Sharing MMSI numbers

U

uncle_otto

New member
Here's a thought... Would there be any interest in posting our MMSI numbers to allow individual and/or group calling while on the water? This could also be followed up by a position request to see other Brats within the range of your VHF signal. This is an alternative to the conventional voice hailing on VHF16 (or any other working channel). Perhaps this is something that we could add to our profiles...??

For those of you not familiar with this technology, here's how it works: Each person who has registered with the Coast Guard has a 9 digit unique MMSI number, much like a phone number. You obtain a handful of numbers from your fellow boaters. Then you enter them into your VHF, much like a speed dial phone book. If you desire, you can create a nickname for each entry. As you enter numbers, you can assign them to different groups. So now let's say you're out cruising the San Juan's and wonder to yourself... "how many other Brats are up here on this fine day?" You reach over and with the touch a few buttons, you send out a digital phone call to everyone in the C-Brats group that you created. You've just silently (digitally) hailed all C-Brats within range, and an alert sounds on their radio indicating they have received a call. Those that receive the call can either accept or decline the call. If you accept, your radio automatically switches to the predefined working channel that the caller has chosen when the call was made. Now you're all connected on the same channel and the chatting commences.

It goes one step further if you want to send a position request to another vessel. This is done in much the same way but only works for individuals - not groups. Once a position request is accepted, the position of the other vessel appears on your chartplotter - if so equipped. This same technology is used for DSC distress calls. The vessel's name automatically shows up on your screen so you can see exactly where the vessel in distress is located. (I believe other detailed information about the vessel is displayed in a pop-up window if your chartplotter supports it.)

Now I realize that a few issues arise here...

1) Equipment. Not everyone has the equipment to take advantage of this technology, but for those of us with an MMSI number, chances are you have a DSC radio and (hopefully) have it connected to your GPS. For those of you without this equipment, I urge you to consider the investment.

2) Privacy. I'm sure there are those among us that would rather not reveal their whereabouts or may not feel compelled to join in the conversation. That is solved by simply not sharing your MMSI number, or declining the call request. We'll just assume you're fighting a really big fish.

3) The geek factor. Ok, I'm a geek. But this technology can not be used without knowing other's MMSI numbers. A little too high tech for you...?? Well, it's this same high technology that can and will save lives in the future once the DSC system is fully implemented nationwide with the Coast Guard. I propose that we all get a little bit of practice and familiarity with our electronic equipment before the need arises to use it in an emergency.

For those that have read through the "rescue" thread, consider how much quicker the response would have been had a functional DSC system (VHF+GPS) been on board.
 
Hey Uncle Otto, great explanation. If I'd had time, I'd have dug this out by myself. I'm a self trained geek (well maybe with the help of NC State and the USN Post Graduate School) , Ham Radio Operator, etc.... We've got a system called APRS which will put the location of a ham station, mobile or fixed on a moving map GPS display. Would be great for us in the Bay here.

Art (Sea Angel) and I will try it at the Langford Bay gathering this summer and see if we can come up with a way to put it on the chartplotter. Art has already mentioned it.

charlie
 
Yes sir, that is a good idea. In fact, Sea Angel made a similar suggestion in a PM a few days ago (great minds think alike, huh?).

Bill is looking into adding or modifying a field in the member profile for entering the MMSI info. Being a geek himself, he wants to make sure that what is entered by users fits the acceptable format for the number and other nerd stuff. Bill is weird that way. To wit: I came by my bald pate via heredity; Da Nerd pulled his hair out.

I am thinking this is a good service to provide, as much for sharing the numbers by/with those interested as well as encouraging the technological slackers such as myself to join the current century. Anyone with privacy concerns has simply to not add the info.

Bill will be on this soon. He probably already has it figured out and ready to go, but he always runs a bunch of tests with new stuff to make sure there's no way I can screw it up.
 
I think this would be 1. fun to play with. 2 good for getting to know the capabilities of our radio/gps units. 3. Ultimately could save time on a rescue.
 
This is a great idea. I'm now thinking about replacing the vhf on my Trophy to talk to my SH plotter.
Nothing like being safe on the water and having others know where you are - especially if there is a problem.
Thanks,
Bill
 
count me in. I have programed my number into the radio, a raymarine 54, and It reciecives the gps location from the chart plotter but how do I tell if it will display others localtion onto my chartplotter?? there is nothing in the mauanl about it but It has to be getting the info from hte chart plotter right? so why would it not work in hte other direction?? How do i tell or do I have to wait and get one of you to give me your number?
 
