ATIS vhf radio - the cheapest option

Modulation

Modulation

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 May 2001
Messages
495
Location
finder
Visit site
We hope to go inland in Holland for a few weeks this summer. Been finding out all the specific requirements - and there are quite a few now now! Most are fairly easy to deal with but neither my handheld vhf or fitted Silva dsc vhf seem capable of being programmed for ATIS, and this is now essential , I believe.
Given that both existing radios are fairly new I want to spend the minimum possible. I f a new radio then handheld preferred (but not essential).
Done a bit of research but most dealers don't say much about ATIS.
Any ideas anyone?
Thanks
 
I'd go for a Standard Horizon HX751E handheld for £129 from JG Tech. They say it's user-programmable for ATIS, as opposed to dealer-programmable.

For £99 you can get an HX280E handheld, which is dealer-programmable, but it doesn't have a lithium ion battery, so I reckon it's worth spending £30 more and getting the HX751E.
 
If you phone ICOM customer service the guy is really helpful. Also OFCOM will help.Try phoning Standard Horizon who sell the radios with the mostest facilities. Apparently your MMSI needs to get sent abroad and comes back with an ATIS number. It`s surreal. You can use your VHF DSC set with your MMSI anywhere,if it`s the set installed in the ship. But you can`t use your VHF DSC set (hand held) outside British waters,even if you are sinking. (Wonder what would happen if you did by the way?) You can`t transmit with an ATIS (a data burst) in British waters.
Would someone who is completely up to date be kind enough to jot down the latest gen,would be appreciated by many I am sure,thanks Jerry.
 
brendanbergin said:
We hope to go inland in Holland for a few weeks this summer. Been finding out all the specific requirements - and there are quite a few now now! Most are fairly easy to deal with but neither my handheld vhf or fitted Silva dsc vhf seem capable of being programmed for ATIS, and this is now essential , I believe.
Given that both existing radios are fairly new I want to spend the minimum possible. I f a new radio then handheld preferred (but not essential).
Done a bit of research but most dealers don't say much about ATIS.
Any ideas anyone?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Whilst it's true legally you do need ATIS for Dutch inland, I spent 6 weeks last summer without it without a problem. I wouldn't worry.

As dutch marinas mostly use Ch 31 as calling channel, of more use is to get permission from OFCOM for Ch 31 to be added to your radios. A Notice of Variation of License is needed from OFCOM.
 
Many of the fixed VHF radios can have an ATIS number added by a dealer.My Icom cost £25 to have it done.You first have to apply to Ofcom for a Notice of Variation.This was easy to do on line and you will get the said notice and an Atis number(which is your MMSI number with a 9 infront.My radio (as are some of the new ones) is user programmable between Atis and DSC so you switch between on and the other when entering the inland waters.You also have to carry a copy of the Basel Agreement (36 pages)concerning Radiotelephone Service on Inland Waterways.It's just the stupid rules.
Dual watch is also banned under Atis.It is interesting that hand helds are being sold as Atis capable but without the manufacturer pointing out that the use of Atis hand helds
is limited to channels 15 and or 17 except in the Netherlands and Switzerland.So in theory you can't use it in say Belgium or France(I gather 15/17 are used by bigger commercial vessels).It really is a dogs dinner.Having done all that I didn't use my VHF when in the Dutch waterways either.As pointed out some marinas etc use 31 which we don't have and there were always people ready to direct you to a berth.Most of the Dutch places use the green sign system showing a berth or box available.I don't know how anyone would know whether you would be Atis calling on a fixed or a hand held VHF anyway.
 
ditchcrawler said:
Most of the Dutch places use the green sign system showing a berth or box available.I don't know how anyone would know whether you would be Atis calling on a fixed or a hand held VHF anyway.
Click to expand...
I believe that each time you end a transmission, your ATIS code is broadcast. You can hear it as a screach, but only the officials can decode.

I can only speak of Zealand but not many marinas use the Green/Red signs. Can only think of Tholen, of the places I have visited
 
Last edited:
What I was trying to get over was say if you were in Belgium not on channel 15/17,and assuming the handheld and the fixed radio use the same screech how do they know whether you have used a fixed radio or a hand held.(You could be seen on deck I suppose).In theory fixed is allowed and handheld is not.
 
I've been looking into this recently, from comments I've read etc it seems to be common practice to get the paperwork done so you've got an ATIS number and just leave it at that.

As previously said, you'll probably end up never needing to use the radio so it's a bit pointless spending money on the kit. There's a good chance you don't even speak Dutch :rolleyes:
 
this is getting more than a bit confusing!
I thought thar the point of ATIS was to ensure that the vessel was recognisable to people like lock and bridge keepers etc. Surely it's not possible to navigate Dutch waters without contacting them - and the ATIS system gives a data burst at the end of transmission. So what would be the point in having the ATIS no but not on a VHF.
Speaking Dutch isn't an issue - I only ever met 1 native who didn't speak very fluent English.
Also if Ch 31 is so useful, can a UK purchased set be reprogrammed with it easily?
Or is the simplest answer to get an ATIS no from OFCOM and buy a VHF when we get to somewhere like Breskens or Vlissingen?
 
