Coast Radio Stations (Base Stations)

All coast or base stations use the format 0₁0₂M₃I₄D₅X₆X₇X₈X₉, where the digits 3, 4 and 5 represent the MID and X is any figure from 0 to 9. Groups of DSC coast radio stations use the same format.

DSC Coast Stations

The combination 0₁0₂M₃I₄D₅0₆0₇0₈0₉ is used to address all 00MIDXXXX DSC stations within the administration. The combination 0₁0₂9₃9₄9₅0₆0₇0₈0₉ is used to address all VHF DSC 00MIDXXXX stations worldwide. These two special combinations are not used in the United States.

The U.S. Coast Guard DSC group coast station identity is 003669999.  DSC test calls received on this identity using VHF or 4207.5 kHz should be automatically acknowledged.  Note that “Test Call” must first be selected in the DSC radio’s menu for this function to work properly.

VHF coast stations desiring to use DSC must use a radio designed for coast station use rather than a ship radio.  MMSIs can be obtained by adding an attachment to your FCC coast station application in accordance with the FCC instructions described here.

AIS Coast Stations

The U.S. Coast Guard operates AIS coast stations under its Nationwide Automatic Identification System program. The FCC currently does not license AIS private coast stations.

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