Radios - two numpty questions

[Trimix]

Im getting all the kit ready for my new boat and have a couple of questions about radios:

Firstly;

• should I have a handheld or fitted one, or both.
• If both, why ?

Secondly;

• as I intend to use the boat in Corsica, do I need a DSC equiped one - will this work in Corsica, as I thought it was UK based and also the MMSI number was only held by the UK coastguard.

Im assuming that I will connect the fitted radio to my Garmin GPS chartplotter so it gets a position, but for the handheld one do I need to get one with built in GPS, or just a cheaper one without if its in addition to the fitted. Obviously if I only have a handheld I need one with GPS - right ?

I dont mind spending money, but I dont want to waste it.
Do I even need a licence for using it in Corsica ?

[chris.moody]

A fixed radio has the following advantages:

Much higher transmit power (25W)

Runs off the ships battery so you don't have to worry about keeping it charged up

Big antenna mounted high up so receives transmissions from further away


A handheld has the following advantages

Can be attached to your lifejacket so when you go overboard you can call for help, useful if you work solo on the boat.

Can be easily used on several different craft

If you loose all electrical power on the vessel the handheld still works so you can still call for assistance



I have no knowledge on the rules and regulations re VHF in Corsica

--
Tigga - Avon SR4 Rescue with 40hp Yamaha 2 stroke

[landlord]

Originally Posted by Trimix

Im getting all the kit ready for my new boat and have a couple of questions about radios:

Firstly;

• should I have a handheld or fitted one, or both.
• If both, why ?

Secondly; [LIST][*]as I intend to use the boat in Corsica, do I need a DSC equiped one - will this work in Corsica, as I thought it was UK based and also the MMSI number was only held by the UK coastguard.

This link might help Contacts

Its the Office For transport in Corsica and deals with Maritime matters. They should be able to answer your questions as to the legal requirements in your Country.

You can also check here as new rules came in in 2008 regarding boating in French territorial waters Directions Departementales des Affaires Maritime best to do a google search for the web site and contact details

i would presume that the radio will require registering in Corsica and they will issue your call sign and MMSI number.

As to whether you need a fixed or handheld, as Chris said they both have advantages / disadvantages. If you chose just one, the fixed makes more sense as it can be linked to the chartplotter and will receive position updates, runs off the main battery and should have a better range

[Trimix]

Ah, good point about the power.

So a decent handheld will stand up to a dunking then ? I suppose it ought to really, otherwise its a waste of time.

I also imagine I can use the built in one to call the handheld, which may be used by someone shorebased, say at the Marina/Beach/whatever.

[SPR]

register the RIB under the SSR this make s it British flagged vessel - then it's the British regulation you comply with and fly the red ensign So you can use RYA certificates without any hassle! SSR - Small Ships Register - this also helps prove ownership etc. MMSI are internationally issued - no issue using them in Coastal or sea . issues using them in inland waters ad they are illegal in few countries to use on inland. consider buy the Nautilus lifeline radio - www.nautiluslifeline.com - DSC divers radio 425 foot waterproof. I sell these if you want a price retail is £254 inc Vat. S.

[Trimix]

OK, well I was intending to register the boat in the UK, so I suppose then it only has to comply with UK regulations, not Corsican - is that correct ?

But if I press the Red button (make a distress call) using a DSC radio while in Corsica - will they get my details via the transmitted MMSI number ? Will they also get my location ?

Is there a worldwide database for MMSI numbers ? I got the impression they were just UK based.

(I like the look of that Nautilus radio, I will have a think about that)

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by SPR

register the RIB under the SSR ANC make s British flagged vessel - then it's the British regulation you comply with and fly the red ensign

So you can use RYA certificates without any hassle!

SSR - Small Ships Register - this also helps prove ownership etc.

MMSI are internationally issued - no issue using them in Coastal or sea . issues using them in inland waters ad they are illegal in few countries to use on inland.

consider buy the Nautilus lifeline radio - www.nautiluslifeline.com - DSC divers radio 425 foot waterproof. I sell these if you want a price retail is £254 inc Vat.

S.

+1 about registering the boat in the UK If you are keeping it permanently in Corsica, there may be different rules, speak to the RYA about that. If at all possible, keep it UK registered. I know of French citizens that register their boats in the UK or Belgium (slightly dodgy but they get away with it) to avoid the red tape and cost, that comes with French registration. I believe that there is an annual tax on French pleasure boats, but I could be wrong. French registered boats have different operating limits to foreign registered boats, you might find that you are only allowed 6 miles from "abri" which in reality on an island is 6 miles offshore. The Red Ensign also reduces the interest of the (many)French authorities in your boat, The Gendarmerie & Affaire Maritime tend to leave you alone, the Douanes still like a sniff though.
Keep it Brit

[SPR]

Originally Posted by Trimix

OK, well I was intending to register the boat in the UK, so I suppose then it only has to comply with UK regulations, not Corsican - is that correct ? Yes

But if I press the Red button (make a distress call) using a DSC radio while in Corsica - will they get my details via the transmitted MMSI number ? Will they also get my location ? Yes if connect to GPS

Is there a worldwide database for MMSI numbers ? I got the impression they were just UK based.

http://www.itu.int/online/mms/mars/ship_search.sh

(I like the look of that Nautilus radio, I will have a think about that)

see answers in red

[chris.moody]

Originally Posted by Trimix

Ah, good point about the power.

