Jabs
Well-Known Member
If I buy a hand held VHF with DSC do I program in the boats MMSI or does Ofcom allocate a new unique MMSI to me and my VHF?
Thanks.
Tony
Thanks.
Tony
Handheld DSC VHF MMSI Number?
- Thread starter Jabs
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nigelmercier
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- Live in Kent, boat in Canary Islands
You get a new one.
pvb
Well-Known Member
You need to apply for a Ship Portable Radio Licence.
Boo2
Well-Known Member
You get a new "MMSI for VHF DSC portable radio" number (as opposed to a plain MMSI number) and a "T" number which is specific to HH VHFs and is instead of the call sign that would be allocated to a yacht.
Boo2
Boo2
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l'escargot
Well-Known Member
You mustn't use a ships radio MMSI in a handheld. Info here: http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/radiocommunication-licences/ships-radio/faq/vhf-faq/
rivonia
Well-Known Member
Interesting..... When you consider that the purpose of using the dsc on a hand held COULD be because the ships radio is de-funct and so HAVE to use the H/H. In which case it would make sense to use the same MMSI number ??
Jabs
Well-Known Member
That was my thought. But I could be on another vessel, I guess.
So instead of just adding it to my Ofcom license, I have to start all over again!
Tony.
l'escargot
Well-Known Member
The problem is that a number of other countries will not permit the use of handheld DSC radios so they have to have a territorial limit on their use - UK waters only. Ships Radio licences are international and unrestricted, hence the introduction of the handheld specific DSC licence to impose this restriction - they are not licenced for use outside of the 12 mile limit. It also means that if they are used on different vessels, which can be quite usual for a handheld, they will not send out incorrect details.
rivonia
Well-Known Member
Well theres another problem then. What about all those bods like me who live aboard and are living overseas? may have a hand held with DSC? I have not got one by the way, just a standard H/H
ukmctc
Well-Known Member
You can get another one for a hand held radio, or don't bother its a handheld and the range is too low (not far enough), they will be able to see you before they can hear you.
prv
Well-Known Member
Errm, yes?
It's a problem, that's well acknowledged by all concerned. OFCOM have done the best they can by creating rules for UK waters, but they can't change the situation in other countries.
That FAQ page suggests that international standards are nearing completion, at which point they should become legal everywhere, but the bureaucracy on these things grinds exceeding slow.
Pete
l'escargot
Well-Known Member
You can't operate it on a UK licence, down to Johnny Foreigner not agreeing international authorisations yet...
Boo2
Well-Known Member
It still gets added to "your" Ofcom Licence in that your name will still be the licensee, but you do get another .pdf to store and print off
Boo2
david_bagshaw
Well-Known Member
unless I have it wrong....
you get a t number etc if you want to use the radio on different boats.
you can add the dsc set to your own licence then only use it on your ship.
But the site doesn't issue you with a mmsi, but expects you to enter one, starting with 2359....
I am awaiting an answer from off com sent earlier this afternoon, so I can programme my new set
you get a t number etc if you want to use the radio on different boats.
you can add the dsc set to your own licence then only use it on your ship.
But the site doesn't issue you with a mmsi, but expects you to enter one, starting with 2359....
I am awaiting an answer from off com sent earlier this afternoon, so I can programme my new set
l'escargot
Well-Known Member
From the FAQs:
"You must have a separate Ship Portable Radio Licence for each hand held VHF DSC radio... So, it cannot be covered by a normal Ship Radio Licence..."
When you apply for this licence on line it will issue you an MMSI number for the handheld.
You can then use it on any boat you want, including your own, on that licence.
Stork_III
Well-Known Member
Good job somebody knows how to access the OFCOM site, keep up the good work.
david_bagshaw
Well-Known Member
/The of com site suggests otherwise here
http://ask.ofcom.org.uk/help/spectrum/mmsi
and also on the page declaring equipement
see alsohttps://services.ofcom.org.uk/faqs?faqcat=shipradio&faqgrp=6#0017
if it doesn't display the relevant para
How do I know if I need a Ship Portable or Ship Radio licence?
If you wish to use a handheld radio only then you will be required to apply for a Ship Portable Radio licence. Instead of a call sign (applicable to vessels) you will be provided what is known as a T-number which will enable you to use your portable radio on board any vessel.
If you own a vessel and you have radio equipment that is fixed to the vessel you will need to apply for a Ship Radio licence. If you intend to use a handheld radio as well as fixed radio equipment on board your vessel, this can be registered under the same Ship Radio licence application as the fixed equipment but be advised that it will licensed for use on this vessel alone.
http://ask.ofcom.org.uk/help/spectrum/mmsi
and also on the page declaring equipement
see alsohttps://services.ofcom.org.uk/faqs?faqcat=shipradio&faqgrp=6#0017
if it doesn't display the relevant para
How do I know if I need a Ship Portable or Ship Radio licence?
If you wish to use a handheld radio only then you will be required to apply for a Ship Portable Radio licence. Instead of a call sign (applicable to vessels) you will be provided what is known as a T-number which will enable you to use your portable radio on board any vessel.
If you own a vessel and you have radio equipment that is fixed to the vessel you will need to apply for a Ship Radio licence. If you intend to use a handheld radio as well as fixed radio equipment on board your vessel, this can be registered under the same Ship Radio licence application as the fixed equipment but be advised that it will licensed for use on this vessel alone.
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Boo2
Well-Known Member
That is the help page for people who already have a Ship Radio Licence who want to add DSC to a vessel without DSC.
Yes, as I said above, you need to register your HH DSC VHF with Ofcom. This will get you a Ship Portable Radio Licence, which will have a T-number (instead of a call sign) and a new "MMSI for VHF DSC portable radio" number (instead of a plain MMSI number). All as per my post #4 above.
Boo2
prv
Well-Known Member
Rossynant
Well-Known Member
Yeah, but... I can use any spare radio on board in case the main one packs-up. So I can use the handheld as emergency back-up. So I can program handheld with my boats MMSI (issued already for stationary unit) for emergency calls. Who cares?
Going out of the boat I may disable this function, so will be 'legal'. It all depends for what use the radio is intended.
Should it be used as separate, even on other boats - then another license is naturally needed, for the number to be different. And no worries that "it's only legal in UK" - in Poland last year there was no license available for handhelds - legalities not catching up with reality - but handhelds were in use. They work regardless of paperwork, it seems
Going out of the boat I may disable this function, so will be 'legal'. It all depends for what use the radio is intended.
Should it be used as separate, even on other boats - then another license is naturally needed, for the number to be different. And no worries that "it's only legal in UK" - in Poland last year there was no license available for handhelds - legalities not catching up with reality - but handhelds were in use. They work regardless of paperwork, it seems
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