SIST EN 300 338-5 V1.3.1:2020

Final draft ETSI EN 300 338-5 V1.3.1 (2020-03)

EUROPEAN STANDARD
Technical characteristics and methods of measurement
for equipment for generation, transmission
and reception of Digital Selective Calling (DSC)
in the maritime MF, MF/HF and/or VHF mobile service;
Part 5: Handheld VHF Class H DSC

2 Final draft ETSI EN 300 338-5 V1.3.1 (2020-03)

Reference
REN/ERM-TGMAR-603
Keywords
DSC, GMDSS, maritime, radio
ETSI
650 Route des Lucioles
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Tel.: +33 4 92 94 42 00  Fax: +33 4 93 65 47 16

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Association à but non lucratif enregistrée à la
Sous-Préfecture de Grasse (06) N° 7803/88

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ETSI
3 Final draft ETSI EN 300 338-5 V1.3.1 (2020-03)
Contents
Intellectual Property Rights . 6
Foreword . 6
Modal verbs terminology . 6
1 Scope . 7
2 References . 7
2.1 Normative references . 7
2.2 Informative references . 7
3 Definition of terms, symbols and abbreviations . 8
3.1 Terms . 8
3.2 Symbols . 9
3.3 Abbreviations . 9
4 Controls and Indicators in handheld Class H DSC Equipment . 10
4.1 Visual indication . 10
4.1.0 General . 10
4.1.1 Primary DSC alphanumeric display . 10
4.1.1.0 General Requirements . 10
4.1.1.1 Additional display information . 10
4.1.2 Handling visual information . 11
5 Technical requirements . 11
5.1 Facilities for DSC transmission and reception . 11
5.1.1 GNSS receiver . 11
5.1.2 CH:70 receiver . 11
5.2 Facilities for coding and decoding of DSC . 11
5.2.1 Call functions . 11
5.2.2 INDIVIDUAL calls . 11
5.2.3 ALL SHIPS calls . 12
5.2.4 DSC call functionality . 12
6 Automated and Non-Automated Procedure Requirements in handheld Class H DSC Equipment . 12
6.1 Introduction . 12
6.2 Non-automated features . 13
6.2.1 DSC Message Composition . 13
6.2.2 Transmission of DSC messages and prioritized wait . 14
6.2.3 Alarms . 14
6.3 Standby . 14
6.4 Sending distress automated procedure . 15
6.4.1 Procedure . 15
6.4.2 Tasks . 16
6.4.3 Display . 17
6.4.3.0 General Display Requirements . 17
6.4.3.1 Examples of sending distress procedure displays on handheld VHF equipment . 18
6.4.4 Dedicated distress button sub procedure . 18
6.4.5 Transmission of the alert attempt . 19
6.4.6 Updating position . 19
6.4.7 Handling received DSC Messages . 19
6.4.8 Alarms . 19
6.4.9 Determining Subsequent communications . 20
6.4.10 Automated tuning . 20
6.4.11 Cancelling the Distress Alert . 20
6.4.11.0 General Requirements . 20
6.4.11.1 Examples of cancel-distress displays on VHF equipment. 20
6.4.12 Acknowledgements . 21
6.4.13 Termination. 21
6.4.14 Warnings . 21
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4 Final draft ETSI EN 300 338-5 V1.3.1 (2020-03)
6.5 Receiving distress automated procedure . 21
6.5.1 Procedure . 21
6.5.2 Tasks . 22
6.5.3 Display . 23
6.5.3.0 General Display Requirements . 23
6.5.3.1 Examples of received distress procedure displays on VHF equipment . 23
6.5.4 Handling received DSC Messages . 24
6.5.5 Alarms . 24
6.5.6 Determining Subsequent communications . 24
6.5.7 Automated tuning . 24
6.5.8 Acknowledgements . 25
6.5.9 Termination. 25
6.5.10 Warnings . 25
6.6 Sending non-distress automated procedure . 25
6.6.1 Procedure . 25
6.6.2 Tasks . 26
6.6.3 Display . 27
6.6.3.0 General Display Requirements . 27
6.6.3.1 Examples of sending non-distress procedures displays on VHF equipment . 28
6.6.4 Handling received DSC Messages . 28
6.6.5 Alarms . 28
6.6.6 Automated tuning . 28
6.6.7 Delayed Acknowledgements . 29
6.6.8 Termination. 29
6.6.9 Warnings . 29
6.7 Receiving non-distress automated procedure . 29
6.7.1 Procedure . 29
6.7.2 Tasks . 30
6.7.3 Display . 31
6.7.3.0 General Display Requirements . 31
6.7.3.1 Examples of receiving non-distress procedures displays on VHF equipment . 32
6.7.4 Handling received DSC messages . 32
6.7.5 Alarms . 32
6.7.6 Automated tuning . 32
6.7.7 Acknowledgements . 33
6.7.8 Termination. 33
6.7.9 Warnings . 33
6.8 Communications automated procedure . 34
6.8.1 Procedure . 34
6.8.2 Tasks . 34
6.8.3 Display . 34
6.8.4 Handling received DSC Messages . 34
6.8.5 Tuning of the receiver and transmitter . 34
6.8.6 Termination. 34
6.9 Handling incoming calls while the equipment is engaged . 35
6.9.1 Procedure . 35
6.9.2 Tasks . 35
6.9.2.0 General . 35
6.9.2.1 Higher priority calls . 35
6.9.2.1.0 General . 35
6.9.2.1.1 Higher priority calls - acceptance . 35
6.9.2.1.2 Higher priority calls - non acceptance . 36
6.9.2.2 Other calls . 36
6.9.2.3 Termination of automated procedures . 36
6.9.2.4 Action after termination of an automated procedure . 36
6.9.2.5 Putting automated procedures on hold (optional) . 36
6.9.2.6 Controlling non-terminated automated procedures (optional) . 36
Annex A (informative): DSC message composition . 38
A.1 Default values . 38
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5 Final draft ETSI EN 300 338-5 V1.3.1 (2020-03)
Annex B (normative): Automated non-distress channel selection algorithm . 39
Annex C (normative): Alarms . 40
C.1 Alarm specifications . 40
C.2 Alarming with critical errors . 41
C.3 Default alarm sounds . 41
C.4 Recommended alarm sounds . 41
History . 43

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6 Final draft ETSI EN 300 338-5 V1.3.1 (2020-03)
Intellectual Property Rights
Essential patents
IPRs essential or potentially essential to normative deliverables may have been declared to ETSI. The information
pertaining to these essential IPRs, if any, is publicly available for ETSI members and non-members, and can be found
in ETSI SR 000 314: "Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs); Essential, or potentially Essential, IPRs notified to ETSI in
respect of ETSI standards", which is available from the ETSI Secretariat. Latest updates are available on the ETSI Web
server (https://ipr.etsi.org/).
Pursuant to the ETSI IPR Policy, no investigation, including IPR searches, has been carried out by ETSI. No guarantee
can be given as to the existence of other IPRs not referenced in ETSI SR 000 314 (or the updates on the ETSI Web
server) which are, or may be, or may become, essential to the present document.
Trademarks
The present document may include trademarks and/or tradenames which are asserted and/or registered by their owners.
ETSI claims no ownership of these except for any which are indicated as being the property of ETSI, and conveys no
right to use or reproduce any trademark and/or tradename. Mention of those trademarks in the present document does
not constitute an endorsement by ETSI of products, services or organizations associated with those trademarks.
Foreword
This final draft European Standard (EN) has been produced by ETSI Technical Committee Electromagnetic
compatibility and Radio spectrum Matters (ERM), and is now submitted for the Vote phase of the ETSI standards EN
Approval Procedure.
The present document is part 5 of a multi-part deliverable. Full details of the entire series can be found in part 1 [i.2].

Proposed national transposition dates
Date of latest announcement of this EN (doa): 3 months after ETSI publication
Date of latest publication of new National Standard
or endorsement of this EN (dop/e): 6 months after doa
Date of withdrawal of any conflicting National Standard (dow): 18 months after doa