So a decent handheld will stand up to a dunking then ? I suppose it ought to really, otherwise its a waste of time.

I also imagine I can use the built in one to call the handheld, which may be used by someone shorebased, say at the Marina/Beach/whatever.

I use ICOM handheld radios. They are waterproof, and the one I have floats (useful if it drops in the water accidentally and yes that does happen). I have taken the handheld in the water with me while teaching dinghy capsize drills and it has not suffered from that. I have no doubt that if I was ejected from a rib the handheld radio would work in the water unless if was physically destroyed by impact.

Yes you can use the ships radio to call the handheld but the handheld may need its own licence (that would be the case in the uk). I have a ships radio licence for the fixed (with mmsi number as it is DSC), a transportable licence for the handheld (with its own callsign so can be used on any vessel or tender) and a short range radio operators licence for me. In the uk a transportable can be used on a ship, its tender, or by a marina office or sailing club. I believe the usage of a vhf from the shore is not strictly legal in the UK (would need to look that up in the rules).

--
Tigga - Avon SR4 Rescue with 40hp Yamaha 2 stroke

[ashbypower]

If you have not done the VHF SRC ( the questions indicate that you have not) then I would suggest that you do, !! as you WILL require a licence in foreign waters.

[Pikey Dave]

IIRC the first 2 or 3 digits of your mmsi number, 235? identify you as British registered, the rest of the number is boat specific, it works world wide (ish) wherever there is some kind of coastguard infrastructure, remember it's VHF & not Satellite based, unlike PLBs.

[Trimix]

OK, cheers. I will certainly register it in the UK, and your correct, there is a tax in France for anything expensive (socialists)

Not only do I want to avoid any French red tape, I also dont want the local mafia knowing too much about it.

SPR, thanks for the link to that website.

So basically I should get a built in radio and handheld, both DSC/GPS. Unless anyone thinks Im missing something.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Trimix

OK, cheers. I will certainly register it in the UK, and your correct, there is a tax in France for anything expensive (socialists)

Not only do I want to avoid any French red tape, I also dont want the local mafia knowing too much about it.

SPR, thanks for the link to that website.

So basically I should get a built in radio and handheld, both DSC/GPS. Unless anyone thinks Im missing something.

Insurance might be an issue, you might be as well speaking to a specialist broker. Most "normal" policies only cover you for "X" amount of days out of the UK. Drop me a PM if you want me to point you to a good broker.

[SPR]

Originally Posted by Trimix

OK, cheers. I will certainly register it in the UK, and your correct, there is a tax in France for anything expensive (socialists) Not only do I want to avoid any French red tape, I also dont want the local mafia knowing too much about it. SPR, thanks for the link to that website. So basically I should get a built in radio and handheld, both DSC/GPS. Unless anyone thinks Im missing something.

yes - that's the best solution - and talk to RYA about the legalities

The icom IC m323 or IC m423 fix radio & the m91D share the same user interface - and easy to use.

S.

[chris.moody]

Originally Posted by Trimix

So basically I should get a built in radio and handheld, both DSC/GPS. Unless anyone thinks Im missing something.

I didn't bother with DSC on the handheld. I have an old garmin GPS in my grab bag that runs on alkaline AA batteries (with a spare set of batteries also in the grab bag).

I loose the ability to push a red button on the handheld, but I can fire up the battery GPS and get a lat / long position within about 2 mins maximum to transmit by voice. If abandoning vessel the grab bag comes with me into the liferaft. I believe the battery life is better on the non DSC handhelds (my ICOM lasts for several days use on one charge).

My next safety related purchase will be a PLB and Laser Flare :-)

--
Tigga - Avon SR4 Rescue with 40hp Yamaha 2 stroke

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by chris.moody

My next safety related purchase will be a PLB and Laser Flare :-)

I'm psyching meself up to a laser flare, heart say the green one but I'm concerned about the short 180 day warranty.
Scott, is the green flare less robust than the red?

Sorry, thread drift

[Trimix]

Well Ive insured the boat with a broker - Towergate, they seemed fine when I told them where it was going to be kept. I did say it would be UK registered.

I will do my VHF course soon, since Ive done my Powerboat 1 & 2 they are offering a discount on the next course.

*goes off to google Icom's website*

[chris.moody]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

I'm psyching meself up to a laser flare, heart say the green one but I'm concerned about the short 180 day warranty.
Scott, is the green flare less robust than the red?

Sorry, thread drift

I'm buying one off of Scott after I get chance to see one (i need to meet up with PeterM sometime and look at his one)

--
Tigga - Avon SR4 Rescue with 40hp Yamaha 2 stroke

[SPR]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

I'm psyching meself up to a laser flare, heart say the green one but I'm concerned about the short 180 day warranty. Scott, is the green flare less robust than the red? Sorry, thread drift

I haven't had any returned to me under warranty - I had few dead of arrival - but now as Peter will tell you - all are rechecked and tested before dispatch and signed!

Not had a DOA in last two years now.

S.

[Ribochet]

Originally Posted by Trimix

should I have a handheld or fitted one, or both - If both, why ?

Answer - Both
Why - Why not?