VHF presents from the US of A

[MainlySteam]

I think Brendan answered it early on - if it is CE marked then no problem.

I can add that it probably is CE marked because the M31 is listed by Icom UK as a current model for sale in UK. However, it is not listed by Icom USA as a current model there and nor is it listed as available by the main USA dealers so I am not sure where your broinlaw is going to get hold of one.

What has not been said is that even if CE marked and sourced in the USA as a version of the radio for sale in the USA then it almost certainly will not have the UK M channels. You may or may not find that Icom UK are willing/able to reclone it to include them if those channels are important to you. You would have to talk to Icom UK about that, but my personal view is that despite my experience of excellent and obliging service from Icom in other countries (I have never dealt with Icom UK) I would not tend to get grumpy at them if they say "No" as in my opinion they would be doing you a favour (explaining that it was a gift may help).

Wish I had a broinlaw who gave me radios, good luck.

{Edit: Just did some checking - the USA/international version of the M31 is the M32. If your broinlaw gets you a M32 which looks exactly the same as the M31, then you can be sure that it is not CE marked on which it is your call and I would not bother talking about getting it recloned in UK for the M channels as someone might take it off you}

John.

<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by MainlySteam on 10/03/2004 09:14 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[kilkerr1]

Re: Off the point

OK, thanks, pretty much as I thought. I'll let them get back to their DSC-ing now.

Excellent brother-in-law though, eh? I'm thinking of renting him out for birthdays, weddings, bar mitzvahs...

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[MainlySteam]

Re: Off the point

<<<The DSC crowd below seem to have forgotten the original question>>>

Oi Ken, the original question was completely answered in the first two posts, couldn't ask for more than that.

Rest of us were just using the remaining bandwidth to pass the time of day /forums/images/icons/smile.gif.

Regards

John

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[Solitaire]

I agree that your original question was hi jacked - As an VHF/DSC instructor let me make it absolutley clear. If the set you purchase or are given as birthday present, be it a handheld of a fixed unit, does not bear the CE mark on it, then it it is not legal for use in the UK It is a simple as that. As to whether sets purchased in the US will work on DSC here or whatever is irrelvant to the question you asked. The penalties for either using a VHF marine radio without having a ships liecence, using a VHF radio without an operators liences or while under the supervision of an authorised SRC certifiacte holder or for using an "improper" radio can be very high.

Oh just another point, to CE mark means that the set conforms to the GMDSS and that it meets the requirements of the R&TTE - of to give it it's full title - The European Radio and Equipment and Telecommunications Terminal Equipemnt Directive.

Another point, if you already have a ships lience, then a handheld can be used under that licnecse as long as it is used in connection with the boats tender and should be registered as such. It cannot be used on another vessel. A transporatble licence is required with its own "T" call sign, and in the case of a DSC handheld with a seperate MMSI number which begins with figures 2359. But then you're not looking at A DSC handheld so it's irrelevant.





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[MainlySteam]

What is this? Hijacking the thread talking about all that licence stuff and tenders and other vessels and things - nothing about those in the original question /forums/images/icons/smile.gif.

The original question was completely answered in the first two posts and you are just repeating what was already said in those and then drifting off yourself onto other things, so I have no idea what you are complaining about.

John

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[Robin]

I imagine it would be OK for a USA visiting yacht to use it in Europe though. This is the anomaly that people find difficult to accept (that and the ginormous price differential). Of course there could be a big barrier in the Western Approaches where the Euro equivalent of Wyatt Earp stops all incoming vessels and demands they hang up their radios for the duration of their visit.

Both the handhelds I have are switchable from USA/International channels though neither have channel M (37) installed (before you ask both are legal CE sets, but bought in France where they are also cheaper sometimes). These are for the grab bag/back-up so I don't worry that I cannot call the marina, I can use the mobile or shout for that!

With a SWMBO who is not CE marked and has a large and sometimes generous family in the USA we occasionally receive 'gifts' for the boat. It hasn't but could happen that this might breach EU directives but one doesn't like to offend.... Then there is also the possibilty we will sail off over there and have the same problem in reverse, though our CE marked DSC fixed VHF will not be much use since no land stations USCG etc have DSC!

Sailing life should not be this complex.

/forums/images/icons/smile.gifRobin


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[snowleopard]

Re: Off the point

most US sets have an option to switch to international channels. if the set you're buying doesn't have that you're stuffed.

i bought an early icom DSC which i think was to US specs. the main drawback was that you couldn't specify a working channel when making an individual call which made it unusable for anything except distress. eventually i found that i could get a free upgrade and it now works fine.

