Solitaire
Well-Known Member
There seems to be a number of people who cruise together. I was wondering if they had put the MMSI numbers in their directories. In fact, do any of you have your "mates" MMSI numbers? If not, why not?
MMSI's
- Thread starter Solitaire
- Start date
elton
Well-Known Member
Good idea, but it's too much of a faff.
Solitaire
Well-Known Member
More so that putting a number in a mobile phone?
Sandyman
Well-Known Member
I think basically because trying to store the numbers in my VHF is such a pain in the a**e
that I cant be bothered.
that I cant be bothered.
BrendanS
Well-Known Member
I do that on my computer and then sync it. Putting it into the mobile is too time consuming and difficult unless they 'ping' me a phone call or text, then I save the number. MMSI numbers fall into the same category. Too time consuming to do with lots of numbers on your average vhf set
I'd wonder how many people actually use that feature at all?
I'd wonder how many people actually use that feature at all?
Solitaire
Well-Known Member
Again, no different to putting in details on a mobile. Go to directory, put in the name then MMSI number - shimples!
Sandyman
Well-Known Member
Im sure it was & is a good idea but have you ever tried storing an MMSI in your VHF ???
Solitaire
Well-Known Member
Yup, takes about 30 seconds. Depending on the what I choose as to use as the name - boat name, or individual.
BrendanS
Well-Known Member
That's a challenge I'd love to see with a stop watch? You can put in a full name and MMSI number in 30 seconds?
Solitaire
Well-Known Member
I can do it in less - but used 30 secs as an average. It does depend on the unit, some are quicker than others. The best I've done is 20 seconds. The slowest units are some of the ICOM units - those where you have to scroll as opposed to the bigger sSTS where you rotate the large "KNOB"
BrendanS
Well-Known Member
They've got a lot better then, but I still suspect most people won't do it unless they are going in an organised group. Poll time? with reason why people do and don't?
Solitaire
Well-Known Member
Ah, but the made even easier - you have a Group MMSI number. We have an allocated "0232....." number which for our cruise we issue to all participants. It is in fact similar to setting up a conference call. In this instance we only need one number to contact all vessels in the "fleet"
We will however put individual boat numbers into the lead boat set so we can position poll each boat if needs be.
BrendanS
Well-Known Member
Yes, they had Group MMSI numbers even a while back, and I understand organisers using it. The issue is getting individual boats to enter all the individual boats they want to contact. Far more likely on a cruise, where they have some motivation to do so, or individuals who contact friends boats on a regular basis. I still think most people who have the capability, don't often use it. A lot of people on here, by own admission, rarely use vhf contact to other boats, or so it seems from reading threads over many years.
Solitaire
Well-Known Member
I accept that. I also accept that VHF not used a great deal - remember, I am a VHF assessor and probably have more of a feel of boaters needs than most (I've been instructing for 6 years) as to VHF use. My reason for posting is to get a handle on why folks don't use individual MMSI's but still call their friends up via Ch16.
I have to say that there is a large charter operation that sails around the Solent whose' skippers warble on Ch16 when a directory of MMSI numbers for such an organisation would solve a lot of traffic on Ch16.
It is not brain surgery - I don't know if you are still involved with the PFPBC, but they could apply for a group MMSI and coordinate the group.
BrendanS
Well-Known Member
Hassle factor. It's one of the things used in psychology studies. Very easy to dial to 16 and press a button to call on 16 to see if there is a response. Programming in a number takes time, and the few that use Vhf sensibly, are probably the ones that have or will get training.
Large charter organisations, well, what motivation would they have. Are the charterers likely to use DSC, or would they have to be given individual guidance.
They could set things up to group broadcast to the fleet of boats, but not to the subset of fleet actually being used for a charter, so too difficult to do on a regular basis.
Large charter organisations, well, what motivation would they have. Are the charterers likely to use DSC, or would they have to be given individual guidance.
They could set things up to group broadcast to the fleet of boats, but not to the subset of fleet actually being used for a charter, so too difficult to do on a regular basis.
elton
Well-Known Member
I agree there are sound reasons for using MMSI. Unfortunately the hardware manufacturers have made just a little too inconvenient. I would like to be able to press a button to see and store the MMSI of a Ch16 caller. It's not rocket science is it? Why can't we do it?
BrendanS
Well-Known Member
In other words, borrow some mobile phone technology, and just store details of friends that call you. Then you can get them to give a quick call, stored, end of issue. Too difficult the way it is now. People have expectations from the mobile phone experience, and want to apply it to their vhf usage. Until that is there, only a few committed people will go to the bother of doing it the harder way. I'm happy to do it the hard way, but few of the majority of users would. Same as getting people trained up in the IT industry to support or programme for mainframes.
Elessar
Well-Known Member
I've never initiated an MMSI call. I'd need to get the manual out as it's unintuitive, and therefore I just can't be bothered.
I've never received an MMSI call either, bar the general ones.
If I'm going out of mobile phone range with other boats we just agree a working channel before we go and listen out on that. Why complicate things?
duncan
Well-Known Member
a fair few - and we finally got the small boat angling club sorted out with a Group number too.
it's certainly much easier to use a number from the menu than enter it - but then again it's also very easy to just call by name...
it's certainly much easier to use a number from the menu than enter it - but then again it's also very easy to just call by name...
benjenbav
Well-Known Member
I changed my vhf unit last year to a Raymarine one - can't remember the model. But it's pretty easy to add MMSI numbers as I found when playing with the set up. Only trouble is, I haven't got any mates to add their numbers.
