Conference unifix::sailing

    
    You can pick one of the forms up at BLISS or any marine store that
    sells VHFs.  No tests are required anymore.
    
       - Jim
    

    I'd suggext contacting the FCC office in Boston. when I got my license
    years ago ('73 or '74) they sent me some forms which I sent on to a
    place in Pennsylvania somewhere. No tests, just the ability to fill out
    a form, or find someone who can :-). 
    
    Of course, I'm getting ancient enough for this to be archaic data!!
    
    Ed

    No, you are not yet the ancient mariner. I called the FCC in Boston
    last year and got a recorded message. I left my name, address and
    form I requested on the answering machine. It was mailed within
    the week. I filled it out and sent it in to that same place in
    Pennsylvania, and recieved the license in 6-8 weeks.
    
    			-charlie

    You will be able to operate the VHF immediatly after you mail the
    station license form to the FCC. A second part of the form will
    act as your temporary license while you are waiting for the FCC
    to respond.
    
    You might also consider applying for a Restricted Radio Telephone
    Operater License. Although this is no longer required for U.S. waters
    if you venture offshore, you'll need one. This license is for the
    person, whereas the Station license covers the equipment and its
    installation. The Operaters License DOES NOT require a test either.
    
    Jerry
    

    
    
    	I have a question?
    
    
    	has anyone ever been stopped and checked for an operators
    	licence on the open waters or at their mooring or slip?
    
    
    	richard

    The purpose of the license is to assign call letters to your station.
    If you want to "make up" a call sign then have a good time.  I have
    had a VHF Operators license for about 15 years and have never been
    asked for it.  When I entered Bermuda 2 years ago I thought they
    would want to review all my ship's papers (including my radio license),
    but the customs officer never asked for anything.  I guess it depends
    on the inspector, but the only time I was even asked for my
    documentation papers was when I had a Coast Guard 'Courtesy' Inspection
    and they wanted to ensure they were in proper order.
    
    I would assume that with the threat of boarding increasing recently
    due to all the drug traffic, that the boarding party could get pretty
    picky if they wanted to be. 
    
    Good Luck,
    Jeff Gardiner
    
    

     
    While it's not likely to happen, governments can make a lot of noise
    about unlicensed radios and radio operators within their territory.
    I think if I were to put into foreign waters (or even international
    waters around countries in the habit of seizing pleasure boats),
    I'd want to make sure that my radios were licensed--and that I was
    licensed too.  
    
    As other notes said, you can get the application forms at dealers,
    or the FCC district office.  If you know anyone who works in broadcast
    radio, they usually have the 3rd Phones applications as well.  And
    the FCC office that processes license applications is in Gettysburg
    PA.
                                                                      

    One of the major problems in the past few years, has been the illegal
    operation in the HF and VHF spectrums of the Ham bands.  You do
    need a license to operate in the Ham bands.  There have been numerous
    articles written about sailing vessels operating illegally in the
    Ham bands.  If you get caught operating illegally you may be fined.
    If you are going to do extended cruising for any length of time,
    it may pay to look into getting a ham ticket, it could save you
    a lot of money on phone calls, as well as your life.
    
                                    Signed
                                    A Sailor and a Ham
                                    or a Ham and a Sailor
                                    Bob/NK1C

    An interesting thing about VHF licenses. Several years back I operated
    a 26' I/O in Vancouver, B.C. and my ex-boss, a Canadian, operated
    his boat in Chicago. I was a landed immigrant(non-citizen) of Canada,
    holding US citizenship. I could get a license to operate my VHS,
    including a telephone channel and he couldn't get the equivalent
    FCC licanse because he was not a US citizen.

    I suspect this country got a little paranoid about spies, maybe
    during WWII...
    
    Bob

    What are the licensing requirements for a Handheld VHF? Can I use
    my existing ship's station license? If so, what do you do when you
    are in your tender and want to call back to vessel VHF from the
    tender? Do both operators use the same call signs?

