Comparing VHF/GPS Radios (w/ current rebates)

When you get an MMSI number from the cognizant administration, the FCC in the US, it is registered in the ITU (International Telecommunications Union) database. Anyone can search the basic database that will give you the vessel name, callsign, country of registry, etc. I'm sure the restricted version available to administrations has more info. So, yes, the Coast Guard can get your Canadian info. If you get the MMSI number in the US from BoatUS or someone like that, the info is not registered with the ITU. That is why it is for domestic use only. I just checked as our sailboat has an FCC issued MMSI and our C-Dory does not have an FCC license and I got the MMSI for that vessel from BoatUS. Our sailboat shows up in the ITU database. Our C-Dory does not. You can search the database here:

https://www.itu.int/mmsapp/ShipStation/list
 
I was at a meeting where the Commander of CG Sector Mobile, AL, District 8, made the statement "that the DSC does not work without a MMSI number". I am not privy to any more information, than that. I have only heard a limited number of DSC "Maydays". Those that I heard all had the MMSI number.

Why not get the MMSI number? The CG already has a lot of information available abut you and your boat than you may imagine, since they have access to national databases.
 
thataway":382qw815 said:
...

Why not get the MMSI number? The CG already has a lot of information available abut you and your boat than you may imagine, since they have access to national databases.
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It's not a question whether to get a MMSI number or not. I just want to know for sure one way or the other whether the distress function in a DSC radio will work or not if a MMSI number is not programmed. It really shouldn't be that hard to find out.

You'd think that if it was required, the radios would come with a programmed number and when you registered the database would just connect your info with that number. Like the way cell phones are set up.
 
No MMSI, no DSC distress function. Very clearly stated in the manual for my radio.

From USCG NAVCEN:

The MMSI number is the most important step in making sure your radio and GPS will work with the Rescue 21 program. Please note that your DSC radio will not work correctly without an MMSI number.
 
gstraub":1tqio89o said:
No MMSI, no DSC distress function. Very clearly stated in the manual for my radio.

From USCG NAVCEN:

The MMSI number is the most important step in making sure your radio and GPS will work with the Rescue 21 program. Please note that your DSC radio will not work correctly without an MMSI number.
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When the DSC requirement for an MMSI # issue was being hashed over here a while ago I pulled the manuals for the 3 different VHF's on board SleepyC. I don't remember which one but one of the three did not address that specifically, and I believe it was the Raymarine which is the older of the three. The other 2, (ICOM & Standard Horizon), both said that the MMSI must be programmed into the VHF before the DSC function would work.

It shouldn't be that hard to find out. Look it up in your manual or find the radio you are looking to get and find its manual on line.

As to whether you need a USA FCC issued number or not, I have been in Canada multiple (Dozens of times) I have been contacted by Canadian Vessel Traffic Service, after finding my AIS signal, I have talked to CVT multiple times, and to Canadian Coast Guard. Never been asked about a ships license, not once. BUT, I agree with Bob, I do not want to get onto the wrong side of some foreign official because I am not in compliance with their law.

As to crossing the boarder. IF you are trailering, have your passport stamped. The drive across boarder stations may not have ready access to the boarder clearance number, and a stamped pass port is fully adequate to prove legal entry.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Agree with Harvey, that when we have trailered into Canada, the passport works instead of the clearance number. I had specifically asked that question when we drove in. When we came into Canada at Prince Rupert, and cleared with customs, we did not get a boater clearance number to put in the window--as we always did when clearing in in Southern BC.
 
As to crossing the boarder. IF you are trailering, have your passport stamped. The drive across boarder stations may not have ready access to the boarder clearance number, and a stamped pass port is fully adequate to prove legal entry.
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You can ask, but I wouldn't demand. When I crossed at the truck crossing north of Bellingham, I asked, and the lady customs person said they don't do that. I asked again with the explanation discussed here, and she again said they don't stamp the passports. End of conversation. I launched, came thru Roche Harbor, no problems. I went back thru Bedwell Harbor, used the customs shack phone, received my special number, put it on the small form provided there, and stuck that in my window. No one bothered me. When we did the North Channel several years ago, crossing the border by trailer and launching at Spanish, I had one set of Canadian Customs guys walking along the docks in Little Current ask me about when and where we came in, I told them. (No stamping of my passport crossing by trailer then either.) They issued me the little form then and told me to keep it in my window. (BTW, when you cross at the border by land, they enter your information in their computer. Future customs inspectors have access to that info, so they know you've already cleared.)

