The BIGGEST Mistake Everyone Makes with Marine VHF Radios (2024)

[@IslandOasisFlorida]

Check out the best VHF for the money: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJeuanqAqLFkj8ksi=LZcpTSvjcVeoFtZn

[@fs7453-il]

US Power Squadron and BoatUS provide free MMSI for use in US waters. If you are going to Canada, Mexico or other foreign ports, you need to get an MMSI from the FCC for a modest fee. The MMSI allows the authorities (Coast Guard) access to your boat info (make, model, length, type, Owner and emergency contact info, etc) automatically when you place a DSC call. Having an MMSI properly programmed on your VHF is essential so that the authorities have access to key info in an emergency situation. One MMSI per boat applies to all VHF radios carried on board (fixed and hand-held) and also to an EPIRB if you carry one.

[@kari53]

MMSI is free from Canada and can apply online. It's issued within 24 hours.

[@DougAlesUSA]

@@kari53the issue, as I understand it, although you are correct, if you get the FREE MMSI in Canada, it does not work in the US, and if you get the FREE one in the US, it does not work in Canada. Only the one that costs money works in both USA and Canada. It gets worse. “Modest Fee” is, well, go look. The one that costs money is only good for 10 years, and that modest fee is over $100 and it lasts for ten years. It gets even worse. After 10 years there is a good chance they will make you change your number, as that’s happened before to me. And you guessed it, it gets even worse. Many recreational level VHF marine radios MMSI number entry are permanent, meaning once you enter the number it can not be changed. You need to toss your radio and go buy a new one. Even a basic Garmin 115 VHF radio is $400 and that assumes you know how to install and wire it yourself. So, the “modest fee” for the international MMSI number is not so modest after all. Oh, Boat US does try to charge you for your FREE MMSI number if you are not a Boat US member, so go with the truly free MMSI USA number via the US Power Squadron.

[@MultiBmorgan]

Also.. if you are on the open ocean and you come upon the occasional cargo ship on AIS you can DSC the that ship (you have all their info via AIS) Once you call them it will sound/flash on there screen/radio until they acknowledge! its a good feeling when your in close proximity to know their intentions.

[@IslandOasisFlorida]

Very True, its a super helpful tip.

[@denisebowker3563]

I suggest putting AIS transmit on your boat for safety. If you call mayday, all boats and find you. You can use DSC as well buy AIS is a safety device while boating at night and if you're near shipping channels.

[@IslandOasisFlorida]

That's a good idea!

[@stephenscott963]

New subscriber, great video, ppl don’t talk about this enough, so important, life saving!

[@IslandOasisFlorida]

Thanks for the sub! Apprecieate the feedback!!

[@T.McGarry]

I install marine electronics, and for the life of me - most of these owners never get beyond using the most basic features of the equipment. Twice I've had to jump on sportfishing vessels offshore, dial in their wildly screwed up radar, and give them a quick rundown on reading it. No one ever takes me up on spending an hour or two learning how to work their gear. I've never seen anyone use DSC, even after I set it up, and explain it.

[@IslandOasisFlorida]

It is so true, even most professional captains I run into don’t know some of the basic features of their equipment. Thanks for the comment!!

[@michaelarma4468]

Great info!!! Concise and clear!! Thank you!

[@IslandOasisFlorida]

Thank you!

[@stanleybest8833]

I also like LED lights and a CB radio with a decent long antenna. You can get GPS numbers from a car GPS, if a chart plotter is out of your budget.

[@IslandOasisFlorida]

Very interesting, i never would have though of a car GPS. thanks for the info!!

[@danielboughton3624]

You can only get a MMSI on the 'net (versus from the FCC) if you are not leaving US waters. The handhelds are a bit more tricky if you are going between boats though I have heard there is a way to not tie them to a specific craft. The other thing of note... Make sure the radio works well. Our antenna connection was corroded when we bought the boat. People could hear us but we could not hear them. Another option for redundant GPS is a cell phone if you only have one source. Obviously figure out how to get that working before you leave.

[@IslandOasisFlorida]

Good info thanks! Apprecieate the comment.

[@marinogianan3090]

Sir "Island Oasis Florida"....THANK YOU SO MUCH!! I am new in this field. I am very pleased to hear your KZbin Channel every time it really educating me and I am thinking to buy one and install it in my Truck. many times Cellphone don't work in the mountains. Many people doesn't realize the importance of communication more so if you are away from anyone. At sea, desert, or mountains. I will subscribe to your channel, thank you so much!!

[@IslandOasisFlorida]

Thanks and welcome

[@frenchydo1french]

Great information, thank you

[@IslandOasisFlorida]

Glad you liked it! Apprecieate the comment.

[@Kq4hcuDan]

I plan on cramming a vhf mobile transceiver in a canoe with a GPS antenna to give better location to seek out for help. I can use a handy talkie but to me i want something better, since im also a licensed amateur radio operator.

[@IslandOasisFlorida]

Yep makes sense for sure, especially with the advanced knowledge of the amateur radio operator. Thanks for the comment!!