    Steve, the Federal Communications Commission allows for the use of
    handheld portables under the same license (call sign) as your ship's 
    license. No other special license is needed. However when transmitting
    between your handheld and your ship or other way around, you should
    reference you are using a handheld, such as "this is WXYZ 1234 portable
    one to base. If you have more than one it would be " ---- portable two
    to base, -- Radar, and some other electronics requires a "special
    endorsement".

    
    	Does anybody know that the proper fee code and the correct fee to
    register a handheld marine VHF radio is.  The vendor supplied a form
    506 but not that information.  I can understand because the fee is
    subject to change.  
    
    	The problem is that FCC phone is busy all the time. I tried their
    web page but if is has form 1070s I could not find it.  I heard the fee
    was something like $115 last year but heard that they had changed it
    again.  I hope so $115 is more than it cost for the radio, it makes it
    awful tempting to not register it....  I understand that it really only
    works out to $15 a year but still.
    
    
    Forrest

Just happened across this on internet rec.boats.  I have paraphrased a little.

Distribution of forms from the FCC is now doene by a contract firm.

The automated number is:

        202-418-3676

        You can order forms and have copies faxed back.

The fax back number is

        202-418-0177

To request paper copies call:

        800-418-3676

Doug

    This month's Offshore Magazine mentioned that the fee had been reduced.
    I believe it is now $75 instead of $115. There is also Senate action
    pending to reduce it further as a life safety issue.
    
    Bill
    

    >  and the operator, used to be a no-fee deal, are required to be licensed.
    
    Unless there had been a very recent change, this in not true for
    pleasure boats. If you are sailing to foreign countries, there may
    be a requirement, but otherwise they will not issue you an operator's
    permit as it it not required or of any use. If you are operating
    commercailly, you need a restricted radio-telephone operator's permit.
    
    I don't know if there is a fee for the operator's permit, should you
    need one.
    
    Bill

    re .12
    
    By the way, you are not licensing the handheld, you are licensing the
    boat. All other endorsements go on the same licnese, including
    ssb, radar and epirb. If you anticipate needing any of the above, in
    addition to VHF, apply for it initailly, cause if you add it later, it
    will cost you the same as if it were a separate license.
    
    Bill
    

    
    	Actually, there is a category for portable use which is what this
    radio will be used for.  It will go with me from boat to boat many of
    which do not have a station license.  How to do that is covered in for
    506, what was missing is the fee code, and the fee.  I found a Boat
    U.S. newsletter last night the fee is $30 with a $45 paper shuffeling
    charge.  
    
    	There is no charge for paper shuffeling for a ham license and there
    is more paper to handle.  Guess the hams have a better lobby with the
    FCC.  So all I am missing is the fee type code.
    
    
    Forrest

	I read a Boat/US report explaining how the fee was going to 
change down some time this summer. a couple weeks later I ordered the form 506 
for a new ship station liscence for our new boat. The fee charged, when I 
recieved this form a little over a month ago was still $115. We didn't have
our documentation number yet, so there was little point in applying for a 
liscence until we had our number. I was also hoping that if I ordered the 
form again it would come through with the lower fee. 
	Has anyone actually applied for a ship station liscence at the new 
lower ($75) fee? It's certainly worth 40 bucks to make another phone call if
this is new fee has been established.

Geoff

    It's renewal time for my station licnese, and since I am adding
    equipment endorsements, I can't do a simple renewal.  Had to call the
    FCC to get a new 506 to complete.
    
    Part of the information package which came with the 506 is the 1070s. 
    On the back of the 1070s it references a form 159.  If you want to pay
    for your license with a credit card (not specified is which cards are
    accepted, but I expect the usual cast of suspects are included) you
    must also file a form 159, which is not enclosed with the standard
    package.
    
    SO, if you want to use a credit card to pay for your license, request
    the 159. 
    
    djc