Hey Olly, radio question

by **jehler** » Mon Sep 08, 2014 5:43 pm

i just ordered a Standard Horizon HX851handhled radio for the tender. it has that gps/dsc shit for mayday calls. will that work right out of the box if i push it or do I need to have a mmsi license and enter it into the radio?

by **Olly** » Mon Sep 08, 2014 7:17 pm

jehler wrote:i just ordered a Standard Horizon HX851handhled radio for the tender. it has that gps/dsc shit for mayday calls. will that work right out of the box if i push it or do I need to have a mmsi license and enter it into the radio?

DSC only works if you have a MMSI number to identify you. It's free to get the number, it's like a telephone number.

by **jehler** » Mon Sep 08, 2014 7:18 pm

Get it from the FCC?

by **Olly** » Mon Sep 08, 2014 7:22 pm

jehler wrote:Get it from the FCC?

A few different ways. This PDF explains it.

MMSIpamphlet.pdf

by **Olly** » Mon Sep 08, 2014 7:24 pm

You can also go here.

http://www.boatus.com/mmsi/instruct.htm

Or here if you want to cut out the middle man.

https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsEntry/licManager/login.jsp

by **jehler** » Mon Sep 08, 2014 8:25 pm

Ok, so if I'm reading this right, if I want this thing to work in Canadian waters, or be picked up by Canadian coast gaurd I need to get my mmsi from the FCC not through a boaters US or something, and I'll need to become a RROP, is that correct? And would I get a number for the barge and the tender and the layout or just the barge and add 2 portable radios?!?

by **Olly** » Mon Sep 08, 2014 8:49 pm

jehler wrote:Ok, so if I'm reading this right, if I want this thing to work in Canadian waters, or be picked up by Canadian coast gaurd I need to get my mmsi from the FCC not through a boaters US or something, and I'll need to become a RROP, is that correct? And would I get a number for the barge and the tender and the layout or just the barge and add 2 portable radios?!?

For it to work in Canadian waters all you need is a MMSI number, they use the same system as us.

You can get the number anywhere, if you go through a 3rd party all they do is register on your behalf to the FCC. All MMSI numbers are kept in the FCC database.

No need to have a RROP license.

You will have a different MMSI number for every radio that is DSC equipped. Each radio can only be preogrammed once with the MMSI number, you can have more than one MMSI number to your name.

by **Olly** » Mon Sep 08, 2014 9:01 pm

Disregard what I said about the Canada deal ONLY if you intend to send DSC traffic (non-emergency) to Canadian vessels. If you want to send DSC traffic back and forth with Canadian vessels you will need a license.

by **jehler** » Mon Sep 08, 2014 9:03 pm

Ok, cool, as i am reading It the number is more about the boat then the radio or the person, so I'm assuming I could use one boat for three radios?

by **jehler** » Mon Sep 08, 2014 9:05 pm

Honestly I don't know what non emergency dsc is so I doubt I'll be using it

by **jehler** » Mon Sep 08, 2014 9:07 pm

And feel free to move this to the gear forum or wherever it should be, am on tapatalk and didn't think to look

by **Olly** » Mon Sep 08, 2014 9:18 pm

jehler wrote:Honestly I don't know what non emergency dsc is so I doubt I'll be using it

You can actually send text message style messages back and forth over VHF with it. Or broadcast your location to other DSC users. I wouldn't worry about getting the license if you get in the shit and need to send out your lat and long both countries will recieve the signal in the same format. Just get your number from the FCC and program it into each radio you want to be identified with your boat.