Is a VHF Radio licence really necessary

[FNQCairns]

Here is a link from a previous discussion, had a poll I think but it is gone, mention of the results is throught the thread:

If interested in reading it make yourself a coffee first

http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/showthread.php?t=65506

cheers fnq

[subzero]

DSC is not activated for either transmission or reception until the feature is installed in a DSC capable set.

The feature is only activated once a 9 digit MMSI number is installed.

Only those whom have either a MROCP or MROVCP can apply for the MMSI number to activate the feature and this is done through AMSA.

Some rescue units have applied and installed the 9 digit MMSI number and therefore will automatically monitor DSC if within range of a station transmitting.

The VHF radio does not have to physically scan VHF channel 70 as it will do so passively in the background without your knowledge.

You may miss a DSC message/alert if your VHF radio is transmitting at the same time a DSC message has been sent.

This is a huge subject, it is a very misunderstood system that is poorly accepted and utilized. My recommendation to anyone is even if you do not wish to sit for a license, consider sitting through a course and learning a little about this very useful feature.

Cheers Lloyd

[Simmo2]

Maybe somebody can correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think DSC is monitored here.

To my understanding, no, not by the authorities as such, yet.

[subzero]

Go to this link
http://www.amsa.gov.au/publications/...dsc%5Ffact.pdf
DSC Fact Sheet

005030089 VMR441 VMR VICTORIA PT BASE
005038833 VMR400 VMR Southport Coast Station
503093900 VMQ8773 VMR1 Whitsunday
503083400 VJT6292 Rescue 1
005030002 VMR215 POINT CLARE BASE STATION
503051900 VHQ3791 POINT DANGER 2
005030084 VMR460 POINT DANGER LIGHT HOUSE
005030126 VMR360 Coast Guard Melbourne
005030135 VMT232 Coast Radio Hobart Base Station
005038829 VMR261 Coast Guard Sydney
503091700 Coast Guard 95

[subzero]

More examples
005030013 VMR 217 PORT STEPHENS RVCP
005030016 VMR201 EDEN RVCP
005030020 VMR202 MERIMBULA RVCP
005030012 VMR203 COAST STATION
005030024 VMR204 MORUYA BASE STATION
005030057 VMR205 RVCP WATCHKEEPER
005030010 VMR205 BATEMANS BAY RVCP
005030026 VMR206 KIOLOA BASE STATION
005030015 VMR207 RVCP Base Station Ulladulla
005030014 VMR208 SUSSEX INLET RVCP
005030011 VMR209 RVCP Jervis Bay Coast Station
005030022 VMR210 WOLLONGONG BASE STATION
005030025 VMR211 BOTANY BAY BASE STATION
005030007 VMR212 SYDNEY RVCP
005030008 VMR213 BROKEN BAY RVCP
005030002 VMR215 POINT CLARE BASE STATION
005030017 VMR216 LAKE MACQUARIE RVCP
005030019 VMR218 RVCP Forster Tuncurry
005030082 VMR219 CROWDY HEAD BASE
503030028 VMR220 RVCP Shepherds Hill
005030028 VMR220 NEWCASTLE BASE STATION
005030009 VMR221 SOUTH WEST ROCKS RVCP
005030018 VMR223 COFFS HARBOUR RVCP
005030093 VMR2233 Coast Station Portland
005030006 VMR224 BYRON BAY RVCP
005030027 VMR225 TERRY HILLS BASE STATION
005030088 VMR259 EVANS HEAD BASE STATION
005038829 VMR261 Coast Guard Sydney
005030129 VMR263 AVCGA Cottage Point MRB
005030081 VMR264 SWANSEA BASE
005030055 VMR271 PT MACQUARIE BASE
005030124 VMR273 Wooli VRA Land Base Station
005030030 VMR275 SOLANDER BASE STATION
005030126 VMR360 Coast Guard Melbourne
005030111 VMR361 AVCG VF4 Hastings Coast Station
005030123 VMR362 AVCG VF02
005030114 VMR367 AVCG VF7
005030122 VMR369 AVCG Coast Station Queenscliff
005030115 VMR371 AVCG VF01
005030132 VMR392 AVCG Port Franklin Base Station
005030131 VMR392 AVCG Port Welshpool Base Station
005038833 VMR400 VMR Southport Coast Station
503082900 VMR403 Sputty
005030032 VMR405 NOOSA BASE STATION
005030037 VMR417 TIN CAN BAY BASE
005030096 VMR419 AVCG Base Station Rockhampton QF19
005030125 VMR421 Sandy Straits Coast Guard
005030089 VMR441 VMR VICTORIA PT BASE
005030059 VMR442 WHITSUNDAY BASE
005034444 VMR444 CAIRNS MARINE RADIO BASE
005030084 VMR460 POINT DANGER LIGHT HOUSE
005030033 VMR502 SA SEA RESCUE - ADELAIDE
005030120 VMR508 SA Sea Rescue Copper Coast
005030128 VMR512 SA SEA RESCUE - SEATON
005030116 VMR523 VMR American River Radio
005030058 VMR555 PT ADELAIDE BASE
005030092 VMR611 Mandurah Water Rescue Station

