Sharing MMSI numbers

tpbrady":2qii8bbg said:
Don,

See my previous post on a group MMSI number. You have the magic BB. If we drop the 0 from the end of your number and add it at the beginning, it will make it a group MMSI. If you load that group MMSI into your radio, any C-Brat can just put in the group call, and your radio would respond. You don't have to know who is there, just that somebody in the group is there.

If my understanding is right, we could use 036697831 as the group call for the C-brats.
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Maybe not quite like that, according to what I have read since I posted above. More from the same source:

A group MMSI _starts_ with a single 0, followed by the three-digit "country code".

Individual vessel MMSIs start with a non-zero digit, and the first three digits are the "country code".

Coast Station MMSIs start with two zeros, followed by the "country code".

If you wish to fabricate your own group MMSI (I'm not sure how legal that is, either here in Canada, or in the US), you'd add a leading zero, and drop one of the last six digits to make room for it, leaving the "country code" intact.
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See the MMSI Webpage.

Warren
 
As far as I understand, the "official" (more or less) C-Brats MMSI number is 036697831. I've had it programmed in for a couple seasons, and I DSC "group call" it periodically when I think there might be C-Brats about (but I don't know which boats), and I've never gotten a response.
 
timflan":3kanf7b4 said:
As far as I understand, the "official" (more or less) C-Brats MMSI number is 036697831. I've had it programmed in for a couple seasons, and I DSC "group call" it periodically when I think there might be C-Brats about (but I don't know which boats), and I've never gotten a response.
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Good to know. That number is as good as any, so now we need to educate and encourage people to use it!

Warren
 
I know I need to get on the ball here. Still debating whether to go with the Boat US number or go through the "proper channels" and pay the bucks to FCC. Anybody have any downside experience with the BoatUS variety :?:


Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
I have a BoatUS number, and it's fine. EXCEPT that TECHNICALLY, I shouldn't be cruising into Canada with it. Canada doesn't enforce US FCC rules, but if I broadcast my MMSI while in Canada I'm violating US FCC rules. Since I carry class B AIS, I broadcast my MMSI constantly.

One of these days, I'm going to fix this problem. It ain't my highest priority, but if I were doing it from scratch, I would definitely get an FCC-issued MMSI number.
 
Harvey,

Here's the problem. If you are in Canada and have to push the red "Distress" button, the Canadian CG cannot get any information about your boat as the BoatUS MMSI numbers and information do not go into the international registry.

BoatUS MMSI numbers are for inside the US only.
 
hardee":3lhb4ein said:
I know I need to get on the ball here. Still debating whether to go with the Boat US number or go through the "proper channels" and pay the bucks to FCC. Anybody have any downside experience with the BoatUS variety :?:
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What Larry H said. We live so close to and play so often in Canada that IMHO going the FCC route should be considered mandatory.

Warren
 
As we are on this topic, anyone have an idea where on the FCC site you go to get the MMSI number? Also to make me legal, as i also go into Canada all the time, what license i have to apply for and where that is on the FCC site?

Thanks Jim
 
Regarding BoatUS MMSI's, a cautionary tale.

We installed a BoatUS MMSI and decided to shift to the FCC version. We found out that our radio, a Raymarine Ray54 would not allow us to remove the BoatUS MMSI and had to send the radio to Raymarine to have it done. A PITA and it cost about $50 to do it.

So it's worth while to check before you install a BoastUS version if you think you might eventually want the "official" MMSI.
 
I suspect that the Canadian Coast Guard, particularly in the PNW area would very quickly contact USCG or BoatUS and find out who you were but the fact remains that a BoatUS number is NOT in their official database.

The issue of FCC rules applying to your actions in a foreign country has always amused me as has the reference to "hovering objects" but the fact is that it is technically illegal for anyone without the FCC license to hail a Canadian vessel or even a marina.

Clearly technicalities and realities differ but for the sake of simplicity, we found it easier to go through the web process and get license, official # etc. Like Tim, we are broadcasting on AIS whenever we feel it appropriate (and border crossing is one of those times). So it would not be hard for the FCC, USCG, Canadian CG or any other vessel to know who we are and where we are at any given time.

