So Holland this year if...

Just got my Standard Horizon handheld VHF back from an ATIS upgrade. Only CH 15 & 17 are ATIS enabled (or allowed) on handheld sets.

There are quite a few non-DSC radios that can be ATIS enabled.

Problem with older fixed DSC sets is that in many cases they need to be sent away to be programmed. Raymarine indicated 4-6 weeks for the Ray54E so definitely a winter exercise.

There is a short write up here by Standard Horizon. http://www.standardhorizon.co.uk/files/What is ATIS Mode.pdf
 
I bought a very cheap (£75 odd) Uniden Oceanus fixed VHF last year which has DSC capability and ATIS. There is a button on the set to switch between the two so you will not fall foul of either the UK or Rainwat rules. Away from Holland it's pretty useful as a backup if you have a second aerial and a 12v socket.
 
ATIS

Regarding ATIS this may assist with your confusion, it took a good deal of research to get to the bottom of the FUD out there when I researched the matter for my Dutch trip, so I trust this may help see links below.

Clearly whether you decide to act on the information is an individuals choice.....

Seems the call is change your settings on your existing set & ensure that all is working for your return over the North Sea, when you change back to VHF / DSC!! Or, get a cheap hand held, belt & braces.....

How does ATIS work?
In normal circumstances, a vessel is identified by its call sign or MMSI. However, to use ATIS, a vessel must also have an ATIS number.
At the end of every transmission (in fact every time you release the PTT button), the radio sends out an audible signal,
which contains the ship's ATIS number, identifying the vessel to marine coast stations and inland stations (Locks & bridges).

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/licensing/olc/atis_faq

This is a very good summary link from RYA site.

http://www.icomuk.co.uk/getFile.asp?categoryID=3508&cCID=16204&fFID=244
 
Just popped back home for a week after a month in Holland.

Used my ATIS enabled handheld half a dozen times - calling the odd bridge and calling the Zeelandbrugge for clearance heights. Took an unlocked mobile with a Dutch PAYG sim card - marinas are not generally on VHF.

No visits from customs, poo police or ATIS gestapo. A more relaxed and friendly place to sail I cannot imagine. And cheap - about 13 euros a night incl electricity. Great facilities everywhere. I've parked the boat in Goes for a week - 11euros a night.

A more relevant factor is the widespread non-acceptance of UK credit or debit cards.
 
davidfox said:
Thanks,
is the ATIS programming something that I can do? I am well known as a Luddite in these parts!
The whole palarver seems extrordinary, I always thought that the Dutch were a good natured lot who didnt give fig for all this bullsh.. it would seem that they are driving it! Has some jobsworth just taken over in the last year or 2?
Click to expand...

Some vhf's you can prog mmsi and atis some require dealer
 
I have just returned from 2 weeks in Holland.No problems whatsoever.Used Atis radio 3 or 4 times.As a bonus I got channel 31 when my radio was atised.(Some marinas in Holland use this channel as we use 80) but it is not included in normal UK radio.Used Porta Potti when inland.Plenty of disposal points.The only coastguards we saw waved to us in a friendly fashion.The Dutch were as friendly as usual.Dordrecht is great.Had a stonking sail from Zeebrugge to Goes via the Kanaal door Zuidbeveland(Hansweert).The tide in the Westerschelde is ginormous(I usually go in at Vliss).!0.6 knots over the ground with just the genny up,but it was blowing a bit.If you had doubts about going then forget them.
 
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