[subzero]

I think this is the last of the Rescue Units/Groups that have DSC installed in their sets.
503091600 VMR611 Spirit Of Mandurah
005030104 VMR616 Peaceful Bay Base Station
503210400 VMR628 RV BREMS
005038831 VMR634 Bunbury SAR Base Station
005030110 VMR670 Geraldton VMR Land Base
503142900 VMR670 Delron
005030087 VMR685 KARRATHA BASE
005030085 VMR685 DAMPIER BOAT SHED
503095900 VMR685 North West Shelf Venturer
005030086 VMR685 DAMPIER BASE
005038836 VMR688 Lancelin Sea Search Rescue 1
005038837 VMR688 Lanceline Sea Search Rescue 2
503076100 VMR689 Pilbara Seeker
005030097 VMR707 St Helens Coast Station
005030130 VMR815 AVCG Paynesville
005030038 VMR900 MORNINGTON VMR

Cheers Lloyd

[subzero]

Depending on how you search their are others as well. This was by searching for AVCG in the call sign. You will notice several dont have a VMR Call Sign which is how I searched earlier or at the begining I searched by MMSI numbers beginning with 00503XXXX so as to get Australian Maritime, Coast and Limited Coast Stations

005030056 AVCG ADELAIDE BASE
005030077 AVCG EMU BAY
005030096 VMR419 AVCG Base Station Rockhampton QF19
005030111 VMR361 AVCG VF4 Hastings Coast Station
005030113 AVCG Ingham Base Station
005030114 VMR367 AVCG VF7
005030115 VMR371 AVCG VF01
005030122 VMR369 AVCG Coast Station Queenscliff
005030123 VMR362 AVCG VF02
005030129 VMR263 AVCGA Cottage Point MRB
005030130 VMR815 AVCG Paynesville
005030131 VMR392 AVCG Port Welshpool Base Station
005030132 VMR392 AVCG Port Franklin Base Station
005038828 AVCG Port MacDonnell
503164200 VK3314 AVCG Queenscliff CG09
503187300 VKV7085 AVCG Port Welspool CG20

[subzero]

For anyone to use the search feature here is the link at AMSA. The search engine itself is pretty un-user friendly and it is difficult to get good sensible search results in my opinion.
http://www.amsa.gov.au/search%5Fand%...MSI_number.asp

[Simmo2]

The 'system' is seriously flawed lloyd, surely you cant disagree with that?
Forget my gripe, and look into the general picture.....
I DO AGREE one should obtain a licence to operate!
However....
XYZ can sell a radio, with the ABC antenna....NOT informing the user that it is technically 'illegal' to use it.

You are correct with DSC, what a brilliant usage of digital technology, but....it will never reach its potential with rulings set as they are.

It is so silly that I could buy a 406 epirb, right now, and set it off on say Bribie, and be home on the mainland a short time later to watch the planes fly over.
A few mates, some beers, what fun......NOT!
Yet if I had to register it with full contact details, for it to work, then I wouldn't be playing with it unless it was a dire circumstance.

AMSA/ACMA should be issuing MMSI to those that request one, including the full contact details that are requested now. If the operators were dickheads, they wouldn't be so consciensious in asking for one.

If DSC were to be abused in this case, there may well be a monitoring station that would record the mmsi of that station. Action could be taken via any of the contact details of that recorded mmsi.

Also, intermittent monitoring or scantily spread units that do have the resources incorporating DSC should not be construed as the system is being monitored by the 'authorities'. It clearly is not. However, I did say above...YET.

[garman1]

I sat the course that Peter taught last Sunday, thankyou Peter for giving up your free time. I found it VERY informative and I certainly learnt that there was more to our VHF system than "turnin"it on. I now know that there will be someone listening on 16, because I attended the course and if I'm on the east side of moreton I am not on my own......................

