Icom DSC & GPS hand held VHF

[DougH]

Now that Icom are bringing out a new hand held radio with both DSC & GPS fitted it raises the question of what MMSI number do I use when in the tender.

I recall some discussion about this subject some months ago and I wonder what conclusion was arrived at.

Would be interested in all views.

 

[neale]

Now that Icom are bringing out a new hand held radio with both DSC & GPS fitted it raises the question of what MMSI number do I use when in the tender.

I recall some discussion about this subject some months ago and I wonder what conclusion was arrived at.

Would be interested in all views.

Standard Horizon launched one last year so it's the same thing. You get a separate MMSI for the handheld added to the main licence you have for the mothership. That's what I did anyway.

 

[mikemanor]

Separate Portable Licence

A DSC Handheld must be licensed separately as a Portable and not included on the Ships's licence for the very reason you mention. It will be given it's own MMSI which has a 9 after the country code eg 2359xxxxx

Full details on the Ofcom website

http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/radiocommunication-licences/ships-radio/faq/vhf-faq/

 

[DougH]

Thanks Guys.

Will contact the licensing authority when I purchase the Icom unit at the April launch.

 

[Thepipdoc]

Now that Icom are bringing out a new hand held radio with both DSC & GPS fitted it raises the question of what MMSI number do I use when in the tender.

I recall some discussion about this subject some months ago and I wonder what conclusion was arrived at.

Would be interested in all views.

Any reason for choosing the Icom over the Standard Horizon?

 

[DougH]

Any reason for choosing the Icom over the Standard Horizon?

I like Icom products.

 

[oceanfroggie]

It's a bit like Audi v Ford

 

[Thepipdoc]

It's a bit like Audi v Ford

I'm in the market for a vhf dsc handheld and was going to buy the Standard Horizon model.
I've checked out the Icom website and it seems the model they are going to introduce in April has a list price of £349 compared to the £230 for the SH. Is the Icom model likely to be that much better than the Standard Horizon?
(Genuine question)

 

[oceanfroggie]

I'm in the market for a vhf dsc handheld and was going to buy the Standard Horizon model.
I've checked out the Icom website and it seems the model they are going to introduce in April has a list price of £349 compared to the £230 for the SH. Is the Icom model likely to be that much better than the Standard Horizon?
(Genuine question)

Without knowing whch models it's hard to say They are both excellent manufactureres.

 

[Thepipdoc]

Without knowing whch models it's hard to say They are both excellent manufactureres.

http://www.icomuk.co.uk/News_Article/3508/17440/

and

http://www.piplers.co.uk/4498/Standard-Horizon-HX851E-WATERPROOF-HANDHELD-VHF-WITH-GPS-AND-DSC-.html

The Icom model hasn't yet been launched and I can't find specifications but maybe the good/bad bits can be gleaned from the description.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[oceanfroggie]

Without the specs its difficult to know if they are alike, but if they are the SH seems the 'no brainer' option at over 50% less cost, yet you will need to wait for the street rrp of the garmin as opposed to the press packs rrp/

To be honest I can't see how much 'real' use DSC and GPS in a hand held VHF set might be especially just for use with a tender (ie your smart phone probably already has a GPS). There are plenty of quality basic HH sets for £100-150 that won't break the bank if they get knocked about in a tender. I'd rather spend the extra bucks on higher spec fixed set for the mother ship, or a basic HH plus a separate PLB for the tender. Due to battery cycles, HH remain really a disposable commodoty despite NiMH and LI batteries improved longevity.

IMIO, Marketing tries to convince us to constantly upgrade and improve the specs of our beloved gadgets, but we usually end up just using the same buttons doing the same basic functions.