Do I need an FCC ship station license for a Marine radio?
August 10, 2009 by Admin
Filed under Marine Radio
I want to put a Marine band two-way radio in my 20-foot runabout.
Do I need to apply to the FCC for a ship station license or anything to operate this radio?
+ you should get an application for the license with the purchase of a new radio. You can also get the application on-line. It would be best to get one and I think they are free and for life (at least they used to be and I still use mine from 1968). If you ever got into trouble and wanted to call the CG you might be glad you have it. (the Coast guard watch that answers calls is not always at sea, sometimes you get their comms stations ashore)
Good luck
KJR6465
Marine-band radios come in two main flavors. There are VHF Marine radios that transmit and receive in the 156-164 MHz band… they work pretty much line-of-sight.
But there are also MF and HF Marine Band radios (much more expensive, with bigger antennas and antenna tuning units as well) that cover many shortwave bands and cover hundreds of miles or even more.
I am pretty sure you need a license and some training to work the MF/HF Marine radios. So do check on the FCC website what the current regulations are.