Icom Channel 0 And 31

gavin · 07 January 2004, 19:56

HAS ANYBODY EVER TAKEN APART AN ICOM M401 AND GIVEN THEMSELVES CHANNEL 0 AND CHANNEL 31 IS IT A BIG DEAL OR A SIMPLE PROCEDURE

DJL · 07 January 2004, 20:26

Its not a case of taking it apart. You need to buy software and cables which cost a small fortune. However, once you have the cables adding and deleting channels is very simple.

Ribald · 07 January 2004, 20:33

I think you'll find it is also illegal as these are private channels not for general use and would contavene both your operator's licence and the ship's licence.

Paul F · 07 January 2004, 22:30

Both right im afriad, as our councils patrol boat has just had their radios done,some chandlers do have the software to do it,but wont do it unless licence is shown proving use of selected channels. So dont go taking it to bits

Daniel · 07 January 2004, 23:32

If the connector is standard (if not little chance really) a web search often reveals detials fo wiring and software to do this yourself, i've got some psudo-Icom software somewhere if you can't find anything.

David Hickman · 08 January 2004, 10:51

Yes it is illegal to have channel 0 unless you have an authorisation letter from either RNLI, HMCG etc.

I have got "0" as in the CG team, but the dealer/service agent even though he knows me well wanted the authorisation letter. It is not a matter of taking the unit apart!

Jelly · 08 January 2004, 12:48

David
I thought the regulations say that you can't have transmit on channel 0, from memory which has been wrong before!.
There is nothing to stop you listerning to any frequency you want using a scanner.
Rgds
James

David Hickman · 08 January 2004, 17:02

Jelly,
Bit of a grey area as I don't think, if I am correct, you should be listening to anyone's conversation.
I might be wrong though.
There are some boat owners here who have got hand held scanners and they put in the frequency 156.000mhz!!!
I will ask next time I am down near the Ops room.

DJL · 08 January 2004, 17:10

Quote:

Originally posted by David Hickman
Jelly,
Bit of a grey area as I don't think, if I am correct, you should be listening to anyone's conversation.
I might be wrong though.
There are some boat owners here who have got hand held scanners and they put in the frequency 156.000mhz!!!
I will ask next time I am down near the Ops room.

I believe legally this is correct and applies to all channels. Any transmission is private, unless directed to you. So for example, if you hear a conversation between two fishing boats about a good fishing spot and you then proceed to that spot, I believe technically you are breaking the law.

Paul F · 08 January 2004, 18:14

DJL
you could be right there as you can legally listen in to the police channels but is illegal to use the information from it.Be interesting to see what Daniel finds out from CG

Paul F · 08 January 2004, 18:15

David im mean sorry about that

gavin · 08 January 2004, 18:36

I dont accecpt it is illegal and as for listening to other conversations why do they fit a scan button.I do accecpt that authourisation is required from Icoms point of view before they will enable said channels, 31 is an RNLI channel reserved by the Instituation however they are not a legal body who police it, after all they are requested to launch by the CG, but if the radio can work both 0 and 31 there will be a way of getting the set to see them, possibly without software but that I am not sure of, if you knew your stuff you would be able to set the radio to work these channels, my VHF licence makes no reference to 0 and 31 and I guarantee it can be done by taking the set apart.

wavelength · 08 January 2004, 20:20

we have had a couple of Icom handhelds and a fixed set zeroed and/or thirtyoned in the past as we have both coastguard and lifeboat crew here. Piece of cake for authorised distributor and dead quick. Watched the fixed set done, simply plug computer into the speaker (i think) orifice on back of fixed set and then configure on the computer screen. Cost next to nothing to have done and Icom e-mailed the software to him for the particular set whilst I was there. Needed the letter of authorisation before he'd do it though.
Zero and thirty one are private channels so would not be covered by a standard ships radio licence.

Ribald · 08 January 2004, 21:38

Quote:

Originally posted by Paul F
DJL
you could be right there as you can legally listen in to the police channels but is illegal to use the information from it.Be interesting to see what Daniel finds out from CG

I think that you will find that it is illegal even to listen to police or other emergency transmissions as these as specified as private channels. I know of several people who have been nicked when found with scanners in their cars even though their main use was listening to aircraft frequencies but they had police channels set in the units memory. Very twitchy since 9/11.

Will ask local friendly PC when I next see him. Will also check at LBS regarding Ch 0 &31

DJL · 12 January 2004, 19:57

I've had an email from Ofcom - to summarise;

Channel 0 is not in fact a Maritime Channel. It is a Land Mobile Radio Channel that has been made available for the use of the Maritime & Coastguard Agency for its use during Search and Rescue operations. It is illegal to transmit or receive on channel 0 - see below.

It is an offence to listen to radio services, unless meant for general reception, if you are not authorised by a designated person to do so.

For more information click here

Paul F · 12 January 2004, 20:37

Thanks for that it sums it up quite well

Jelly · 13 January 2004, 08:20

Thanks Daniel
That now raises another question which I don't expect to be answered, is why do they allow scanners!?
Rgds
JAmes

Bobaw · 13 January 2004, 11:54

I thought it only became an offence under the wireless telegraphy act if you made use of the information that you received or re-broadcast it to another?????