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Have read the thread from 2012 on this and wondered if a means of doing this without the faff of going to a dealer has emerged in the intervening 8 years? I have read some get-arounds for other models but not for the Icom.
Changing MMSI in Icom m505?
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- Start date
yachtbits
Well-Known Member
No get around. Cables and software only supplied to dealers as the same kit also allows frequency programming.
Beneteau381
Well-Known Member
I presume you are trying to change because you are the new owner? But I thought the mmsi was the same whoever the owner is?
Keith-i
Well-Known Member
Can be done with a home brew cable and copy of software but getting the software is the hard bit.
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Formerly French registered boat.
rszemeti
Well-Known Member
Why not just take it to your local Icom dealer? They are usually more than helpful.
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Because it's inconvenient.
PilotWolf
Well-Known Member
I think they require hook up to a computer. You might find a back street place or see if you can ship to Icom. I've only dealt with Icom USA for a telephone query but ICom Uk very always excellent fro marine and ham radio issues.
For to be worth a phone call?ther maybe a series of button presses you can do but I doubt it - partially because it'll take business from them.
Have you searched EBay etc. for programming software?
W.
neilf39
Well-Known Member
I think you will have to put up with it being inconvenient. If you send it to Icom they will do it for a small fee. Last time I sent them mine with a fault it came back within a couple of days. Is it more inconvenient than buying a new radio?
rszemeti
Well-Known Member
Your other option would be to form a company, and register as an Icom dealer and purchase the programming software ... which to me seems less convenient, but each to their own.
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That may be the only other option known to you. My hope was that someone may know a way such as I have seen for other VHFs involving placing resistors across terminals. Clearly you don't but I do wonder why you then bothered replying when it was patrntly obvious in my initial post that I was aware of the possibility of going to a dealer.
rszemeti
Well-Known Member
I know of several other options, I just thought the "take it to a dealer" option would be the easiest for you.
FlyingGoose
Well-Known Member
Had to send my ais unit to digital yacht for reprogramming 65 pounds return postage , I was told it was to stop people messing about with this number as it was important for the info related to this number , I appreciate this is not what you asked but hacks to change a n expensive item and if it goes wrong seems a waste, no doubt it can be done but I would be careful just me
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"...without the faff of going to a dealer..."
There's a clue in there somewhere.
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The thing is it's not really an expensive item compared to most marine, or indeed other, electronics. I'm all for manufacturers wanting a return on their investment but when the customer is deliberately frustrated in this way for no rational reason (and I don't buy the security argument...have a go once but not again? Nonsense) I'm inclined to try and subvert the systems which, IMO, cross the line between reasonable precautions and exploitative practice. Sometimes I win, sometimes I don't. Time will tell.
FlyingGoose
Well-Known Member
As far as I am aware is the the number needs changed by the manufacturer to allow no mistakes or other numbers put in place , its an interesting challenge to understand , I have found this on the US government site that kind of explains it better than I can but as usual the UK for info is hard to find , anyways good luck in your challenges
MMSI Overview
Maritime Mobile Service Identities (MMSIs) are nine digit numbers used by maritime digital selective calling (DSC), automatic identification systems (AIS) and certain other equipment to uniquely identify a ship or a coast radio station. MMSIs are regulated and managed internationally by the International Telecommunications Union in Geneva, Switzerland, just as radio call signs are regulated. The MMSI format and use is documented in Article 19 of the ITU Radio Regulations and ITU-R Recommendation M.585-6, available from the ITU.
Maritime Mobile Service Identity
ITU: Committed to connecting the world
duncan99210
Well-Known Member
The reason that you can’t change the MMSI is buried in the ITU regulations. They specify a one time entry for the MMSI for end users: only registered service centres can wipe the entered MMSI and insert a new one. This requirement is apparently aimed at making it difficult for ship owners to change ships identities without keeping the authorities informed. It’s had an unintended effect on the leisure market where the trade in second hand electronics requires you to take your kit to a dealer for changes. Nothing to do with exploitative manufacturers, more to do with big brother.
rszemeti
Well-Known Member
It may be worth just pointint out that the EU and the USA interpretation of the ITU rules are slightly different. The EU will allow owner/user entry, but no possibility for changing once set ... the USA require it to be set by a dealer.
As it happens, the 505 (european) version was available firmware that at one point allowed the option of a allowing ONE change of MMSI by the owner, and after that it was locked down and needed a dealer to reset it. The software version after that did not allow that,
As it happens, the 505 (european) version was available firmware that at one point allowed the option of a allowing ONE change of MMSI by the owner, and after that it was locked down and needed a dealer to reset it. The software version after that did not allow that,