You have to apply to Ofcom for a variation notice to have channel 31 added and only use it abroad.It is used for RNLI beach rescue here I understand. The lock and bridge opening times are listed in Vol 2 of the Dutch Waterways Almanac.It is in Dutch but you can decipher it.You are required by Dutch Law to carry Vol 1 Of the Dutch Waterways Almanac which is also in Dutch .Most of the locks open when the lights say so and you will wait around for a while,but there of plenty of places around to tie up.The only place I can remember using my VHF is at the Zeelandbrug going to Zierikzee.Having missed the opening I radioed the bridgekeeper and he came out to check that I could get under the fixed section where there is an electrical display showing height of apex from water.It looked close to me but he was waving me on.It helps if you know your waterline top of radio aerial heght !.If you can't have your existing radio atised a cheap handheld may be the way to go.I am sure you can do a deal where they will include it in the price.I wouldn't buy one in Holland as in the last 2 or 3 years their chandlery prices seemed to have leapt up.On coming back last summer I said I would not complain about English chandlery prices again.Don't forget your Schengen Forms.
 
brendanbergin said:
this is getting more than a bit confusing!
I thought thar the point of ATIS was to ensure that the vessel was recognisable to people like lock and bridge keepers etc. Surely it's not possible to navigate Dutch waters without contacting them - and the ATIS system gives a data burst at the end of transmission. So what would be the point in having the ATIS no but not on a VHF.
Speaking Dutch isn't an issue - I only ever met 1 native who didn't speak very fluent English.
Also if Ch 31 is so useful, can a UK purchased set be reprogrammed with it easily?
Or is the simplest answer to get an ATIS no from OFCOM and buy a VHF when we get to somewhere like Breskens or Vlissingen?
Click to expand...

there are few marinas that solely use Ch31 and are the exception.
Breskens for instance have a phone on the reception pontoon, its just a case of temp moor up & contact the Tr.
Why do folk read more into requirements than is needed. we are occasional visitors spending our "hard earned" on a Dutch Holiday & not residents expected to have all the chitties.
i do not have an ATIS set & see no reason to get one.
 
As a dutchman I can say that ATIS is officially needed in The Netherlands. Costs to get ATIS on my VHF costs me 200 euro's so quit a lot of money.
With ATIS they can identify which vessels are transmitting and in cases of sending false requests you will get a fine. In the past a lot of people were sending false requests for help which costs the coastgard a lot of money. These false requests are the reason for the ATIS.

For visitors I would say don't do it cause it is a lot of money. You can make your of your VHF without ATIS without any problem. The bridgeguard or lock can say to you that they are missing the ATIS without a consequence for you. The only problem could be if the customs coming on board to check your vessel for different things.

Next to the ATIS you officially need a wasttank but also in this case there are not everywhere places to empty your tank.

Also red diesel is not allowed but if you have the bills that you was in UK it's oke.

Last year the custom checked my boat when I came back from Dover. They checked if the boat was mine, I also think they noted my ATIS nr but they didn't care about red diesel and about the wast tank.

If you need more info let me know

grtz
 
Erwin Swart said:
As a dutchman I can say that ATIS is officially needed in The Netherlands. Costs to get ATIS on my VHF costs me 200 euro's so quit a lot of money.
With ATIS they can identify which vessels are transmitting and in cases of sending false requests you will get a fine. In the past a lot of people were sending false requests for help which costs the coastgard a lot of money. These false requests are the reason for the ATIS.

For visitors I would say don't do it cause it is a lot of money. You can make your of your VHF without ATIS without any problem. The bridgeguard or lock can say to you that they are missing the ATIS without a consequence for you. The only problem could be if the customs coming on board to check your vessel for different things.

Next to the ATIS you officially need a wasttank but also in this case there are not everywhere places to empty your tank.

Also red diesel is not allowed but if you have the bills that you was in UK it's oke.

Last year the custom checked my boat when I came back from Dover. They checked if the boat was mine, I also think they noted my ATIS nr but they didn't care about red diesel and about the wast tank.

If you need more info let me know

grtz
Click to expand...

Thank you
many UK sailors seem to like to get "as far under the bonnet as is possible" :rolleyes:.
Just the Sea boots sticking out :D:D
 
For contacting marinas a better investment is to unlock a mobile phone and buy a dutch sim card. Hide the radio as there is no requirement to have one. I had my SH programmed for ATIS (£32) - how do they know if you are broadcasting from a HH or fixed. Very little use made of it in 5 weeks last year.

Being more sensitive than Sailorman I did have a holding tank :p
 
brendanbergin said:
I thought thar the point of ATIS was to ensure that the vessel was recognisable to people like lock and bridge keepers etc. Surely it's not possible to navigate Dutch waters without contacting them
Click to expand...
In the 8 years, 6 months a year, we spent on the inland waterways there, I reckon we must have visited just about every part of the Netherlands that can be reached by boat. But we have never, ever been able to contact lock, brugmeisters etc by VHF, no matter which channel we used. But a quick call on the mobile, when necessary, produced a warm welcome and quick service. The numbers are listed in Vol 2 of the Almanak.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top