scope:

The present document states the minimum operational and performance requirements for shipborne receivers intended to be connected to an external installation, including a decoder for DSC, and used as receivers for watchkeeping DSC on board ships operating in the mobile MF, MF/HF and VHF band allocated in the ITU Radio Regulations [1] to the maritime mobile service, both in connection with distress and safety communication and in connection with general communication.

These requirements include the relevant provisions of the ITU Radio Regulations [1], Recommendation ITU-Rs M.493-13 [3], M.541-9 [9] and the IMO Resolutions A.803 (19) [i.5], A.804 (19) [i.6], A.806 (19) [i.7] and A.694 (17) [i.4].

The present document specifies also technical characteristics, methods of testing and required test results for dedicated watchkeeping receivers for use with radio installations in the GMDSS as required by chapter IV of the SOLAS [i.8].

DSC watchkeeping receivers may be a separate equipment or be integrated with a DSC or radiotelephone equipment.

For integrated equipment the present document specifies the requirements and methods of testing of the DSC watchkeeping receivers only.

DSC watchkeeping receivers can be either fixed-frequency receivers or, in MF/HF bands, scanning receivers.

Requirements for the DSC equipment or radiotelephone equipment are given in EN 300 338-2 [10], EN 301 925 [i.1] and EN 300 373-1 [i.3] respectively.