I plan on taking a trip to the north channel in the future. Wondering if I can just turn off the DSC function when I enter Canadian waters? Or do I have to get the FCC license?

Yep a pretty easy job, all you have to do is get the wiring color code for both the GPS and radio. On mine the blue wire from the gps went to the blue wire on the radio, and the green wire from the radio went to the black ground for the gps. Then you go into the Garmin menus and set up NEMA 0183 on port 1. It seems that each manufacturer uses a different color code.

That last comment is correct, a DSC radio alerts boaters to distress calls and you can relay it to the GG or respond to it yourself, you might be much closer than the CG.

I have heard a distress call a few times on LI Sound while monitoring Ch 16, but DSC is faster and not subject to garbled transmissions. I do feel safer having the CG right in the middle of my boating area but the fact that other boaters can pick up your call (even when not monitoring Ch 16) adds to safety.

If you have a properly set up DSC radio, if a call comes over you will see their mmsi# and their lat/Lon location. It also automatically switches your VHF to Ch 16.