Numerous smaller vessels not subject to the SOLAS treaty but regulated by national authority, may also be required to upgrade to VHF-DSC once the Coast Guard shore network upgrade is completed. The Federal Communications Commission(FCC) has directed a gradual shift to VHF-DSC by mandating that all new marine VHF radios submitted for type acceptance after June 1999, must have at least a minimal DSC capability. Thus even voluntary users of VHF radio will ultimately be DSC capable.
Overview
