GPSMAP 3205 Owner’s Manual
89
A
PPENDIX
>
D
IGITAL
S
ELECTIVE
C
ALLING
(DSC)
What is a Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI)?
Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) basically allows a VHF radio to act
like a phone. To make a “call” on a phone, you first need a phone number to dial.
The 9-digit MMSI number acts like a phone number when used in a Position
Report and as a unique identifier to the Coast Guard when used in an emergency
Distress Call. To obtain a Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number,
users must register their VHF radio with the FCC (Form 605).
Garmin does not
supply this number!
How Are MMSI Assignments Obtained?
Non-commercial users (recreational users who remain in domestic waters and
only carry VHF, EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons, and
Radar)) are not required to have a FCC ship station license. The FCC and Coast
Guard have authorized some second and third-party vendors to assign MMSI
numbers. This service is limited to registering recreational vessels only. To
receive information on how to obtain a recreational MMSI number, contact:
http://www.uscg.mil/rescue21/links/mmsi.htm
http://wireless.fcc.gov/marine/
Non-Federal Users in the United States
Commercial users, or those who travel outside the U.S.A. or Canada, must apply
for a ship station license, or an amendment to a ship station license. To find out
if you require a Ship Station license, contact:
http://wireless.fcc.gov/marine/
. If your vessel requires licensing by the FCC, you will obtain a
MMSI during the application/licensing process when you file FCC Forms 159
and 605.
Federal Users in the United States
Federal users can obtain MMSI assignments from their agency radio spectrum
management office. These procedures are currently under review by the NTIA
(National Telecommunications and Information Administration).
Users Outside the United States
Users can obtain an MMSI assignment from their telecommunications authority
or ship registry, often by obtaining or amending their ship station license.
Users in Canada
Industry Canada is responsible for assigning MMSI numbers to commercial and
recreational vessels. Information is available at the following Web site:
http://apollo.ic.gc.ca/english/mmsi.html
.
For more information regarding MMSIs visit:
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/gmdss/mmsi.htm
.
How Can Garmin Help You with DSC?
To receive Distress Calls or Position Reports, you must have a DSC-equipped
chartplotter as well as a VHF radio with DSC support. During normal, non-
emergency Position Report communication, Channel 70 (156.525 MHz) has been
set aside as the VHF/DSC digital call channel.
For a Distress Call, a mariner presses the MayDay button on the VHF radio.
The call transmits on an emergency channel with the MMSI number attached to
the call (if you have DSC support). Any DSC-equipped mariner (on sea or land)
within range can receive the call.
When the Garmin GPSMAP 3205 is connected to a VHF radio with DSC
support, the GPS unit displays a Call List, Log, and a Directory to store incoming
information received from another user’s DSC capable VHF/GPS combination.
Basic wiring is required for the Garmin unit and VHF radio to send and receive
NMEA data from each other. See the
GPSMAP 3205 & GPS 17 Installation
Instructions
.
Summary of Contents for GPSMAP 3205 - Marine GPS Receiver
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