ATIS problem

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argus

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I intend to go to Holland this year and use the inland waterways.

I have applied for an ATIS number (9infront of MMSI) I had intended to put this number into my Cobra H325 Handheld vhf, it would be transmitted each time I press talk as is required in RAINWAT states.

Reading the blurb from OFCOM I find that I will not then be able to use this radio within 14 miles of the British coast.

As removing the number requires specialist equipment, has anyone found a way of dealing with this problem I do not want to buy another handheld.

Peter
 
Hi Peter,

No help whatsoever for you I'm afraid, rather adding to your question..

First, I confess I have not RTFM, but with Raymarine 54E fixed DSC VHF, how do I get the ATIS number in there?? Does it replace my MMSI or is it in addition to MMSI? I do not want to have to remove the set from the boat for a manufacturer reset having entered my MMSI number when I bought the set last year!!
 
By the way there are only 2 countries that you can legally use a handheld with all the channels as if it was a fixed radio(for the purposes of ATIS regs).They are Holland & SWitzerland.You are only allowed to use channels 15 & 17 in the rest of the countries covered by the Basel agreement,& what use they are I have no idea.
A friend has bought a H/H & had it programmed to use as an ATIS set.The question has been asked how will anyone know that you are calling from a H/H & not from a fixed radio.There has been no answer as yet.Some H/Hs allow user to switch ATIS on/off.You should ask your supplier/maker re your set.
 
Argus, I have the same task as you as I am also planning a visit to Dutch Inland waters. I understand that the ATIS identity is programmed into the US Channel side of the radio which allows the user to switch between the two ie ATIS on the US side and DSC on the INT side. I also understand that some radios need to be programmed by the manufacturer to do this but that at least one model, the Nexus NX 2000, allows the user to programme the ATIS identity in to the US side by holding CH16 button down along with the Scroll down button. This brings up a menu which allows entry of the ATIS number. I emphasise that I have not yet done this myself; but relay the above from advice received from a supplier. If anyone else has already done this, it would be useful to hear it. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
understand that the ATIS identity is programmed into the US Channel side of the radio
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This is not universal and may only a;pply to the circuit boards and firmware in YOUR radio which maybe be shared with some other labels.

In the case of Icom they provide a third band in addition to INT and USA and the third band is labelled ATIS however they do not disable scan or dual watch in ATIS band which is illegal to use on inland waters where ATIS applies.
 
Thanks Gentlemen for your interest I have to admit to being no further forward.

I think I may do as advised by an RYA instructor I spoke to recently - switch both radios off whilst in the waterways, as I understand zero "Dutch / Flemish" anyway and I don't remember using the vhf last time I was in Holland 2005.

At least I can buy a Porta potti and use it legally - although I haven't yet looked up the EU rules on that.

Peter
 
>>> I think I may do as advised by an RYA instructor I spoke to recently - switch both radios off whilst in the waterways, ...................... <<

Yes, this is what we propose doing the next time we transit the French canals. I asked the RYA whether one HAD to have a VHF or, if you had one but disabled it, you were still legal on ATIS affected waterways, but didn't get a definitive answer.

Frankly I suspect they don't actually know ..... yet! As far as I can determine from reading the regulations on ATIS, there is nothing to suggest that you HAVE to have a vhf radio aboard or, if you do, that you must use it. Certainly if you have a vhf that you intend using it must be ATIS compliant.

If it's of interest, these are the questions I asked of Offcom recently, followed by their reply:

" ATIS/RAINWAT legislation

Following a telephone conversation with another branch of Ofcom this
morning, I was advised to contact you to obtain help in trying to clarify
several points that are concerning many pleasure boat owners with regard to
this new Europe-wide legislation?

Lengthy web searches, discussions with the RYA (Royal Yachting Association)
and reading the Act implementing the scheme, have not supplied definitive
answers to the following:

1. Is it a requirement of the Act that a small vessel (for example a
pleasure craft less than 20 metres ) MUST carry a vhf when transiting the
European waterways included in the Act?

2. Is a small vessel, equipped with a non-DSC radio that is unable to be
modified to use ATIS, deemed to be breaking the law under the Act if it is
temporarily rendered unusable during the transit of the waterways?

3. Is a vessel equipped with a fully compliant DSC/ATIS vhf radio
actually required to use it ,and if so, under what circumstances? It is
not currently mandatory for small vessels to use radio on many of the
waterways affected by the Act?

4. If a vessel is currently en-passage or is over-wintering on the
waterways covered the Act, now obliged to remain where it is until a
suitable radio (or radio upgrade) can be purchased and the appropriate ATIS
number is issued by Ofcom or may it proceed without penalty? The RYA
suggest have said that while a suitable radio might be purchased in the
European country where a vessel is at present, that radio may not comply
with UK regulations (different channel allocations etc) when the vessel
returns to the UK.

5. There have been rumours that boats under 7.00 metres long overall are
exempt under the new Act. Can you confirm this?

6. Can you advise where a final version of the complete Act in English
can be obtained?

I appreciate that this legislation was not promulgated by the UK government,
and that Ofcom and others are trying to mitigate the effect on UK citizens
by helping them comply, but any help and clarification you can provide would
be of considerable help for those planning to use the waterways in the
coming months.

Kind regards, ""


Offcom'd reply:-


"" Thank you for your enquiry about the operation of ATIS. I shall answer each of your questions in turn.

1. The radio that any vessel must carry will be stipulated by the law of the country in question. Boaters should therefore consult the relevant authorities in the country or countries that they plan to visit, to ensure that they comply, just as we expect visiting boaters to comply with UK regulation.

2. The Basel Arrangement covers the use of the ATIS radio system. Any requirement to have ATIS radio fitted or any ban on boats without ATIS radio will be stipulated in the law of the country in question.

3. Again, this will depend on the law of the country in question, rather than on the Arrangement though it is odd to think that a radio would not be used if it were available.

4.1 If a country requires ATIS radio to be fitted, then, a vessel is likely to be in breach of that law if it fails to fit the correct apparatus. Internationally, any ship radio station must be covered by a licence issued by its home country. We achieve this by issuing licences under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006. If a vessel is registered in the UK, any apparatus that is installed or used on it must be covered by a WT Act licence.

4.2 As most UK vessels do not sail on waterways covered by the Basel Arrangement and we have yet to accede to the Arrangement, the normal WT Act licence for ship stations does not cover ATIS equipment. Licensees must request a formal variation to the UK ship radio licence, to fit or use ATIS equipment.

4.3 The conditions of the variation include the requirement not to use the ATIS equipment in UK waters. This is because UK coastguard radio is not set up for ATIS. Moreover, I am aware that the Dutch, for example, require radios to use the channel 157.550 MHz to contact canal authorities. However, this channel has been assigned to another user in the UK, so we cannot permit its general use here.

5. This is my understanding of the law in Belgium. However, boaters must satisfy themselves of the requirements in Belgium and, indeed, any in other country.

6. As we say in the letter that covers the notice of variation, the English version of the arrangement is available on the RAINWAT website at www.rainwat.bipt.be/Documenten/wijziging18_09_2007/REGIONAL%20ARANGEMENT_english2007sept.doc. It is a condition that a copy of the Arrangement be carried with the ship radio licence.

I hope that this is helpful. """

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As I indicate above, I suspect that definitive answers are not yet possible and that a 'bedding in' period will be necessary before the actual actions and reactions of different countries become apparent.

It would be of great help to us all if those transitting European waterways this season, report back on here on their experiences.
 
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