Call Sign

[SAMPATICO]

I recently installed a AIS 500B Transceiver on my sail boat. The configuration menu request for a Call Sign. I am neither a ham operator nor have SSB. Can the name of boat be used for the Call Sign?

[btrayfors]

Originally Posted by SAMPATICO

I recently installed a AIS 500B Transceiver on my sail boat. The configuration menu request for a Call Sign. I am neither a ham operator nor have SSB. Can the name of boat be used for the Call Sign?

No. The AIS "call sign" is the ship's radio call sign....VHF or other.

If you don't have one, this is probably a good time to get one.

Bill

[Hydra]

That's strange. I thought AIS would need a MMSI (9-digit number to be obtained from the administration with the VHF license), not a call sign.

Alain

[Knowazark]

If somebody has you on their AIS display and wants to contact you on VHF, then having your vessel name and callsign is going to be kinda handy really. Nobody uses MMSI numbers to call up an approaching vessel, but they do use callsigns.

[btrayfors]

Originally Posted by Hydra

That's strange. I thought AIS would need a MMSI (9-digit number to be obtained from the administration with the VHF license), not a call sign.

Alain

Message Type 5

[Hannah on 'Rita T']

Beware of MMSI hell. We got a MMSI from BoatUS and the dealer programmed it into our AIS. We now learn the MMSI is illegal because we have an SSB and sail in international waters (both of which the dealer knew). We have to cancel the BoatUS MMSI, get a new one and send the AIS back to Raymarine to be reprogrammed. Why didn't BoatUS or the dealer warn us?

[goboatingnow]

Quite frankly the US needs to give up this boatus MMSI nonsense and just issue proper ones like the rest of the world ( ie the FCC ones)

Dave

[btrayfors]

I agree. There should be one and only one source for MMSI numbers: the FCC.

The Boat US and other source was a feeble attempt to cater to US interests wherein there's no need for a VHF license if used only in the U.S. and only with U.S. stations, and boaters could thereby save the cost of FCC licensing.

Dumb, dumb, dumb. Somebody just wasn't thinking right.

Boat U.S. should take the bull by the horns and STOP ISSUING MMSI NUMBERS immediately.

And, IMHO the FCC should drop the ridiculously high cost of licensing...at least for VHF if not for all radio transmitting equipment.

Bill

[goboatingnow]

In the UK ships radio licenses are free if applied for online

Dave

[Hydra]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

In the UK ships radio licenses are free if applied for online

In France, you have to provide a copy of owner ID and a proof of ownership on paper to get a license but it's free. You even get the call sign and the MMSI by e-mail ahead of regular mail.

After that, all updates (e.g. adding an EPIRB) are processed by e-mail and the annual license is free too, of course.

Alain

[Hannah on 'Rita T']

We have a proper FCC license for the boat and the operator, but I think we still have to pay the $70 or $75 for a proper MMSI. I'm not doing anything until the boat is on the hard this summer. Evens if it is illegal, I like my AIS too much to give it up now.

[tallyhorob]

Originally Posted by Hannah on 'Rita T'

We have a proper FCC license for the boat and the operator, but I think we still have to pay the $70 or $75 for a proper MMSI. I'm not doing anything until the boat is on the hard this summer. Evens if it is illegal, I like my AIS too much to give it up now.

Look close at you ship station license, most times the FCC gives you the MMSI right off the bat.

And anyone applying for a station make sure you get a MMSI its free if you check the box at the same time you pay for the license. Even if you don't use it for anything right away you will always have it. IT the MMSI stays with the boat.

[capngeo]

Dagnabit... one of these days I have to get me a radio!

[osirissail]

Originally Posted by tallyhorob

Look close at you ship station license, most times the FCC gives you the MMSI right off the bat.

And anyone applying for a station make sure you get a MMSI its free if you check the box at the same time you pay for the license. Even if you don't use it for anything right away you will always have it. IT the MMSI stays with the boat.

Look at your Ships Radio Station Authorization (Radio License) Look in block 10 (counting left to right, top to bottom) You will find your "Ship Station Identity" - that is your MMSI number. A 9-digit number that you program into your DCS radios and any other device that needs your official identity.