+ Do I have to be licensed to use my radio and do I really need a callsign?

Under national law and international agreements, most operators of radio transmitters in the aeronautical, amateur and maritime services are required to hold a relevant radio operator certificate of competency, and to use a callsign for identification purposes. These requirements are specified in the New Zealand General User Licences (GURL's) relating to these services. If you require a certificate of competency - eNautical specialises in delivering e-courses for the MROC qualification.

+ What radio qualification do I need to operate my marine radio?

The Ministry’s MROC covers mandatory requirements and is compulsory for vessels equipped with VHF marine radio & traveling overseas, commercial vessels and those carrying single sideband sets. eNautical specialises in delivering e-courses for the MROC qualification. If you’re unsure, eNautical has a quick online test to determine which qualification best suits your needs -click here: http://www.enautical.co.nz/test.htm

+ What type of marine radio callsign will I require?

Please visit our licensing page to ascertain the requirements for your particular situation.

+ What should I do if I only have a VHF radio?

If you require a VHF only callsign, you can contact the Coastguard to have one issued (currently $30).

+ Will you come aboard my vessel to confirm I have a SSB radio fitted?

No, we have no intention of boarding your vessel!

+ Who can carry out a ship radio survey or inspection?

RSM ceased undertaking this work from June 2003. Contact the MSA on 0508 22 55 22, or your Safe Ship Management company. For Auckland enquiries, we recommend the services of Marine Radio Surveys & Inspections: cjden@clear.net.nz or phone (021) 254-0690 or (09) 817-2751.

+ How can I get a copy of my MROC, or RRTOC certificate?

eNautical handles the issuing of MROC (previously RRTOC) certificates and specialises in delivering e-courses for these qualifications. Please contact eNautical directly.

+ Should my handheld also have its own allocated callsign?

Where a number of portables or handheld transceivers are associated with a vessel or primary callsign it is not expected for them to be allocated a callsign of their own, rather they will use the main or host callsign with a suffix to indicate which operator is using the unit, for example the vessel "Sea Which ZM2345" may have portables/handhelds associated with it using "ZM2345 portable 1" or "ZM2345 portable James" etc. Thus, the MMSI is only allocated once for the callsign associated with the vessel.

+ How do I get a callsign for my marine radio?

You’ve come to right place! Please click here to get your application underway.

+ Do your callsigns need renewing?

No way! Our callsigns do not expire, and the Radio Spectrum Management Group have no intention of changing these rules at this time. Boaties have enough expense to worry about without the added hassle of crazy renewal notices!

+ Who can be granted a New Zealand maritime callsign?

Only persons who are New Zealand citizens, or hold permanent resident status in New Zealand, may be granted a New Zealand maritime callsign.

+ Do I need to have a New Zealand residential address to apply for my callsign?

A New Zealand residential address is not a requirement.

+ Can I pick my own callsign?

Yes you can, provided the callsign is available. You can submit up to 3 preferences as part of your online application. If you do not specify or request a personalised callsign you will automatically be allocated a ZMG series callsign.

+ What prefix will my marine callsign have if I pick my own?

Your personalised callsign can either be a ZME or ZMF series followed by four numerical digits – your choice! Numbers must be between 2000 and 9999.

+ If my preferred callsign is available, is it guaranteed I get it?

Pretty much, but we make no guarantees. We’ll do our very best to reserve your requested callsign on your behalf as soon as we receive your application. Radio Spectrum Management regulations prevent us from allocating any callsign that is likely to create confusion, or cause offence.

+ What if I miss out on my preferred callsign?

We’ll attempt to register your second choice callsign and failing that, your third choice callsign. If all three choices are unavailable, we’ll make contact with you to nominate additional preferences. Alternatively, you can request an automatically allocated ZMG series callsign. There are no additional charges for stipulating additional choices, and you can provide as many as you want!

+ How do I apply for an MMSI number with my callsign?

An MMSI number is allocated as a standard requirement for maritime callsigns for all vessels and are automatically issued at the same time as your callsign. While some vessels have Satellite Equipment, only those which need to be contacted via INMARSAT using a dialled number from the "Public Switched Telephone Network" (PSTN) need a satellite number as a regular requirement. Where a vessel is INMARSAT Satellite Communications equipped, by checking the box indicated during the online application, an appropriate satellite number will be generated.

+ How do I apply for an MMSI number if I already have a callsign allocated?

You will need to contact RSM on 0508 RSM INFO (0508 776-463) or email info@rsm.govt.nz to organise for the allocation of an MMSI number if you already have a callsign allocated.