[@Kq4hcuDan]

@@IslandOasisFlorida to me if I'm going to canoe or kayak I want a VHF mobile transceiver that can be directly hooked up to a GPS antenna to give me the best accuracy then traditional VHF transceiver. Because if I do get into a issue and what if I would be unable to talk, I would want someone to see my location directly to send me help

[@olafschermann1592]

Thank you for this helpful information

[@IslandOasisFlorida]

Thank you for your kind words! It means a lot to hear that the information was helpful to you.

[@Seafariireland]

Excellent lesson!

[@IslandOasisFlorida]

Glad you liked it!

[@bobd9868]

Program DSC so anyone can press the button and the coordinates will be transmitted. Man, nobody has these connected. I see it all the time.

[@gatorbite6354]

when you page a buddy boater. Will it show his location on your GPS screen?

[@IslandOasisFlorida]

Depends on settings but yes it can do that. That will actually be what my next video is about. Thanks for the comment.

[@BenTrem42]

#Lateral - From recent news, _EPIRB mounted below deck_ came up in chat.

[@IslandOasisFlorida]

Hmm. Good or bad? I have one mounted below deck…

[@BenTrem42]

@@IslandOasisFlorida Not from personal experience but if it's triggered when soaked / underwater, how does it reach atmosphere to transmit its signal?

[@IslandOasisFlorida]

The ones I have can be activated two ways. One by turning it on with the use of a button or by submerging it in water. The one I have mounted in the door way to the boat is for manual activation. It’s simple to grab and turn on. The other is on the roof of the tower and is designed to pop out of the cradle when submerged. I hope that never happens though…

[@BenTrem42]

@@IslandOasisFlorida Yes for sure .. _"grab and turn on"_ of course assumes something like good fortune ... and the ability to control one's movement! ;-) I think *_pop up and out_* is just reasonable. So _"bravo zulu" and good on yuh! ^5

[@IslandOasisFlorida]

Pop up and out only works if the boat sinks. If it’s a power failure and no communication someone would have to climb on the roof of the boat to deploy it. Not always safe when in rough seas. Having two offers best of both worlds. Cheers!

[@mark-e3c]

? AAA Carolinas, contact them with vhf?

[@SV_Try_Magic]

Try cutting out the gluten? I started with a GMRS handheld radio license to get familiar. I now have an international MMSI for my s/v that I registered on the FCC website after I bought the yacht and then I got an AIS and added that endorsement to my radio licese.

[@DalePeyton]

I am new to your channel. I hope to raise you up money to build me. A small chanting boat run the rivers. This information you given me about these radios is very interesting. Do you mention any particular brand thank you very much have a blessed day

[@IslandOasisFlorida]

Great to hear, thanks for watching! I dont really favor a particular brand however i will say i have had good luck with Standard Horizon and Icom. I currently use both. Best of luck!

[@scottspooner6070]

Is that a mini grill in the background?

[@IslandOasisFlorida]

haha Yep! Its a Magma boat grill.

[@Kq4hcuDan]

I wonder if boaters are also amateur radio operators

[@IslandOasisFlorida]

I would say the majority are not however there might be a few that travel long distance. Sailing vessels that cross oceans maybe. It would be a good idea however not sure if the radio license is relevant outside the USA...

[@Kq4hcuDan]

@@IslandOasisFlorida it is since amateur radio is a world wide hobby especially on the HF bands. Of late their has been rivalry between VHF users on the bets having a peeing match with amateur radio operators on some of the maritime bands that both VHF users and amateur radio stations share that was used heavily during world war II that is used today, but it's a constant issue and FCC no one has claim to the bands and it is shared. But someone who is a sad ham or sad maritime user will cause issues, it's like beating a dead horse.

[@larslarsheim1741]

Boating information for people who have no business running a boat

[@davidebratton]

lat and lon, all the instruments you show are lat lon. But you say lon lat.

[@blueskies8834]

Takes too long to get to the point

[@IslandOasisFlorida]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@ToddM452]

Not at all, be nice.

[@SailorMikeYYC]

First thing is that if you are going to need to access a VHF radio take the training to operate it properly. It is a crime to operate a VHF in the US or Canada with out a license. Far to may people endanger their own lives and the lives of others by operating these devices improperly.

[@IslandOasisFlorida]

Thanks for the comment! are you sure about your statement though because In the United States, recreational boaters generally do not need a license to use a VHF marine radio while traveling domestically. This includes ships that are not legally required to carry a radio, such as pleasure or recreation craft.

[@oldguysrockon]

Wrong. No license needed VHF in USA

[@nickgoodall578]

To be fair, you do to need to pass an exam or take a course and then pass the exam in CANADA to get a certificate in order to use a marine VHF. But just because you took the course doesn’t mean you know how to use the radio. Tonnes of bozos have certs but still use their radios like 🔔 🔚 😂 Finally, if you’re going out in a boat, you should get training but don’t let the fact that you don’t have a license stop you from having a marine VHF! Nobody is going to be too worried if you use a marine VHF without an operators cert in an emergency.

[@45auto]

​@IslandOasisFlorida The license is required to transmit on VHF in the Amateur Radio frequencies. Marine band radios operate in different VHF frequencies.

[@IslandOasisFlorida]

Correct.

[@johnx9318]

Wrong. Arrogant sod.