Don't Forget to Register your VHF to your MMSI number

www.boatus.com/MMSI/

Not sure if this has been posted yet and if it has my apologies. I haven't been out on the open water yet but it's because I'm preparing myself for all the risks I will be taking and potential hazards, as excited as I am I know safety is first. I bought a Standard Horizon VHF used on ebay and noticed the red button on the side (DSC). I was adviced by a good friend to register my MMSI number so that if I have to send out a distress signal they will know my gps coordinates and info right away.

The link I have attached is to be able to register a new or cancel your MMSI number (free). From there you go onto your VHF radio and add the number you are given. With my VHF I was lucky that it hadn't been registered with a number before, because you only get to do it twice and then it locks you and you have to send it back to the manufacturer to get reset for your MMSI number.

If anyone has any more info to add to this that is always a plus! Thanks for reading.

Interesting - I've never heard of that.  Must only be for a VHF with a GPS, eh?  Sounds like very good info - thanks for posting it.  I need a VHF with a GPS.   

Nooooooooooooooooooo not another toy to buy

LoletaEric - no problem!   

Here's more info I found on the DSC (Digital Selective Calling) capable VHF radios. I have the Standard Horizon HX471S submersible. I don't think it has GPS though although that would be an added bonus if it did

http://www.paddling.net/guidelines/showArticle.html?609

It sounds like you need another piece to make the 471 work. The 871 has it built in. I may be wrong, but the article stared you need a cradle for it to work.

It sounds like you need another piece to make the 471 work. The 871 has it built in. I may be wrong, but the article stared you need a cradle for it to work.

I just read that and that is wierd. It doesn't make sense for me to carry the charging cradle for it to hold a gps position. If that is the case then there's now way it would help me in a dire situation. Hmm.. here is what the actual Standard Horizon Website says:

      DIGITAL SELECTIVE CALLING (DSC) DISTRESS CALL
      The HX471S is supplied with a NMEA Charging cradle that allows the radio to be connected to any       
      GPS. Connecting the HX471S to a GPS allows your position of your vessel to be stored inside the
      HX471S. In the event of an emergency, simply grab the HX471S lift the red cover and depress the
      DISTRESS Key and a DSC Distress call containing your position will be transmitted along with the high
      intensity Strobe light.

Funny, I was just about to set up an MMSI, and decided to come here with a question first. I have the HX851, and, like Steph, I have not been out on the salt yet; I'm gearing up and ensuring that I am fully prepared, as well.

My question:
The website I went to said that the MMSI is specific to the vessel, not the radio. Kayaks are not registered in any way, so do I set the MMSI up anyway, knowing that my radio may be with me on any number of different vessels? Probably a newb question, but I didn't want to get knee deep in a lengthy registration process only to find that I couldn't/shouldn't obtain an MMSI as a kayaker.

Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

Great

Funny, I was just about to set up an MMSI, and decided to come here with a question first. I have the HX851, and, like Steph, I have not been out on the salt yet; I'm gearing up and ensuring that I am fully prepared, as well.

My question:
The website I went to said that the MMSI is specific to the vessel, not the radio. Kayaks are not registered in any way, so do I set the MMSI up anyway, knowing that my radio may be with me on any number of different vessels? Probably a newb question, but I didn't want to get knee deep in a lengthy registration process only to find that I couldn't/shouldn't obtain an MMSI as a kayaker.

Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

Great question! I ran into this as well. I don't think vessel information is required since we only have kayaks. I wish there was a place to put info on our yaks though (color, type), just fill out the information next to the asterisk. As long as you get your info, emergency contact info on there then that is fine. They just need to know who you are and who they should contact incase you need to use the button. Maybe someone else on here is more knowledgable though in this area, im still new to this.

From 2010 SeaKayaking Mag article about DSC:

http://www.seakayakermag.com/2010/Dec10/rescueme.htm

"If you plan on using your DSC radio on different boats, say your kayak and sailboat, don’t associate an MMSI number with a specific vessel. Instead, in the online form’s Vessel Registration field (which accepts anything you type), enter “Handheld” and in the Remarks field, type “Handheld radio used on multiple vessels.” Since the remarks can be edited after you get a MMSI number and are immediately updated in the Coast Guard’s database, you can specify which boat you’ll be using before any particular trip."

I just read that and that is wierd. It doesn't make sense for me to carry the charging cradle for it to hold a gps position. If that is the case then there's now way it would help me in a dire situation. Hmm.. here is what the actual Standard Horizon Website says:

      DIGITAL SELECTIVE CALLING (DSC) DISTRESS CALL
      The HX471S is supplied with a NMEA Charging cradle that allows the radio to be connected to any       
      GPS. Connecting the HX471S to a GPS allows your position of your vessel to be stored inside the
      HX471S. In the event of an emergency, simply grab the HX471S lift the red cover and depress the
      DISTRESS Key and a DSC Distress call containing your position will be transmitted along with the high
      intensity Strobe light.

[/quote]

That must mean there is no GPS in that model and it needs external.

The reason the HX471S needs to be in its charging cradle is that it lacks GPS function. For it to transmit GPS coordinates, it must be in the cradle, which must be connected to an external GPS unit. The radio can then relay your coordinates from the external GPS unit.

I registered my Standard Horizon HX850S at www.boatus.com/mmsi for use on my P13. The MMSI number is tied to a vessel, so the Coast Guard will know what to look for when you press the red distress button. I selected XXX-Unspecified for Ship Classification, entered "none" under documentation, and entered 13' yellow kayak under Remarks(Boat description, additional info.) You can also edit this information later when you get a different length, or colored kayak, since the vessel has no documentation.

Cool, Steph. Thanks.

Good info, Cutback. Thanks.

No problem alexo and thanks Cutback, Racinrob, Krusty. Thinking I may sell my VHF and look into one that doesnt need to be in the charging cradle. I really want that DSC capability, make me feel more safe.