder Features
DSCdecoder decodes the DSC digital signals from ships and coast stations
using the sound card in your PC. You need a suitable MF, HF or VHF band
radio receiver tuned to one of the DSC distress and calling channels or
to one of the Navtex channels. The program decodes the received digital
data and displays and logs the messages.
Signal mode - In Signal Mode, DSCdecoder displays the raw digital signals
on your PC screen in a diagnostic display which helps you to set up the
system and tune the receiver. DSCdecoder also displays a rolling audio
spectrum display if that is easier for you.
Spectrum mode - In Spectrum Mode, DSCdecoder displays the spectrum of the
audio signals on your PC screen as an aid to tuning the receiver. You can
click on the spectrum display to retune the decoder to take account of any
mistuning fo the radio itself.
Message mode - In Message Mode, DSCdecoder displays each decoded message in
plain language on your PC screen. The sender, the recipient, the priority,
and any frequency, position, or enquiry data are decoded and displayed.
Chart mode - In Chart Mode, DSCdecoder displays the position of any ship
or call area that has been included in any decoded message. DSCd charts are
compatible with ShipPlotter charts.
ATIS decode - In addition to decoding the MF, HF and VHF modes of DSC,
DSCdecoder is also able to decode the ATIS (Automatic Transmitter
Identification System) data bursts that are transmitted on the regular VHF
marine channels in the Benelux and Rhineland river systems.
Navtex decode - In addition to decoding the MF, HF and VHF modes of DSC,
DSCdecoder is also able to decode Navtex transmissions which are used for
navigational warnings and weather bulletins. As the example at right shows,
Navtex messages that contain positions in a recognisable format also plot in
chart mode. The message identifier plots by default and if the cursor hovers
over the identifier, the content of the message is displayed over the chart.
DGPS decode - DSCdecoder is also able to decode DGPS transmissions which are
used for added navigational accuracy using GPS.
Message log - DSCdecoder stores all messages received and decoded in a text
file for later analysis and review. The log file is time stamped and DSC
messages are punctuated for easy importing into a spreadsheet or database.
Alarms - DSCdecoder can be configured to sound an audible alarm on receipt
of a distress call or a distress relay message. It can also be configured to
sound an alert on receipt of any message containing a specified text string
such as the MMSI number of a ship or the name of a coast station. You can
even configure it to send an email to a designated address on receipt of an
alarm or an alert.
Floating window - DSCdecoder can be configured to display a floating window
showing just the last two messages. The window is always on top, regardless
of the focus that some other application may have. The means that you can
work on something else while keeping an eye on messages as they come in.
Automatic lookup - DSCdecoder can access the ITU database of MMSI numbers to
retrieve the name and callsign of any ship that is mentioned in received
messages. Coast station MMSI numbers are translated using a text file that
accompanies the program.
Automatic FTP transfer - DSCdecoder can perform an FTP transfer to a user-
defined FTP server sending either the most recent messages as a text file, or
the current chart image as a JPEG File at user-defined intervals.
Automatic tuning - DSCdecoder can auto tune the demodulator to accommodate
a range of subcarreir frequencies to relieve the user of the need to tune the
receiver precisely. UDP output - DSCdecoder can send decoded data to a UDP/IP
destination for processing elsewhere on the network. Navtex serial input -
DSCdecoder can accept serial Navtex messages from the NASA Navtex Engine.
Messages with positions in them are displayed grpahically on a chart.
Download File Size:2 MB
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