A feature-packed DSC Class D radio with Weather Alert!And you can only get it from West Marine!Our VHF585 Fixed-Mount Submersible VHF Radio is a real workhorse! You'll find all the basic features (and quite a few advanced ones as well), a microphone with channel buttons and a submersible design that removes any worry about operation when you're subjected to wind-driven spray and splashes. The large, backlit, full dot-matrix LCD display provides easy viewing of all the important information you'll need to make and receive calls. All this at a price that makes it a terrific value!Submersible DesignBuilt to withstand the toughest of environments, the VHF585 meets the highest submersible standards of IPX8, which means the radio can be submerged in 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes without damage.Digital Selective Calling FeaturesDigital Selective Calling (DSC) is a standard that allows you to call other stations usingtheir unique identification code (the Maritime Mobile Service Identity or MMSI number), just like you would call a phone number. To call another station, just enter that stationsMMSI number and choose the voice channel you want to talk on. The radio uses channel 70 to transmit your MMSI number to the other station along with the voice channel you requested. If the other station accepts your call, both radios automatically switch to the requested voice channel so you can talk to the other station.Advanced DSC FeaturesThe following DSC features are supported: Individual Call, Group Call, All Ships Call, Position Request, Position Send, Test Call, Name and MMSI Directory, Standby Mode and Received Call Log.Automated Distress CallsDSC provides a system for automated distress calls. At the touch of a button, the radio can transmit your MMSI number, the nature of your distress, and your current position based on data from your GPS receiver. The radio repeats the distress call every few minutes until it receives an acknowledgement.Weather Alert WatchIf you activate Weather Alert Watch while operating in normal mode, the radio checks the most recently-used National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather channel every seven seconds. If it detects a weather alert for your area, it will change the channel to the last-used