Reprogramming MMSI on SH HX851

[John Kennett]

I've just bought a lightly used second hand HX851 and need to change the MMSI. Does anyone have an inside track on a way of doing this without returning to a dealer?

If not, any suggestions of someone not too far from Brighton who could do it for me?

[John Kennett]

Well SH will do it for a fee of £32, but it turns out I has misunderstood how it works and that I can keep the MMSI but get it reregistered in my name by Ofcom. Cost £0

[ShinyShoe]

John

If the old radio owner still thinks the MMSI is registered to him is there not the risk that two of you are running around with two different radios with the same MMSI and only 1 of you on the database and when the other hits the big red button the wrong person is searched for?

[John Kennett]

We'll have to see how it works in practice, but this is what the Ofcom web site says:

http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/radioc...o/faq/vhf-faq/

What if I sell my radio?
You must surrender your Ship Portable Radio Licence. Until you do, we cannot transfer the MMSI to the new owner. If the new owner makes a DSC distress call, the MCA will always respond but it may affect their efficiency if they dont have the correct contact details.

[chris.moody]

My understanding is that a transportable can either be registered to a ships licence (where the MMSI identifies a particular vessel), or to an individual (where the MMSI is issued to a person). Either way why not call OFCOM and ask them, I have always found them exceeding knowledgable and helpful. It may be that you have no option but to get the handheld reprogrammed, but at least you will know.

Whatever you do don't use it with the wrong MMSI number in it as that could be a matter of life or death (and also will no doubt get you into loads of bother with OFCOM if you do survive the shipwreck

Chris

[chris.moody]

Originally Posted by chris.moody

Whatever you do don't use it with the wrong MMSI number in it as that could be a matter of life or death (and also will no doubt get you into loads of bother with OFCOM if you do survive the shipwreck

Not that I was suggesting you would do that John, I know you will be well aware of those dangers. I just reread my post and didn't want you to take the last comment the wrong way (it did have a smiley face at the end).

[Johnscubanut]

We had the same problem with our used fixed radio that came with the boat. Had to ask the previous registered owner to delete his details regarding the mmsi etc. The other choice is to send it back to factory for reprogramming in a new number! Costing around £50 think?
But Ofcom were really good in re-assigning the existing number to us! And at no cost!!!!
Best speak to them I suggest?