Handheld VHF and MMSI #

J.Wilt

J.Wilt

Well-Known Member
Jan 29, 2010
1,083
W. Mich. / Lake Michigan
Boat Info
420 Sundancer 2005
Engines
Cumming 6cta V Drives
Highfield 310 , 20hp Suzuki
I just purchased a Standard Horizon HX870 DSC Marine handheld with GPS and need opinions about setting up the MMSI number. Seeing it's a once and done procedure I wanted to know how those of you that use a handheld as a backup VHF, setup the MMSI number. Do you normally get a separate number specific for the handheld or use the same MMSI number assigned for the fixed VHF on the boat?
I like the idea of using on the dinghy or another boat that I use down in Florida but the MMSI is so specific to the vessel it is issued too.
I know I can get a free number from BoatUS.
Thanks in advance for advice!
 
After I bought my Sea Ray 390 Motor Yacht earlier this year I bought a West Marine VHF460 handheld, which is very similar to your HX870. I programmed it with the same MMSI that the FCC assigned for my Sea Ray. What's cool is I can even place a DSC call from the handheld to the Raymarine VHF mounted on the boat, or vice-versa.
 
Good question. I carry a ditch bag with a handheld vhf in two different boats. Interested in how to handle the MMSI number.
 
I've seen it done both ways, personally I get one specific to that handheld and register your tenders info.

In the event of a situation where you abandon ship, those looking for you now have an accurate vessel description.
 
Here's a stupid (but somewhat related) question. Will DSC work without an assigned MMSI number? The DSC was not connected on my boat, but now I'm replacing the electronics and want to get the VHF connected to the plotter. Is this a waste if there's no MMSI?
 
rondds said:
Here's a stupid (but somewhat related) question. Will DSC work without an assigned MMSI number? The DSC was not connected on my boat, but now I'm replacing the electronics and want to get the VHF connected to the plotter. Is this a waste if there's no MMSI?
Click to expand...
I know it will not work on my new handheld until I enter the MMSI #
 
another stupid Q
How do you "test" DSC? For example, when I connect all this stuff up, how do I know for sure it's going to work when I need it to?
 
A new handheld is on my wish list of accessories for my new to me 410 Sundancer. I'm heading back up to the boat (it's 2 1/2 hrs away) sometime next week to get the Ray 240 handset off of it so I can send it back to them to program my MMSI number in to it and replace the cord. I'm hoping to pick up a good deal on a handheld at the NY Boat Show next month and I'll get a second MMSI number for that radio.
 
If you re-use the same MMSI in both the handheld and fixed-mount VHF, then sell the boat... wont a DSC event from your old boat and/or the handheld be indistinguishable? Further, the buyer of your old boat wont be able to update his/her info to the re-used MMSI "burned into" the boat radio, without wiping out the info associated with the same MMSI also burned into your handheld (that you still own). Supposedly you can't go back and change the MMSI on either one, so double check before going the re-use path. (I say that, yet I've seen on here where some radios can reportedly be flashed or reset by the manufacturer for you... no experience on the truth/fiction though.)

I guess up until now, I thought every transmitter was required to have a separate MMSI. Never thought about the reuse option/potential.
 
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"A new handheld is on my wish list of accessories for my new to me 410 Sundancer. I'm heading back up to the boat (it's 2 1/2 hrs away) sometime next week to get the Ray 240 handset off of it so I can send it back to them to program my MMSI number in to it and replace the cord."

unless your radio already has an MMSI number programmed into it you can do it yourself. And if it does I believe RM would need the actual radio not the handheld mic portion to wipe it clean .
 
Thanks for all your the good info, guess my plan is to get a separate number for the handheld VHF and assign it to the dinghy. Can always reassign the handheld to a different vessel later. Will have to check with BoatUS how many times it can be reassigned and how often if I want to use this on the boat in Florida.
 
Havana Shamrock is correct - Raymarine charged me $140 to replace my cord and wipe the PO's MMSI # on my VHF-230. You have to ship them the entire radio.
 