Exactly! We can't start using it until we plug in some MMSI numbers. At least I don't think so... I have the same radio - a Ray54. There's no documentation on how to test it, or simulate a call, so once the nerds create a place for our MMSI# in our profile, we can look up the numbers of some of the Brats in your vicinity (use the brat map) and plug them in. Then the next time you're out, give it a try. It might take a while until we get more people online with the DSC technology, but it's well worth it!
 
otto & tom - I am glad both of you have programmed it into your radios. I do not have a number, however I plan on getting one and if I have trouble programming my radio, I know where to go for help. I have the Raymarine 54 radio also.
 
I started looking at this in my radio manual last night and I think what we are looking for is a C-Brat group MMSI number. That way you enter the group MMSI in the radio and you can either call the group or answer a call from the the group. I found this on a Coast Guard site:

I own a small fleet of boats, each equipped with DSC-equipped VHF radios. I have already programmed each with an individual MMSI number. These radios also allow programming with a vessel group MMSI, which I need for calling all of my vessels. How do I obtain a vessel group MMSI assignment?

Your individual MMSI assigned by the FCC should end in a zero. To obtain a vessel group identity, take any one of your individual MMSI numbers, remove the zero at the end of the number, and add a zero at the beginning. That new number will be your vessel group identity. For example, if your individual identity is 366123450, your vessel group identity is 036612345. If your individual identity does not end in a zero, you will need to obtain a group identity from the FCC or the agency which assigned you your individual identity. See the MMSI Webpage.

I looked at my MMSI number but it ends in 8 and not 0. So it would seem to be simple if someone has an MMSI ending in 0.
 
Registered last night. Now to figure out how to input info into my Horizon Intrepid radio. I also need to hook up to the GPS.

Perhaps we could get the nerds to add a place for the MMSI in our profiles?
 
Take a look at the post I put on the Lankford gathering discussion. It is on Page 9. It has a great frequently asked questions run down on MMSI. Should I move it over hear?

Joe Reighard
Soapy Joe
22' cruiser
 
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.
 
Very interesting, Tom. Intuitively, dealing with "gummint" entities in the past, it appears that group numbers may not be monitored at all, just as we are ignored if I programmed your number in my VHF as an individual "caller ID" and gave you a specific MMSI call. I wonder if any 9 digit number starting with 0 and ending with something other than 0 would work as a group number? DSC has great potential and I would bet there's very little use in the boating community beyond programming for the red button and ignoring it

What's needed is a little experimentation by at least three DSC equipped C-Brat boats in the same physical location. If a registered MMSI number ending in zero is needed for a group number, the brats can certainly use mine by moving the zero from the end to the beginning:
036697831

They need only be careful to enter the group number in the "calling list" on their VHF and not reprogram their radio's primary number.

Don

Edited to make sure the group number was clearer
 
I got my number from BoatUS.
The number I have is 338041126.
It doesn't begin or end with "0"

I just got the data cable soldered, will be installing it this weekend.
 
Sneaks":eh697nbf said:
DSC has great potential and I would bet there's very little use in the boating community beyond programming for the red button and ignoring it
Click to expand...


Actually there really is some very useful aspects of DSC for boaters but they have to put a little effort in and learn their radio system. The most beneficial one that comes to mind is the ability to send your coordinates to a fishing buddy without broadcasting them to everyone and their brother and spoiling a hot bite. If you have a DSC radio with two way NMEA then when someone "pushes" their coordinates to you it will actually put their boat on your chartplotter. No need to pencil it down in rough seas. :thup
 
Indeed group call and selective call is being done in and around San Diego to keep the unwashed masses away from hot bites.

I did some research, mainly because of a senior moment. If you already have a FCC license for your boat, you MUST go directly to the FCC to obtain an MMSI number. It's free.

Since I occasionally go into foreign waters (Mexico is soooo close) I must have a license and do. (WDB9549) $200

I have an Amateur Radio license, so it wasn't necessary to obtain a Restricted Radio Operator license in addition to the VHF/Radar license. Strictly by the book, VHF operators within US waters don't need a radio license, but they do need a restricted radio operator license. (Widely ignored.) $50

My MMSI number 366978310 was issued by the FCC directly and applies to the Jenny B. Interestingly, my license does NOT show a "Selective Call Digital" number, only the MMSI number. FREE

So now I'm wondering if that's why my number ends in zero and can be made into a group number as described earlier in this thread.

Don
 
Read this on another list:

The group MMSI can be used when a flotilla is cruising in proximity. Take any MMSI ( like your own number) that begins with a non zero digit ( the Boat US assigned numbers begin with a 0 and are not valid for group setup) drop the first digit and add a zero at the end. Walla you have a valid group MMSI. Have each cruiser put that into their radio as the Group MMSI designation (only one allowed at a time) and you have an effective way of getting all your pals onto one freq without calling on 16 - switching - etc.
Click to expand...

Bringing this topic back up, let's establish a group MMSI number for C-Brats at the SBS CBGT! All in favor say Aye! Discussion?

Warren
 
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