DSC vhf radios & MMSI numbers necesarry ?

[mrron_tx]

Just curious as to how many of Us have the MMSI number....and have You ever used it ? Thanks. Ron.

[Tomfoolery]

I had one in my last boat, but the radio stayed with it when I sold it. Don't have the capability now, in either of the three radios (2 fixed, 1 hand-held) that I have with this boat.

Oh, and I never needed to use any of that functionality. Just used it as a plain-vanilla UHF.

[mrron_tx]

Thanks : I am just trying to figure out if and what I really need vs what I could get....or that Someone suggests etc etc. I don't think I need the radio / station license until I go to Mexico , Canada Or the Bahamas.....which might be another year away....at least the Bahamas Thanks again. Ron.

[Berber Boy]

Hi, I have an MMSI in Windsong and my DSC Radio is networked to my plotter. The reason I installed it is that I often have my Gks and my non nautical Admiral on board. In the event of something happening to me they can just push the DSC emergency button and it would send immediately the coordinates as well as a MayDay call to the nearest VMR as well as the national distress call centre in Canberra. In Australia there is no cost to it and your EPIRB needs a MMSI to get registered.

For my sailing it is probably overkill but when you need it it is there.

BB

[Russ]

If I boated in an area where it could be received, I would do it definitely. Why not? Doesn't cost anything and an extra safety feature. As mentioned above, one button May Day call with coordinates.

Certainly register the MMSI http://www.boatus.com/mmsi/

[Sumner]

If I boated in an area where it could be received, I would do it definitely. Why not? Doesn't cost anything and an extra safety feature. As mentioned above, one button May Day call with coordinates.

Certainly register the MMSI http://www.boatus.com/mmsi/

Russ it will work where you are if any other boater has it and there radio is on.

I have it and now as of a couple days ago on a handheld as well. Never used it but want it.

Sumner

============================
Our MacGregor 26-S

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

[Russ]

If I boated in an area where it could be received, I would do it definitely. Why not? Doesn't cost anything and an extra safety feature. As mentioned above, one button May Day call with coordinates.

Certainly register the MMSI http://www.boatus.com/mmsi/

Russ it will work where you are if any other boater has it and there radio is on.

I have it and now as of a couple days ago on a handheld as well. Never used it but want it.

Sumner

You are right. For what it cost (nothing) there is no reason not to do it.

--Russ

[Starscream]

Complete DSC info available here: http://www.vhf-dsc.info/

I have a DSC-GPS radio with MMSI number.
For me, having an automated distress calling ability linked to my GPS info on board is like wearing my lifevest: I don't ever want to use it but I'm glad it's there. Like they say, you never need it until you REALLY NEED IT!

MMSI digital calling is useful if you meet up, or travel with other boats, in a group. I have never used it for that but then again I haven't attended a Mac roundup...yet.

All the other uses are on that website link.

[Y.B.Normal]

I have a DSC VHF linked to my GPS. I registered my MMSI through West Marine; in fact, I just received an email from
Boat US asking me to respond to confirm I still have the radio, and to "renew" my MMSI number.

According to Boat US, I can't use the MMSI number in Canada; it has to be registered through another group.

Although I usually sail in protected waters, I look at it as cheap insurance, in case something happens.

[Starscream]

Y.B., I'd check with Boat US again. MMSI numbers are regulated internationally by the International Telecommunications Union and are supposed to work worldwide.

[Sumner]

I wanted a handheld with GPS/DSC. Being alone I want it on me if conditions warrent it just in case I went overboard. I've been looking at the Standard Horizon HX851 Handheld VHF Radio with GPS for some time and it has been around $180 to $200. Well it looks like they came out with a newer model to replace it and I can't see much in the new one I'd ever need so some places have the HX851 on sale. I got one from the GPS Store a week ago for $120 and notice that now they have them for $125...

http://www.thegpsstore.com/Standard-Hor ... fgodFhIAVw

I'll bet that these will move out fast as guys on the other boards are also buying them. A good deal for $120 and on lakes or something it could be your only radio if you didn't need really long range.

The other thing is you can move a radio with the MMSI number to a different boat. You go online and change the boat info. The MMSI number stays with the radio not the boat. If you bought a boat or sold one and the radio did go with the boat the owner info and phone numbers should be changed otherwise in a bad situation they would be calling the wrong next of kin .

Sumner

============================
Our MacGregor 26-S

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

[Starscream]

I suspect the MMSI number stays with the boat and not the radio? DSC radios can usually have the MMSI reprogrammed a certain number of times...I think my radio is limited to three and then that's it..new radio required.

My suspicion comes from the way Industry Canada emailed me with my MMSI number, here's the quote:

"The MMSI number for your sail boat BEAR HUNT is 316028829"

Made it sound like it was a boat MMSI number. They didn't ask me anything about the radio on the form other than its manufacturer and model number, no serial number or anything else.

[Starscream]

And it looks like Industry Canada believed that the is a sailboat!

[Sumner]

I suspect the MMSI number stays with the boat and not the radio? DSC radios can usually have the MMSI reprogrammed a certain number of times...I think my radio is limited to three and then that's it..new radio required. ....

Don't know about Canada but in the U.S. the number is with the radio and they warn you that you had better get it in right. I have a total of 3 DSC radios and they all say they can only be 'owner programmed once. If you screw up they have to go back to the factory to be reprogrammed.

Here, if you are staying in U.S. waters, BoatUS can issue the number and as I said before you can take the radio to a different boat and change the boat name and description and other data. For Canada you register a different place and I don't know what your options are there. If you are going to go to different international waters you get your number yet another place and those numbers end in 0 and go into an international data base. I should do that if I'm going to the Bahamas and possibly Canada but won't as I don't have time to go through all those hoops. BoatUS is easy.

Sumner

============================
Our MacGregor 26-S

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

[mrron_tx]

LOL..... Now I really wonder if all the boat traffic ,seadoo's jet skis etc etc that zip over to bimini on the weekends has all this stuff Ron