FCC License required for VHF radio

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Gill and I are going thru the USCG Boating Skills and Seamanship 12 week course and today we learned to our surprise we need to have an FCC License for our VHF radio if we were to enter the Canadian waters just north of us here from our Edmonds marina. I have to imagine many people in my area do cross over into Canadian waters and I bet they do not have FCC licenses. Apparently the fine for not having one is pretty steep -- 6 months in jail and/or a huge fine. 🙁

Soooo, I guess I will need to figure out how to obtain one.
 
I found the following at... http://boating.ncf.ca/canadaborder.html


VHF Radio Requirements
A foreign boater who wish to legally tranmit using their VHF radio in Canada requires a valid ship's licence plus an operator licence. Call the the American FCC toll-free 1-888-CALLFCC in the U.S.A. or the Canadian government for current information about VHF regulations.

FCC rules for American VHF radios operated in Canada.
Foreign visitors who wish to legally tranmit using their marine VHF radio in Canada require a valid ship's licence plus an operator licence. U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Canadian government have recently created exemptions for VHF marine radio licences for radios used in home waters, there are international treaties governing radio usage outside home borders that boaters must still abide by.

The U.S. FCC processes applications for VHF radios for boaters in American licenced or registered boats travelling to Canada. Phone the the FCC toll-free at 1-888-CALLFCC for current information.

All radio operators must have a Restricted Radiotelephone Operator's permit, Form 753 ($45Cdn in 1998) to actually transmit on a VHF radio in Canada. Listening is free!

The Marine Radio in Canada page has information about using VHF for calling, emergencies, channel usage for different geographical locations, etc.
 
Same thing applies in the Bahamas, but I know of no one who has a license. Bahamas has no enforcement. Canada may be different. But if it were an emergency and you had to use your radio, it would be hard to imagine them fining you for keying the radio. Has anyone ever heard of someone being written up for using the radio and not having a Canadian permit? I bet not.

Keep in mind I have a reputation for being an outlaw. 😉

captd
 
You don’t need them for travel within the US, but if you’re heading across the border you’re required to have US FCC radio licenses to transmit on VHF – one for you, and one for the boat. The Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit (for you) is issued for life. The Ship Station License (for the boat) must be renewed every ten years.

The FCC makes it fabulously unclear what licenses are required and how to get them - you can get really puzzled reading their web site:

http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index. ... p_stations

It is relatively easy to get the forms from FCC's web site, if you are clear on which ones you need:

http://www.fcc.gov/formpage.html

It can be done over the net, but you might find it easier to call them to get started.

1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322)

Don't know much about enforcement - we have licenses in part because when we started cruising you had to have them even within the US - even if you were only operating RADAR.
 
Having grown up in the US, where people treat VHF radios like cellphones, I was a little surprised on coming to Canada that a license was required. But now, having taken the ROC course and gotten the certificate, I have a better appreciation for the need for proper training. I'm surprised that a ship's license is required for US vessels, because it's not required for Canadian pleasure craft - only the ROC.

As was said, it seems highly unlikely that anyonr would be fined for using the VHF without a license in an emergency. But if you use it like Chatty Cathy, that could be a different story.
 
I understand that if one presses the red Distress alert DSC button that all sorts of boat related information is digitally transmitted along with the distress signal etc.

My question is -- where does the radio get all of this boat related information such as boat's name, boat length, hull color, MMSI ?

Was this information pre-programmed by the factory maybe?

Can I obtain what the radio has wrt all this information -- can it be displayed on the radio's display panel so I can check its accuracy?

My boat has been registered/documented with the USCG and I have the Certificate of Documentation. Does the radio or should the radio have information that ties into this Certificate of Documentation so that if I send a Distress signal the USCG can quickly determine my boats details etc ?
 
Barry & Gill,
You must go to Boater US web site and sign up for a mmsi. You give them all your info and they will give you the number then you must program your radio. It will tell you how in your instruction book for your radio.
captd
 
NewMoon":cjscz7jt said:
Here are BoatUS FAQ's on MMSI:

http://www.boatus.com/mmsi/MM1.htm#q12

Note that MMSI's assigned by Boat US are for cruising US waters only.
Click to expand...

