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Post by JIMBOB on Sept 2, 2008 15:58:16 GMT -1
Likewise, I thank you for bringing it to our attention. I never even gave it a second thought to be honest, how many of us would? I think it is a very important point you have raised and needs to be clarified. I have emailed the I.T.U with my concerns and await their reply I shall of course keep you posted
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Post by izzetafox on Sept 2, 2008 16:10:43 GMT -1
I think one thing that has to be said is...so long as it doesn't interfere with the emergency services and it is capable of calling them, then life saving would be more important than EEC Guidelines.
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Post by JIMBOB on Sept 2, 2008 16:17:53 GMT -1
I think this is why marine radios are exempt from CE regs because they operate within their own governing body which have international regulations. I am intrigued to find the answer.
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Post by JIMBOB on Sept 26, 2008 20:31:43 GMT -1
Well I have emailed the I.T.U twice now and had no response at all. I have scoured the Internet to find out for definite about the CE ruling on marine radio equipment and so far have not found anything to suggest that using an unmarked radio is against the law. The radio transmits without any problems so far as I can tell and has been tested by a friend with a license and sends and receives communication perfectly. I have also picked up Liverpool coastguard on it at home and we live exactly four miles from the nearest coast at West Kirby, so I don't think it's range should be a problem. I am of the opinion that it is perfectly okay to use an unmarked (CE) marine radio and shall do so until proved it is proved otherwise. If I do eventually get a response from the ITU, then I shall let you all know.
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Post by JIMBOB on Feb 9, 2009 16:01:37 GMT -1
As you can see it has been a while since I first emailed the ITU over this issue, and I have re-sent the email several times since, and as yet I have received no response.
However, I have just bought Reeds 2nd edition VHF DSC Handbook prior to attending the VHF course Steve is organizing. In the book there are a couple of paragraphs relating to CE markings on marine radio equipment.
It mentions the growth in boat jumbles and Internet auction sites and the temptation to buy foreign or ex-military equipment, neither of which is likely to be approved for UK vessels. It also states that cheap sets made for the US market will not have the correct channels for European use.
With regard to the actual EU Directive, it states;
'It is a legal requirement that all radio equipment meets certain essential requirements. It is the responsibility of any person who places radio equipment on the market to ensure that the requirements of the RE&TTE Directive are met and that the equipment is marked with the CE marking.'
I have emailed Ofcom ( as suggested in the book ) in an attempt to try and get this clarified. I shall of course post any responses as and when I get them.
On a footnote, a friend has used my radio a few times on his boat to communicate with other boats and the coast guard, and he said he was quite surprised at the quality of transmission given the price of the unit. He also told me that there didn't appear to be any problems with the frequency of the channels.
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Post by rst4me100 on Feb 9, 2009 17:21:36 GMT -1
for that price you cant go wrong, great review jimbob i think i'll be getting one .
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Post by JIMBOB on Feb 9, 2009 18:18:52 GMT -1
I have just been reading through the user manual for my radio and can confirm that this particular model has all three sets of channel maps built in. In other words it can operate throughout Canada, U.S.A and internationally therefore it will be able to transmit world wide. You can select each channel map individually depending on your whereabouts. It may be worth checking this if you are considering buying another brand or model from the States, ie make sure it has all three channel maps built in.
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Post by JIMBOB on Feb 12, 2009 17:40:20 GMT -1
Well guys I think we may be able to finally put this one to bed. I receiced a reply to my email to Ofcom today :
Dear Mr Moody,
Thank you for your email. All new maritime and radar equipment has to comply with the Requirements of the Radio Equipment and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment [R&TTE] Directive before being placed on the market. Such equipment must bear the CE Mark. The equipment will have been issued with a copy of the Declaration of Conformity to the requirements of the R&TTE Directive. The equipment will have information on its intended use, including the countries of the EU in which it is intended for the equipment to be used. Equipment, which additionally meets the requirements of any of the European Standards or International Standards (IEC) is recommended.
I trust the above information is of use, but if you require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the Ofcom Licensing Centre.
Kind regards,
Sophie
I draw your attention to the last sentence 'Equipment, which additionally meets the requirements of any of the European Standards or International Standards (IEC) is recommended. Therefore the radio equipment must, at the very least, meet International Standards even though it may not bare the CE marks for EU Directives.
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