U.S. version VHF on a U.K. flagged yacht?

Dockhead

Dockhead

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I was given a new Icom M604 VHF for Christmas, a beautiful radio. But it is a U.S. version radio and I supposed it lack certification for use on my U.K. flagged yacht. Any of you radioheads know whether this will cause me any problems? As far as I know the frequencies are all the same (?) and the DSC works exactly the same, right? Any other problems I might have?

I am aware of the fine points of the use of U.S. version SSB's on U.K. yachts, but have no idea what the deal is with VHF radios.

Cheers, Dockhead
 
Your radio should have the international channels as well as the Yank ones but you might find yourself missing the purely UK ones - M1 and M2

Like all electrical goods, your radio should be CE marked. It could be confiscated if your boat were inspected and the absence of a CE mark were spotted. I have never heard of this happening or even of a boat in the UK being inspected for things like that. In short I think its a problem in the same way that vat documentation is - theoretical
 
There are considerable differences between usa and uk some differences between uk and europe also

http://www.yachtcom.co.uk/comms/vhfchannels.htm uk

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/vhf.htm usa


inland europe now uses atis uk uses dsc also some channels are use different

Usa set are illegal in uk

Are you sure there is no usa int swtch my hanset has a int switch which switches to usa

edit :The main differences are some channels in uk are simplex Or duplex But are visa versa in usa nobody would notice solong as you dont use the the channels that show differences Marked as "A"
On the usa list and dont use the extra usa channels :edit not sure how you would ofcom licence it tho they might not notice if your lucky I think usa allows more than 25w not sure about that might be with an output amp
 
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fergie_mac66 said:
There are considerable differences between usa and uk some differences between uk and europe also

http://www.yachtcom.co.uk/comms/vhfchannels.htm uk

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/vhf.htm usa


inland europe now uses atis uk uses dsc also some channels are use different

Usa set are illegal in uk

Are you sure there is no usa int swtch my hanset has a int switch which switches to usa
Click to expand...

Yes -- the M604 has an "international" channel set: 1 through 28 inclusive, 60 through 88 inclusive, plus 65A and 66A.

I guess that leaves me without M1 and M2. I never even heard of these channels until just now -- do they have any specific use or are they general purpose?
 
I believe M1 & M2 are channels for use to shore based stations - ie marinas & harbours. I have never used them in 30 years, but I don't use marinas at all & seldom use the VHF except to keep an ear open for who is on the water & listen to the forecasts when broadcast or requested by other users.
 
I noticed somewhere in the licensing bumph that M1 and M2 do not require the *operator* to have any form of certificate *if used from a shore station*. This is such a specific exception that it must be there to meet a specific requirement. Perhaps to let random office bods and nightwatchmen man the radio in an understaffed harbour?

Pete
 
I believe M1 is the same as the old Ch 37 which is still used by some marinas and services such as water taxis.

M2 is only used by yacht clubs and similar organisations, AFAIK.
 
Hearsay not experience tells me you can be asked for a "certificate of conformity" from European officials. My fixed and hand held came with such certificates. (CE blah blah like.) Worth checking.
 
Simply put, the set is illegal on a UK registered yacht, there are some channel differences, there are some channels missing and some extras. The DSC function is also different. US sets carry FCC approvals and are not type approved for use in the UK or Europe and also have no CE mark

As an Icom dealer, we can program private channels etc, but even we or Icom UK cannot program the 604, i know as I have tried.

Having said all this, there are a few boats around that have been imported with these sets on and the owners just carry on regardless.

In the UK, at present you are unlikely to have a problem,however go to Europe and all hell can break loose just by not have ATIS, let alone not having a CE mark.

You have been warned.
 
Very surprised not to find a trace of evidence that this can be reprogrammed to suit both UK and euro-canals areas.
Hightech - you got the wherewithall to reset the MMSI at dealer level (3rd go)?
What is the official Icom response to the ATIS question?
 
Dockhead said:
I notice that in the Ofcom license application (http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radiocomms/ifi/licensing/classes/maritime/information/samplelicence.pdf)
one is asked to list equipment on board. I wonder whether listing "Icom M604 VHF Radiotelephone" would cause them to reject the application, since they would theoretically have access to the information that that M604 is not certified for use in the U.K. Hmmm.
Click to expand...
On my licence application I just put 2 handhelds, i main, 1 radar, thats all they need. No need for makes and models.
Any way whos going to check for a CE mark? No one!!
Load of bollox! What happens to an american visitor, radio stops working?? danger on the high seas, I despair sometimes!!
Stu
 
Obi said:
I thought USA/UK was just a menu setting in most VHFs. Check the manual just in case.
Click to expand...

Technically it is, however the set will not have an EU type approved certificate or CE mark, making it illegal to operate under your licence conditions.
 
Set to INT the radio will work fine in UK/Europe, ch M1 & M2 will be missing. Its use will invalidate your Ships Radio License, and it is unlikely you will be able to get it programmed for ATIS number, should you require it, as this is a dealer/Icom UK operation requiring your Variation of License to be supplied. They will not programm a M604 with UK ATIS number.
 
rivonia said:
I was told when I did my upgrade course that M1 and M2 are specificaly for use by authorities in RACING boats
Click to expand...

A bit of google suggests that M1 = 37 and is allocated to marinas while M2 is allocated tp yacht clubs. I can't find any evidence that their use is legally restricted to racing vessels, though it's possible, I suppose, that it's the custom. My rather elderly Seavoice fixed set has M installed as channel P1 (private-1) and I think I once used it to talk to a marina.
 
hightech said:
Simply put, the set is illegal on a UK registered yacht, there are some channel differences, there are some channels missing and some extras. The DSC function is also different. US sets carry FCC approvals and are not type approved for use in the UK or Europe and also have no CE mark

As an Icom dealer, we can program private channels etc, but even we or Icom UK cannot program the 604, i know as I have tried.

Having said all this, there are a few boats around that have been imported with these sets on and the owners just carry on regardless.

In the UK, at present you are unlikely to have a problem,however go to Europe and all hell can break loose just by not have ATIS, let alone not having a CE mark.

You have been warned.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the information.

I am surprised that you say that the DSC function is different. I thought DSC was a global uniform standard.

I am not concerned about ATIS; my 2.35 meter draft sailing vessel (with 75 foot air draft!) is not going to be going up any canals, I'm afraid.
 
channel 31

just for ref if you go to holland the marina channel is channel 31 most of the marinas use it wont be fitted on a us vhf of a uk set i think you have to get ofcom authority to have it fitted
 
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