MMSI - Maritime Mobile Service Identity - NWKA Registry?

[demonick]

I am maintaining this list of NWKA MMSI # when I am notified of new posts to the thread. 

Maritime Mobile Service Identity numbers.  An MMSI number is like a phone number for your VHF radio.  Digital Selective Calling allows you to call a specific MMSI or group of MMSIs, basically personal (individual) and conference (group) calls.  All fixed mount VHF radios since 1999 have had DSC capability by FCC regulation.  Not so for handhelds so if you buy a handheld make sure it supports these functions.  DSC and MMSI allow a single button to send a distress call containing your unique identifier and GPS coordinates if the unit supports GPS.  MMSI numbers are free and easy to get:

http://www.boatus.com/mmsi/

For the "Documentation" and "Registration" fields I entered "None" and they were accepted.

I just received an HX850S Floating Handheld VHF with GPS.

Seems like a nice unit.  It will take a few trips out with it to really review it. 

Any interest in maintaining an MMSI # registry for NWKA?

http://www.standardhorizon.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=85&encProdID=DB09EE62D98A27B5C8942B922E30709C&DivisionID=3&isArchived=0

http://www.thegpsstore.com/Standard-Horizon-HX850S-Floating-Handheld-VHF-with-GPS-P1824.aspx

http://www.shopepal.com/p-282-standard-hx850s-handheld-vhf-with-gps.aspx (free shipping on US orders)

Maintaining a list:

338 106258 - Demonick
338 100456 - Ling Banger
338 096672 - FishesFromTupperware
338 107344 - CoosBayYakker
338 116633 - Jammer
338 117446 - CrazyEyes
338 117326 - gon-fishn
338 108676 - ravdakot
338 108678 - PNW
338 109981 - Pixster
338 120141 - TXPaddler
338 120386 - bluewrx02
338 127495 - pdxfisher
338 119883 - INSAYN
338 127574 - IslandHoppa
338 127699 - willbd
338 128169 - Lee
338 128244 - islandson671
338 128254 - pdw9mm (Roland)
338 128383 - DTS

I suggest we use channel 71 and the following group MMSIs:

NWKA-USA: 038 666671
NWKA-BC  : 016 666671

Also note the US Coast Guard all ships: 036 699999

[rrdstarr]

I have the HX851.  Great radio.  
That is probably a really good idea to do with radios that have the DSC chip in them.

[Ling Banger]

Yup, wave of the future. Takes the human (dummy) element right out of it, you don't even need to speak to get help on the way. Also, think of what a pita it is for the USCG to maintain an audible watch on ch. 16 in every port 24/7.

Ling Banger 338100456

[sequim salty]

Demonick, this sounds like a good idea. I went to some sites to try and figure out exactly how this works. could you kind of explain it in a simple way. Also how would we use this in nwka? would it work like a conference call at tournaments? I am sure there are others like me who haven't heard of this before. thanks, doug

[demonick]

... could you kind of explain it in a simple way ...

Added to the OP.

[sequim salty]

thanks, I have a uniden mhs350. looks like it doesn't have the dsc chip. I have an email in to support to make sure. This is a good post. I would have made sure that it did have the chip prior to buying the radio if i had seen this. I think there ought to be a post in products that says" before you buy your radio" thanks again. doug

[demonick]

I don't know about other radios but the the HX850S supports both individual and group calls.  It allows 24 individual and 8 group MMSIs.

Group calls require a "Group MMSI" which is actually made up by the group while adhering to certain conventions.  A group MMSI starts with '0' (zero), then the 3 digit location code (MID - Maritime Identification Digits) from our individual MMSIs (338 - USA, 316 - Canada), then 6 digits we make up.  I'm thinking "6666" then the channel we want to use.  I am also thinking except for the MID we make the USA and Canadian groups the same.  Channel usage is as follows:

68: Non-Commercial (recreational)
69:  US: Non-Commercial (recreational), Canada: Commercial fishing only
71: Non-commercial (recreational)
72: Non-commercial (inter-ship only)
78A: Non-commercial (recreational)

I suggest we use channel 71.  'A' channels are not recognized in Canadian waters.  '69' is for Canadian commercial fishing only.  I've been monitoring VHF for a few days and have never heard a channel 71 transmission, but have heard 68 and 69 transmissions.  So I am proposing the following group MMSIs:

NWKA-USA: 038666671
NWKA-BC  : 016666671

Other suggestions are welcome.