Modal verbs terminology
In the present document "shall", "shall not", "should", "should not", "may", "need not", "will", "will not", "can" and
"cannot" are to be interpreted as described in clause 3.2 of the ETSI Drafting Rules (Verbal forms for the expression of
provisions).
"must" and "must not" are NOT allowed in ETSI deliverables except when used in direct citation.
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7 Final draft ETSI EN 300 338-5 V1.3.1 (2020-03)
1 Scope
The present document states the minimum requirements for general communication for handheld VHF radios using the
handheld class H DSC for shipborne use.
Class H DSC may be used in the Very High Frequency (VHF) Maritime Mobile Service (MMS), for distress, urgency
and safety communication and general communications using telephony for subsequent communications.
The present document is part 5 of a multi-part deliverable that covers the requirements to be fulfilled by equipment that
is integrated with a handheld transceiver.
These requirements include the relevant provisions and the guidelines of the IMO as detailed in MSC/Circ.803 [i.1] for
non-SOLAS vessels participating in the GMDSS.
2 References
2.1 Normative references
References are either specific (identified by date of publication and/or edition number or version number) or
non-specific. For specific references, only the cited version applies. For non-specific references, the latest version of the
referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
Referenced documents which are not found to be publicly available in the expected location might be found at
https://docbox.etsi.org/Reference/.
NOTE: While any hyperlinks included in this clause were valid at the time of publication, ETSI cannot guarantee
their long term validity.
The following referenced documents are necessary for the application of the present document.
[1] ITU Radio Regulations (2016).
[2] Recommendation ITU-R M.493-15 (01/2019): "Digital selective-calling system for use in the
maritime mobile service".
2.2 Informative references
References are either specific (identified by date of publication and/or edition number or version number) or
non-specific. For specific references, only the cited version applies. For non-specific references, the latest version of the
referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
NOTE: While any hyperlinks included in this clause were valid at the time of publication, ETSI cannot guarantee
their long term validity.
The following referenced documents are not necessary for the application of the present document but they assist the
user with regard to a particular subject area.
[i.1] IMO Circular MSC/Circ-803: "Participation of non-SOLAS ships in the Global Maritime Distress
and Safety System (GMDSS)".
[i.2] ETSI EN 300 338-1: "Technical characteristics and methods of measurement for equipment for
generation, transmission and reception of Digital Selective Calling (DSC) in the maritime MF,
MF/HF and/or VHF mobile service; Part 1: Common requirements".
[i.3] Recommendation ITU-R M.493: "Digital selective-calling system for use in the maritime mobile
service".
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8 Final draft ETSI EN 300 338-5 V1.3.1 (2020-03)
3 Definition of terms, symbols and abbreviations
3.1 Terms
For the purposes of the present document, the following terms apply:
acknowledged: automated procedure which indicates that the objective of the initial DSC message has been achieved
active: automated procedure which has control of the receiver and transmitter and is thus able to engage in subsequent
communications and receive DSC messages
automated procedure: set of actions necessary to complete the objective of an initiating DSC message or non DSC
communication event
NOTE 1: Four DSC automated procedures are designed to process these. They are the receiving of distress DSC
messages, the receiving of non-distress DSC messages, the sending of distress DSC alert attempts and the
sending of non-distress DSC messages. In addition a fifth procedure is designed to handle non DSC
communication events.
NOTE 2: These automated procedures are called:
 Received distress automated procedure.
 Sending distress automated procedure.
 Received non-distress automated procedure.
 Sending non-distress automated procedure.
 Communications automated procedure.
class H: handheld class intended to provide minimum facilities for VHF DSC distress, urgency and safety as well as
routine calling and reception, not necessarily in full accordance with IMO GMDSS carriage requirements for VHF
installations
NOTE: For handheld Class H VHF a reduced functionality is permitted compared to a fixed VHF class D.
critical errors: set of information characters obtained from one or more received DSC messages is considered to have
critical errors if the automated procedure needs information characters from that set in order to proceed or perform any
task, but the required information characters are in error
EXAMPLE: An acknowledgement cannot be composed to an individual DSC message that has errors in the
sender's MMSI.
default: value selected or an action taken by the equipment software in the absence of any operator input
distress alert: name given to the single distress DSC message with the format symbol 112
distress alert attempt: set of distress alerts sent by a vessel when in distress
NOTE: A distress alert DSC message by itself is never intentionally sent by a vessel in distress. For example, the
single frequency distress alert attempt consists of five consecutive distress alerts with no break in between
each distress alert.
distress DSC message: DSC message or acknowledgement containing the distress information
distress event: unique distress situation identified by two parameters of the distress information; the MMSI of the
vessel in distress and the nature of distress
distress information: symbols within a DSC message describing a distress situation consisting of the MMSI of the
vessel in distress, the nature of distress, the position of the vessel in distress, the UTC time of that position and the mode
of subsequent communication
engaged: equipment that is busy handling an automated procedure
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9 Final draft ETSI EN 300 338-5 V1.3.1 (2020-03)
factory default: default value that is set by the manufacturer such that the field or behaviour is defined prior to any
operator intervention
information characters: set of symbols in a DSC message that contains the items of interest for the recipient and is
used to compute the ECC symbol that terminates the message
NOTE: These symbols are repeated in the DX/RX time diversity pattern.
initial DSC message: DSC message that starts an automated procedure
non-distress DSC message: DSC messages or acknowledgements that do not have the format specifier or category of
"distress"
objective: intent of the DSC message either to establish subsequent communications or request information
operator options: any choices the operator can make while the automated procedure is engaged
pertinent to the automated procedure: DSC messages that have something to do with the procedure and are therefore
'handled' by the procedure
NOTE: A DSC message is pertinent to an automated procedure if the set of information characters in the DSC
message has the correct values.
pertinent to the station: any DSC message that would start an automated procedure if the transceiver were in standby
self-terminating alarm: short alarm that stops by itself without operator intervention
NOTE: The purpose of this alarm is to inform the operator that a DSC message is received but it does not require
his immediate attention.
standby: state of the operational unit when it is not in one of the procedures but is still able to receive DSC calls
symbol (as part of the DSC sentence): 7 binary bits of a 10 bit DSC word that have the information content
top level: items, buttons, or functions are present and visible without requiring any action by the operator (such as
scrolling, opening up menus, or removing any obscuring covers, etc.)
two-tone alarm: alarm consisting of a repetition of the 2 200 Hz frequency for 250 ms followed by a 1 300 Hz
frequency for 250 ms
NOTE: This alarm is used for the initiation of the received distress DSC automated procedure. The characteristics
of this alarm are fixed.
urgency alarm: alarm consisting of a repetition of the 2 200 Hz frequency for 250 ms followed by 250 ms period of
silence
NOTE: This alarm is used for the initiation of the received non-distress DSC automated procedure when the
category of the initiating DSC message is "urgency". The characteristics of this alarm are fixed.
word (as part of the DSC sentence): 10 binary bits that make up the coded entities of a transmitted DSC message
NOTE: The 10 bits consist of a 7 bit "symbol" that gives the information content and 3 bit error check that gives
the number of 0 binary bits in the 7 bit symbol.
3.2 Symbols
Void.
3.3 Abbreviations
For the purposes of the present document, the following abbreviations apply:
ACK ACKnowledgement
CH Channel
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10 Final draft ETSI EN 300 338-5 V1.3.1 (2020-03)
DSC Digital Selective Calling
ECC Error Check Character
EPIRB Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon
EUT Equipment Under Test
GMDSS Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
GNSS Global Navigation Satellite System
HF High Frequency
IMO International Maritime Organisation
ITU International Telecommunications Union
ITU-R ITU - Radiocommunications sector
MF Medium Frequency
MMS Maritime Mobile Service
MMSI Maritime Mobile Service Identity
RT Radio Telephony
SOLAS Safety Of Life At Sea.
TX Transmit
UTC Universal Time Co-ordinated
VHF Very High Frequency
4 Controls and Indicators in handheld Class H DSC
Equipment
4.1 Visual indication
4.1.0 General
Any visual display of the information content shall be clearly legible from typical user positions under all ambient light
conditions.
4.1.1 Primary DSC alphanumeric display
4.1.1.0 General Requirements
The display characters shall have a minimum height of 2 mm, and a nominal character width/height ratio of 0,7.
The display shall have a minimum of 12 characters per line and a minimum of 32 characters total.
Any displayed information shall be static. Horizontal scrolling techniques are not permitted (see clause 4.1.2).
The display shall be capable of:
• prompting the operator if an incorrect operation is attempted;
• displaying error messages;
• displaying incoming and logged calls in plain language;
• displaying all the user programmable information content of a DSC call.
4.1.1.1 Additional display information
Additional display characters or symbols shall be capable of:
• showing the functions and options currently available;
• displaying that unread received DSC calls are present in memory;
• displaying other visual alarms;
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11 Final draft ETSI EN 300 338-5 V1.3.1 (2020-03)
• displaying whether the position and time information is automatically entered or manually entered.
There shall be additional display characters and symbols as required for displaying channel designator and other radio
parameters.
Where logic flows and procedural guidance, expressed by graphical symbols, have an advantage over text, this shall be
allowed. Any graphical symbols shall be clearly defined in the operation manual.
4.1.2 Handling visual information
In case all information, or user options, required for the active automated procedure, cannot be contained on a single
screen, means shall be available to inform the user:
a) that more information is available;
b) how to select the relevant information not yet displayed, e.g. by means of a next button or info key.
5 Technical requirements
5.1 Facilities for DSC transmission and reception
5.1.1 GNSS receiver
A GNSS receiver shall be integrated into the equipment.
5.1.2 CH:70 receiver
The equipment shall be able to continuously monitor CH:70 at any time the transmitter is not active.
5.2 Facilities for coding and decoding of DSC
5.2.1 Call functions
The facilities for coding and composition of calls shall be so arranged that it is possible for the operator quickly and
precisely to enter a call. The types of DSC calls provided in this equipment are specified in clause 5.2.4.
The CALL functions shall permit selection of the following functions:
• INDIVIDUAL: for making a call to a specific MMSI.
• GROUP: for making a call to a specific Group MMSI.
• ALL SHIPS: for making all ships calls where this option is available.
• RECEIVED CALLS: for retrieving stored incoming DSC calls.
• OTHER: for equipment housekeeping functions.
If INDIVIDUAL is selected, either a MANUAL call (see clause 5.2.2) or a DIRECTORY call shall be selected. The
DIRECTORY list shall have a facility for at least 10 entries. Their MMSIs shall be programmable.
5.2.2 INDIVIDUAL calls
The INDIVIDUAL call facility shall permit either the MANUAL entry of a MMSI or the selection of a station from the
DIRECTORY list. If the called station is a coast station (i.e. MMSI commencing 00) no further information shall be
requested from the operator. If the called station is a ship station the equipment shall request input of a channel number.
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12 Final draft ETSI EN 300 338-5 V1.3.1 (2020-03)
The equipment shall assist the operator by suggesting a suitable inter-ship channel as defined in appendix 18 of the
Radio Regulations [1] (see also annex B).
5.2.3 ALL SHIPS calls
Where the option to transmit ALL SHIPS is available then it shall only be able to select ALL SHIPS calls by means of
deliberate actions, such as two levels of menu instructions.
The operator shall be able to select either Urgency or Safety category and the equipment shall propose the default
subsequent working channel of 16 (the operator shall have the option to change the working channel).
5.2.4 DSC call functionality
The following DSC calls shall be available in the equipment.
Table 1
CALL TYPE Tx Rx Format specifier Notes
Distress alert Y Y 112 TX: All natures of distress except
"EPIRB"
Distress acknowledgement # Y 116
Distress relay ACK DROBOSE to # Y 114
Group
All ships RT call # Y 116 Urgency (110) and Safety (108) only
All ships Duplex RT call # O 116 These are FULL duplex calls. Urgency
(110) and Safety (108) only
Individual RT call # Y 120 Urgency (110) and Safety (108) only
Individual RT call acknowledgement Y # 120 Urgency (110) and Safety (108) only
Individual RT call acknowledgement Y # 120 Urgency (110) and Safety (108) only
"unable to comply"
Individual test call Y Y 120 Safety (108) only
Individual test call acknowledgement Y Y 120 Safety (108) only
Routine group call RT Y Y 114
Routine individual RT call Y Y 120
Routine individual RT ACK Y Y 120
Position request N Y 120 Safety (108) only
Position request ACK Y # 120 Safety (108) only
Distress Alert Cancel Y Y 112 This is the "self-addressed" distress ACK
NOTE: Handling of MoB Calls is not applicable to class H DSC equipment.

