On Sat, 12 Mar 2005 14:14:04 -0500, "Jack Painter"
wrote:

The information I posted is current, accurate, and applies to the questions
posted by Wayne B.

=================================

Actually not. My question was, "How can I ensure that my DSC radio is
actually hooked up and working, i.e, is the position information and
identifier being sent correctly?"

The licensing information and issuance of an identifier is an entirely
different topic.

"Wayne.B" wrote

Actually not. My question was, "How can I ensure that my DSC radio is
actually hooked up and working, i.e, is the position information and
identifier being sent correctly?"

The licensing information and issuance of an identifier is an entirely
different topic.


You posted these questions:
"Is there a test process for VHF/DSC? My latest boat came with two DSC
capable ICOMs but I have no idea if the feature is even hooked up, let
alone working. Also, I have no idea what vessel ID is programmed, if
any."
--
Testing the distress-signal feature of a vhf radio with the "Distress"
button on front panel is never permitted. The radio has other dsc features
which your owner's manual will describe, and vary from model to model.

You can operate your dsc-capable radio according to it's individual
capabilities with other dsc-capable radios, according to their capabilities.
Several different versions of dsc are on the water. All this is covered in
the owner's manual.
--
I did remind you that " you must
register an MMSI (Maritime Mobile Service Identifier) number to YOUR vessel.
The number (if any) that was in the used radio is not valid any longer."

and

"Changing the MMSI on a radio can be done by the owner, providing you have
the owner's operation manual which provides these instructions. Many radio
manufacturers provide manuals online. BOAT-US has an 800 # for you to call
where an experienced associate can walk you through the procedures involved.
That number is: 1-800-566-1536 (working hours). Or you can simply walk-in to
any BOAT-US store with your radio(s) and do the same"
--

Is this clear what your first steps should be, ie: obtaining an owner's
manual, determining what your radio is capable of, then registering an MMSI
via phone and programming or letting a BOAT-US associate do it for you, then
hooking up your GPS according to the instruction manuals, and operating your
radio in accordance with it's instruction manuals?

Jack

In article ,
Wayne.B wrote:

Actually not. My question was, "How can I ensure that my DSC radio is
actually hooked up and working, i.e, is the position information and
identifier being sent correctly?"

The licensing information and issuance of an identifier is an entirely
different topic.

If you knew someone with a ROSS DSC Vhf from a few years back, it will
display the data transmitted from a DSC Radio. This could be done with
the test radio on a "Dummy Load" so as to not radiate a False Distress
Signal. Or, just about any full GMDSS Suite could display the data
transmitted.

Bruce in alaska
--
add a 2 before @

Jack you are not correct. A third Class is for the person
and it is good for any radio use. I had to have one when I
was on a Police Dept. before I could use either the station
radio or the radios in the patrol cars and it go where ever
I go. All it is is a license that says you are familial with
the rules on talking on a radio as to language as to what
you can say and what you can not.
"Jack Painter" wrote in message
news:1cHYd.62360$7z6.6536@lakeread04...

"Bruce in Alaska" slid off his stool and
shouted:

"Jack Painter" wrote:

Also, a U.S. vessel that plans to dock (or communicate)
at a non-US port
of
call, must have a restricted radiotelephone operators
license. This good
for
life (of the vessel you own and operate) and also does
not involve any
exam.
The license covers vhf, hf, gmdss and radars with no
description of
equipments required. It will include applying for an
MMSI to be used
internationally.

Again, jackie is extending information that he doesn't
understand.......

HEY JACK, How about you "GET A CLUE before you confuse
folks with your
uninformed information.

First: A Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit is
for a PERSON
not a vessel. It is an "OPERATORs" and a vessel
can't be
an operator.

I know that Bruce. I mentioned the "vessel" because it is
for the owner of A
VESSEL, and cannot be transferred or used when the licensee
goes to another
vessel. So it is "for life" only if it remains ON THAT
VESSEL. Please grow
up or go back to your barstool.



Second: A US Flagged vessel, if it is to operate outside
US Territorial
Waters, AND communicate with non-US Coast
Stations, must have
a valid Ship Radio Station License issued by the
FCC.


Here you go mixing up licenses again, forgetting the title
and topic of this
newsgroup is RECREATIONAL boating. Only a Restricted
Operators permit is
required for a recreational boater who wants to visit a
foreign port. His
boat can remain "covered by the rule" which means no station
license for
VHF-only, and the ROP covers his carriage of the radio,
whether he uses it
OR NOT, in a foreign port.




Third: If, and only if, the vessel has fitted, only VHF
Radios and,
or, a Marine S or Xband Radar, and does not
communicated with
non-US Coast Stations, it MAY be covered by the
Blanket License
issued by the FCC, which covers all such vessels
in perpituity,
and does not require any action on the owners, or
operators
parts as far as licensing is concerened.

That's called being "covered by the rule" and does not
permit a vessel to
dock in a foreign port, which is why it's another of your
useless comments
that serves only the interests of your strange ego.


Fourth:
/snipped unadulterated blabber
..
Fifth:
/snipped unadulterated blabber

Sixth:
/snipped unadulterated blabber


Now that we got that straight....... Carry on.......


Bruce in alaska who wishes that USCG would refrain
from distributing
uninformed information.......

"Straight" is a concept difficult to apply to your posts.

The information I posted is current, accurate, and applies
to the questions
posted by Wayne B. The rules have changed since the time
you claimed to
have once been a field-rep for the FCC. Try to remember the
"recreational"
concept of the newsgroup, please.

Best regards,

Jack Painter
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Bruce in Alaska wrote in news:bruceg-
:

First: A Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit is for a PERSON
not a vessel.

That depends on how long he has been drinking beer at the yacht club bar.
I've seen many PERSONS who've become vessels like that...(c;....even me!