Importing VHF Set

[Neddie_Seagoon]

I am interested in the Standard Horizon CPV350 which I can't find for sale in the UK. Any problems I might face in importing such a unit from the US (besides duties and UK support) - I am thinking about VHF licencing legalities etc.

Thanks,

Steve

 

[Solitaire]

Any set imported from the US must be CE marked for European use. Jon Brooks will no doubt be along to give you precise details on the set you mention as he is the dealer manager for Standard Horizon. Also be aware that it may not carry any gurantee in the UK if you do go ahead.

 

[Talbot]

Nothing in the handbook that mentions CE or EU, It does however allow you to select an international set of vhf frequencies. Ask Jon for the definitive answer.

However, it is waterproof.

 

[SimonJ]

ICOM told me off the record that the EU and US models are made to the same standards of manufacturing but tested to EU and US standards as appropriate. A product for either market would pass either test. Presumably the same applies to Standard Horizon products. So a set from USA will not have an EU marking. Strictly, you will be told such a set is illegal in Europe as it probably is. But why? Eurocracy at its worst.
If you are going to (and who knows you might one day) sail in USA and Canada as well as Europe you will need a US VHF so that you can work US and Canadian channels when in those areas. Why should it be illegal to have such a set? What do merchant ships that ply International waters have?
Those who speak loudest on this are usually the UK distributors who wish to protect their markets and always speak of illegagility and reliabilty etc.
If they are that concerned about guarantees and reliability of the US version, the same concerns must apply to the almost identical EU one - simple, do not buy a EU one either from such a company.
I am in my 7th year of extended cruising with a US sourced ICOM VHF. It has been invaluable and was half the UK equivalent cost!
Go ahead, get a US VHF. If you are lucky you may even escape Duty/vat, especially if sent as a present!

 

[dmayes]

I believe that it is legal for a USA registered yacht to use a USA conforming VHF while in European waters and it will work fine but if a UK or European registration is taken out then it is illegal to use the USA conforming set and you have to buy a European set. There are some differences in the channels used but most Euro sets can be set to operate USA channels when is USA waters and most USA sets can be set to use "International" channels, which means European to them, mainly M1 and M2 plus USA weather channels.

 

[davierobb]

I bought an icom unit from west marine last year. Its not ce approved but this does not worry me. As mentioned you are in effect buying without a warranty, its up to you to judge whether the savings justify this.

The scare mongers will dwell on the lack of CE marking which in practice is a worthless paperwork execrates and is only used as a tool to create/segregate separate markets between Europe and the us

The only negitive on the icom is it can't be switched between us and international frequency sets. In practice this means that I can call marinas on ch 80 but cant receive from them. Since the unit you are looking at can be switched between us and international channel sets then this is not a problem for you.

 

[beneteau_305_553]

West Marine are offering the Icom 422 at 200 USD.

This unit can be switched between USA , or international chanel frquencies and its a great piece of kit.

 

[Bilgediver]

I find it difficult to believ the Icom can not be switched to International channels. Some Icom hand sets dial through the US channels then through the International consequetivly

Please note that a radio set for US channels has certain problems in International and UK waters. Just check your hand book and you will see that power is reduced to 1 watt on channel 67. Not something most of us would want and if you are asked by port control to go to channel 20 you will also have a problem as in the USA channels 20 to 28 are set up as simplex where over here they are duplex !!!!!

Yes you can buy sets in the USA but be sure you know what the inbuilt processor is doing as the set may not be doing what you are used to.

Most Icoms and Standard Vertex and Midland do have both USA and International so be sure this is what you look for and make sure the radio defaults to International every time switched on once set. Some don't and have to be reset every time.

Don't confuse ce marking with UK type approval!!!!!!!!


John

 

[gandy]

[ QUOTE ]
I find it difficult to believ the Icom can not be switched to International channels. Some Icom hand sets dial through the US channels then through the International consequetivly

[/ QUOTE ] More likely that it can be tuned to International channels, but not to the UK-only M1, M2 channels. If that matters to you.

 

[Bilgediver]

Missing M1 and M2 is no big deal as most marinas cater for our overseas visitors and operate on CH80 however many of the USA sets can be programmed for M1 and M2 .. Note this is NOT tuning but programming. These radios are microprocessor controlled and do what the processor tells them You just need to know how to instruct it. Sometimes a dealer may help if he has the software.

 

[Guest]

VHF Licencing ? Can't remember ever having to actually state the set and serial numbers etc.
If I remember rightly - I just indicated the number of each I had ... 1 fixed and 1 portable ....

The only point I would be carefulo about is the US vs Int. Channels and that you do get Duplex on eg 20 and up etc.

 

[SimonJ]

ALL US sets CAN be switched to International, Canadian and US channels as required. Indeed, up until the EU mandated (why?) & tested sets arrived in Europe, these items could be purchased in Europe.
US sets give all the functions and more.

 

[powerskipper]

I was led to believe, that the only real difference between USA and our UK spec ones was that UK etc specked ones have a clear guard band width around channel 16, where as the us ones allow the use of this frequency for on board ship communication with a limited power out put I think, but there is a chance it could interfere with channel 16 transmissions.

 

[BrendanS]

It depends. There is a DSC class SC101 available in the US, which is a cut back version of the DSC Class D for leisure boaters. This SC101 class is not generally recognised internationally (not in EU certainly), so you have to be clear which class of US VHF you are purchasing

 

[Guest]

Re: Importing VHF Set - Guard Band ...

This is International Reqt and not just UK.

The "on-board" chnls as you mention are listed as ch. 15 + 17 and auto restrict to 1 watt .... there are no others in that ctaegory internationally or US / UK .....

But I'm sure you already knew that ? You only have to check the Channel Table in the last pages of the bumph that comes with your Ship Station Licence. Then look at any Web_site that lists out US chnls ...... (I'm lucky - I have loads of docs from ships etc. to refer to that show this clearly ....)

 

[beneteau_305_553]

If the radio is set to USA channels the output will automaticaly be set to low power on 15 and 17. When you set it to international the channel frequencies and power are the same as a radio supplied in the UK.

M1 and M2 may not be available as these are not international frequencies, they are UK only.

The Standard Horizon radio and chartplotter seems a good idea but check that Int chanels are available. Also check the DSC functions as some sets have a crude dsc operation .

I personally would go for a seperate radio and chartplotter. Get the best radio you can and add the chartplotter you need. All in one unit means that with one fault you loose everything.