VHF DSC Radio Simulator Mk3

About to attend a VHF course or apply for a VHF SRC licence?

Are you confident in using the full benefits of DSC, for calling and distress alerting?

Struggling to remember procedures which you learned on your radio course, but are not allowed to practice?

Just £19.95 provides unlimited radio practice, with no risk of false alerts.

Modern marine VHF radios offer the convenience and safety of Digital Selective Calling. Like many things in life, it’s easy when you know how, but can be hard to remember all the procedures.

Over 90% of sea schools and colleges offering the VHF Short Range Certificate (the operator’s licence), choose LightMaster software as the backbone of their courses. LightMaster has worked closely with the Royal Yachting Association, who are delegated to administer the scheme, since the first introduction of VHF DSC radios.

Most candidates for the SRC have learned on our software. Live equipment cannot be used for training, since it is illegal to issue false urgency and distress alerts, or even routine calls which are not on valid ships’ business. There are a few models of physical radio, which have been modified to prevent emissions, but they are expensive, must be used in wired pairs, and cannot simulate any contact with coast stations, such as distress acknowledgements. Their screens are also too small for convenient demonstration of procedures to students.

The LightMaster VHF DSC Simulator overcomes all of these limitations. The software displays, on the PC monitor or projector screen, a complete DSC radio set, plus a panel carrying another simplified set from which simulated alerts can be sent, and incoming alerts be displayed. On a single PC, the Simulator allows unlimited practice in generating and handling every type of alert, plus all the set-up and housekeeping functions of a real DSC radio. Volume, squelch and channel controls are fully operational, and all of the menu-driven functions are available for practice.

The LightMaster VHF DSC Simulator offers two different models of radio, so that students can identify those operations which are common to all models, and see how they might be differently presented by different sets. After working the two simulated radios, students should be able to cope with any alternative set, which they may encounter.

Schools which license two or more Simulators, can link them via a standard Windows network and transmit DSC alerts and speech between them. Alternatively they can opt to run each Simulator independently. One of the simulated sets is the Simrad RD68, which is also available as a ‘hard simulator’ or transmit-disabled set. Schools using a mix of hardware and software can offer continuity between models by opting for the RD68 hardware.

Ease of use, unlimited practice and low cost make the LightMaster VHF DSC Radio Simulator an invaluable aid to gaining vital experience. Order your CD today.

Prices

Individual student licence £19.95 – for personal study by one, named, individual only.

Professional licence for School or Club £59.95 per PC

For upgrades from previous versions, or for installations of more than 5 PCs, contact LightMaster to discuss licence options

See also – VHF DSC Tutorial and bargain TutorPlus pack

Minimum System Requirements

A PC running Windows 2000 or XP. CPU 800Mhz Pentium III or equivalent.

(Win 98 version available on request. Minimum PC, Pentium 1 or equivalent)

CD drive for software installation

Specifications

• No risk of false alerts at any time
• Choice of RS86 or RD68 radio model – Default can be selected at each start-up
• Can be resized to suit any PC screen or projector
• GPS simulator included. Positions are incorporated into distress alerts when operational
• May be run in standalone mode, with on-screen remote station, or on a network with several students monitored and controlled from an instructor station
• Allows coast station working. When networked, the instructor controls the coast station
• Optional network allows full speech practice between computers, using simulated handset with PTT switch
• Extensive instructional video clips and training documents on CD
• Networked systems store and display all incoming and outgoing alerts at the instructor station
• Easy for students at home or sea school
• Versatile for sea schools, colleges, clubs and organisations
• Professional features at a low, consumer level, cost