IMO Circ.1/1460 Rev.4 and Belgium PTT letter concerning the four digit VHF channeling

Re the attached Circular Letter No.4791, and the recently received undated advisory letter from Belgium PTT (copy attached BIPT clarification concerning VDES) for four-digit VHF channeling requesting compliance by 01.01.2024 – which runs counter to IMO Circ.1/1460 Rev.4 dated 30th June 2023 (which can be found here) latterly advising compliance by 01.01.2028.

According to JRC, the requested deadline for 01.01.2024 should affect the VHF JHS-770S and JHS770D and software upgrade is available for both these models. However, earlier models, manufactured before about 2000, will need replacement.

For the new JRC VHF model JHS-800, the 4-digit channel operation is available, and no counter measure is needed.