MMSI for Handheld Radios

Electrical and electronic topics for small boats
Hoosier
Posts: 149
Joined: Sat Oct 10, 2015 8:04 pm
Location: Indiana and Eastern UP

MMSI for Handheld Radios

Postby Hoosier » Thu Apr 06, 2017 4:26 pm

[The Federal Communications Commissions] needs to allow handheld radios with DSC and GPS to have more than one MMSI number. I have two boats and take mine on the boat I'm using.
1978 Outrage V20 with 2004 Suzuki DF-115. 1992 23 Walkaround with two 2010 Yamaha F-150s.

conch
Posts: 172
Joined: Sat Oct 17, 2015 8:43 am
Location: Florida Keys,Hawaii,Mississippi

Re:MMSI for Handheld Radios

Postby conch » Fri Apr 07, 2017 11:48 am

Hoosier I was able to register my handheld Standard Horizon HX870 as a portable handheld VHF w/DSC/GPS with its own unique MMSI and describe the two Boston Whalers I will most likely use it between.

Both of the boats have their own fixed VHF radios with unique MMSI.

In the remarks section for registering the portable when describing the two Whalers I included their State registration numbers, which the CG could look up to see what hull I might be on.
If your boat sank (not our Whalers) there wouldn't be any hull to look for anyway.
Chuck

Hoosier
Posts: 149
Joined: Sat Oct 10, 2015 8:04 pm
Location: Indiana and Eastern UP

Re: MMSI for Handheld Radios

Postby Hoosier » Sun Apr 09, 2017 9:21 am

I didn't know that, but I registered my handheld VHF Marine Band radio four years ago and I had to tie it to a particular boat. Now that it's been programmed I can't change it, I'll have to send it in to get reset. The cost for resetting the MMSI number is going to be $60; add the cost of shipping and I can get a new radio for not much more than that.
1978 Outrage V20 with 2004 Suzuki DF-115. 1992 23 Walkaround with two 2010 Yamaha F-150s.

jimh
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Location: Michigan, Lower Peninsula
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Re: MMSI for Handheld Radios

Postby jimh » Mon Apr 10, 2017 10:42 am

There is already in place a mechanism for MMSI assignment for hand-held radios that are NOT ASSOCIATED with a particular ship. Unfortunately the FCC has not implemented this method of assignment of identities. For more on proper MMSI assignments, see the thread on that topic at

MMSI NUMBER SCHEME
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1951&p=11396#p11381