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I just picked up the Uniden MHS135 handheld VHF/DSC radio with built-in GPS. It's available at Amazon for $125, a very attractive price given its features. I believe that it's a closeout special, since the Uniden website now lists the MHS235 instead.
I already have a fixed VHF in my boat, with a MMSI registered through BoatUS (for US domestic use only).
My intention for this radio is as a backup to attach to me when singlehanding (so I'll have a distress button available if I go overboard), and also for dinghy use and occasional use on charter boats and/or others' vessels. I don't want to go through the bother of an international MMSI, so I plan to register through BoatUS. If I ever take it with me for use in BVI or other international locations, I'll just turn off DSC capabilities and not use the distress button.
I thought I would get your opinions of what MMSI to enter into the radio. From what I've read online, I basically have two choices:
As you can probably tell, I am leaning toward the second option, which is the option that BoatUS recommends for my situation. But since you only get one shot to enter the MMSI into the radio, I thought I'd post my question here to make sure I'm not overlooking some other consideration.
By the way, I am really impressed with this Uniden radio's features - so much so that I ordered a second one as a Christmas present for my son who crews on racing boats in Seattle. I want him to have a distress button with him if he goes overboard. I do realize that due to his proximity to BC, he may have to register for an international MMSI number.
I already have a fixed VHF in my boat, with a MMSI registered through BoatUS (for US domestic use only).
My intention for this radio is as a backup to attach to me when singlehanding (so I'll have a distress button available if I go overboard), and also for dinghy use and occasional use on charter boats and/or others' vessels. I don't want to go through the bother of an international MMSI, so I plan to register through BoatUS. If I ever take it with me for use in BVI or other international locations, I'll just turn off DSC capabilities and not use the distress button.
I thought I would get your opinions of what MMSI to enter into the radio. From what I've read online, I basically have two choices:
- Enter the same MMSI as my fixed radio. This does have the potential to create some confusion, since incoming DSC calls could be answered by two radios. So generally you should turn off DSC auto-acknowledge on one of the radios. I plan to turn off DSC scanning on the handheld anyway, because the scan feature causes dropouts on the analog audio channels (a well-known deficiency with this Uniden radio, because it shares a single radio receiver between DSC and analog channels). Using the same MMSI for both radios apparently also creates some problems calling between the two radios, which could be important for dinghy use.
- Register for a second, unique MMSI for the handheld. This offers greater flexibility, including the ability to edit my profile for the handheld to reflect the different charter vessels that I might be on, and it allows placing DSC calls between the handheld and the fixed radio.
As you can probably tell, I am leaning toward the second option, which is the option that BoatUS recommends for my situation. But since you only get one shot to enter the MMSI into the radio, I thought I'd post my question here to make sure I'm not overlooking some other consideration.
By the way, I am really impressed with this Uniden radio's features - so much so that I ordered a second one as a Christmas present for my son who crews on racing boats in Seattle. I want him to have a distress button with him if he goes overboard. I do realize that due to his proximity to BC, he may have to register for an international MMSI number.
