What are the mandatory DSC watchkeeping bands/channels?

• A. 6 MHz HF DSC, 2 other HF DSC, 1 MHz MF DSC and VHF Ch-16
• B. 12 MHz HF DSC, 1 other HF DSC, 3 MHz MF DSC and VHF Ch-13
• C. 4 MHz HF DSC, 0 other HF DSC, 2 MHz MF DSC and VHF Ch-70
• D. 8 MHz HF DSC, 1 other HF DSC, 2 MHz MF DSC and VHF Ch-70

Answer: (D)

DSC watchkeeping requires continuously monitoring specific frequencies so distress and routine DSC calls can be received reliably. The standard setup includes a primary HF DSC watch on 8 MHz, plus at least one additional HF DSC frequency as a backup. On the MF band, the DSC frequency to monitor is around 2 MHz. For VHF, the designated DSC channel is Channel 70. Channel 16 is the voice distress/calling channel, not a DSC watch channel, so it isn’t part of the mandatory DSC watchkeeping list. Therefore, the correct combination is 8 MHz HF DSC as the primary watch, one other HF DSC frequency, 2 MHz MF DSC, and VHF Channel 70.