The Coast Guard's VHF-FM National Distress System: analysis for recapitalization.

Abstract

Twenty years ago the U. S. Coast Guard established the National Distress System (NDS) of VHF-FM remote-controlled transceivers to provide nationwide maritime distress coverage and Coast Guard C2 communications. The NDS was designed to provide radio coverage along the coasts, the inland waterways, and the Great Lakes. The current NDS equipment is reaching the end of its useful life and the new requirements placed upon the system have mandated its replacement. In this thesis the author first details the C2 structure of the Coast Guard and identifies its major missions, and then relates history of the NDS. An examination of the NDS' current configuration is performed, the requirements are identified, and applicable technology is explored.