Is there such a thing as an International MMSI ? My boat is Registered/Documented with the USCG and I understand that provides me with some form of International coverage wrt retrieving the boat if ever it's stolen and taken out of the USA.
 
NewMoon":2grpj5j5 said:
Here are BoatUS FAQ's on MMSI:

http://www.boatus.com/mmsi/MM1.htm#q12

Note that MMSI's assigned by Boat US are for cruising US waters only.
Click to expand...

What does that mean ? Or asked in another way - what is the significance of having an MMSI that relates to just cruising US waters only? Is it that the MMSI is a useless piece of information when transmitted via the Distress signal when NOT in cruising US waters ?

[Edit]
OK -- I think I've got the answer from BoatUSA

"(BoatUS is not authorized to issue MMSI to vessels outside U.S. waters. BoatUS MMSI will not be included in the International Search & Rescue database! Proceed at your own risk.)"

So if I'm in Canadian waters and I issue a Distress signal the Canadians will not have my boat details in their data base presumably. However, I suspect all other info transmitted from my DSC VHF radio will be available to them... right?

So the question I now have, considering we are so close to Canadian waters here in the Puget Sound area (now known as the Salish Sea), is -- where can I obtain an MMSI that will be entered and maintained in the International Search & Rescue data base?

[Edit]
I called FCC at 888-225-5322 today (a Sunday!) and they answered!!!!! The lady told me to call back during M-F between 8am-6pm Eastern time to talk directly with the FCC Licensing Dept at 1-877-480-3201 as they will know all the info I needed. Will post back what I find out later in the week.
 
Have just read my Garmin VHF 200 manual and warns that you can enter an MMSI once only. To change the MMSI number once entered requires taking the radio to Garmin for re-programming. T
that's PITA. 🙁

If I decide to obtain my MMSI from FCC I'll have to wait and not program in my BoatUS obtained MMSI.
 
If you go through the procedure to obtain FCC licenses, there is a space on the form to obtain an International MMSI # which is registered with both US and Canadian CG's.

I strongly suspect then even though your Boat US number is not formally filed with the Canadian CG, they might justbe able to look it up if they really wanted to :roll:

You may also note that a license is also required to make radio contact with "hovering objects" while in Canadian waters as well as land station such as a marina.
Don't ask me why :?

One other tip. If you have two radios, don't program them both with your MMSI because if you do, every time you get a call, all the bells of hell will go off on both units and you will be totally confused. After that you will spend many hours playing with manual in hand to find out how to stop the alarms on one unit and also to prevent it from replying to position requests etc.

All good fun

Don't ask me how I know this 😳

Merv
 
Thanks for the tip. I won't bother programming my handheld.
 
Well I called 877-480-3201 (FCC Lic Dept) and here's what I was told

1) Yes -- if you travel into international waters you do need an FCC license to operate the VHF radio

2) I can apply for license on the web (they will Email me the web site information on how to obtain the license)

3) I can request an MMSI number which will be entered into the International data base.

4) The cost is $160 for 10 years and can be paid online at their web site.

5) At the 10 year mark they will send reminder but cannot say this for sure as it's 10 years into the future 😉

6) The FCC license must be carried on the boat.

At $16/year I think I will invest in getting the FCC license.

Filing online was a breeze and requesting the MMSI was easy but easily missed if one isn't careful along the way filling in all the info.

[Edit]
Woweeee, the FCC Email was received within moments... 🙂 Here's the Email full of information

========

The case you submitted via the FCC has been resolved. The resolution details for Case ID HD0000001269995 are below.

If you have any questions contact us at (877) 480-3201.

Thank You!

Summary* : Filing Instructions
Description* : Filing Instructions
Solution Details :
In accordance with the provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the FCC eliminated the individual radio station licensing requirement for certain ships operating domestically. Ships that use MF/HF single side-band radio, satellite communications, or telegraph must continue to be licensed by the FCC. See the following websites: http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index. ... p_stations or
http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index. ... p_stations.