If any other calls, not listed in table 1, are implemented in the device, they shall comply with tables 4.1 to 4.10.2 of
Recommendation ITU-R M.493-15 [2]. Individual routine category polling and position calls from previous versions of
Recommendation ITU-R M.493 [i.3] may be implemented for the sake of reverse compatibility.
• Call types marked Y shall be available in the equipment.
• Call types marked # shall not be available in the equipment.
• Call types marked O are optional.
6 Automated and Non-Automated Procedure
Requirements in handheld Class H DSC Equipment
6.1 Introduction
This clause covers the minimum level of software automation, operational simplicity, and interface consistency
requirements for handheld class H Digital Selective Calling equipment.
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13 Final draft ETSI EN 300 338-5 V1.3.1 (2020-03)
Where requirements in this clause are not fully aligned with those of ETSI EN 300 338-1 [i.2] then the requirement of
the present document take precedence.
Perhaps the most important issue concerns an implied expectation for the use of the terminology "automated procedure"
as used in the present document to appear in the user interface. The terminology "automated procedure" describes the
set of algorithms that are used to encapsulate all the activities necessary to perform DSC, and non DSC communication
events. The operator does not need to know anything about the existence of automated procedures in order to operate a
radio that makes use of these algorithms. Though the present document refers to items such as the "Sending Distress
Automated Procedure" such language shall not appear on the user interface of the equipment.
The primary purpose of DSC signalling is to provide the means to set-up subsequent communications between vessels
and/or coast stations. A call may be considered as being the total duration from the start of the DSC signalling until the
end of the subsequent communications, and the automated procedure is terminated.
The operational functionality described in the present document has the objective of not disturbing any ongoing call.
Furthermore, the equipment shall assist the operator by providing simple audible indication of a received DSC call
whilst the equipment is engaged and if that received DSC call is of a higher priority than the call in progress then the
equipment shall be capable of displaying the information of this new call.
6.2 Non-automated features
6.2.1 DSC Message Composition
The equipment shall provide factory default values for all non-distress DSC messages as specified in Recommendation
ITU-R M.493-15 [2], annex 3 and summarized in figure A.1 for all parameters where the operator has the option to
select or enter more than one value and has not already done so.
The default values for the operator-composed distress alert shall be the default distress alert as specified in the sent
distress automated procedure.
A destination MMSI that does not have at least 9 digits entered is invalid.
No DSC message shall be able to be sent that has an invalid parameter.
For simplicity of the user interface:
a) the DSC message composition interface shall be such that the operator needs no user manual to initiate the
desired DSC message;
b) parameter descriptions and terms shall be provided in plain language;
c) all parameters of the DSC message that do not require an operator choice shall be entered automatically;
d) guidance and/or prompting shall be provided for the entry of any necessary parameters of the DSC message if
these parameters and/or their values are not plainly visible from context or on the display.
For data entry:
a) the equipment shall only allow the operator to compose and send DSC messages that are compliant with
clause 5.2.4;
b) acknowledgements shall be automatically composed by the equipment and user options for these
acknowledgements are provided by the automated procedures;
c) the equipment shall provide an automatic determination of the channel and or frequencies of subsequent
communication according to the algorithm given in Recommendation ITU-R M.493-15 [2], annex 3 and
summarized in annex B.
The automated channel selection shall be able to be overridden.
It shall not be possible to select a distress channel for subsequent communications for DSC messages of priority routine.
The equipment shall automatically set the dot pattern length to 20 bits for all transmitted DSC messages.
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14 Final draft ETSI EN 300 338-5 V1.3.1 (2020-03)
6.2.2 Transmission of DSC messages and prioritized wait
If the channel is free the transmission shall begin immediately. If the channel is not free, and the DSC message is a
distress alert, the alert shall be transmitted as soon as the channel becomes free or after 1 s, whichever occurs first.
(The 1 s value is approximate average duration of a VHF DSC message). For all other DSC messages, the equipment
shall wait for the channel to become free and then the equipment shall delay transmission of the DSC message for a
specified wait time.
The specified wait time shall depend upon the message type and priority. Distress DSC messages (except for alerts),
urgency, safety, routine and test DSC messages shall wait one, two, three, and four "fixed" units of time plus a random
addition described below, respectively, before attempting to transmit. Transmission occurs if and only if the channel is
still free after this wait time has elapsed, otherwise the process is repeated.
The fixed "unit" of time shall be 50 ms. Th
...

EUROPEAN STANDARD
Technical characteristics and methods of measurement
for equipment for generation, transmission
and reception of Digital Selective Calling (DSC)
in the maritime MF, MF/HF and/or VHF mobile service;
Part 5: Handheld VHF Class H DSC

2 ETSI EN 300 338-5 V1.3.1 (2020-06)

Reference
REN/ERM-TGMAR-603
Keywords
DSC, GMDSS, maritime, radio
ETSI
650 Route des Lucioles
F-06921 Sophia Antipolis Cedex - FRANCE

Tel.: +33 4 92 94 42 00  Fax: +33 4 93 65 47 16

Siret N° 348 623 562 00017 - NAF 742 C
Association à but non lucratif enregistrée à la
Sous-Préfecture de Grasse (06) N° 7803/88