+ How do I apply for a Radio Telex Number with my callsign?

A Radio Telex Number will be issued when the "Radio Telex Number required" box is checked as part of the online application – Like the MMSI, your RTN will be registered against the callsign record for the vessel.

+ Can you revoke my callsign after its issued?

No, we do not have the authority to revoke a callsign.

+ Can you ever amend or release my callsign?

We may only amend or release a callsign record with the agreement of the client, or legal representative of the client, to whom this record relates. We determine this authority with your User Name and password.

+ How do I change my details?

Easy! To change your own client details online you will need your SMART User Name and password. Click here to find out how. There is no fee to change your client details and changes are visible immediately on the SMART database.

+ How do I change my address on my client record?

Easy! You can amend your address online with your SMART User Name and password. Click here to find out how. There is no fee to change your client details and changes are visible immediately on the SMART database.

+ How can I maintain my ship callsign?

As part of our offered service we maintain all MF/HF (SSB) only and MF/HF & VHF equipped ship callsigns provided they are not allocated to a radio licence, but are allocated to a GURL.

+ What changes can Callsigns NZ perform on my behalf?

We can perform the following changes with your authority:

• Change the installation type
• INMARSAT Satellite Communications Equipment fitted
• Radio Telex Number Required
• Change Vessel Name
• Release Callsign
• Change Callsign
• Transfer Ownership

+ I don’t need a callsign any longer, how do I release it?

Click here.

+ I’ve sold my vessel, how can I transfer my callsign to the new owner?

We may, with agreement of the previous vessel owner, release a callsign for allocation to the new owner of the vessel. We determine this authority with your SMART User Name and password. Callsigns in the ZMG series, however, are automatically generated and cannot be re-allocated to the new owner of a vessel.

• During the Transfer Ownership process you will be prompted to enter the SMART User Name and password of the current holder of the callsign you are attempting to transfer.
• We may, with agreement of the previous vessel owner, release the callsign for allocation to the new owner of the vessel. We determine this authority with the User Name and password of the existing holder of the callsign. If you are the new owner, you will need to obtain this User Name and password from the previous owner to prove you are the new owner.
• As an alternative method of transferring a callsign, the previous vessel owner may firstly release the callsign, making it available for you to register (you can specify this callsign as your first choice during the application process).
• If the previous vessel owner is unable to supply his/her SMART User Name and password, support is available in order to retrieve it.
• Please note that callsigns in the ZMG series, however, are automatically generated and cannot be re-allocated to the new owner of a vessel.
• Only ZME and ZMF series callsigns can be transferred.
• If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact us.

+ What is this SMART thing that you keep talking about?

SMART is an online web based application that enables open access to the Register of Radio Frequencies, a record of publicly available information on:

• the use of Radio Frequencies,
• Operators authorized to use the Radio Spectrum, and
• user Licensed to use specific parts of the Radio Spectrum

+ Where do I get a SMART User Name and password?

All callsign applicants are issued with a Client Number and Activation Code by email when their client record is setup. Clients use this Activation Code to setup their SMART User Name and password. Only RSM can supply your Activation Code. For further information on this activation process, please visit our Support page.

+ I forgot my SMART User Name/password, what do I do?

If you have forgotten your SMART User Name or password then click here and click on the "Forgot your password?" link.  For further assistance or to have an Activation Code sent to you, please call RSM on 0508 RSM INFO (0508 776-463) or email info@rsm.govt.nz with your client ID or client details and they will send a new Activation Code.

+ How do I change my password to something I can remember?

Logon to SMART.

+ Who can view my details?

Basic client details are publicly viewable on the Register of Radio Frequencies. The only exception to this is if you make a written request to the Registrar of Radio Frequencies to withhold residential address details. Note that the withholding of residential addresses is limited to clients of type ‘Person’ only.

To make your request, write to:

Registrar of Radio Frequencies
Private Bag 92061
Auckland

+ How much does it cost to apply for a marine radio callsign?

Please view our pricing page for current charges.

+ Will my payment be processed in a secure environment?

Combining technical and physical safeguards, your private information will be protected during the payment process by using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) software, which encrypts the information that the applicant provides. We will not allow any payment transaction that does not occur on a secure connection. Our payment handler meets all BBBOnLine Reliability participation and Better Business Bureau membership standards and is authorized to display the BBBOnLine Reliability seal. The site will be tested and certified daily to pass the FBI/SANS Internet Security Test. Verified by Visa and MasterCard SecureCode programs are also supported.