In the US you can get the MMSI for recreational vessels through boatus. Just Google MMSI BoatUS.
SeaTow offers voice radio checks. Find their website to get a map of nearby locations and associated channel. It is a voice recording and playback system so you hear back your own transmission. DSC is most easily tested with another DSC radio that has been programmed with a different MMSI (read: friend's boat). That's an important point since the MMSI is assigned to the boat and all the DSC radios on that boat are supposed to be programmed to the same MMSI. Well what if I just took my portable and DSC called my fixed? Well often times the radios are designed to ignore DSC requests from their own MMSI. Makes sense....sorta. For recreational vessels in the US no license is required. The voice function of the radio should work fine without programming the MMSI. I've never heard of a mandate to program the MMSI. I could be wrong on the last point but then how would anyone know? Same with the requirement to monitor channel 16. What if I don't? Prove it. Josh Muckley S/V Sea Hawk 1989 C&C 37+ Solomons, MD On Jan 14, 2016 11:15 PM, "Marek Dziedzic via CnC-List" < cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote: > Bob, > > > > You need to program your MMSI (an identifier you get when you register the > radio). In Canada (and I bet in the US) in order to operate a DSC radio you > are required to have the DSC endorsed radio operator’s licence. > > > > Without the MMSI your DSC function does not work - it is like a phone > without an assigned number. If I recall correctly, it is illegal to use the > radio without registering it and acquiring the MMSI number. And if you > don’t program the MMSI, the radio would probably not work at all (it should > prompt you constantly to enter that number). > > > > In order to use the point to point transmission (not any of the Distress > or Urgency calls) you have to know the other party’s MMSI. Preferably, you > want to have it programmed into your radio (so you can select it, like from > a “Contacts” list in your phone). > > > > Ch. 70 is used SOLELY for digital handshake between the DSC radios. Using > that channel for any conversations is prohibited. > > > > I am afraid that you won’t be able to make the DSC call to the passing > barges unless you know their MMSI (or can look it up). > > > > Good luck > > > > Marek > > > > *From:* CnC-List [mailto:cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com] *On Behalf Of > *bobmor99 > . via CnC-List > *Sent:* Thursday, January 14, 2016 21:05 > *To:* cnc-list@cnc-list.com > *Cc:* bobmor99 . <bobmo...@gmail.com> > *Subject:* Stus-List Testing DSC > > > > Today I received my first grown-up radio, a Standard Horizon GX2200. > > DSC looks like a very nice technology but I am wondering how to test/learn > it without triggering a bunch of false alarms or general chaos. > > I'm docked in a backwater, but there is occasional barge traffic that > probably has AIS transmitters. > > I'd like to verify that my new radio can easily communicate (via channel > 70?) with the barges as they pass by. > > Maybe I need to read the fine manual again but am wondering if anyone else > has done this exercise and if there are any tips or gotchas. > > Many thanks in advance, > > --Bob M > > Ox 33-1 > > Jax, FL > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Email address: > CnC-List@cnc-list.com > To change your list preferences, including unsubscribing -- go to the > bottom of page at: > http://cnc-list.com/mailman/listinfo/cnc-list_cnc-list.com > > >
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