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

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Author
Glidden, William C.
Date
1991-06Advisor
Boger, Dan C.
Second Reader
Buddenberg, Rex A.
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
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.