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VHF Radio License

10K views 33 replies 15 participants last post by  weephee 
#1 ·
Hello. I'm going this week to write my VHF radio license and was curious as to whether most sailors have and use a VHF radio. I have an older unit and if all goes well, I'm thinking of getting a DSC version. Is this pretty common now. Like I said, I'm just curious to how prevelant this is amongst pleasure sailors.
 
#2 ·
Most sailors have a VHF radio. In the US, and I believe Canada, a license is NOT required. However, if you go abroad, the license will probably be necessary for the countries that you visit.

DSC is very common. You need to register your MMSI for it to do any good. Also, if your VHF does not have an integral GPS, you need to connect the GPS to the VHF.
 
#4 ·
Not sure about US and Canada but in Aus a "set" licence is not needed for VHF ie the installation is covered by a blanket VHF radio licence, a UHF radio requires a specific installation licence as well as operator MROCP. However a Marine Radio Operators Certificate of Proficiency is required by anybody who makes a transmission on a VHF radio unless that transmission is an emergency message.
 
#3 ·
Good idea to get your VHF license although it does not appear to be a strictly "enforced" requirement. The test does give a nice refresher for radio protocol.
I recently replaced an old VHF radio with a DSC and AIS compatible radio. I have not used the DSC nor AIS function but the new radio is great, of particular benefit is the multi channel scan function which means that you can monitor all radio traffic without having to physically switch channels.
 
#6 ·
Jordan, you beat me to it, when it comes to Cdn licencing. I also understand that the fines for non-distress usage can be quite heavy.

As for DSC vs non-DSC, my understanding is that while non-DSC radios are permitted, most radio manufacturers are now required to make DSC radios only. So the only way to get a non-DSC radio is to buy it second hand.
 
#8 ·
As for DSC vs non-DSC, my understanding is that while non-DSC radios are permitted, most radio manufacturers are now required to make DSC radios only. So the only way to get a non-DSC radio is to buy it second hand.
As for DSC, it's a non-issue about the radio; New, fixed marine radios will have DSC regardless while mobile/handheld units won't. The decision is whether you pay extra to get your DSC endorsement on your ROC-M certificate as well as go through the hassle of enabling your MMSI on the radio if you don't have an attached GPS.
I'm surprised to hear it costs you more for DSC endorsement - it's a no-option part of the package over here, Down Under.

Note that noboby's forcing you to enable DSC even if your radio is fitted with it.. for now at least. Your choice. ;)
 
#7 ·
Yes Mark, you are correct. When I said that breaking the rules of usage had stiff penalties, I was perhaps understating it. For example, swearing on the radio carries a fine of up to $5,000 and up to 12 months in jail.
I would be curious to know how often these fines and incarcerations are handed out in the real world.

As for DSC, it's a non-issue about the radio; New, fixed marine radios will have DSC regardless while mobile/handheld units won't. The decision is whether you pay extra to get your DSC endorsement on your ROC-M certificate as well as go through the hassle of enabling your MMSI on the radio if you don't have an attached GPS.

The "no brainer" answer.
Yes, get a VHF radio.
Yes, get your ROC-M.
Yes, get your DSC endorsement for the ROC-M.
Yes, register for your MMSI.
Optional, get a station license for your radio hardware if you plan to visit the USA.
 
#11 ·
Hello,

Doesn't the question that really needs to be asked is 'where do you sail?' I'm not familiar with Ottawa (or if that is where the poster sails) but if you aren't on large body of water, then a VHF radio isn't much use.

I sail on the Long Island Sound, a fairly large body of water. The US Coast Guard has a presence, and there are many marina's and other places that use VHF also. Just about all boaters have VHF radios. If all your boating is on a small lake or river, I don't think the VHF will be used. If you do boat on the great lakes, then a VHF will be useful (and in the US they are very cheap).

Good luck,
Barry
 
#12 ·
It is to my understanding that if you are going outside the territorial waters of the USA and into other countries' waters. You will need a Ship's radio license and a Radio Operator's Permit. The Ship's Radio license will legalize your Radios for your vessel and your Radio Operator's permit will legalize you to operate said radios while on the vessel.
The first will give your vessel a call sign and second will give you the right to use said call sign along with your vessel's name.
You cannot take a portable radio ashore with you in any port and use it to keep in touch with your vessel... some countries it is jail time, and in a few you can get shot as a possible rebel. So don't over think yourself here. Just follow the rules. In the states it is a hefty fine.
 
