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?
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
I'll bump this from time to time. Bump 2014-06-10
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
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