Ships operating domestically that are not required by law or treaty to carry a radio on the vessel, do not travel to foreign ports (i.e. Canada, Mexico, Bahamas, and British Virgin Islands), and do not use marine radio equipment on board the vessel other than Marine VHF radios EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) or radar, are not required to renew their current license.

To determine if you require an FCC Ship Radio Station License, answer the following questions:

Are you required by law or treaty to carry a radio on your vessel?
Does your vessel travel to foreign ports?
Do you have marine radio equipment on board your vessel other than marine VHF radios, EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon), or radar?

If you answered "Yes" to any of these questions, you must apply for a FCC Ship Radio Station License. If you answered "No" to all of these questions, then you do not require a license. If you are required to obtain the ship license you will also need to obtain a restricted operators permit (RR). See the website http://wireless.fcc.gov/commoperators/index.htm?job=rr for more information on the requirements for the permit.

Electronic Filing:

Access electronic filing via Universal Licensing System (ULS) Online Filing at the following website http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls.
Login with your FRN and password. If you do not have your password and you have previously set a Personal Security Question (PSQ), go to website http://esupport.fcc.gov/password.htm and select Reset Password. Enter your FRN and answer the PSQ which will allow you to reset your password. If you have not set the PSQ go to web site http://esupport.fcc.gov/index.htm and submit a reset password form or call (877) 480-3201 for assistance.
On the My License page click the ?Apply for a New License? link.
Choose ?SA or SB?- Ship. Click ?Continue?.
Answer the Applicant, Licensee and Ship Information, and Search and Rescue Information pages, clicking continue to navigate through each page. Note: If you have more than one vessel you may wish to file the application as a fleet.
The Summary page will allow you to review and edit your application. Click ?Continue to Certify?.
Review the certification statements and sign your application by typing your name in the appropriate box.
Submit your application. We recommend that you print a copy of the Application Confirmation page which includes the application file number.
If any application fees are due, ULS will calculate those fees. Fees for online filing MUST be received within 10 calendar days of the filing. Click "Continue For Payment Options" button to make selection of "Pay By Credit Card" or "View Form 159". FCC highly recommends online electronic payment, by credit card, using our secure website. If you are paying manually using FCC Form 159 (Remittance Advice), send the application package to: Federal Communications Commission, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197-9000. Hand or courier delivery only to: U.S. Bank, Attn: FCC Government Lockbox #979097, SL-MO-C2-GL, 1005 Convention Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63101.

Filing a Paper Form:
To complete a manual application filing use FCC Form 605 (Main Form and Schedule B) and FCC Form 159. Forms can be obtained from the following website: http://www.fcc.gov/formpage.html. The entire package should be sent to: Federal Communications Commission, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197-9000. Hand or courier delivery only to: U.S. Bank, Attn: FCC Government Lockbox #979097, SL-MO-C2-GL, 1005 Convention Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63101.

If you have any further questions, or need additional information, please submit a request through http://esupport.fcc.gov/index.htm or call the ULS Customer Support Hotline at 877-480-3201 and select option 2 at the main menu recording.

=========
 
OK -- I received my FCC license today. It was all done electronically via the Internet. Had no issues and now have the MMSI that is part of the International data base, and now I'm good to go for using my VHF radio in international waters.

The FCC license assigned me a Call sign of WDF2752 and I'm not sure how this may be used. I know the MMSI must be entered into my Garmin VHF-200 radio but I'm not sure about this 'call sign' usage ???????
 
Once upon a time the call sign was spoken regularly on the air, when identifyuing yourself. It was required, I think. Now it's not, and folks identify themselves by their boat name. I barely remember my call sign any more.
 
Yes, if you take the boat internationally you need the VHF license (it used to be that you needed that for US waters, as well as for Radar etc)--but you do need the FCC license if you have Marine SSB on the boat in the US or international / foreign waters. The FCC number is also the one which is utalized in the AIS transmitter. So if you are going to get a AIS A or B transciever, you need the license and the FCC number.

In reality very few US boats which go into Canada have a FCC license. I have never heard of a prosicution, but I suspect that it may have occured. Generally the FCC has a full plate and does not persue this type of violation. Jail time? Pretty unlikely. Even major violations only result in fines.

Bob Austin
 
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