MMSI - Maritime Mobile Service Identity - NWKA Registry?

They have some adhesive backed mylar (the type they sell for iphones) that will keep your displays scratch free.

Thanks for the tip!! never really crossed my mind 

The DSC isn't everywhere yet. OR, columbia river, etc. is covered, but I know there's gaps still in the US. just make sure the area you are going is up to speed before you bank on it!

thanks, I needed that

 the old icom has gotta go

Here's my new MMSI# if anyone would like to add me to there VHF radio's
MMSI#338116633

Also I picked up the Standard Horizon 851 for just over $200 with $5 shipping if anyone is in the market for new VHF... Hers the link...
http://www.thegpsstore.com/Standard-Horizon-HX851-Handheld-VHF-Radio-with-GPS-P2312.aspx
Cheers

MMSI#338117446

Just Picked up a HX851 today

West Marine will pricematch, picked my 851 up for a little over 200.  As an added bonus, fishermans is in the same parking lot.

West Marine will pricematch, picked my 851 up for a little over 200.  As an added bonus, fishermans is in the same parking lot.

That's a great deal for west marine. I figured they couldn't match an Internet price, so didn't even try. Does anyone know if there's a way to test the distress button to make sure it in fact works?

This little lesson is well worth the time spent listening:

http://www.boatus.com/foundation/dsc/player.html

The whole thing is a good lesson in marine VHF, but lessons #4 and #7 are directly applicable to DSC use.  Lesson 7  Non-emergency use outlines the most trick features like calling a single radio or a select group of kayakers . Any direct call will verify that the radio and position broadcast are functioning.

As far a testing the red button, the short answer is "it depends". A longer answer:

September 2009 Update:

DSC Radio Automatic Test Feature Debuts

Since the lifesaving capabilities of VHF-Digital Selective Calling (DSC) marine radios have become more widely known,boaters with these radios have frequently asked how to place a “test” call — without setting off a false alarm or, worse, an unnecessaryrescue response from the U.S. Coast Guard.

Now that conundrum has been solved as many of the newer DSC radios have a “Test Call” feature that can provide automatic verification that the radio’s DSC hailing and communication functionsare operating. However, for the test call function to work, you also have to be boating in an area served by Rescue 21, the Coast Guard’s improved communications system that now covers about 28,000 miles of U.S. coastline. You also must register for your own Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number and encode it into your radio (see http://www.BoatUS.com/mmsi).

By entering the nationwide Coast Guard MMSI number,003669999, into your radio’s calling memory and selecting the “Test Call” option from the radio’s list of individual DSC calls, you can then press the “Call” or “Enter” key. Your radio will silently hail the Coast Guard with a digital signal on Channel 70. If everything is working properly, your radio will almost immediately receive the Coast Guard’s acknowledgement of your call, providing assurance that both your radio and the Rescue 21 system are operating properly.

The proper operation of all DSC radios, regardless of whether they’re operated in an area covered by Rescue 21, can be verified by hailing a friend’s boat or the local TowBoatU.S. service provider in your area using their MMSI. This summer, BoatU.S. and its towers launched a service of DSC radio checks for coastal boaters from Mobile, Alabama, to Sandy Hook, New Jersey. Their fleetnumber is 0-338-04000 and any TowBoatU.S. within radio rangecan verify that your VHF-DSC signal is working. (The service will be expanded as more TowBoatU.S. operators get DSC radios.)

No matter where you boat, in an emergency your DSC mayday signal will be received by every DSC-capable radio in range and will sound a distinctive audio alarm, regardless of the radio’s volume control. Connecting the radio to a GPS or Loran can be critically important as everyone receiving your call for assistance will know your precise location and may be able to assist long before the Coast Guard.

“The safety and convenience provided by the combination of VHF-DSC radios and the Rescue 21 system are, in a word, ‘awesome,’” says BoatU.S. Foundation President Ruth Wood. “Now it’s up to the boating community to make the best possible use of DSC, for both routine communication and emergency alerts.”

The coverage of "rescue21" is the entire coast(s). Once your more than 50 miles off shore, your paddling on your own.

FFTW your the man! I hope your flight back to Florida wasn't to painful. Thanks for the response.

It was time to upgrade my VHF from the Uniden Atlantis 250 non floating anchor, to the Standard Horizon HX851 floating brick.   

If anyone is in the market for this unit right now, check out "TheGpsStore" like Jammer mentioned, as they have $4.95 shipping (UPS ground). And not sure for how long, but have a Promo code "SUPER11" that knocked another $11 off my total.  So, shipped it only stung me for $213.90.

The Atlantis 250 can ride as a backup for me now. 

Ok, before I register for my MMSI number....what did you all put down for your vessel? 

I have 3 different kayaks I use, and all three are different color and styles.

You can just leave it blank or put "kayak".

Or, you can just list all their descriptions.

Updated list:

338 116633 - Jammer
338 117446 - crazyeyes
338 117326 - gon-fishn
338 107344 - coosbayyakker
338 096672 - Fishesfromtupperware
338 106258 - demonick
338 100456 - Ling Banger
338 108676 - ravdakot
338 108678 - PNW
338 109981 - Pixster

If you have a MMSI # to add, please reply to the thread, copy & paste the latest list, and add your number.

I have this thread on notify and when a new MMSI# is posted I add it to the list in the OP.

Also, feel free to PM me your MMSI# and I will add it.

Remember to set up our radios with the Group ID and when out on the water send a call or two to the Group.