VHF and MMSI

[Theantony]

On another note as I’m buying a gps do I need a vhf with dsc, don’t garmin’s have dsc.

 

[jon and michie]

Hence my comment that if you are sinking, select CH16 and make that call anyway.

Agreed - I wouldn't be thinking about licenses if s:%t was hitting the fan

 

[smdts]

You can definitely register handhelds separately, they give you a different mmsi and a T callsign.
I have had a dsc handheld for a couple of years on a T callsign that I take out on my jet ski.
Before booking the rya src the instructor told me it's legal to register for an mmsi before passing the course and it was a good idea to take the radio out and listen, and not to transmit unless it's an emergency, and in an emergency an unlicensed operator can legally send a distress signal.

 

[Momac]

Has anyone ever been prosecuted for using a VHF without a radio operator certificate (while not being supervised by someone who does have a certificate)?

 

[smdts]

On another note as I’m buying a gps do I need a vhf with dsc, don’t garmin’s have dsc.

What garmin? Are you thinking of an nmea interface? Earlier you mentioned you were looking at a handheld. A handheld wont interface with your garmin, but if you get a dsc fixed vfh that doesnt have gps, then you can connect the nmea wires to your garmin to allow the vhf to use the garmins gps.
Most handhelds with dsc should have gps built in.

 

[Theantony]

You can definitely register handhelds separately, they give you a different mmsi and a T callsign.
I have had a dsc handheld for a couple of years on a T callsign that I take out on my jet ski.
Before booking the rya src the instructor told me it's legal to register for an mmsi before passing the course and it was a good idea to take the radio out and listen, and not to transmit unless it's an emergency, and in an emergency an unlicensed operator can legally send a distress signal.

I was looking at either striker plus 4 or the echo map.

 

[Theantony]

What garmin? Are you thinking of an nmea interface? Earlier you mentioned you were looking at a handheld. A handheld wont interface with your garmin, but if you get a dsc fixed vfh that doesnt have gps, then you can connect the nmea wires to your garmin to allow the vhf to use the garmins gps.
Most handhelds with dsc should have gps built in.

I was looking at either striker plus 4 or echomap.

 

[smdts]

They dont have dsc built in, but they can exchange nmea data with a dsc enabled fixed vhf radio.

 

[aquadorman]

I believe the MMSI number is linked to the boat if it is a fixed installation. Not sure about portables. Legally you need a Licence to operate, but unless you go abroad (and who can these days?) you are most unlikely to be challenged unless you abuse the authorities on air. Personally, I think its better to operate the radio without a licence than go to sea with no radio.
On a different note: has anyone AND I MEAN ANYONE, ever used the DSC function rather than verbal calling? I have yet to meet anyone who admits to using the Digital Selective Calling facility. And I used to float professionally...

 

[Jamie Dundee]

I believe the MMSI number is linked to the boat if it is a fixed installation. Not sure about portables. Legally you need a Licence to operate, but unless you go abroad (and who can these days?) you are most unlikely to be challenged unless you abuse the authorities on air. Personally, I think its better to operate the radio without a licence than go to sea with no radio.
On a different note: has anyone AND I MEAN ANYONE, ever used the DSC function rather than verbal calling? I have yet to meet anyone who admits to using the Digital Selective Calling facility. And I used to float professionally...

I’ve used it to test DSC fixed and handheld VHFs, sending requests from one to the other, but not at sea. I’ve got two h/h VHFs, one DSC the other not. Both have their own licenses and T numbers, the non DSC radio is also on the ship’s license to avoid any confusion.