FCC License for Marine Radio?

[Mille Lacs Guy]

I just purchased a Raytheon 52 Marine Band Radio and there is information in the book refering to getting a license from the FCC to run the unit. Is it necessary to have this FCC license to use the radio? Any information would be helpful. Thanks.

[Airwave(OH)]

NO --Could go into detail but the answer would still be NO

[preditor]

Like above said NO.

They (the FCC) stopped that requirement a couple years+ ago, trying to get more VHF marine radio's into pleasure boats for safety reasons. But if you are a comercial ship, then a license is still required. Basicly because they have you, if you are a comercial ship you HAVE TO have a VHF radio.

Preditor

[John N]

What's the range of handheld marine radios? Are they suitable for use for casual communication between fishing boats in the same group? A few of us have used FRS radios for this the last couple years, they're good for around a mile. Thought we might try CB's this year, but wondered what other options might be useful. Thanks. Good luck on the water. John.

[John N]

Well, I see postings below talking about range with mounted units with big antennas, and thought I'd better edit my posting to note that our group is just interested in portable handhelds that can be used in camp boats, etc. Thanks again. John.

[Ram Man]

NO! You do not need a license to use your VHF radio "on the water". It is illegal to use your VHF radio on land without a license, such as in the parking lot of the ramp to see how everyone is doing on the water or as a home based unit if you happen to live near the water. Yes guys, if you have a VHF radio at home or in your tackle shop, you have to get a license. Not my rules. The FCC made these. Check it out.

[schaefer]

As an add on to these other posts, when I called the FCC last year they told me that I didn't need a license to operate a VHF in my boat on U.S. waters, but I did if I was fishing border waters and launching from a non-U.S. port (ie. launching on Lake of the Woods or the Great Lakes from the Canadian side), although if checked on the water, I have no idea how they would be able to tell. Marty

[cisco]

As with any radio station, you would have your call letters/numbers. It's not big hassle to get a marine license (I remember when it cost $135) so why not get one. FCC fines, incidentally, can be quite stiff. Be careful where and how you use those hand-held units.

[Airwave(OH)]

You won't get any better range from the CB on the water then you did the FSR's. Hand held marine is a better choice if you don't want a REAL radio.:) I myself would invest in a REAL radio. It just might save yours or someone elses life and you can't put a price on that. Besides you can get one these days for around $150.00-$200.00 including antenna. Be Safe

[preditor]

With a hand held VHF you are probably going to get 3 to 4 miles at best. Mostly because hand held VHF radios on HI are 5 watts. Most "full" VHF type radios are 25 watts on HI, but the length of the antenna and something called "LOS" or line of site, reduce the effectiveness of hand held radios. Curvature of the earth is what limits most full size VHF radios to around 15 miles. Of course hills or any other obstructions have the same effect. This is were the 8 ft antenna helps, but at the some time an 8 ft antenna matches 1/4 wave of the VHF band, hand held radios typically have 3 to 5 inch antennas. To match 1/4 wave of the VHF band you have to electronically make the antenna longer, through circuits and windings. This ends up reducing your transmitting and receiving ability. This is always done with CB radios, they exist in the HF band (High Frequency) and would require a 20 foot antenna to match a ¼ wave of the band. FRS radios are in the UHF band (Ultra High Frequency), so short antennas more closely match the ¼ wave of the UHF band. I understand, Motorola makes some that are 2 watt models, they claim 5 miles, but I don’t know, I have no experience with them. Manufactures claim 5 miles for 4 watt CB radios also, but in reality you get 2 miles as long as conditions are in your favor.

This is a long complex answer to your question, yes there are restrictions on where and when you can use hand held VHF radios, you are only supposed to use channels 68,69,71,72,78 for general communication, such as fishing. But I have seen many places were they use another channel for this, such a lake Oahe South Dakota, many people use channel 11 for this. Channel 11 is supposed to be reserved for commercial shipping operations. Since commercial shipping is not big there, I don’t think the FCC is all too worried about chasing down channel 11 violators. I am not advocating illegal use of VHF radios, I am just passing on my observations. Of course every truckers CB is only the legal 4 watt model ;-) that’s why I hear them on my portable phone and TV at times. But I have not seen a huge round up of evil truckers, but fines are handed out to some. So in the end just be smart. FRS radios do not carry many of the restrictions but the range is limited some. For camp boats you may be O.K.

Hope this helps :-) without too much confusion.

Preditor.

[Boatnut]

Canadian gov't has also recently lifted requiremetns for licensing of VHF radios for recreational craft. Its not required by US citizens to have a license now when operating in their waters. you still need to obey the rules regarding proper radio use, though.

Mike(boatnut)