License to operate VHF on Chesapeake Bay

[McZube]

I've been sorting through papers we got when we bought the boat. I found an expired SHIP/AIRCRAFT RADIO STATION LICENSE and an FCC 506 form that one of the previous owners had filled out. Am I required to secure a license from the FCC to use a VHF on the Bay?

Thanks.

 

[Ross]

NO.

 

[Capt Ziggy]

The requirement to pay $110.00 for a 10 year VHF station license was elimenated some years ago. Sorry to say they elimenated the requirement 6 months after I paid the $110.00 fee....not refundable. You do note need a license to use your VHF marine radio.

 

[McZube]

Thanks, all.

 

[FastOlson]

Interesting info on the question:
http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=licensing&id=ship_stations

 

[dawg2]

We just bought a Marine radio that has VHF, FRS and GMRS Bands. It did say if you use the GMRS you need a liecense. But VHF and FRS you do not.

 

[kenn]

Just an fyi; In Canada you need a 'licence' to operate a marine VHF radio. It can be got at most sailing schools as a one or two-night course with a test, and the card is good for life.

Visiting US boats in Canada get a 45-day grace period where a licence is not required.

 

[tkanzler]

I believe Canadian authorities will honor a US license, but I didn't know about the grace period. For me, that would make it not worth the trouble to get a VHF license (~$150 US), which isn't even required in US waters for non-commercial pleasure craft.

 

[Bill Roosa]

And you still need one if you are going outside the country or if you have a HF marine radio

 

[Freedom77]

Question? What does one use for call sign if you don't have a license. Ours is Whiskey, Yankee, Echo, 5635. Do you just identify your boat and hail on appropriate channel?

 

[Stu Jackson]

Question? What does one use for call sign if you don't have a license. Ours is Whiskey, Yankee, Echo, 5635. Do you just identify your boat and hail on appropriate channel?

If you have "State" letters & numbers, you use those. Whiskey, Charlie, Foxtrot, #, #, #, #...

They were in the 'regs" when i bought my boat in 1998. helpful stuff to read. Given links, though, you just can't "make 'em read 'em."

Sorry to those who have bothered...

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

And you still need one if you are going outside the country or if you have a HF marine radio

Maybe supposed to have, but all over Bahamas, west coast of Mexico (Yucatan, Quintana Roo), Belize, Guatemala, never saw anyone who had one, and never heard of one being asked for.

 

[Ron20324]

Question? What does one use for call sign if you don't have a license. Do you just identify your boat and hail on appropriate channel?

You use your boat name on VHF.

 

[kenn]

I believe Canadian authorities will honor a US license, but I didn't know about the grace period. For me, that would make it not worth the trouble to get a VHF license (~$150 US), which isn't even required in US waters for non-commercial pleasure craft.

I did the course in two nights in the winter. It was based on the Power Squadron course. Besides the licence, the course stressed good operating procedures, all levels of alerts and what goes on (Maydays, Pan-pan, Securite, and proper channel behaviour when these calls have been made) and included all the arcana like the phonetic alphabet. There was also extensive coverage of DSC - what it is and how to use it.

So, all in all, I think it was worth the fee to licence up. There are alot of poor radio users out there - walkovers, poor use of the wrong channels etc. Hopefully I won't be one of those.