To all the volunteers thankyou. and if I need fuel I will gladly pay for it no problems at all (chuckle)

Also I pray that I never hear the word MAYDAY, but I b
Good Fishing


Gaz

[garman1]

Also I pray that I never hear the word mayday but i beleive that with the course I attended I would stand a better chance of helping someone else out.

Thankyou Peter again for your valueable time.......................................

Good Fishing

Gaz

[QF3 MROCP]

For anyone to use the search feature here is the link at AMSA. The search engine itself is pretty un-user friendly and it is difficult to get good sensible search results in my opinion.
http://www.amsa.gov.au/search%5Fand%...MSI_number.asp

Please everyone, actually phone the location to confirm they really do have the DSC in operation. Two years ago I rang a few of those locations published on the net and the operator at the location had no clue what I was talking about.

Just look at the disclaimer AMSA place on the web page:

Note: AMSA provides access to the information contained in this database free of charge. AMSA does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information and accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever for any errors, defects, faults or omissions in the information. No person should act or fail to act on the basis of the information and persons should make their own inquiries about its accuracy. For further information, please contact AMSA on 1800 641 792.

5 P's - Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance

[subzero]

The 'system' is seriously flawed lloyd, surely you cant disagree with that? I do agree but in my opinion it is mainly because of the fact that users have a poor understanding of the system

Forget my gripe, and look into the general picture.....
I DO AGREE one should obtain a licence to operate!
However....
XYZ can sell a radio, with the ABC antenna....NOT informing the user that it is technically 'illegal' to use it.

You are correct with DSC, what a brilliant usage of digital technology, but....it will never reach its potential with rulings set as they are.

It is so silly that I could buy a 406 epirb, right now, and set it off on say Bribie, and be home on the mainland a short time later to watch the planes fly over.
A few mates, some beers, what fun......NOT!
Yet if I had to register it with full contact details, for it to work, then I wouldn't be playing with it unless it was a dire circumstance. I cant argue with that

AMSA/ACMA should be issuing MMSI to those that request one, including the full contact details that are requested now. If the operators were dickheads, they wouldn't be so consciensious in asking for one. Yes, I accept that and agree, hopefully they would also be conscientious enough to learn how to use the system before having the need to and possibly complicating matters by making wrong choices.

If DSC were to be abused in this case, there may well be a monitoring station that would record the mmsi of that station. Action could be taken via any of the contact details of that recorded mmsi.

Also, intermittent monitoring or scantily spread units that do have the resources incorporating DSC should not be construed as the system is being monitored by the 'authorities'. I agree, it is very scantily used and monitored. Its a shame that more Rescue units don't promote its features by supporting its introduction. A few members will always not like change and struggle to use any form of modern technology efficiently if at all and this includes, plotters, sounders and radar as well. It clearly is not. However, I did say above...YET.

Replys in red simmo2.
Cheers Lloyd

[jtpython]

This is all good , And don't agree with the system in process but who's to say you can use your radio better then me, And as first stated it's to stop misuse and inproper use of this system now if i am right didn't license's come in to play for UHF what happened with this?
How do they police and how do they REALLY POLICE THIS
I have every flare every epirb every parachute flare in my boat if my boat sinks and i can't get to my Radio or my electronics go?
What i AM SAYING IS OK THEY TEACH YOU RIGHT WAYS TO USE THE RADIO BUT WHATS TO SAY THAT MY FATHER CAN'T TEACH ME HOW TO USE MY RADIO IN THE RIGHT MANNER. I KNOW A LICENSE YOU MAY HAVE TO HAVE BUT PLEASE IF I DO A COURSE CAN I HONESTLY SAY I AM THE ONLY PERSON WHO HAS A RIGHT TO USE IT?
Do i have to teach my young ones to use a radio with a learners and if i call the coastgaurd that i am a social member of and support them every chance i get will approach me when i call up in a distress mode and ask me " hey have you a license to be calling us?"
Most of youse may think i'm a knob but i'm just looking for logic
JOHN
And to people that have a license i don't knock anyone for it but can you use your radio better then me

[Nomad62]

Most of youse may think i'm a knob but i'm just looking for logic
JOHN

jtpython,

Keep looking mate, the logic you are looking for has been covered in previous posts!!

The bottom line is you need a License...full stop!!!

Cheers Nomad