Licensing
VHF FCC Licensing
Information
VHF FCC Licensing
Information
FCC Licensing Information
•
Cobra VHF/GMRS radios comply with the FCC (Federal Communications
Commission) requirements that regulate the Maritime Radio Service and General
Mobile Radio Service.
The radio operates on all currently allocated marine channels and is switchable for
use according to U.S.A., International or Canadian regulations. It features instant
access to emergency Channel 16 and calling Channel 9 as well as NOAA (National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) All Hazards Radio with Alert.
Station License
An FCC ship station license is no longer required for any vessel traveling in U.S.A.
waters which uses a VHF marine radio, RADAR, or EPIRB (Emergency Position
Indicating Radio Beacon), and which is not required to carry radio equipment.
However, any vessel required to carry a marine radio on an international voyage,
carrying an HF single side band radiotelephone, or carrying a marine satellite
terminal must obtain a station license.
FCC license forms and applications for ship and land stations can be downloaded
through the Internet at www.fcc.gov. Forms can also be obtained by calling the FCC
at 888-225-5322.
International Station License
If your vessel will be entering the sovereign waters of a country other than the U.S.A.
or Canada, you should contact that country’s communications regulatory authority
for licensing information.
Radio Call Sign
Currently, the FCC does not require recreational boaters to have a license. The United
States Coast Guard recommends that the boat’s registration number and state of
registry (e.g., IL 1234 AB) be used as a call sign and be clearly visible on the vessel.
Canadian Ship Station License
You need a Radio Operator’s Certificate if your vessel is operated in Canadian waters.
Radio Operator training and certification is available from the Canadian Power
Squadron. Visit their website at http://www.cps-ecp.ca/.
User Responsibility and Operating Locations
All users are responsible for observing domestic and foreign government regulations
and are subject to severe penalties for violations. The VHF frequencies on your radio
are reserved for marine use and require a special license to operate from land,
including when your boat is on its trailer.
NOTE
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules, and Industry Canada
license-exempt RSS standards. Operation is subject to the following two (2)
conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference, and
2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that
may cause undesired operation.
FCC Warnings: Replacement or substitution of transistors, regular diodes or
other parts of a unique nature, with parts other than those recommended by
Cobra may cause a violation of the technical regulations of part 80 of the FCC
Rules, or violation of type acceptance requirements of part 2 of the rules.