Personally I don't care who is watching where I go and I suspect it helps the CG and other security forces to decide if you are a "friendly" or not.

As for my fishing spots, based on last year's performance anyone is welcome to follow me and make a huge donation to the survival of the species :lol:

Merv
 
colobear":3jx5loqz said:
We installed a BoatUS MMSI and decided to shift to the FCC version. We found out that our radio, a Raymarine Ray54 would not allow us to remove the BoatUS MMSI and had to send the radio to Raymarine to have it done.
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My Ray45 had a problem, and I sent it to Raymarine, and they fixed it.

And I TOTALLY FORGOT TO ASK them to please wipe the MMSI number while they had it in the shop! CRAP! Now it's back, and I have yet another tiny reason not to change to a real FCC MMSI number.
 
Per the documentation on my Raymarine 218 VHF, the MMSI number can only be entered once. To change it, the radio has to be sent back to Raymarine. The Standard Horizon GX series also only allows one MMSI number to be entered. :(

If you sell your boat and have a MMSI number from BoatUS, be sure to delete your MMSI record on the BoatUS website. The new boat owner may not be correctly identified if the MMSI contact info isn't kept up to date.

I looked at the Standard Horizon Matrix AIS unit, but it is receive only for AIS. I opted for the Western Marine AIS transceiver which retails around $600. The Alaska Marine Exchange was able to track me very well in Stephens Passage & around Douglas Island. Looking forward to playing with it more this summer. DSC is great, but requires some practice & manual operation. AIS is pretty much plug & play. However, I don't believe USCG monitors AIS. Its primarily a ship-to-ship navigation aid.
 
If we're discussing MMI numbers here, I'd like to ask a couple of questions.

First, I got a MMSI number through Boat US. Later I found out that number was not recognized outside the US, as in Canada or Mexico. Apparently it's not on the "official" US database. Boat US was trying to change this.

First question: did Boat US ever get this straightened out, and if so, what was the answer?

Next few questions:
Can anyone tell me what is needed to get an "official" MMSI?
Do I need a ship station license?
I have a ham license, does that help?
What form do I use?
How much does it cost?

As a note, I've tried looking at the FCC web sites and they just have vague answers and lists of forms.

Boris
 
bjidzik":23uzixcz said:
If you sell your boat and have a MMSI number from BoatUS, be sure to delete your MMSI record on the BoatUS website. The new boat owner may not be correctly identified if the MMSI contact info isn't kept up to date.
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Or you can do like I did when I bought Two Lucky Fish from Mac and Linda: CALL BoatUS and have them update the record for the existing MMSI number. Then you maintain the info right on the website as usual. It's a hassle, but less of a hassle than demounting your VHF and shipping it to the manufacturer!

I looked at the Standard Horizon Matrix AIS unit, but it is receive only for AIS. I opted for the Western Marine AIS transceiver which retails around $600.
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If you're interested in Class A or Class B AIS aboard your boat, consider the Standard Horizon GX2000, It's just like the GX2100, except it doesn't have an AIS receiver onboard. It still passes AIS info through to your chartplotter, and allows one-button DSC hailing of AIS targets. Brilliant.

AIS is pretty much plug & play. However, I don't believe USCG monitors AIS. Its primarily a ship-to-ship navigation aid.
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Vessel Traffic monitors AIS, but last I knew (this may have changed) their equipment was unable to display Class B targets. Unbelievable but true.

Sorry to contribute in taking the discussion off-topic. If we're going to continue with this, we should fork it to a new thread.
 
I joined the ranks today of those who have registered and have received their MMSI Numbers (338098046). I have a Uniden Radio and it took me longer to find the manual online (about 5 minutes) then it did to program the numbers into the radio...about 2 minutes.

I have had the radio for about a year now so that is pretty darn good by my standards. Now to see about connecting my Garmin GPS to the radio....that won't take another year I hope. :wink
 
Hi Boris,

FCC's online info is remarkably confusing. I 'd recommend calling them to start with:

1-888-225-5322 (1-888-CALL FCC) Voice: toll-free

I believe you need the standard FCC licenses, a Restricted Radiotelephone Operator permit, and a Ship Station License ($160?). When you apply for the Ship Station License, check the box that says you have a DSC radio and need an MMSI.
 
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