Important notice
The present document can be downloaded from:
http://www.etsi.org/standards-search
The present document may be made available in electronic versions and/or in print. The content of any electronic and/or
print versions of the present document shall not be modified without the prior written authorization of ETSI. In case of any
existing or perceived difference in contents between such versions and/or in print, the prevailing version of an ETSI
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ETSI
3 ETSI EN 300 338-5 V1.3.1 (2020-06)
Contents
Intellectual Property Rights . 6
Foreword . 6
Modal verbs terminology . 6
1 Scope . 7
2 References . 7
2.1 Normative references . 7
2.2 Informative references . 7
3 Definition of terms, symbols and abbreviations . 8
3.1 Terms . 8
3.2 Symbols . 9
3.3 Abbreviations . 10
4 Controls and Indicators in handheld Class H DSC Equipment . 10
4.1 Visual indication . 10
4.1.0 General . 10
4.1.1 Primary DSC alphanumeric display . 10
4.1.1.0 General Requirements . 10
4.1.1.1 Additional display information . 11
4.1.2 Handling visual information . 11
5 Technical requirements . 11
5.1 Facilities for DSC transmission and reception . 11
5.1.1 GNSS receiver . 11
5.1.2 CH:70 receiver . 11
5.2 Facilities for coding and decoding of DSC . 11
5.2.1 Call functions . 11
5.2.2 INDIVIDUAL calls . 12
5.2.3 ALL SHIPS calls . 12
5.2.4 DSC call functionality . 12
6 Automated and Non-Automated Procedure Requirements in handheld Class H DSC Equipment . 13
6.1 Introduction . 13
6.2 Non-automated features . 13
6.2.1 DSC Message Composition . 13
6.2.2 Transmission of DSC messages and prioritized wait . 14
6.2.3 Alarms . 14
6.3 Standby . 14
6.4 Sending distress automated procedure . 15
6.4.1 Procedure . 15
6.4.2 Tasks . 17
6.4.3 Display . 17
6.4.3.0 General Display Requirements . 17
6.4.3.1 Examples of sending distress procedure displays on handheld VHF equipment . 18
6.4.4 Dedicated distress button sub procedure . 18
6.4.5 Transmission of the alert attempt . 19
6.4.6 Updating position . 19
6.4.7 Handling received DSC Messages . 19
6.4.8 Alarms . 20
6.4.9 Determining Subsequent communications . 20
6.4.10 Automated tuning . 20
6.4.11 Cancelling the Distress Alert . 20
6.4.11.0 General Requirements . 20
6.4.11.1 Examples of cancel-distress displays on VHF equipment. 20
6.4.12 Acknowledgements . 21
6.4.13 Termination. 21
6.4.14 Warnings . 21
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4 ETSI EN 300 338-5 V1.3.1 (2020-06)
6.5 Receiving distress automated procedure . 21
6.5.1 Procedure . 21
6.5.2 Tasks . 22
6.5.3 Display . 23
6.5.3.0 General Display Requirements . 23
6.5.3.1 Examples of received distress procedure displays on VHF equipment . 23
6.5.4 Handling received DSC Messages . 24
6.5.5 Alarms . 24
6.5.6 Determining Subsequent communications . 24
6.5.7 Automated tuning . 24
6.5.8 Acknowledgements . 25
6.5.9 Termination. 25
6.5.10 Warnings . 25
6.6 Sending non-distress automated procedure . 25
6.6.1 Procedure . 25
6.6.2 Tasks . 26
6.6.3 Display . 27
6.6.3.0 General Display Requirements . 27
6.6.3.1 Examples of sending non-distress procedures displays on VHF equipment . 28
6.6.4 Handling received DSC Messages . 28
6.6.5 Alarms . 28
6.6.6 Automated tuning . 28
6.6.7 Delayed Acknowledgements . 29
6.6.8 Termination. 29
6.6.9 Warnings . 29
6.7 Receiving non-distress automated procedure . 29
6.7.1 Procedure . 29
6.7.2 Tasks . 30
6.7.3 Display . 31
6.7.3.0 General Display Requirements . 31
6.7.3.1 Examples of receiving non-distress procedures displays on VHF equipment . 32
6.7.4 Handling received DSC messages . 32
6.7.5 Alarms . 32
6.7.6 Automated tuning . 32
6.7.7 Acknowledgements . 33
6.7.8 Termination. 33
6.7.9 Warnings . 33
6.8 Communications automated procedure . 33
6.8.1 Procedure . 33
6.8.2 Tasks . 34
6.8.3 Display . 34
6.8.4 Handling received DSC Messages . 34
6.8.5 Tuning of the receiver and transmitter . 34
6.8.6 Termination. 34
6.9 Handling incoming calls while the equipment is engaged . 34
6.9.1 Procedure . 34
6.9.2 Tasks . 35
6.9.2.0 General . 35
6.9.2.1 Higher priority calls . 35
6.9.2.1.0 General . 35
6.9.2.1.1 Higher priority calls - acceptance . 35
6.9.2.1.2 Higher priority calls - non acceptance . 35
6.9.2.2 Other calls . 36
6.9.2.3 Termination of automated procedures . 36
6.9.2.4 Action after termination of an automated procedure . 36
6.9.2.5 Putting automated procedures on hold (optional) . 36
6.9.2.6 Controlling non-terminated automated procedures (optional) . 36
Annex A (informative): DSC message composition . 38
A.1 Default values . 38
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5 ETSI EN 300 338-5 V1.3.1 (2020-06)
Annex B (normative): Automated non-distress channel selection algorithm . 39
Annex C (normative): Alarms . 40
C.1 Alarm specifications . 40
C.2 Alarming with critical errors . 41
C.3 Default alarm sounds . 41
C.4 Recommended alarm sounds . 41
History . 43

ETSI
6 ETSI EN 300 338-5 V1.3.1 (2020-06)
Intellectual Property Rights
Essential patents
IPRs essential or potentially essential to normative deliverables may have been declared to ETSI. The information
pertaining to these essential IPRs, if any, is publicly available for ETSI members and non-members, and can be found
in ETSI SR 000 314: "Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs); Essential, or potentially Essential, IPRs notified to ETSI in
respect of ETSI standards", which is available from the ETSI Secretariat. Latest updates are available on the ETSI Web
server (https://ipr.etsi.org/).
Pursuant to the ETSI IPR Policy, no investigation, including IPR searches, has been carried out by ETSI. No guarantee
can be given as to the existence of other IPRs not referenced in ETSI SR 000 314 (or the updates on the ETSI Web
server) which are, or may be, or may become, essential to the present document.
Trademarks
The present document may include trademarks and/or tradenames which are asserted and/or registered by their owners.
ETSI claims no ownership of these except for any which are indicated as being the property of ETSI, and conveys no
right to use or reproduce any trademark and/or tradename. Mention of those trademarks in the present document does
not constitute an endorsement by ETSI of products, services or organizations associated with those trademarks.
Foreword
This European Standard (EN) has been produced by ETSI Technical Committee Electromagnetic compatibility and
Radio spectrum Matters (ERM).
The present document is part 5 of a multi-part deliverable. Full details of the entire series can be found in part 1 [i.2].

National transposition dates
Date of adoption of this EN: 29 May 2020
Date of latest announcement of this EN (doa): 31 August 2020
Date of latest publication of new National Standard
or endorsement of this EN (dop/e): 28 February 2021
Date of withdrawal of any conflicting National Standard (dow): 28 February 2022

