FCC Links

A

amy and karl

New member
Hello All,

OK, I know I've seen the links here before but I'm having trouble locating them. Does anyone have the direct links to the FCC for the ship's license and operators permits? It has been a while since I've had to speak Government. We are planning two weeks in Canada this Summer and would just feel better having the required paperwork.

Thanks for your help,

Karl
 
http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index. ... p_stations

Has all of the FAQ and links you need.

Many of us do not bother to get the ship's license--and I have never heard of a problem. The Canadians do not seem to care as long as you have your FCC op permit, which you need for the US anyway. I have the ham license, which gives Ham reciprocity without application (nothing to do with ship's license).
 
I have both the ship and individual license. Got them mainly so I would have an MMSI from the FCC that is valid in Canada. I don't feel any more legal with them, just one of those things. Incidentally, I just upgraded my VHF to a Standard Horizon Matrix 3000 to get the loudhailer and automatic fog signals. Hoping for improved signal rejection and clearer voice communications as well. I sent the Raymarine Ray54 back to Raymarine to have the BoatUS MMSI removed and found out they charge $45 to do that and give the radio a "bench check" :x :x Debating what to do with the Ray54. Its a perfectly good radio. I already have a good handheld for my backup and am not sure whether or not to install it as a second fixed VHF.
 
So, if you have two fixed VHF's on board, are you to also have two Operators licenses from FCC?

Barry, I am doing the same (upgrade - looking for fog and hailer capability)) and am planning to use the Ray 54 as a second fixed unit. Have not had MMSI on it, so now, is it possible to put one MMSI into the two radios on board or does each one get an individual MMSI number?

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
The MMSI number is registered to the boat, so I would expect you would input the same number on both radios if you wanted both to have the capability. I am not sure why you would need to do that however. Also keep in mind that if you trigger one radio the other may very well receive the signal from the other and may cause some confusion. I would choose which is the better to use and not use both.?? Any other thoughts on this?

Got to love this site. There is ALWAYS a question that has never come up before.
 
Barry,

If you do install it as a second VHF with your MMSI in it you may get a shock on your first DSC call as BOTH VHF's will start "ringing" and you will be looking around the boat wondering what is on fire :shock:

You will need to program one of them NOT to answer.

You may guess how I know this :embarrased

Merv
 
Barry

:idea Not to hijack the FCC question, but as a followup.

If you have the space and $$ you may want to consider the Standard Horizon, Loud Hailer, "LH-5" with 4 - Fog, an Aground and Anchor Signal; as well as a 'Yelp' signal. It was $243 a few years ago from Boater's World. It has a 20 watt main speaker output, 6 watt secondary (rear) speaker output; both of which also act as "mics" so you monitor whatever. There is also an intercom, 4.5 watt IC, function that can be selected. Its size is about the same as the standard VHF radio.

I chose this approach to keep the radio clear of any side function when the fog signals were being used. At least that was the failings when I was looking into it in 2004. At that time it was either - or.

As to the second VHF, I would use one scanning, less ch 70, and the other for primary freqs.. If you add AIS, the too could be an asset.

Art
 
I will have to go read the books again but I had assumed that if I told one radio not to answer MSSI calls that would include not answering position requests etc. Could be confusing to get two different answers from the same boat :roll:
In case of emergency my main VHF is coupled with GPS etc (Be nice if the AIS recognised it too) to transmit the whole 9 yards. If I hit the button on the "dumb" one it would just send Mayday with no position.

Now if I could just get the AIS to pop the MMSI from any vessel I target into the radio so that I could call them directly intead of trying to enter "x" numbers into a small screen while driving a boat in fog and rough seas :shock: I would be happy. They won't let me drive a car doing that !!

I can tell it's not Spring yet but the sap is rising !!

Merv
 
The Radio license is for the boat--that includes Radar, SSB, VHF, EPRIB AIS etc.
The Restricted Radiotelephone operators Permit is yours for life and is good for any vessel or any Marine VHF you operate. This permit is also good for marine HF/SSB/ and GMDSS.

You should leave the MMSI number in the radio as a back up. I do think that a second radio is a great idea. I have had both the combo VHF/hailer and separate hailer. If you have the room the second hailer is better--30 watts is better than 20 watts. Better yet is a high quality air horn!--even better with an interval timer! A good air horn can be heard at over 2 miles and over ship's noises...
 
Bob, Slight correction:

Quote from Fcc site:
Radio Equipment You May Use
You do not need a license to use marine VHF radios, any type of EPIRB, any type of radar, GPS or LORAN receivers, depth finders, CB radio, or amateur radio (an amateur license is required). Ships that use MF/HF single side-band radio, satellite communications, or telegraphy must continue to be licensed by the FCC.
Click to expand...
 
Larry, context is for US boaters intending travel in Canadian waters, where the rules stipulate US boaters do need the licenses and permits. The quoted section is for boaters who only boat in US waters.
 