MMSI. I have a Boat US issued number. I've been told Canada along the border can find out your information if they need it. (Ie, you press your emergency button.) I transmitted my AIS with that MMSI number the entire time I was in Canada this past June without issue.

Colby
 
I ask for my passport to be stamped when I enter in Victoria and Blaine, with the explanation, and they always stamp. No idea why it would be refused. Too much bother to find the stamp? It's always right on the desk when I ask.

Does the distress signal work without an MMSI? That could be a matter of interpretation. Does your car work without brakes? Some would say no. Having no MMSI number entered on your radio could be similar to calling 911 and just yelling HELP into your cell phone. You could be located, but it would be better with more information. The DSC system was designed to provide more information, without that, it arguably doesn't work.

Designing a system that needs to be sent back to the manufacturer for modification seems strange. While doing research and deciding to upgrade to a DSC radio, I came across a discussion on another forum about this issue. Someone claiming to have worked for one of the big marine electronics firms said that it wasn't actually true. People have the idea that the manufacturer takes the radio appart and, using a screwdriver and a hammer, re-arranges diodes and transistors to effectuate the change. In reality, erasing the MMSI is done by holding down certain buttons or sequences of buttons. He gave the sequence for the one that he knew. I have no idea if it was true, but it makes sense.

The justification could be that the CG didn't want people to make prank distress calls and then change the MMSI. It might reduce theft (although most thieves probably wouldn't know that the radio has an identifier in it). Or it could be that the manufacturers wanted you to upgrade instead of paying $50 for the button pushing.

Mark
 
BTDT":1ynesnzz said:
FWIW:

Icom M506 VHF DSC Fixed Mount Radio
Icom M506 VHF DSC Fixed ...
$329.95
The GPS Store
Free shipping
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There are several versions of the M506 VHF radio. They go in price ascending order from the basic, DSC fixed mount, up to the AIS Receive version and there are some different NMEA versions also. (There will not be a Non-DSC version.)

Be VERY specific about the one you want and are ordering.

Passport stamping: I had one Canadian Customs officer say we don't usually stamp passports here. When I gave him the reasoning, "That it makes contact with the Canadian Coast Guard much less stressful because I would not have the usual Customs Crossing number", he said OK, I get it and pulled the stamp off the shelf and stamped and and said thanks for helping him to understand.

Colby is right though. Demanding might get you into an awkward situation. If I was refused, I think I would ask for some paper verification of my legal crossing though.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

JC_Lately_SleepyC_Flat_Blue_070.thumb.jpg
 
One note on crossing the Canadian border, as I have hundreds of times; get a NEXUS pass. Pay the $50 bucks or whatever it is now, fill out the application on line, go to the interview, and enjoy crossing with no hassle. You don’t even have to land to clear by boat. And if you cross by car, you wonder why you didn’t do this a long time ago. Enjoy.

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-trav ... rams/nexus
 
A word of caution. If you use 2 radios with one antenna and an antenna splitter, you'll have 1/2 the power at each radio input, a 3 dB loss. The solution is, of course, to use 2 antennas, each feeding a separate radio. This is only for the receive. I believe the transmission goes straight out.

Also, if the radio has both VHF and AIS with a single antenna input, some of the antenna power must be diverted from the VHF side to the AIS receiver. I have separate VHF and AIS units and antennas.

The problem with 2 radios and separate antennas is the power put into the receiving radio from the transmitting radio, even if they're on separate channels. So if you transmit, turn the other radio down.

And last, is that all decent VHF radios have the same receive performance: 20 dB of Quieting (sensitivity) @ 0.35 micro volts input and 12 dB SINAD @ 0.25 microvolts. This is the same for both ICOM and SH, cheap or top of the line. So, as long as you buy a "good" brand, you'll get decent performance. The only difference is the bells and whistles they add.

Boris
 
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