Modal verbs terminology
In the present document "shall", "shall not", "should", "should not", "may", "need not", "will", "will not", "can" and
"cannot" are to be interpreted as described in clause 3.2 of the ETSI Drafting Rules (Verbal forms for the expression of
provisions).
"must" and "must not" are NOT allowed in ETSI deliverables except when used in direct citation.
ETSI
7 ETSI EN 300 338-5 V1.3.1 (2020-06)
1 Scope
The present document states the minimum requirements for general communication for handheld VHF radios using the
handheld class H DSC for shipborne use.
Class H DSC may be used in the Very High Frequency (VHF) Maritime Mobile Service (MMS), for distress, urgency
and safety communication and general communications using telephony for subsequent communications.
The present document is part 5 of a multi-part deliverable that covers the requirements to be fulfilled by equipment that
is integrated with a handheld transceiver.
These requirements include the relevant provisions and the guidelines of the IMO as detailed in MSC/Circ.803 [i.1] for
non-SOLAS vessels participating in the GMDSS.
2 References
2.1 Normative references
References are either specific (identified by date of publication and/or edition number or version number) or
non-specific. For specific references, only the cited version applies. For non-specific references, the latest version of the
referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
Referenced documents which are not found to be publicly available in the expected location might be found at
https://docbox.etsi.org/Reference/.
NOTE: While any hyperlinks included in this clause were valid at the time of publication, ETSI cannot guarantee
their long term validity.
The following referenced documents are necessary for the application of the present document.
[1] ITU Radio Regulations (2016).
[2] Recommendation ITU-R M.493-15 (01/2019): "Digital selective-calling system for use in the
maritime mobile service".
2.2 Informative references
References are either specific (identified by date of publication and/or edition number or version number) or
non-specific. For specific references, only the cited version applies. For non-specific references, the latest version of the
referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
NOTE: While any hyperlinks included in this clause were valid at the time of publication, ETSI cannot guarantee
their long term validity.
The following referenced documents are not necessary for the application of the present document but they assist the
user with regard to a particular subject area.
[i.1] IMO Circular MSC/Circ.803: "Participation of non-SOLAS ships in the Global Maritime Distress
and Safety System (GMDSS)".
[i.2] ETSI EN 300 338-1: "Technical characteristics and methods of measurement for equipment for
generation, transmission and reception of Digital Selective Calling (DSC) in the maritime MF,
MF/HF and/or VHF mobile service; Part 1: Common requirements".
[i.3] Recommendation ITU-R M.493: "Digital selective-calling system for use in the maritime mobile
service".
ETSI
8 ETSI EN 300 338-5 V1.3.1 (2020-06)
3 Definition of terms, symbols and abbreviations
3.1 Terms
For the purposes of the present document, the following terms apply:
acknowledged: automated procedure which indicates that the objective of the initial DSC message has been achieved
active: automated procedure which has control of the receiver and transmitter and is thus able to engage in subsequent
communications and receive DSC messages
automated procedure: set of actions necessary to complete the objective of an initiating DSC message or non DSC
communication event
NOTE 1: Four DSC automated procedures are designed to process these. They are the receiving of distress DSC
messages, the receiving of non-distress DSC messages, the sending of distress DSC alert attempts and the
sending of non-distress DSC messages. In addition a fifth procedure is designed to handle non DSC
communication events.
NOTE 2: These automated procedures are called:
 Received distress automated procedure.
 Sending distress automated procedure.
 Received non-distress automated procedure.
 Sending non-distress automated procedure.
 Communications automated procedure.
class H: handheld class intended to provide minimum facilities for VHF DSC distress, urgency and safety as well as
routine calling and reception, not necessarily in full accordance with IMO GMDSS carriage requirements for VHF
installations
NOTE: For handheld Class H VHF a reduced functionality is permitted compared to a fixed VHF class D.
critical errors: set of information characters obtained from one or more received DSC messages is considered to have
critical errors if the automated procedure needs information characters from that set in order to proceed or perform any
task, but the required information characters are in error
EXAMPLE: An acknowledgement cannot be composed to an individual DSC message that has errors in the
sender's MMSI.
default: value selected or an action taken by the equipment software in the absence of any operator input
distress alert: name given to the single distress DSC message with the format symbol 112
distress alert attempt: set of distress alerts sent by a vessel when in distress
NOTE: A distress alert DSC message by itself is never intentionally sent by a vessel in distress. For example, the
single frequency distress alert attempt consists of five consecutive distress alerts with no break in between
each distress alert.
distress DSC message: DSC message or acknowledgement containing the distress information
distress event: unique distress situation identified by two parameters of the distress information; the MMSI of the
vessel in distress and the nature of distress
distress information: symbols within a DSC message describing a distress situation consisting of the MMSI of the
vessel in distress, the nature of distress, the position of the vessel in distress, the UTC time of that position and the mode
of subsequent communication
engaged: equipment that is busy handling an automated procedure
ETSI
9 ETSI EN 300 338-5 V1.3.1 (2020-06)
factory default: default value that is set by the manufacturer such that the field or behaviour is defined prior to any
operator intervention
information characters: set of symbols in a DSC message that contains the items of interest for the recipient and is
used to compute the ECC symbol that terminates the message
NOTE: These symbols are repeated in the DX/RX time diversity pattern.
initial DSC message: DSC message that starts an automated procedure
non-distress DSC message: DSC messages or acknowledgements that do not have the format specifier or category of
"distress"
objective: intent of the DSC message either to establish subsequent communications or request information
operator options: any choices the operator can make while the automated procedure is engaged
pertinent to the automated procedure: DSC messages that have something to do with the procedure and are therefore
'handled' by the procedure
NOTE: A DSC message is pertinent to an automated procedure if the set of information characters in the DSC
message has the correct values.
pertinent to the station: any DSC message that would start an automated procedure if the transceiver were in standby
self-terminating alarm: short alarm that stops by itself without operator intervention
NOTE: The purpose of this alarm is to inform the operator that a DSC message is received but it does not require
his immediate attention.
standby: state of the operational unit when it is not in one of the procedures but is still able to receive DSC calls
symbol (as part of the DSC sentence): 7 binary bits of a 10 bit DSC word that have the information content
top level: items, buttons, or functions are present and visible without requiring any action by the operator (such as
scrolling, opening up menus, or removing any obscuring covers, etc.)
two-tone alarm: alarm consisting of a repetition of the 2 200 Hz frequency for 250 ms followed by a 1 300 Hz
frequency for 250 ms
NOTE: This alarm is used for the initiation of the received distress DSC automated procedure. The characteristics
of this alarm are fixed.
urgency alarm: alarm consisting of a repetition of the 2 200 Hz frequency for 250 ms followed by 250 ms period of
silence
NOTE: This alarm is used for the initiation of the received non-distress DSC automated procedure when the
category of the initiating DSC message is "urgency". The characteristics of this alarm are fixed.
word (as part of the DSC sentence): 10 binary bits that make up the coded entities of a transmitted DSC message
NOTE: The 10 bits consist of a 7 bit "symbol" that gives the information content and 3 bit error check that gives
the number of 0 binary bits in the 7 bit symbol.
3.2 Symbols
Void.
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10 ETSI EN 300 338-5 V1.3.1 (2020-06)
3.3 Abbreviations
For the purposes of the present document, the following abbreviations apply:
ACK ACKnowledgement
CH Channel
DSC Digital Selective Calling
ECC Error Check Character
EPIRB Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon
EUT Equipment Under Test
GMDSS Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
GNSS Global Navigation Satellite System
HF High Frequency
IMO International Maritime Organization
ITU International Telecommunications Union
ITU-R ITU - Radiocommunications sector
MF Medium Frequency
MMS Maritime Mobile Service
MMSI Maritime Mobile Service Identity
RT Radio Telephony
SOLAS Safety Of Life At Sea
TX Transmit
UTC Universal Time Co-ordinated
VHF Very High Frequency
4 Controls and Indicators in handheld Class H DSC
Equipment
4.1 Visual indication
4.1.0 General
Any visual display of the information content shall be clearly legible from typical user positions under all ambient light
conditions.
4.1.1 Primary DSC alphanumeric display
4.1.1.0 General Requirements
The display characters shall have a minimum height of 2 mm, and a nominal character width/height ratio of 0,7.
The display shall have a minimum of 12 characters per line and a minimum of 32 characters total.
Any displayed information shall be static. Horizontal scrolling techniques are not permitted (see clause 4.1.2).
The display shall be capable of:
• prompting the operator if an incorrect operation is attempted;
• displaying error messages;
• displaying incoming and logged calls in plain language;
• displaying all the user programmable information content of a DSC call.
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11 ETSI EN 300 338-5 V1.3.1 (2020-06)
4.1.1.1 Additional display information
Additional display characters or symbols shall be capable of:
• showing the functions and options currently available;
• displaying that unread received DSC calls are present in memory;
• displaying other visual alarms;
• displaying whether the position and time information is automatically entered or manually entered.
There shall be additional display characters and symbols as required for displaying channel designator and other radio
parameters.
Where logic flows and procedural guidance, expressed by graphical symbols, have an advantage over text, this shall be
allowed. Any graphical symbols shall be clearly defined in the operation manual.
4.1.2 Handling visual information
In case all information, or user options, required for the active automated procedure, cannot be contained on a single
screen, means shall be available to inform the user:
a) that more information is available;
b) how to select the relevant information not yet displayed, e.g. by means of a next button or info key.
5 Technical requirements
5.1 Facilities for DSC transmission and reception
5.1.1 GNSS receiver
A GNSS receiver shall be integrated into the equipment.
5.1.2 CH:70 receiver
The equipment shall be able to continuously monitor CH:70 at any time the transmitter is not active.
5.2 Facilities for coding and decoding of DSC
5.2.1 Call functions
The facilities for coding and composition of calls shall be so arranged that it is possible for the operator quickly and
precisely to enter a call. The types of DSC calls provided in this equipment are specified in clause 5.2.4.
The CALL functions shall permit selection of the following functions:
• INDIVIDUAL: for making a call to a specific MMSI.
• GROUP: for making a call to a specific Group MMSI.
• ALL SHIPS: for making all ships calls where this option is available.
• RECEIVED CALLS: for retrieving stored incoming DSC calls.
• OTHER: for equipment housekeeping functions.
ETSI
12 ETSI EN 300 338-5 V1.3.1 (2020-06)
If INDIVIDUAL is selected, either a MANUAL call (see clause 5.2.2) or a DIRECTORY call shall be selected. The
DIRECTORY list shall have a facility for at least 10 entries. Their MMSIs shall be programmable.
5.2.2 INDIVIDUAL calls
The INDIVIDUAL call facility shall permit either the MANUAL entry of a MMSI or the selection of a station from the
DIRECTORY list. If the called station is a coast station (i.e. MMSI commencing 00) no further information shall be
requested from the operator. If the called station is a ship station the equipment shall request input of a channel number.
The equipment shall assist the operator by suggesting a suitable inter-ship channel as defined in appendix 18 of the
Radio Regulations [1] (see also annex B).
5.2.3 ALL SHIPS calls
Where the option to transmit ALL SHIPS is available then it shall only be able to select ALL SHIPS calls by means of
deliberate actions, such as two levels of menu instructions.
The operator shall be able to select either Urgency or Safety category and the equipment shall propose the default
subsequent working channel of 16 (the operator shall have the option to change the working channel).
5.2.4 DSC call functionality
The following DSC calls shall be available in the equipment.
Table 1
CALL TYPE Tx Rx Format specifier Notes
Distress alert Y Y 112 TX: All natures of distress except
"EPIRB"
Distress acknowledgement # Y 116
Distress relay ACK DROBOSE to # Y 114
Group
All ships RT call # Y 116 Urgency (110) and Safety (108) only
All ships Duplex RT call # O 116 These are FULL duplex calls. Urgency
(110) and Safety (108) only
Individual RT call # Y 120 Urgency (110) and Safety (108) only
Individual RT call acknowledgement Y # 120 Urgency (110) and Safety (108) only
Individual RT call acknowledgement Y # 120 Urgency (110) and Safety (108) only
"unable to comply"
Individual test call Y Y 120 Safety (108) only
Individual test call acknowledgement Y Y 120 Safety (108) only
Routine group call RT Y Y 114
Routine individual RT call Y Y 120
Routine individual RT ACK Y Y 120
Position request N Y 120 Safety (108) only
Position request ACK Y # 120 Safety (108) only
Distress Alert Cancel Y Y 112 This is the "self-addressed" distress ACK
NOTE: Handling of MoB Calls is not applicable to class H DSC equipment.

