USA: FCC Mandate changing Cruiser Communications

Background

In 1974, the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) (part of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the United Nations) specified the minimum standards for the construction, equipment, and operation of ships, compatible with their safety. Those requirements evolved into the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) and were implemented in 1999. Communications equipment requirements were established by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), also part of the United Nations.

The Federal Communications Commissions (FCC) has adopted the revisions and have included them within US type acceptance requirements for marine communications equipment. Over the years with changes in technology, the ITU has modified the GMDSS rules for communications.

VHF Radios

It was also mandated in 1999 that all new VHF radios must be Digital Selective Calling (DSC) capable and today a DSC radio is commonly recognized by the red distress button on marine VHF radios.

DSC provides one-button distress calling, Urgent, Safety, Routine, Group, and position reporting. A distress call from a DSC radio is digital and must be responded to by a shore station within 4.9 minutes. At 5 minutes, all vessels that received the distress call must complete a distress relay. While GMDSS utilizes many systems beyond the affordability of most cruisers, DSC radios are the only affordable link to the GMDSS system for the average cruiser.

HF SSB Radios

Several manufacturers also created High-Frequency Single Sideband (HF SSB) DSC radios. Most of the HF SSB DSC radios were very expensive (In the $3000.00 USD + price range), but Icom was able to provide an HF SSB radio in the $2000 USD price range, the IC M802. Over time the IC M802 dropped to under $2000. This made the IC M802 a reasonable investment for cruisers. As a result, an estimated 75% of cruisers heading south from the US and Canada have an IC M802 on board.

As the ITU has modified the required functionality of DSC radios, it has required manufacturers to modify the design of DSC capable radios.

The Icom IC M802 went through a catchup revision a few of years ago and met most of the new rules presented by the ITU. It is presently the only HF SSB radio available by Icom.

This past year the FCC did a review of the Icom radios and found that one of the older VHF radios and the IC M802 did not meet the latest requirements of the ITU. They directed Icom to update the radios.

Icom has stated that it would be a major revision to the IC M802 and would not be prudent to modify an old design radio to add new features and change timers. As a result, Icom is no longer selling the IC M802 to US retailers. Some of the retailers have existing stock and some are purchasing from Icom Canada. The IC M802 remains sold in all other countries in the world.

Part of Icom’s decision I believe was the fact they are designing a new GMDSS radio from the ground up. The new radio carries the model number GM 800. This radio is actually designed for more of a commercial use. It is designed to operate on 24 volts DC and has all the bells and whistles. It will be one of the finest GMDSS radios available and as you can imagine the cost will reflect the many features. A follow-on 12 volt DSC radio is planned, but many years out.

Some cruisers are moving toward the purchase of Amateur radios to fill the HF SSB void. This is unfortunate as Amateur radios are not made for boats, more difficult to operate than marine radios and most importantly does not provide a link into the GMDSS system.

Considerations for Cruisers

• DSC provides digital information that must be responded to in 5 minutes.
• EPIRB can take over 100 minutes just to get the signal to ground.
• VHF and HF SSB provide one to many communications.
• Voice communications may be difficult to understand and may have significant interference.
• Digital communications have a high probability for speed and accuracy.
• Inmarsat satellite phones are a very expensive option for cruisers
• No other satellite phone system ties into the GMDSS system which makes them a poor option for Safety Of Life At Sea.

For more information check my website on the IC M8002 page.

http://www.made-simplefor-cruisers.com/icm802

Stay Safe

Terry Sparks 

CDR Retired