#13 ·
I plan on sailing out of Kingston Ontario which is where Lake Ontario empties in the St Lawrence River. Point is that USA is within visual distance from Canada so I will be sailing in US waters as well as Canadian. From what I've read here, I will need a Station License if I want to venture across to the states. Not what I really wanted to hear but rules are rules. What is the annual station license fee in Canada. Thanks for all the replies.
 
#16 ·
VHF Radios - for the price of them, why be without one?

We are Registered in Canada (Canadian equivalent of a US Documented Vessel)
  • We have a few VHF radios on board.
  • We have our ROC-M with the DSC endorsement for the ROC-M.
  • We have registered our MMSI.
  • We have a station license for our radio because we yearly visit the USA.

Some observations:

  1. I toured the Search and Rescue headquarters for eastern Canada - I asked about things like EPIRBS, SPOT, DSC. The short answer was that their group scrambled immediately for a DSC Mayday call, but it sometimes took hours before they took off for an EPIRB "message" - their words "too many EPIRB false alarms, so far, no DSC false alarms".
  2. With a VHF call for any emergency, even on a river, there is the potential for lots of boaters to hear the call and quickly come to your aide.
  3. We have spent time each summer for the last 10+ years down in Maine. We have never been asked for our Station Licence. So, for me it is $36.00 a year to guarantee they won't ask for it. I know (Murphy's Law) that the year I don't pay the $36.00, some Coastie will ask, I won't have it and he/she and give me a fine.

I don't think I personally know a boater without a VHF???? I am sure there must be some. There are even a lot of my kayaking friends (yes, I know they are boaters too) who have them.

"Better to have a VHF radio and not need it than need it and not have it" (I think I read something like that here before, or was that about having extra beer??). :)

Cheers

Rik
 
#23 ·
It would appear that the Canadian HAM licence does not cover marine VHF frequencies and therefore would not cover usage of the marine service. This would also apply to foreign users as well, since your HAM radio licence
A quick look at the FCC frequencies for 2M and 1.25M bands and they also do not cover the marine VHF frequencies, so your HAM licence will not suffice.

You will definitely need whatever FCC offers to cover the marine VHF bands.
 
#24 ·
I don't know whether Canada has the same access to a free MMSI number as the US, but be careful, as i do not believe the free US number is valid outside US waters. You have to pay to get an internationally recognized number, which I have. AFAIK, you can only program a MMSI number once, so you can't change your mind.
 
#25 ·
In Canada, we have free MMSI numbers. They are internationally designated;
Canadian MMSI's begin with 316 followed by 6 digits.
Fleet vessels have a preceding 0, so Canadian fleet vessels are 0316 followed by 5 digits.
Coast Guard vessels are preceded by 00, so Canadian CG vessels are 00316 followed by 4 digits.

My book was last revised in 2007, and it lists USA codes as 303, 338, 366, 367, 368, 369 and should follow the same convention.

As for reprogramming, that is dependent on the radio. The Icom IC-M302 allows the MMSI to be entered twice. However, I believe (I recall it being mentioned in my course years ago) that you can contact the manufacturer to have it reset.
 
#26 ·
Re: do we need it.
I would say, the bigger is the body of water, the less we need VHF.
Around here (Big NY harbour, NJ and NY coast) you kinda need it. A lot of traffic plus in some cases, opening bridges, tugs and barges with different schedules etc.
And, I believe, the state of NJ requires it. And all the local cops can give you a ticket regardless the CG requirements (towing, passengers for hire or big cargo) if their state and or city requires VHF.
 
#27 ·
Well I took the exam last night and passed so I now have my VHF DSC Restricted Operators License Marine. Exam consisted of 60 multiple choice questions and 3 oral questions ie. give example of a safety call and sound out the phonetics for a few words. Cost to take the 3 day course is $95. This is in Canada. My VHF radio is not DSC so I will likely be hunting around for a Class D DSC radio in the near future and will get a station license.
Thanks all for the comments
 
#28 ·
Congratulations weephee.
My wife is taking her exam tonight in Toronto for $75cad and with fingers crossed she'll have the same result.

We turn to Radioworld : Amateur & Ham Radio GPS Chartplotters Fishfinders VHF Marine SSB radios Shortwave Radio Scanners CB GMRS Toronto Ontario Canada for our radio needs. It's located nearby so it's easy for us, I don't know if they ship, but their prices seem to be pretty good. Their staff seem to be all HAM radio operators which means lots of good knowledge if you need to call them up. I have no affiliation with them of any kind but can recommend them as a customer.

Also, if you are a Canadian Power Squadron member, which I think you are if you just finished your ROC-M, then you get discounts on Icom equipment. Sometimes to the tune of $50+ off.
 
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