If any other calls, not listed in table 1, are implemented in the device, they shall comply with tables 4.1 to 4.10.2 of
Recommendation ITU-R M.493-15 [2]. Individual routine category polling and position calls from previous versions of
Recommendation ITU-R M.493 [i.3] may be implemented for the sake of reverse compatibility.
• Call types marked Y shall be available in the equipment.
• Call types marked # shall not be available in the equipment.
• Call types marked O are optional.
ETSI
13 ETSI EN 300 338-5 V1.3.1 (2020-06)
6 Automated and Non-Automated Procedure
Requirements in handheld Class H DSC Equipment
6.1 Introduction
This clause covers the minimum level of software automation, operational simplicity, and interface consistency
requirements for handheld class H Digital Selective Calling equipment.
Where requirements in this clause are not fully aligned with those of ETSI EN 300 338-1 [i.2] then the requirement of
the present document take precedence.
Perhaps the most important issue concerns an implied expectation for the use of the terminology "automated procedure"
as used in the present document to appear in the user interface. The terminology "automated procedure" describes the
set of algorithms that are used to encapsulate all the activities necessary to perform DSC, and non DSC communication
events. The operator does not need to know anything about the existence of automated procedures in order to operate a
radio that makes use of these algorithms. Though the present document refers to items such as the "Sending Distress
Automated Procedure" such language shall not appear on the user interface of the equipment.
The primary purpose of DSC signalling is to provide the means to set-up subsequent communications between vessels
and/or coast stations. A call may be considered as being the total duration from the start of the DSC signalling until the
end of the subsequent communications, and the automated procedure is terminated.
The operational functionality described in the present document has the objective of not disturbing any ongoing call.
Furthermore, the equipment shall assist the operator by providing simple audible indication of a received DSC call
whilst the equipment is engaged and if that received DSC call is of a higher priority than the call in progress then the
equipment shall be capable of displaying the information of this new call.
6.2 Non-automated features
6.2.1 DSC Message Composition
The equipment shall provide factory default values for all non-distress DSC messages as specified in Recommendation
ITU-R M.493-15 [2], annex 3 and summarized in figure A.1 for all parameters where the operator has the option to
select or enter more than one value and has not already done so.
The default values for the operator-composed distress alert shall be the default distress alert as specified in the sent
distress automated procedure.
A destination MMSI that does not have at least 9 digits entered is invalid.
No DSC message shall be able to be sent that has an invalid parameter.
For simplicity of the user interface:
a) the DSC message composition interface shall be such that the operator needs no user manual to initiate the
desired DSC message;
b) parameter descriptions and terms shall be provided in plain language;
c) all parameters of the DSC message that do not require an operator choice shall be entered automatically;
d) guidance and/or prompting shall be provided for the entry of any necessary parameters of the DSC message if
these parameters and/or their values are not plainly visible from context or on the display.
For data entry:
a) the equipment shall only allow the operator to compose and send DSC messages that are compliant with
clause 5.2.4;
ETSI
14 ETSI EN 300 338-5 V1.3.1 (2020-06)
b) acknowledgements shall be automatically composed by the equipment and user options for these
acknowledgements are provided by the automated procedures;
c) the equipment shall provide an automatic determination of the channel and or frequencies of subsequent
communication according to the algorithm given in Recommendation ITU-R M.493-15 [2], annex 3 and
summarized in annex B.
The automated channel selection shall be able to be overridden.
It shall not be possible to select a distress channel for subsequent communications for DSC messages of priority routine.
The equipment shall automatically set the dot pattern length to 20 bits for all transmitted DSC messages.
6.2.2 Transmission of DSC messages and prioritized wait
If the channel is free the transmission shall begin immediately. If the channel is not free, and the DSC message is a
distress alert, the alert shall be transmitted as soon as the channel becomes free or after 1 s, whichever occurs first.
(The 1 s value is approximate average duration of a VHF DSC message). For all other DSC messages, the equipment
shall wait for the channel to become free and then the equipment shall delay transmission of the DSC message for a
specified wait time.
The specified wait time shall depend upon the message type and priority. Distress DSC messages (except for alerts),
urgency, safety, routine and test DSC messages shall wait one, two, three, and four "fixed" units of time plus a random
addition described below, respectively, before attempting to transmit. Transmission occurs if and only if the channel is
still free after this wait time has elapsed, otherwise the process is repeated.
The fixed "unit" of time shall be 50 ms. The randomly generated component shall be some positive integer with
resolution in milliseconds between zero and the fixed interval. The randomly generated part of the wait time shall be
recomputed for every transmission attempt.
6.2.3 Alarms
Alarms shall
...

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-september-2020
Tehnične karakteristike in merilne metode za naprave, ki generirajo, oddajajo in
sprejemajo digitalni selektivni klic (DSC) v pomorski mobilni storitvi, ki deluje v
območju MF, MF/HF oziroma VHF - 5. del: Ročne postaje VHF z digitalnim
selektivnim klicem razreda H
Technical characteristics and methods of measurement for equipment for generation,
transmission and reception of Digital Selective Calling (DSC) in the maritime MF, MF/HF
and/or VHF mobile service - Part 5: Handheld VHF Class H DSC
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: ETSI EN 300 338-5 V1.3.1 (2020-06)
ICS:
33.060.20 Sprejemna in oddajna Receiving and transmitting
oprema equipment
47.020.70 Navigacijska in krmilna Navigation and control
oprema equipment
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD
Technical characteristics and methods of measurement
for equipment for generation, transmission
and reception of Digital Selective Calling (DSC)
in the maritime MF, MF/HF and/or VHF mobile service;
Part 5: Handheld VHF Class H DSC

2 ETSI EN 300 338-5 V1.3.1 (2020-06)

Reference
REN/ERM-TGMAR-603
Keywords
DSC, GMDSS, maritime, radio
ETSI
650 Route des Lucioles
F-06921 Sophia Antipolis Cedex - FRANCE

Tel.: +33 4 92 94 42 00  Fax: +33 4 93 65 47 16

Siret N° 348 623 562 00017 - NAF 742 C
Association à but non lucratif enregistrée à la
Sous-Préfecture de Grasse (06) N° 7803/88

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ETSI
3 ETSI EN 300 338-5 V1.3.1 (2020-06)
Contents
Intellectual Property Rights . 6
Foreword . 6
Modal verbs terminology . 6
1 Scope . 7
2 References . 7
2.1 Normative references . 7
2.2 Informative references . 7
3 Definition of terms, symbols and abbreviations . 8
3.1 Terms . 8
3.2 Symbols . 9
3.3 Abbreviations . 10
4 Controls and Indicators in handheld Class H DSC Equipment . 10
4.1 Visual indication . 10
4.1.0 General . 10
4.1.1 Primary DSC alphanumeric display . 10
4.1.1.0 General Requirements . 10
4.1.1.1 Additional display information . 11
4.1.2 Handling visual information . 11
5 Technical requirements . 11
5.1 Facilities for DSC transmission and reception . 11
5.1.1 GNSS receiver . 11
5.1.2 CH:70 receiver . 11
5.2 Facilities for coding and decoding of DSC . 11
5.2.1 Call functions . 11
5.2.2 INDIVIDUAL calls . 12
5.2.3 ALL SHIPS calls . 12
5.2.4 DSC call functionality . 12
6 Automated and Non-Automated Procedure Requirements in handheld Class H DSC Equipment . 13
6.1 Introduction . 13
6.2 Non-automated features . 13
6.2.1 DSC Message Composition . 13
6.2.2 Transmission of DSC messages and prioritized wait . 14
6.2.3 Alarms . 14
6.3 Standby . 14
6.4 Sending distress automated procedure . 15
6.4.1 Procedure . 15
6.4.2 Tasks . 17
6.4.3 Display . 17
6.4.3.0 General Display Requirements . 17
6.4.3.1 Examples of sending distress procedure displays on handheld VHF equipment . 18
6.4.4 Dedicated distress button sub procedure . 18
6.4.5 Transmission of the alert attempt . 19
6.4.6 Updating position . 19
6.4.7 Handling received DSC Messages . 19
6.4.8 Alarms . 20
6.4.9 Determining Subsequent communications . 20
6.4.10 Automated tuning . 20
6.4.11 Cancelling the Distress Alert . 20
6.4.11.0 General Requirements . 20
6.4.11.1 Examples of cancel-distress displays on VHF equipment. 20
6.4.12 Acknowledgements . 21
6.4.13 Termination. 21
6.4.14 Warnings . 21
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4 ETSI EN 300 338-5 V1.3.1 (2020-06)
6.5 Receiving distress automated procedure . 21
6.5.1 Procedure . 21
6.5.2 Tasks . 22
6.5.3 Display . 23
6.5.3.0 General Display Requirements . 23
6.5.3.1 Examples of received distress procedure displays on VHF equipment . 23
6.5.4 Handling received DSC Messages . 24
6.5.5 Alarms . 24
6.5.6 Determining Subsequent communications . 24
6.5.7 Automated tuning . 24
6.5.8 Acknowledgements . 25
6.5.9 Termination. 25
6.5.10 Warnings . 25
6.6 Sending non-distress automated procedure . 25
6.6.1 Procedure . 25
6.6.2 Tasks . 26
6.6.3 Display . 27
6.6.3.0 General Display Requirements . 27
6.6.3.1 Examples of sending non-distress procedures displays on VHF equipment . 28
6.6.4 Handling received DSC Messages . 28
6.6.5 Alarms . 28
6.6.6 Automated tuning . 28
6.6.7 Delayed Acknowledgements . 29
6.6.8 Termination. 29
6.6.9 Warnings . 29
6.7 Receiving non-distress automated procedure . 29
6.7.1 Procedure . 29
6.7.2 Tasks . 30
6.7.3 Display . 31
6.7.3.0 General Display Requirements . 31
6.7.3.1 Examples of receiving non-distress procedures displays on VHF equipment . 32
6.7.4 Handling received DSC messages . 32
6.7.5 Alarms . 32
6.7.6 Automated tuning . 32
6.7.7 Acknowledgements . 33
6.7.8 Termination. 33
6.7.9 Warnings . 33
6.8 Communications automated procedure . 33
6.8.1 Procedure . 33
6.8.2 Tasks . 34
6.8.3 Display . 34
6.8.4 Handling received DSC Messages . 34
6.8.5 Tuning of the receiver and transmitter . 34
6.8.6 Termination. 34
6.9 Handling incoming calls while the equipment is engaged . 34
6.9.1 Procedure . 34
6.9.2 Tasks . 35
6.9.2.0 General . 35
6.9.2.1 Higher priority calls . 35
6.9.2.1.0 General . 35
6.9.2.1.1 Higher priority calls - acceptance . 35
6.9.2.1.2 Higher priority calls - non acceptance . 35
6.9.2.2 Other calls . 36
6.9.2.3 Termination of automated procedures . 36
6.9.2.4 Action after termination of an automated procedure . 36
6.9.2.5 Putting automated procedures on hold (optional) . 36
6.9.2.6 Controlling non-terminated automated procedures (optional) . 36
Annex A (informative): DSC message composition . 38
A.1 Default values . 38
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5 ETSI EN 300 338-5 V1.3.1 (2020-06)
Annex B (normative): Automated non-distress channel selection algorithm . 39
Annex C (normative): Alarms . 40
C.1 Alarm specifications . 40
C.2 Alarming with critical errors . 41
C.3 Default alarm sounds . 41
C.4 Recommended alarm sounds . 41
History . 43