You can purchase the cord from RM for around $75 and plug it in yourself. I've done it about 5 min job.
 
The Boat U.S. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) says this about programming the MMSI into a handheld

"If you plan to use the handheld on other boats, you might want a separate MMSI number so that you can update the registration according to which boat it is currently on. If you plan to use it only on one boat, you can use the same MMSI number as the fixed radio."

http://www.boatus.com/MMSI/MMSI/FAQ
 
My Standard Horizon handheld can have the MMSI changed by the user I think one time only, then back to SH for a reset after that.
 
I'll try to clarify and hopefully answer some of the questions. I guess the easiest way to understand the primary function of MMSI is to ask yourself the following question, "when I trigger a DSC alert, who/what should the authorities look for"?

The MMSI is nothing more than an identification of a vessel on the record. Let's look at couple of examples:

- Your boat has mounted VHF, which you treat as a dedicated VHF for the boat (the mother-ship). You register the VHF and obtain an MMSI#1.... providing necessary information about the boat (the mother-ship).
- You may have another VHF (mounted or handheld) on board, which your treat as a backup VHF for the mother-ship. In this case you may re-use the same MMSI#1 for your 2nd VHF, only because your intend for this MMSI record to be the same as for primary VHF unit. Therefore, regardless which VHF will issue a DSC call, according to the MMSI record in the boat US database (for US only), authorities will be looking for the mother-ship described during MMSI registration.
- You have a tender with either mounted or a handheld VHF you treat as dedicated unit for the tender. In this case you need to register it with it's own MMSI# with the description of the tender. So, in the event if a DSC call is issued from the tender's VHF, the authorities will be looking for the tender described during MMSI registration.

Also keep in mind, majority may not care but those who cross borders should, that BoatUS is USA only database. Any MMSI #s issued by BoatUS are meaningful only in US waters. If you're going to Bahamas or Canada, or wherever....you need international MMSI#, which you get from FCC. Those you have to pay for. FCC is international database and MMSI# issued by them is valid throughout the globe. If you're outside US waters and make a call with BoatUS MMSI#, they have no idea who you are (the local CG doesn't have a record of your VHF being assign to your vessel). If you have FCC issued MMSI#, your record is available via international database.

I hope it helps a little.
 
rondds said:
another stupid Q
How do you "test" DSC? For example, when I connect all this stuff up, how do I know for sure it's going to work when I need it to?
Click to expand...

From the USCG website:

Test transmissions on VHF DSC calling channel 70 should be made to another VHF DSC radio by using a routine individual call to their Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI).

For VHF DSC radios equipped with the Test Call feature, test transmissions should be made to the US Coast Guard MMSI 003669999 to receive an automated VHF DSC test response. You must use the “Test Call” category of your radio because “Individual” category calls to this address will not receive an automated response. For older radios not having a test call capability, testing can only be performed by using a routine individual call to their Maritime Mobile Service Indentity (MMSI).

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL A DSC DISTRESS ALERT BE SENT TO TEST YOUR RADIO. IT IS A VIOLATION OF THE RULES AND CAN RESULT IN HEAVY FINES.
 
Thank you Joel!
 
Havana Shamrock said:
"A new handheld is on my wish list of accessories for my new to me 410 Sundancer. I'm heading back up to the boat (it's 2 1/2 hrs away) sometime next week to get the Ray 240 handset off of it so I can send it back to them to program my MMSI number in to it and replace the cord."

unless your radio already has an MMSI number programmed into it you can do it yourself. And if it does I believe RM would need the actual radio not the handheld mic portion to wipe it clean .
Click to expand...

Thanks! It has the previous boat owners MMSI number in it, and I bought it from a dealer so I can't get the previous owner to go back in and change the info associated with that number. I sold my last boat privately and went online to update the info for the new owner so he wouldn't have to deal with it.
I sent two emails to Raymarine and tried to call them on 3 separate days and still can't get hold of them.
I've always had Garmin products in the past and never had a problem getting hold of them when I had questions.
This is my first time with Raymarine products, and so far I'm not real impressed with their customer service.
 
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