Does anyone get the FCC license?

[Nicholson58]

Funny thing on the rule. When we needed it, it was free in the US. We$t Marine would even help you get it.if you needed it overseas there was a charge, otherwise procedures were the same. We needed it to register our Vesper AIS. We have never had to show it anywhere, Canada or Caribbean.

[Suijin]

Originally Posted by Nicholson58

Funny thing on the rule. When we needed it, it was free in the US. We$t Marine would even help you get it.if you needed it overseas there was a charge, otherwise procedures were the same. We needed it to register our Vesper AIS. We have never had to show it anywhere, Canada or Caribbean.

Are you sure you’re not referring to mmsi? I know that’s been something you can get through WM or BoatUS. Never heard of them dealing in ship station licenses.

I have a ship station license for my SSB in international waters. Never been asked to see it.

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by Madwand

Never heard of anyone doing this. Does anyone?

We have both operator's and station licenses.

Originally Posted by Madwand

The reason I'm asking is because I watch anywhere from 150-200 sailing channels and while they are all pretty detail oriented about preparations, I've never seen one of them mention it.

There are several (lots of) threads on the topic here. Fastest search term is maybe "MMSI".

Originally Posted by Madwand

As well, I am wondering how the U.S. government is telling me what to do while I'm in another country or no country at all and can't do anything about my radio use.

It's a treaty thing. USG and other countries have agreed that they'll manage RF spectrum usage...

Originally Posted by Madwand

So other countries will ask for this license when checking in? I've never seen anyone report that either. Maybe it's so common no one bothers talking about it? Hard to imagine, some of the sailors I watch are pretty sketchy.

Whether they ask or not, you need to be able to show it on demand. Like a driver's license or passport, etc. Probably even more important if you're involved an accident of some sort...

-Chris

[Madwand]

Originally Posted by captain465

Where do you keep a radio on a Sunfish??????

It's my in between boat till I retire in 18 months. But I still have my portable from my previous boat.

Originally Posted by valhalla360

What research beyond watching youtube have you done?

Previous research is a prerequisite for current research? One has nothing to do with the other. I mentioned YT as the reason for my current question and the basis for my belief that most people don't get this license.

Originally Posted by s/v Moondancer

35 year, 70,000nm and 45 countries and I have never been asked for my radio licenses.

What I suspected.

Originally Posted by ranger42c

There are several (lots of) threads on the topic here. Fastest search term is maybe "MMSI".

MMSI isn't the topic here, I found nothing on my search, but the search system here generally gives me lots of results that have nothing to do with my search.

[bgallinger]

A station licence is required for a US vessel communicating with a foreign vessel (eg Canadian) or base station. Same applies for a Canadian vessel communicating with a US vessel or base station. The rule may seem silly and never enforced, but its a rule none the less. I heard the rule was going to be abandoned back in'98, but 9-11 put a stop to that.

[Nicholson58]

Originally Posted by Suijin

Are you sure you’re not referring to mmsi? I know that’s been something you can get through WM or BoatUS. Never heard of them dealing in ship station licenses.

I have a ship station license for my SSB in international waters. Never been asked to see it.

Station license is how we got the MMSI as I recall. It’s been a few years. Fortunately it does not expire

[cal40john]

Originally Posted by Madwand

It's my in between boat till I retire in 18 months. But I still have my portable from my previous boat.



Previous research is a prerequisite for current research? One has nothing to do with the other. I mentioned YT as the reason for my current question and the basis for my belief that most people don't get this license.



What I suspected.



MMSI isn't the topic here, I found nothing on my search, but the search system here generally gives me lots of results that have nothing to do with my search.

Sounds like you don't want a license. So don't get one. If you don't communicate internationally you aren't required to have one. If you do communicate internationally it is unlikely you will get caught.

But if for whatever unlikely reason they ask for your license when you did something that required one and you don't have one, pay the fine and give them your radios and don't whine on forums how unfair it is.

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by Madwand

MMSI isn't the topic here, I found nothing on my search, but the search system here generally gives me lots of results that have nothing to do with my search.

MMSI threads often have info about FCC licensing. There are other search terms, of course...

If you haven't already, best to use the custom search tool, not the basic one...

-Chris

[Kenomac]

We have the FCC license.

[bensolomon]

I have two FCC licences. One radio station licence for my MMSI, and another, the MROP.

[Madwand]

Originally Posted by cal40john

Sounds like you don't want a license.

and don't whine on forums how unfair it is.

That's what you see, huh? There's always one. Don't give up your day job for your mind reading gig. Curiosity about what others are doing doesn't mean I don't follow the rules.

[Madwand]

Originally Posted by ranger42c

If you haven't already, best to use the custom search tool, not the basic one...

Maybe that's the problem. Thanks.

[Jammer]

I have the operator permit, which never expires, but not the station license, which does. I'll get a station license before leaving U.S. waters.


Licensure requirements are enforced by the FCC when someone complains. FCC enforcement is very spotty but when they do target someone they confiscate equipment and impose extremely large fines. $10,000 is not unheard of for a first offense.

[john61ct]

Originally Posted by Madwand

Maybe that's the problem. Thanks.

Or google

https://goo.gl/Z5L5jH

[SV Bacchus]

Originally Posted by bgallinger

A station licence is required for a US vessel communicating with a foreign vessel (eg Canadian) or base station.

Contacting a bascule bridge operator asking for an opening count as communicating with a base station? I'm all licensed up but curious about what counts.