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6 ETSI EN 300 338-5 V1.3.1 (2020-06)
Intellectual Property Rights
Essential patents
IPRs essential or potentially essential to normative deliverables may have been declared to ETSI. The information
pertaining to these essential IPRs, if any, is publicly available for ETSI members and non-members, and can be found
in ETSI SR 000 314: "Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs); Essential, or potentially Essential, IPRs notified to ETSI in
respect of ETSI standards", which is available from the ETSI Secretariat. Latest updates are available on the ETSI Web
server (https://ipr.etsi.org/).
Pursuant to the ETSI IPR Policy, no investigation, including IPR searches, has been carried out by ETSI. No guarantee
can be given as to the existence of other IPRs not referenced in ETSI SR 000 314 (or the updates on the ETSI Web
server) which are, or may be, or may become, essential to the present document.
Trademarks
The present document may include trademarks and/or tradenames which are asserted and/or registered by their owners.
ETSI claims no ownership of these except for any which are indicated as being the property of ETSI, and conveys no
right to use or reproduce any trademark and/or tradename. Mention of those trademarks in the present document does
not constitute an endorsement by ETSI of products, services or organizations associated with those trademarks.
Foreword
This European Standard (EN) has been produced by ETSI Technical Committee Electromagnetic compatibility and
Radio spectrum Matters (ERM).
The present document is part 5 of a multi-part deliverable. Full details of the entire series can be found in part 1 [i.2].

National transposition dates
Date of adoption of this EN: 29 May 2020
Date of latest announcement of this EN (doa): 31 August 2020
Date of latest publication of new National Standard
or endorsement of this EN (dop/e): 28 February 2021
Date of withdrawal of any conflicting National Standard (dow): 28 February 2022

Modal verbs terminology
In the present document "shall", "shall not", "should", "should not", "may", "need not", "will", "will not", "can" and
"cannot" are to be interpreted as described in clause 3.2 of the ETSI Drafting Rules (Verbal forms for the expression of
provisions).
"must" and "must not" are NOT allowed in ETSI deliverables except when used in direct citation.
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7 ETSI EN 300 338-5 V1.3.1 (2020-06)
1 Scope
The present document states the minimum requirements for general communication for handheld VHF radios using the
handheld class H DSC for shipborne use.
Class H DSC may be used in the Very High Frequency (VHF) Maritime Mobile Service (MMS), for distress, urgency
and safety communication and general communications using telephony for subsequent communications.
The present document is part 5 of a multi-part deliverable that covers the requirements to be fulfilled by equipment that
is integrated with a handheld transceiver.
These requirements include the relevant provisions and the guidelines of the IMO as detailed in MSC/Circ.803 [i.1] for
non-SOLAS vessels participating in the GMDSS.
2 References
2.1 Normative references
References are either specific (identified by date of publication and/or edition number or version number) or
non-specific. For specific references, only the cited version applies. For non-specific references, the latest version of the
referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
Referenced documents which are not found to be publicly available in the expected location might be found at
https://docbox.etsi.org/Reference/.
NOTE: While any hyperlinks included in this clause were valid at the time of publication, ETSI cannot guarantee
their long term validity.
The following referenced documents are necessary for the application of the present document.
[1] ITU Radio Regulations (2016).
[2] Recommendation ITU-R M.493-15 (01/2019): "Digital selective-calling system for use in the
maritime mobile service".
2.2 Informative references
References are either specific (identified by date of publication and/or edition number or version number) or
non-specific. For specific references, only the cited version applies. For non-specific references, the latest version of the
referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
NOTE: While any hyperlinks included in this clause were valid at the time of publication, ETSI cannot guarantee
their long term validity.
The following referenced documents are not necessary for the application of the present document but they assist the
user with regard to a particular subject area.
[i.1] IMO Circular MSC/Circ.803: "Participation of non-SOLAS ships in the Global Maritime Distress
and Safety System (GMDSS)".
[i.2] ETSI EN 300 338-1: "Technical characteristics and methods of measurement for equipment for
generation, transmission and reception of Digital Selective Calling (DSC) in the maritime MF,
MF/HF and/or VHF mobile service; Part 1: Common requirements".
[i.3] Recommendation ITU-R M.493: "Digital selective-calling system for use in the maritime mobile
service".
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8 ETSI EN 300 338-5 V1.3.1 (2020-06)
3 Definition of terms, symbols and abbreviations
3.1 Terms
For the purposes of the present document, the following terms apply:
acknowledged: automated procedure which indicates that the objective of the initial DSC message has been achieved
active: automated procedure which has control of the receiver and transmitter and is thus able to engage in subsequent
communications and receive DSC messages
automated procedure: set of actions necessary to complete the objective of an initiating DSC message or non DSC
communication event
NOTE 1: Four DSC automated procedures are designed to process these. They are the receiving of distress DSC
messages, the receiving of non-distress DSC messages, the sending of distress DSC alert attempts and the
sending of non-distress DSC messages. In addition a fifth procedure is designed to handle non DSC
communication events.
NOTE 2: These automated procedures are called:
 Received distress automated procedure.
 Sending distress automated procedure.
 Received non-distress automated procedure.
 Sending non-distress automated procedure.
 Communications automated procedure.
class H: handheld class intended to provide minimum facilities for VHF DSC distress, urgency and safety as well as
routine calling and reception, not necessarily in full accordance with IMO GMDSS carriage requirements for VHF
installations
NOTE: For handheld Class H VHF a reduced functionality is permitted compared to a fixed VHF class D.
critical errors: set of information characters obtained from one or more received DSC messages is considered to have
critical errors if the automated procedure needs information characters from that set in order to proceed or perform any
task, but the required information characters are in error
EXAMPLE: An acknowledgement cannot be composed to an individual DSC message that has errors in the
sender's MMSI.
default: value selected or an action taken by the equipment software in the absence of any operator input
distress alert: name given to the single distress DSC message with the format symbol 112
distress alert attempt: set of distress alerts sent by a vessel when in distress
NOTE: A distress alert DSC message by itself is never intentionally sent by a vessel in distress. For example, the
single frequency distress alert attempt consists of five consecutive distress alerts with no break in between
each distress alert.
distress DSC message: DSC message or acknowledgement containing the distress information
distress event: unique distress situation identified by two parameters of the distress information; the MMSI of the
vessel in distress and the nature of distress
distress information: symbols within a DSC message describing a distress situation consisting of the MMSI of the
vessel in distress, the nature of distress, the position of the vessel in distress, the UTC time of that position and the mode
of subsequent communication
engaged: equipment that is busy handling an automated procedure
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9 ETSI EN 300 338-5 V1.3.1 (2020-06)
factory default: default value that is set by the manufacturer such that the field or behaviour is defined prior to any
operator intervention
information characters: set of symbols in a DSC message that contains the items of interest for the recipient and is
used to compute the ECC symbol that terminates the message
NOTE: These symbols are repeated in the DX/RX time diversity pattern.
initial DSC message: DSC message that starts an automated procedure
non-distress DSC message: DSC messages or acknowledgements that do not have the format specifier or category of
"distress"
objective: intent of the DSC message either to establish subsequent communications or request information
operator options: any choices the operator can make while the automated procedure is engaged
pertinent to the automated procedure: DSC messages that have something to do with the procedure and are therefore
'handled' by the procedure
NOTE: A DSC message is pertinent to an automated procedure if the set of information characters in the DSC
message has the correct values.
pertinent to the station: any DSC message that would start an automated procedure if the transceiver were in standby
self-terminating alarm: short alarm that stops by itself without operator intervention
NOTE: The purpose of this alarm is to inform the operator that a DSC message is received but it does not require
his immediate attention.
standby: state of the operational unit when it is not in one of the procedures but is still able to receive DSC calls
symbol (as part of the DSC sentence): 7 binary bits of a 10 bit DSC word that have the information content
top level: items, buttons, or functions are present and visible without requiring any action by the operator (such as
scrolling, opening up menus, or removing any obscuring covers, etc.)
two-tone alarm: alarm consisting of a repetition of the 2 200 Hz frequency for 250 ms followed by a 1 300 Hz
frequency for 250 ms
NOTE: This alarm is used for the initiation of the received distress DSC automated procedure. The characteristics
of this alarm are fixed.
urgency alarm: alarm consisting of a repetition of the 2 200 Hz frequency for 250 ms followed by 250 ms period of
silence
NOTE: This alarm is used for the initiation of the received non-distress DSC automated procedure when the
category of the initiating DSC message is "urgency". The characteristics of this alarm are fixed.
word (as part of the DSC sentence): 10 binary bits that make up the coded entities of a transmitted DSC message
NOTE: The 10 bits consist of a 7 bit "symbol" that gives the information content and 3 bit error check that gives
the number of 0 binary bits in the 7 bit symbol.
3.2 Symbols
Void.
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10 ETSI EN 300 338-5 V1.3.1 (2020-06)
3.3 Abbreviations
For the purposes of the present document, the following abbreviations apply:
ACK ACKnowledgement
CH Channel
DSC Digital Selective Calling
ECC Error Check Character
EPIRB Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon
EUT Equipment Under Test
GMDSS Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
GNSS Global Navigation Satellite System
HF High Frequency
IMO International Maritime Organization
ITU International Telecommunications Union
ITU-R ITU - Radiocommunications sector
MF Medium Frequency
MMS Maritime Mobile Service
MMSI Maritime Mobile Service Identity
RT Radio Telephony
SOLAS Safety Of Life At Sea
TX Transmit
UTC Universal Time Co-ordinated
VHF Very High Frequency
4 Controls and Indicators in handheld Class H DSC
Equipment
4.1 Visual indication
4.1.0 General
Any visual display of the information content shall be clearly legible from typical user positions under all ambient light
conditions.
4.1.1 Primary DSC alphanumeric display
4.1.1.0 General Requirements
The display characters shall have a minimum height of 2 mm, and a nominal character width/height ratio of 0,7.
The display shall have a minimum of 12 characters per line and a minimum of 32 characters total.
Any displayed information shall be static. Horizontal scrolling techniques are not permitted (see clause 4.1.2).
The display shall be capable of:
• prompting the operator if an incorrect operation is attempted;
• displaying error messages;
• displaying incoming and logged calls in plain language;
• displaying all the user programmable information content of a DSC call.
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11 ETSI EN 300 338-5 V1.3.1 (2020-06)
4.1.1.1 Additional display information
Additional display characters or symbols shall be capable of:
• showing the functions and options currently available;
• displaying that unread received DSC calls are present in memory;
• displaying other visual alarms;
• displaying whether the position and time information is automatically entered or manually entered.
There shall be additional display characters and symbols as required for displaying channel designator and other radio
parameters.
Where logic flows and procedural guidance, expressed by graphical symbols, have an advantage over text, this shall be
allowed. Any graphical symbols shall be clearly defined in the operation manual.
4.1.2 Handling visual information
In case all information, or user options, required for the active automated procedure, cannot be contained on a single
screen, means shall be available to inform the user:
a) that more information is available;
b) how to select the relevant information not yet displayed, e.g. by means of a next button or info key.
5 Technical requirements
5.1 Facilities for DSC transmission and reception
5.1.1 GNSS receiver
A GNSS receiver shall be integrated into the equipment.
5.1.2 CH:70 receiver
The equipment shall be able to continuously monitor CH:70 at any time the transmitter is not active.
5.2 Facilities for coding and decoding of DSC
5.2.1 Call functions
The facilities for coding and composition of calls shall be so arranged that it is possible for the operator quickly and
precisely to enter a call. The types of DSC calls provided in this equipment are specified in clause 5.2.4.
The CALL functions shall permit selection of the following functions:
• INDIVIDUAL: for making a call to a specific MMSI.
• GROUP: for making a call to a specific Group MMSI.
• ALL SHIPS: for making all ships calls where this option is available.
• RECEIVED CALLS: for retrieving stored incoming DSC calls.
• OTHER: for equipment housekeeping functions.
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12 ETSI EN 300 338-5 V1.3.1 (2020-06)
If INDIVIDUAL is selected, either a MANUAL call (see clause 5.2.2) or a DIRECTORY call shall be selected. The
DIRECTORY list shall have a facility for at least 10 entries. Their MMSIs shall be programmable.
5.2.2 INDIVIDUAL calls
The INDIVIDUAL call facility shall permit either the MANUAL entry of a MMSI or the selection of a station from the
DIRECTORY list. If the called station is a coast station (i.e. MMSI commencing 00) no further information shall be
requested from the operator. If the called station is a ship station the equipment shall request input of a channel number.
The equipment shall assist the operator by suggesting a suitable inter-ship channel as defined in appendix 18 of the
Radio Regulations [1] (see also annex B).
5.2.3 ALL SHIPS calls
Where the option to transmit ALL SHIPS is available then it shall only be able to select ALL SHIPS calls by means of
deliberate actions, such as two levels of menu instructions.
The operator shall be able to select either Urgency or Safety category and the equipment shall propose the default
subsequent working channel of 16 (the operator shall have the option to change the working channel).
5.2.4 DSC call functionality
The following DSC calls shall be available in the equipment.
Table 1
CALL TYPE Tx Rx Format specifier Notes
Distress alert Y Y 112 TX: All natures of distress except
"EPIRB"
Distress acknowledgement # Y 116
Distress relay ACK DROBOSE to # Y 114
Group
All ships RT call # Y 116 Urgency (110) and Safety (108) only
All ships Duplex RT call # O 116 These are FULL duplex calls. Urgency
(110) and Safety (108) only
Individual RT call # Y 120 Urgency (110) and Safety (108) only
Individual RT call acknowledgement Y # 120 Urgency (110) and Safety (108) only
Individual RT call acknowledgement Y # 120 Urgency (110) and Safety (108) only
"unable to comply"
Individual test call Y Y 120 Safety (108) only
Individual test call acknowledgement Y Y 120 Safety (108) only
Routine group call RT Y Y 114
Routine individual RT call Y Y 120
Routine individual RT ACK Y Y 120
Position request N Y 120 Safety (108) only
Position request ACK Y # 120 Safety (108) only
Distress Alert Cancel Y Y 112 This is the "self-addressed" distress ACK
NOTE: Handling of MoB Calls is not applicable to class H DSC equipment.

