is a technology that seems to have never caught on. How many of you have ever even called another station specifically via DSC? Another case of something that technically could be done but had no particular value by itself. Correct me if I'm wrong.

AIS on the other hand, does have the specific advantage that Larry points out of being able to call a vessel by name and give some additional identifying info beyond 'vessel 5 miles on my port bow' kind of stuff that only some times worked.