Dave,

You are right.

Bob,
Apologies, :embarrased

Yes, if you have a ship station license, it covers all types mentioned.

If you don't have a license (in the USA) you may not operate MF/HF SSB, satellite communications, or telegraphy.

Larry H
 
Dr Bob Said:

"Many of us do not bother to get the ship's license--and I have never heard of a problem. The Canadians do not seem to care as long as you have your FCC op permit, which you need for the US anyway. I have the ham license, which gives Ham reciprocity without application (nothing to do with ship's license)."
Click to expand...

So, would an entry level Ham license, (no Code required) suffice for the operators license? Thus only a station license would be required to get the FCC MMSI# assignment?

Apparently there are 2 reasons to get the FCC licenses.

1. Gets you an international MMSI #
2. Required for legal radio operation in Canada

I would be glad to just do the Boat US #, but I have the concerns about being in Canada water and needing MMSI # use, and not showing up in their data bank.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
The license required for US citizens to operate a ships radio (VHF, etc.) in Canada and to operate a MF/HF radiotelephone in either the US or Canada (not ham radio) is a Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit.

This permit is issued by the FCC to each operator and is not tied to any specific radio. It is good for life. Here is a quote from the above FCC link.

Obtaining a Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit
File FCC Forms 159 and 605 with the FCC. You do not need to take a test to obtain this permit. The FCC will mail the permit to you and it will be valid for your lifetime. Don't forget to sign and date your application and include any applicable fees; otherwise it will be dismissed.
Click to expand...
 
Actually, there are at least three grades of licensing that may be used to satisfy the requirement. The licenses are, in ascending order:

1) Restricted Radio Operator Permit (RR)
2) Marine Radio Operator Permit (MP)
3) General Radiotelephone Operator License (PG)

See:

http://wireless.fcc.gov/commoperators/index.htm?job=rr
http://wireless.fcc.gov/commoperators/index.htm?job=mp
http://wireless.fcc.gov/commoperators/index.htm?job=pg

I'll admit that the latter two are gross overkill for pleasure boaters. That said, since I already hold the PG with radar endorsement (PG00019262), I am not required to also obtain the lower level RR.

In some instances, one may need to hold both an RR or higher FCC permit/license and also an FCC amateur radio General or Extra level license in order to make full use of the capabilities of an MF/HF radio. One radio for which this is true is the Icom M802, which is capable of operating on both marine and amateur frequencies:

http://www.icomamerica.com/en/products/ ... tions.aspx

http://www.landfallnavigation.com/eicm802.html


Best regards,
 
Many of us got the restricted radio operator's license when boats had AM radio (100 watts), before the VHF radio was on the scene for recreational boaters. No a ham license would not "legally" satisfy the requirement.

When I had larger vessels and in times past, when a ships license was required, I was traveling to many countries; I got that ship's license. I also got a recproical ham license in each country where I transmitted from.

If you have AIS, then you need the official MMSI number. I cannot answer if canadian CG has the data base of Boat US or FCC MMSI numbers. In the 10 trips I have taken into Canadian waters (some lasting months), I have never been asked about a restricted radio operators permit or a ship's call sign. On the other hand, I am not on the radio a lot. But when necessary I have used the radio. Thinking back, any government contact I have had was only when I had the larger boats and FCC ship's license. You have to decide if you want a ships radio license--but you HAVE to have the restricted radio operators permit. As for FCC enforcement--not heard of any recently--but in the past, it was certainly done in the US.
 
Well I just registered for some type of license with the FCC to get my MMSI number. It's a pretty easy process once you enroll in the web site and get a user number to access the web site. The only problem it's a $160 to apply and get the license and MMSI number. That seems steep, but I guess the government needs the money these days. Anyone know if there is an annual charge for this stuff or it’s just a one timer?

Thanks Jim
 
Jim,

I believe it is a one time, or a ten year ticket. The option is to do the Free MMSI # from Boat US, however as stated above, that number is only good in USA waters.

Glad to hear the FCC on line experience was a good one, except for the $$$. Of course those $$$ are doing our government some good, right?

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Well I got my FCC license today. Took less than a week to get and the $160 license fee is good for 10 years. Overall a good experience. All is well.

Jim
 
PIn agreement Dr. Bob's point, I have been reading a number of threads on this plus my own experience and it seems that there is "wink wink, nod nod" no enforcement agreement other than the Canadian requirement that you have the restricted operators licence and who know's, even that may not be totally enforceable. They are happy if you have it but will probably not call the Mounties if you don"t have one.
Note that in Canada, the CG does the safety, the Mounties do the law enforcement.

Like many, we have gone for total conformity with the regulations but I find it hard to believe that if the Canadian CG wanted to find you they would profess total ignorance of the US Boat list.

On the other hand why did we have to invent a "separate from the rest of the world" MMSI list in the first place ?

(Don't answer that.)


Merv
 
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