"Roger Long" wrote in
:

If I just use my DSC VHF like a regular VHF, no problem.

Correct. If you don't leave the country, like go to CANADA, you don't
need a license at all, even Restricted.


If I use the
DSC feature beyond 20 miles to call another vessel directly with its
MMSI number, I'm breaking the FCC regulation.

Nope...wrong. The FCC regulations REQUIRE all GMDSS operators to possess
a proper GMDSS Operator's license, either the Restricted GMDSS operator
if you stay within 20 miles of shore, or the full GMDSS operator if you
go out further or to a foreign country, including CANADA. If you push
the DSC button at all, or make any kind of SELCAL on DSC VHF to another
boat, without a GMDSS license, you broke the rules!

If I push the red
emergency button and make a mayday call beyond 20 miles without the
full licence, I'm also breaking the regulation but I would imagine
this would be covered by the "anybody can use the radio in an
emergency" rule.

Is this right?

As written, in an emergency where life and limb are at risk, anything
goes, no lack of licence stops you from anything you can do to save life
at sea.

But, that's not all these radios are being sold for! Our Icom M-603
fancy VHF with DSC will make calls to other DSC stations. You can store
your friends' MMSI numbers and select them from the front panel to alert
them and switch them to Channel 16 for a legal voice call. But, as the
rules are written, you MUST have a GMDSS operator's license to do so.
You must also have a GMDSS operator's license to use DSC to page that
containership that's been ignoring your pleas over Channel 13 or 16, too.
This isn't an emergency. You just want to ask him where he's headed so
you can avoid being CONSUMED in the process. You need a license....


Did I break the FCC regulation by installing my DSC radio and hooking
it up to the GPS without a license?

ABSOLUTELY! The rules say, quite plainly, that the DSC VHF radio
requires you to have a GMDSS MAINTAINER's License (test elements 1,3 and
9) to install GMDSS equipment, test and adjust it.


BTW, I have both the restricted and ship's station licenses.


The station license gives the station permission to transmit. Your own
Restricted permit allows you to key the microphone of a channelized VHF
and HF transceiver that possesses a valid ship license, except for
domestic VHF operation, and speak into the microphone ONLY....

The GMDSS Maintainer must also pass element 7 or 7R if he/she intends to
OPERATE the GMDSS equipment, also. Just because he/she has the technical
knowhow to repair it, doesn't mean he/she has the knowhow to operate it
in accordance with FCC regulations.......obviously.

Also, if the ship has a RADAR, the GMDSS Maintainer will be adding
element 8, the Radar Endorsement, before he/she will be repairing or
installing the radar equipment.....obviously....(c;

Isn't FCC fun?! They've been planning all this since 1934!

http://wireless.fcc.gov/commoperators/