Ship radio license - call sign

[cal40john]

Originally Posted by roland stockham

I was reading some stuff on this yesterday. It seam as if the USA runs a simplified database and can assign MMSI numbers for territorial waters only. You may need to be on the international database if you want the system to work outside the US. This may be a new number or they may transfer the existing number. Seams a very odd way to do it and the problem will be that some equipment needs to be returned the manufacturer to have an MSI no changed. (this is a useful idea, means if your boat is stolen you can poll your radio and it will send you its location, the thief cant reprogram it. I may have this completely wrong (Canadian not US) so if anyone knows better by all means clarify for us!

The BoatUS MMSI cannot be used/transferred to an FCC MMSI

MMSI FAQ's - Maritime Mobile Service Identity - BoatUS
Q: What is the difference between obtaining an MMSI from the FCC and obtaining a number from BoatUS?
A: BoatUS MMSI numbers are coded for recreational vessels cruising in U.S. waters only not otherwise required to be licensed; the registrations are downloaded into the U.S. Coast Guard Search & Rescue Database (MISLE) only. FCC-assigned MMSI numbers are coded for International Waters and go into the International Search & Rescue Database (ITU). In order to be accepted into the ITU database, any FCC assigned MMSI must end in zero. This is why the BoatUS MMSI number cannot be re-used when later applying for an FCC License for international cruising.

Originally Posted by kenL

I go to Canada in British Columbia waters every year for a few weeks and have never been asked for any radio documentation which I do not have. In the past few years they have made entering easy as all that is necessary is to go to one of the entrance docks and call the 800 phone number in Ottawa which clears all boats in for the country.

You may never have been asked, and it might even be that nobody cares and it isn't enforced, but it is a law. Once you piss off the wrong people they're looking for reasons to pile on you. Some are willing to take a chance others aren't. I have my licenses.

[Ex-Calif]

I have a RR license but have no idea where it is. Is it possible to get a reissue or a copy?

[Ziggy]

Originally Posted by Ex-Calif

I have a RR license but have no idea where it is. Is it possible to get a reissue or a copy?

Yes, for $65 (or whatever the fee for a new one is. That's the answer I got from the FCC and that's what I ended up doing. It's just a laserprinted piece of paper, so I suppose you could make several copies in case you lose one.

[alctel]

Some confusing info about Canada here, so just to clarify (this is for Canadians)

To operate a marine VHF in Canada you need the ROC(M) cert. This is for the PERSON. Cost is about a 100 bucks.

If you are a small pleasure craft you don't need a radio station license (for the equipment), if you meet the following:
- the vessel is not operated in the sovereign waters of a country other than Canada.
- the radio equipment on board the vessel is only capable of operating on frequencies that are allocated for maritime mobile communications or marine radio navigation.
If you want one its around 200 bucks to apply and then you get a call sign as well.

A Canadian MMSI is separate from the above. It's free to apply for and works internationally.

[Subway Sailor]

What is the difference between RR and SA License?


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[cal40john]

Originally Posted by Subway Sailor

What is the difference between RR and SA License?


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SA is the license for the boat.

RR is the license for the person.

[Subway Sailor]

So as a last question...if i have a handheld radio on my dinghy do i need another license?


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[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by Subway Sailor

So as a last question...if i have a handheld radio on my dinghy do i need another license?


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Actually I think legally, you do. There is a license for a portable radio.
Myself I'm not gonna pop for it, I'll just take whatever heat comes my way.

[Dsanduril]

Originally Posted by Subway Sailor

So as a last question...if i have a handheld radio on my dinghy do i need another license?

From my understanding, if the dinghy is dedicated to the vessel then the FCC considers it part of the vessel and the station license for the master vessel applies. In this case you can also have the same MMSI programmed into the handheld as the main radio.

If you plan to use the handheld from multiple vessels or not in close proximity to the main vessel then it would be considered a separate station.

And then, if you step foot ashore that all goes out the window, you need a separate license for the shore based VHF system.