JETSTREAM 3200 FLC DIVERTS TO JFK WHEN THE FO'S OUTER WINDOW PANEL SHATTERS. PIC MAKES NOTE OF COM PROBS WITH PHONE PATCH TO DISPATCHER VIA COMMERCIAL RADIO.

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ON FLT FROM IAD TO JFK AT APPROX PM35 AT CRUISE ALT OF 17000 FT; THE R FRONT WIND SCREEN OUTER PANEL SHATTERED. I TOLD THE FO TO DON HIS OXYGEN MASK. I THEN TOLD THE FO TO TAKE THE CTLS WHILE I DONNED MY OXYGEN MASK AND ESTABLISHED CREW COMS. I THEN CHKED THE CABIN PRESSURE; IT WAS HOLDING AT THE SET CABIN PRESSURE ALT. I THEN ASKED ATC FOR A LOWER ALT AND EXAMINED THE WINDOW AND CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS THE OUTER PANE. AS WE DSNDED I ALSO LOWERED THE CABIN PRESSURE. WE ASKED ATC FOR A PRECAUTIONARY LNDG AT JFK. AT THIS TIME I TRIED TO NOTIFY DISPATCH VIA COMMERCIAL RADIO. I TRIED SEVERAL TIMES ON 2 DIFFERENT FREQS BUT DID NOT GET A RESPONSE. THE FO THEN STATED HE WAS HAVING TROUBLE SEEING THROUGH HIS WINDSCREEN. WE RE-EVALUATED THE SIT AND DECIDED TO DECLARE AN EMER. AT THIS POINT I CALLED JFK OPS AND TOLD THEM OF OUR SIT AND TO NOTIFY DISPATCH; AND ASKED FOR ANY ASSISTANCE THEY OR MAINT CTL COULD PROVIDE. DISPATCH JUST INFORMED US TO CONTACT THEM UPON ARR AT JFK. WE THEN PROCEEDED TO JFK AND LANDED SAFELY WITH NO FURTHER INCIDENT.