Portable VHF Radio - UK & Spain

[David Birchall]

Hello all.

I have a boat in the UK with a fixed VHF onboard. I have the license and the radio is registered correctly.

Im thinking to buy a portable handheld radio as well, to take with me on the boat in case of some serious issue where power is lost to the fixed radio. This seems like a sensible idea.

So I will buy one and register it with Ofcom as I did with the fixed radio.

My question though is this....

I have another boat that we keep in Menorca. It has a fixed radio that I have not used even once - there has never been a need.

When we head over there (very soon I hope), I was thinking it would be a good idea to take the portable handheld radio with me. For the same reasons as in the UK, it would be a backup for the fixed radio... just in case.

Does anyone know the implications of doing this. Is it allowed? The radio would be registered with Ofcom in the UK in my name, so would there be any issue in having it in Menorca?

Thanks for your input...

Dave

 

[Hurricane]

Yes, IMO, it is a good idea to have hand held VHF radios as a backup.
In fact, you will find yourself using them instead of the fixed radio.
The don't have the same range as the fixed but certainly good enough to use in a marina or at anchor.

I have 3 handheld sets on the boat.
Two are the more expensive DSC models and I wouldn't buy those again.
They have GPS receivers inbuilt so would work well in an emergency but the battery discharges much quicker than the non DSC models.
My third handheld is now 16 years old and still going strong.
All of them are Standard Horizon sets - I really rate Standard Horizon's kit and would always buy their radios over other manufacturers.

As far as licencing is concerned, you can add the handhelds to your existing licence.
However, if the handhelds are DSC, it is more complicated because each DSC handheld will need its own MMSI number.
OFCOM will issue you a special (I think it is something like a T code) sub-licence within your existing OFCOM licence.
Each sub-licence will have its own MMSI.
Not a problem but registering a DSC handheld is much more complicated than a normal handheld.
Another reason for sticking to non DSC.

So, my advice is buy a non DSC handheld - it would be cheaper than a DSC one anyway.

No problem using them in Spain/Menorca - that where I use mine.

Buy it in the UK though.
A bit illegal but here's a great advantage.
VHF radios bought in the uk have extra channels - M and M2 - mostly used by sailing clubs in the UK.
One benefit of having a handheld (not mentioned above) is communication between tender/shore and the boat.
Using channel M or M2 in Menorca would give you your own channel thus no interference from other users/boats.
That is assuming that the boat in Menorca has a UK bought VHF that also includes M and M2.
I'm sure I will get flamed for making this statement but it doesn't cost any more for a UK handheld vs an EU handheld.

 

[BruceK]

I am not sure on the regulations of a DSC capable handheld not having one, but my hand held is registered and has a T number, no MMSI and is transferable and portable between vessels i.e. specifically allowed by Offcom.

I suspect a T number becomes registered to a person as opposed to a vessel.

 

[Hurricane]

I think I would probably go with one of these:-
Force 4 are specifically saying that it covers M and M2
Also it has a desktop charger included instead of a USB lead.
Standard Horizon HX210E Handheld VHF with FM Radio | Force 4 Chandlery
Hope that helps.

 

[David Birchall]

Thanks for the advice.

I checked the Ofcom license I have on the portal and applied for another one. It seems you just have to apply for a new 'additional' license for the portable VHF which is separate to the ships fixed one. You then get a new MMSI number for that regardless (there is no option for DSC or Non-DSC).

So ill get a radio ordered now (Thanks for the tips here as well).... then for the UK boat I'm good.

It does say the license is valid for UK waters, so its not overly clear how its supposed to work if I took it to Spain for the summer. Going to do some more reading on the license itself. I will double check what we got when we bought the boat in Spain which has the fixed radio as well. We bought it new and the dealer fitted the radio for us - I will check all the paperwork.