If any other calls, not listed in table 1, are implemented in the device, they shall comply with tables 4.1 to 4.10.2 of
Recommendation ITU-R M.493-15 [2]. Individual routine category polling and position calls from previous versions of
Recommendation ITU-R M.493 [i.3] may be implemented for the sake of reverse compatibility.
• Call types marked Y shall be available in the equipment.
• Call types marked # shall not be available in the equipment.
• Call types marked O are optional.
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13 ETSI EN 300 338-5 V1.3.1 (2020-06)
6 Automated and Non-Automated Procedure
Requirements in handheld Class H DSC Equipment
6.1 Introduction
This clause covers the minimum level of software automation, operational simplicity, and interface consistency
requirements for handheld class H Digital Selective Calling equipment.
Where requirements in this clause are not fully aligned with those of ETSI EN 300 338-1 [i.2] then the requirement of
the present document take precedence.
Perhaps the most important issue concerns an implied expectation for the use of the terminology "automated procedure"
as used in the present document to appear in the user interface. The terminology "automated procedure" describes the
set of algorithms that are used to encapsulate all the activities necessary to perform DSC, and non DSC communication
events. The operator does not need to know anything about the existence of automated procedures in order to operate a
radio that makes use of these algorithms. Though the present document refers to items such as the "Sending Distress
Automated Procedure" such language shall not appear on the user interface of the equipment.
The primary purpose of DSC signalling is to provide the means to set-up subsequent communications between vessels
and/or coast stations. A call may be considered as being the total duration from the start of the DSC signalling until the
end of the subsequent communications, and the automated procedure is terminated.
The operational functionality described in the present document has the objective of not disturbing any ongoing call.
Furthermore, the equipment shall assist the operator by providing simple audible indication of a received DSC call
whilst the equipment is engaged and if that received DSC call is of a higher priority than the call in progress then the
equipment shall be capable of displaying the information of this new call.
6.2 Non-automated features
6.2.1 DSC Message Composition
The equipment shall provide factory default values for all non-distress DSC messages as specified in Recommendation
ITU-R M.493-15 [2], annex 3 and summarized in figure A.1 for all parameters where the operator has the option to
select or enter more than one value and has not already done so.
The default values for the operator-composed distress alert shall be the default distress alert as specified in the sent
distress automated procedure.
A destination MMSI that does not have at least 9 digits entered is invalid.
No DSC message shall be able to be sent that has an invalid parameter.
For simplicity of the user interface:
a) the DSC message composition interface shall be such that the operator needs no user manual to initiate the
desired DSC message;
b) parameter descriptions and terms shall be provided in plain language;
c) all parameters of the DSC message that do not require an operator choice shall be entered automatically;
d) guidance and/or prompting shall be provided for the entry of any necessary parameters of the DSC message if
these parameters and/or their values are not plainly visible from context or on the display.
For data entry:
a) the equipment shall only allow the operator to compose and send DSC messages that are compliant with
clause 5.2.4;
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14 ETSI EN 300 338-5 V1.3.1 (2020-06)
b) acknowledgements shall be automatically composed by the equipment and user options for these
acknowledgements are provided by the automated procedures;
c) the equipment shall provide an automatic determination of the channel and or frequencies of subsequent
communication according to the algorithm given in Recommendation ITU-R M.493-15 [2], annex 3 and
summarized in annex B.
The automated channel selection shall b
...