T&T: FCC - Taking Your MMSI with you

[Peter Bennett]

Thursday, February 7, 2008, 2:35:59 PM, Mike wrote:

MM> Jim asked what to do about multiple radios?
MM> It appears that the MMSI number that you are assigned is only 9 digits
MM> in length, and the number in the radio is 10 digits. This leaves you 
MM> with 10 possibilities in your group.

An MMSI number is _only_ 9 digits.  The two DSC-capable radios I have
only permit the entry of 9 digits as either your own MMSI, or for
other vessels, in the "phone book".  What radios allow a 10 digit MMSI?

According to the Canadian regulations, the same MMSI number is used
for all radios (and any other equipment requiring MMSI numbers, like
an AIS transponder) on board a vessel. Also, the MMSI number belongs
to the vessel, not to the owner. If you change vessels, and want to
take your old DSC radio with you, _you_ have to worry about
re-programming it with your new MMSI.

MM> I am pretty sure that this has come up before, but there are a LOT of 
MM> people who have not come to grips with all this DSC/MMSI stuff and it 
MM> may take a while before we all become knowledgeable.

MM> By the way SC-101 standard is no longer being accepted by the FCC, was
MM> withdrawn from handheld radios and Class D is the alternative. Class A
MM> being the version with a second always on, receive channel. This may 
MM> explain the lack of DSC handheld radios on the market.


MM> Mike



-- 
Peter Bennett, VE7CEI    Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Ennos 31 "Honeycomb"
GPS and NMEA info: http://vancouver-webpages.com/peter 
Vancouver Power Squadron: http://vancouver.powersquadron.ca