OK so here is my dilemma
I purchased 2 Standard Horizon Handheld HX870’s with DSC.
http://www.standardhorizon.com/inde...73FCD911FF7D468A2E1&DivisionID=3&isArchived=0
I ordered them to ensure that if someone goes overboard that they can press the DSC Distress which will not only summon help but will show up on my MFD (Raymarine e7) as an emergency with coordinates that will allow me to find the MOB in any condition.
According to the Coast Guard it is impossible to register with the FCC the device using the approved 9 digit format for a handheld. https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=mtMmsi Here is their interim suggestion: “In the interim, VHF handhelds used in the United States should use the MMSI assigned to the ship to which the handheld is primarily associated, even if another radio on that ship uses the same MMS”
Here’s the problem, I spoke with Standard Horizon and they indicated that if the handhelds share the same MMSI as the primarily associated ship’s Fixed VHF, that not one of the other Fixed or Handheld will respond to the distress call.
Obviously the prudent thing is fort the FCC to adopt the new Hand held ruling and issue handheld MMSI’s properly. The other thing would be for the Standard Horizon and other manufactures offer a software switch that allows for their radio to respond to a distress from the same MMSI if that was not the radio that sent out the distress call.
In the interim it appears that I have only 1 choice that allows for the handhelds to be recognized when the Distress Button is activated and that is to register each handheld as a separate ship. Am I missing something?
Thanks -Jon
I purchased 2 Standard Horizon Handheld HX870’s with DSC.
http://www.standardhorizon.com/inde...73FCD911FF7D468A2E1&DivisionID=3&isArchived=0
I ordered them to ensure that if someone goes overboard that they can press the DSC Distress which will not only summon help but will show up on my MFD (Raymarine e7) as an emergency with coordinates that will allow me to find the MOB in any condition.
According to the Coast Guard it is impossible to register with the FCC the device using the approved 9 digit format for a handheld. https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=mtMmsi Here is their interim suggestion: “In the interim, VHF handhelds used in the United States should use the MMSI assigned to the ship to which the handheld is primarily associated, even if another radio on that ship uses the same MMS”
Here’s the problem, I spoke with Standard Horizon and they indicated that if the handhelds share the same MMSI as the primarily associated ship’s Fixed VHF, that not one of the other Fixed or Handheld will respond to the distress call.
Obviously the prudent thing is fort the FCC to adopt the new Hand held ruling and issue handheld MMSI’s properly. The other thing would be for the Standard Horizon and other manufactures offer a software switch that allows for their radio to respond to a distress from the same MMSI if that was not the radio that sent out the distress call.
In the interim it appears that I have only 1 choice that allows for the handhelds to be recognized when the Distress Button is activated and that is to register each handheld as a separate ship. Am I missing something?
Thanks -Jon