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[BrendanS]

As a DSC instructor, you should have known about the different standards - it was you that originally claimed it was a worldwide standard and started all the drift! /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>Utinam logica falsa tuam philisophiam totam suffodiant

 

[Solitaire]

Only in so far as it is pertinant to the UK!

<hr width=100% size=1>Boating is <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.powerboattraininguk.co.uk>Serious Fun</A>

 

[BrendanS]

Trainers course needs updating then? probably loads of certified instructors telling students that it's fine to buy from US as it's a worldwide standard if asked a not uncommon question?

<hr width=100% size=1>Utinam logica falsa tuam philisophiam totam suffodiant

 

[Solitaire]

No! Its made very clear on the instructors course that US sets are unexcepatble unless CE marked! I also make it very clear that all sets must have the CE mark on them when I do a course! I can't vouch for what others say, but having done the course in the last three months that is the offiicial policy. Anyway, we are going round in circles here.

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[kilkerr1]

OK, chaps, calm down calm down. Thanks for all your in-depth replies, some interesting stuff there. I'll check about the CE mark etc. However, I may now just ask for a set of soft wooden plugs, as long as the American wood has the same qualities as ours...

Happy days!

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[robp]

I know that you say this is going round in circles but I think what you are told might be questionable. This is relevant. You are quite right that "CE" marking means that the device is declared as to it's conformity with the relevant standards required in this country and/or Europe. But that's all it means. It doesn't necessarily mean that it would illegal to use it without "CE" marked on it. For Wireless equipment, it must conform to the R&TTE directive and possibly BABT. However, because it is not marked with "CE" doesn't mean to say that it doesn't conform. "CE" is the importers' or manufacturers' declaration that all relevant regulations are noted and proved. This allows placement on the market, not individual useage. I don't have time for the full research but it might well be that it is OK for use by an individual, providing no frequencies are used that are contrary to the R&TTE directive for UK.

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[PeteMcK]

Probably works ok but not CE approved

I've frequently used a fixed fully waterproof US spec Raytheon RAY45 VHF. It's not CE because:-

1) it defaults to US frequencies so you need to press the International button when you switch it on.
2) its startup high power/low power defaults are not what you'd want but they are over-ridable too - you just set the selector.
3) It doesn't have M2, but that's not too important anyway and many CE sets don't, or at least didn't, have that.
And no doubt there's some sort of Home Office or EU performance testing a sample of the model should have gone through (as if the litigious Americans don't worry about these things too).

It cost 150 bucks three years ago and works perfectly.

Of course, in the case of my boat, the set is a Quasar CE type-approved unit (UK built?) but the blasted thing should have been thrown over the side years ago.

PS I just checked - today's price for the RAY45 is $148.96

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[AndrewB]

Oh come on, don\'t wimp out now!

Sounds like your bro-in-law is either a more-money-than-sense yank or he's on some sort of guilt trip/romantic fantasy. You can't possibly refuse - how's he going to make his point with a soft wooden plug, eh?

Anyway, far more people than would ever admit to it have US bought handhelds. Strike a blow for the revolution, against the CE tyrants and their radiocommunications lackeys! Forget boring old channels M1 and M2, think about picking up exciting new channels W1 to W4 for non-stop weather forecasts when you make your return visit to him in Santa Teresa. /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

 

[PeteMcK]

Correction

It has M2 (as Ch 80) but not M (no Ch 37).



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[Alistairr]

LOL
I'm loving this, Great Debate.

Can you now ask another technical question, to start another arguement.

Something like, Your sister is going to the States, and wants to Buy me A GPS, will it work, do i need a licence and why WAAS???!!!!/forums/images/icons/laugh.gif/forums/images/icons/laugh.gif
ROFL.

Fight fight fight.
C'mon Solitaire. I've got 2 shillings on you.



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[Mike_Martin]

Re: Correction

Correction

C80 is not M2

Mike

<hr width=100% size=1>Nowadays something or other in Ofcom

 

[Mike_Martin]

Why not just phone ICOM (US, Japan and UK) and ask them?

Just a thought!

Mike

<hr width=100% size=1>Nowadays something or other in Ofcom

 

[Guest]

But PLEASE don\'t ask for 22A etc.

It was a real pain when working ships around US ..... the CG would always insist on comms on THEIR channel 22alpha, a channel that only US boats carry ..... amongst others such as 80A etc.

They have buoyage back to front, different radio channels for safety, etc. etc.

Why ?


<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ...
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