is radar "allowed" on large inland lakes?

[travis_farmer]

I picked up a radar for my 23 foot cabin cruiser for use while fishing on a large inland lake, for if the fog rolls in, as it usually does.


but is it allowed?
probably should have asked before picking up the radar.


~Travis

[NYSail]

Why wouldn’t it be allowed??

Greg

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by NYSail

Why wouldn’t it be allowed??

Greg

This. What specifically makes you think it wouldn’t be allowed?

[Nicholson58]

There is nowhere I can think of where it is prohibited. AIS too and anything else you can get at the chandleries. You need a license for short wave but not SSB.

[travis_farmer]

i think, and i am likely wrong, but i think that i read some marine electronics are not allowed inland. like VHF radio, as it may confuse listeners on ocean waters. the radar, after i bought it, i found somewhere that somebody was served a cease and desist order for using it inland. perhaps it was somebody using it on land, rather than on water.


perhaps these are stupid questions, but a wise man once told me, "there are no stupid questions, only stupid answers". i would rather ask and know for sure, than to get in trouble.


~Travis

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by travis_farmer

i think, and i am likely wrong, but i think that i read some marine electronics are not allowed inland. like VHF radio, as it may confuse listeners on ocean waters. the radar, after i bought it, i found somewhere that somebody was served a cease and desist order for using it inland. perhaps it was somebody using it on land, rather than on water.


perhaps these are stupid questions, but a wise man once told me, "there are no stupid questions, only stupid answers". i would rather ask and know for sure, than to get in trouble.


~Travis

I think you may be confusing "on land" with "inland." Marine VHF may not be used on land.

[travis_farmer]

Hmm... yeah, that sounds like something i would do.


~Travis

[Nicholson58]

As I noted above, you may use anything available for ocean, coastal, etc inland anywhere you sail your boat. It is especially necessary if you are anywhere with commercial carriers and other large vessels. VHS with DSC is in use all around the Great Lakes and St Lawrence Sea Way. If you are still in any doubt, contact the Coast Guard or any inland waterway yacht clubs. We carry four VHS radios including hand held, SSB, broadband radar and AIS. Class B. We cruised the Great Lakes for three years before sailing out the Saint Lawrence and to the Caribbean. I previously raced the Great Lakes for over 20 years. Radios and radar have been on fresh water boats for a long time.

Some foreign countries require a station license which you can obtain free from several sources including West Marine. This requirement has never been enforced or checked anywhere we have been.

By the way, I suggest you look into broadband radar. Slightly shorter range but higher resolution and way less power consumption.

[travis_farmer]

i will look into broadband radar, but i suspect it may be out of my budget range. the Raytheon R10x i have was really inexpensive, and after i repaired it, it seems to work alright, though i will know more out on a lake (on a clear day, for testing it).


i will confirm with an area agency, but i am glad it seems like i can use it inland.


~Travis

[Jim Cate]

My ship's station license includes endorsements for HF and MF SSB, radar, VHF, EPIRB and provides a MMSI number. The implication is that such a license is required for your radar. I have never heard of this being enforced.

Jim

[travis_farmer]

i just found this on google, don't know why i didn't check google before.
Marine Radio Information for Boaters - BoatSafe.com

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 permits recreational boaters to have and use a VHF marine radio, EPIRB, and marine radar without having an FCC ship station license. Boaters traveling on international voyages, having an HF single sideband radiotelephone or marine satellite terminal, or required to carry a marine radio under any other regulation must still carry an FCC ship station license.

looks like i am good.


~Travis