Trojan Boat Forum

Do I need to license or register my VHS call sign or radio. How does this work and who do I talk to about it?

As long as your pleasure use no. I assume you mean VHF . Now if you have DSC ( look for a red button) thats for a emergency if you tie your VHF in to the gps you should register it then so they have your boat info you can do that thru boatus .


here some good info
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... Radios.htm

DSC also tells the government where your boat is. Is this a good time to be voluntarily giving the government a piece of privacy or freedom??

Yeah, I meant vhf, and thank you for the info. Is there some type of protocol to use when calling/talking on the radio.

The DSC only tells the Coast Guard and other near by vessels (merchant)where your boat is "after" you push the button. It is not sending out a signal all the time. It may some day but not now. This is still a VHF and the range is "line of sight" so if you are in Florida I doubt that it is popping up on a screen in Washington.

As ex-Coast Guard all I can tell you is the faster they can find you when you need help, the better.

Foofer b, to better understand the VHF you may want to pick up a copy of Chapmans book of seamanship. This is a great book to have and it covers just about everything you need to know about running a small boat.

If I am in trouble I want the government to know where I am . Thans why I also carry a PLB

If you take your boat to another country, yes you do need to register it (get a license). We needed it around here to operate in Canada.

The FCC used to require a Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit to use a marine radio. Pilots had to get a similar license to use the radio in their airplane. These licenses did not require a test, but rather an affirmation of certain functionality, such as that you can hear and speak (duh). In 1996 the FCC removed the requirement for both mariners and pilots using recreational vessels and aircraft.

International flights or boat trips still require a license and may be obtained through FCC 605 Schedule E which can be downloaded at the FCC website.

Another issue is the radio station license. If you have any other radios on board your boat capable of transmitting other than a VHF marine radio, EPIRB, or radar, you have to have a radio station license. I am a HAM radio operator and have an HF radio on board since VHF is only line-of-sight (usually less than 20 miles) and I travel well offshore during cruises and fishing trips. I have to carry the appropriate FCC station license for that radio. It provides me with a sense of security since I can literally talk around the world with that radio. In case of emergency if I am way offshore, I can always reach someone. At my age of 62, my wife is glad it is there.

K9th as far as I know you don't need a license for the EPIRB or radar.

this is from the Coast Guard web sight-

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/othrcoms/fcc.htm

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 permits recreational boaters to have and use a VHF marine radio, EPIRB, and marine radar without having an FCC ship station license. Boaters traveling on international voyages, having an HF single sideband radiotelephone or marine satellite terminal, or required to carry a marine radio under any other regulation must still carry an FCC ship station license. For further information, see the FCC Ship Radio Stations Fact Sheet.

I know the Ham operators are far more up to date on this stuff then I am, so please let me know if I am understanding this correctly, thanks

Summer Storm -

Please re-read my post.

"If you have any other radios on board your boat capable of transmitting other than a VHF marine radio, EPIRB, or radar, you have to have a radio station license.

K9th, your right, that's what happens when I am trying to do 2 things at once, missed the other, thanks

You do need to to get a registration for a EPRB or a PLB. in the USA you do it thru NOAA
they give you a registration sticker for the unit that must be placed on the back of it

http://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/emerbcns.html

ALL pleasure boat operaters in Canada MUST obtain a "Restrictive Operator's Certificate (Maritime) to operate a VHF radio. Successful writing of an exam, which includes the new DSC componant, is required to obtain the Certificate. This is now handled through the Canadian Power & Sail Squadrons. It is good for life. The Station Licence requirement is no longer in effect. Jimbo36, P/CDR Bay of Quinte Sqn.

Canadian recreational boats entering US waters must have a Canadian Station license for their VHF.... and US boaters coming to Canada need their US station license also.... not to be confused with operator's license. Station license is for the hardware not user.
Those are the regs.... does everyone follow them

ready123, That is my understanding as well. A station license from the US. However, the people here are saying that a station license is not a requirement for a pleasure craft ??? Nor is a operators license?? I guess they are not as concerned with communication protacol. Am I following this right? Jimbo36.