Another useful group MMSI to save is the US Coast Guard all ships: 036699999
I could not find the Canadian Coast Guard all ships group MMSI.

[Fishesfromtupperware]

When I'm in the neighborhood...

Fishesfromtupperware:  338096672               

[PNW]

Maritime Mobile Service Identity numbers.  An MMSI number is like a phone number for your VHF radio.  Digital Selective Calling allows you to call a specific MMSI or group of MMSIs, basically personal (individual) and conference (group) calls.  All fixed mount VHF radios since 1999 have had DSC capability by FCC regulation.  Not so for handhelds so if you buy a handheld make sure it supports these functions.  DSC and MMSI allow a single button to send a distress call containing your unique identifier and GPS coordinates if the unit supports GPS.  MMSI numbers are free and easy to get:

http://www.boatus.com/mmsi/

For the "Documentation" and "Registration" fields I entered "None" and they were accepted.

I just received an HX850S Floating Handheld VHF with GPS.

Seems like a nice unit.  It will take a few trips out with it to really review it.  

Any interest in maintaining an MMSI # registry for NWKA?

http://www.standardhorizon.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=85&encProdID=DB09EE62D98A27B5C8942B922E30709C&DivisionID=3&isArchived=0

http://www.thegpsstore.com/Standard-Horizon-HX850S-Floating-Handheld-VHF-with-GPS-P1824.aspx

http://www.shopepal.com/p-282-standard-hx850s-handheld-vhf-with-gps.aspx (free shipping on US orders)

Maintaining a list:

demonick:    338106258
Ling Banger: 338100456

The HX850S looks like the radio I'll get (eventually). Looking forward to your review.

[demonick]

I was re-reading the MMSI definition at http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=mtMmsi and noticed I had made an error in the group IDs.  I had included all 3 digits of the MID, when the group standard only calls for digits 2 and 3.  I have corrected the post above.  If you programmed your radio you probably realized something was amiss when it only allowed for 9 numbers.

I apologize.

[coosbayyaker]

338107344

[ravdakot]

Dick AKA ravdakot MMSI# 338108676

[PNW]

MMSI #: 338108678
Got a HX850S for Christmas. Now have to figure out how to enter this #.

Any interest in maintaining an MMSI # registry for NWKA?

Seems like a good idea to me. Ch 71 looks like a good choice. Don't want to sound too superstitious, but why 6666? Sounds kind of unlucky.

[demonick]

MMSI #: 338108678
Got a HX850S for Christmas. Now have to figure out how to enter this #.

Seems like a good idea to me. Ch 71 looks like a good choice. Don't want to sound too superstitious, but why 6666? Sounds kind of unlucky.

I reject your "unlucky" reality and substitute my own.
It's a long story.  It is my second favorite number. 

[PNW]

I reject your "unlucky" reality and substitute my own.
It's a long story.  It is my second favorite number. 

Hmmm...  not sure how much it has to do with reality. Guess it depends on what kind of reality you're talking about. Not my place to assume that. I'm accepting of other folk's belief systems as long as I don't think somebody's trying to pull a fast one or cram their beliefs down my throat. Different people flying different flags is OK with me but, as a point of honor, I won't false flag. I question everything, including my own thinking, as part of a personal intellectual, psychological, & spiritual vetting process. For example, the intellectual component is one of the reasons for my criticism of Oregon's marine reserve program. You can pm or email me if you wish to continue this conversation.

Best wishes,
Paul