I just installed my new VHF w/ position polling capability and it offers some interesting capabilities. It is possible to "poll" the position of another vessel (position request) and have their position, range, and bearing appear on my vhf display. This particular vhf also feeds the position data to my plotter where it is displayed on screen along with the senders name, range, and bearing. In turn, if I'm polled my radio can automatically send my position to the requestor. Or, I can set my radio to alert me to the request, and manually provide my position, if I desire. A dsc mayday call is automatically displayed on screen with range and bearing so providing assistance is easier. In order to share position data between vessels it is necessary to have their MMSI #s stored in the radio's directory. It is also possible to establish a group MMSI # for yacht clubs or other groups. From my manual..."GROUP CALL
This feature allows the user to contact a group of specific vessels (example
members of a yacht club) using DSC radios with Group call function to automatically
switch to a desired channel for voice communications". All of these capabilities require that MMSI #s are available to those who want to participate. SO, A central database is needed to facilitate this sharing of #s. Here is an example of how such a database might look http://www.falmouthyachtbrokers.co.uk/mmsi/listings/listings-A.html . Here is some more info. http://www.burnabysquadron.com/Forms/mmsi directory.htm . I'm a private person and don't routinely broadcast my personal info.. However, for safety's sake I can't see any downside to sharing my MMSI # with others (known or unknown). Am I missing something here ? If not, perhaps a directory and group MMSI # is desirable. Any thoughts ???
This feature allows the user to contact a group of specific vessels (example
members of a yacht club) using DSC radios with Group call function to automatically
switch to a desired channel for voice communications". All of these capabilities require that MMSI #s are available to those who want to participate. SO, A central database is needed to facilitate this sharing of #s. Here is an example of how such a database might look http://www.falmouthyachtbrokers.co.uk/mmsi/listings/listings-A.html . Here is some more info. http://www.burnabysquadron.com/Forms/mmsi directory.htm . I'm a private person and don't routinely broadcast my personal info.. However, for safety's sake I can't see any downside to sharing my MMSI # with others (known or unknown). Am I missing something here ? If not, perhaps a directory and group MMSI # is desirable. Any thoughts ???