One of the most important pieces of safety equipment on board your ship is your two-way radio. VHF Marine radios use the radio frequency range between 156.0 to 162.025 MHz, inclusive. Marine radios have a specific set of frequencies assigned to predetermined channels on the radio, and each channel is designated for a specific type of communication. For example, channel 16 (156.8 MHz) is the international calling and distress channel on all marine radios. Permanently mounted marine radios (also called fix-mount) on seagoing vessels are also required to have "Digital Selective Calling" (DSC) capability, to allow a distress signal to be sent with a single button press. If you plan to travel more than a few miles offshore it is a good idea to have a second radio as well, one fix-mount and one handheld is best. Show A marine VHF radio is a combined transmitter and receiver. Marine VHF radios primarily use "simplex" transmission, this means communication takes place in one direction at a time. A transmit button on the set or microphone determines whether it is transmitting or receiving. Some channels are set as "semi-duplex" transmission, making it possible to communicate in both directions simultaneously. Each semi-duplex channel has two frequency assignments. Types of Marine RadiosThere are basically two types of marine radios, handheld, and fixed-mount. Handheld marine radios are more limited in power and therefore have a shorter range, but can be moved from one boat to another. Fixed-Mount marine radios, just as the name implies are permanently mounted. They deliver more power and have a longer range because they are run off electrical connections on your boat. Maximum transmission power for marine VHF radios ranges from 5 watts on handhelds, to 25 watts on fix-mount. Communication RangeA maximum range of up to about 60 nautical miles (111 km) between aerials mounted on tall ships and hills, and 5 nautical miles (9 km; 6 mi) between aerials mounted on small boats at sea level, who are transmitting on a 25-watt radio. Antennas need to be vertical in order to have the best reception. Marine radios are intended mainly for short-range communications, generally 5-10 miles. To communicate at longer ranges you will normally need a satellite telephone or an MF/HF marine radio-telephone. Marine radio-telephone equipment normally operates between 2 - 26 MHz using single sideband emissions. MF/HF marine radio-telephones can also be used to receive high seas weather broadcasts, and by using a computer and a special interface provided by some coast stations, can provide Internet email. Marine VHF vs Other VHF RadiosA marine VHF radio is different from other VHF radios used for land or air communications. Marine radios are specifically designed for communications on the waterways. They are installed on all large ships and most seagoing small craft, and with slightly different regulation on rivers and lakes. Not all VHF radios are designated for marine use. It is important that you use two-way radios specifically approved for marine use when on the waterways. Other VHF radios should not be used as they will not have the proper frequency settings. Also, today's marine radios have other features such as NOAA weather alert channels that would not be available on land mobile VHF radios. Do you need an FCC License to use Marine Radios?An FCC radio license is no longer required for vessels traveling in U.S. waters using a VHF marine radio, radar or EPIRB, and which is not otherwise required to carry radio equipment. A license is necessary however for any vessel required to carry a marine radio, on an international voyage, or carrying an HF single sideband radiotelephone or marine satellite terminal. FCC license forms, including applications for ship and land station radio licenses, can be downloaded from the FCC website. For more information go to http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/ Marine Radios With Land ChannelsSome marine radios also have land channels that can be used while in port. These land channels do require an FCC license here in the USA. Since most users travel to various ports, an Itinerant License should be obtained. We offer FCC licensing Services and we can help you get either an itinerant license for a business or non-profit organization. Or if your radios are for personal use, you can obtain a GMRS License. This will allow the use of the land channels while in port in the USA. Using Marine FrequenciesThere are many uses for marine radios including rescue services, communicating with harbors, locks, bridges, and marinas, and general ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore communications. Understanding how to use your radio, and which channels are used for each type of communication is very important. There are regulations in place for monitoring and using your marine radio. These regulations are established in the US by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and in other countries by their similar regulating agencies. This is an overview of the uses for the various channels and frequencies. The most important channels on your marine radio are 06, 09, 13, 16, 09, 22, and 70. The other most used channels for recreational ships are 68, 69, 71, and 72.
You may use channel 16 to hail a ship or shore station, but if you do so, you must immediately switch to a working channel. It is recommended you use channel 9 for non-urgent communication when available. Here is an example of a typical call:
Storm Warnings The Coast Guard announces storm warnings and other urgent marine information broadcasts on VHF channel 16, and 2182 kHz, before making the broadcasts on VHF channel 22A, and 2670 kHz, respectively. Storm warnings and forecasts are also made by NOAA Weather Radio. Handy Tips
Distress Calls & Alerts
For example:
If you hear a distress call... from a vessel and it is not answered, then you must answer. If you are reasonably sure that the distressed vessel is not in your vicinity, you should wait a short time for others to acknowledge. Other Alerts The words "SECURITE, SECURITE, SECURITE" (French: sécurité) literally means that what follows is important safety information. Used as a heads-up call by shippers to alert others to the presence of dangerous debris in the water, or traffic alerts regarding large vessels in the area. The call should be followed with information about the alert, such as "this is the Ferry Blue Sea departing the dock Monterey Bay outbound Hampton Harbor bound for Newport." You may end with contact information, such as "Any concerned traffic can hail Blue Sea on channels 13 and 16. OVER." "PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN" signifies there is an urgent situation on board, but that for the time being at least, there is no immediate danger to anyone's life or to the vessel itself. This is referred to as a 'state of urgency'. The correct usage is "Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan", followed by the intended recipient of the message, either "All Stations, All Stations, All Stations", or a specific station "Vancouver Coast Guard, Vancouver Coast Guard, Vancouver Coast Guard", the identification of the craft, its position, the nature of the problem and the type of assistance or advice required, if any. If you hear any of these alert or emergency messages you must give them priority over the radio channel. Digital Selective CallingDigital Selective Calling (know as DSC) is a feature on all fixed-mount marine radios built since 1999. DSC allows you to send out an automatic distress call to the Coast Guard's Rescue 21 system, as well as to all DSC-equipped radios on vessels within your transmission range, with the push of a single button. The transmission can include your exact position, provided you have connected the radio to your onboard GPS. So, if you have a DSC radio and a GPS and they are not connected to each other, making that connection should be your highest priority. You also need a Marine Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number. VHF maritime channel 70 (156.525 MHz) is authorized exclusively for distress, safety, and calling purposes using digital selective calling (DSC) techniques. No other uses are permitted. Channel 70 is used to send distress alerts, safety announcements and for calling purposes under the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). Many vessels are now equipped with DSC capability and are using channel 70 for this purpose. It is essential that this channel be protected against unauthorized uses. Once you have an MMSI number programmed into your radio, the DSC feature has other uses you may find convenient. The most common is to hail your friends without announcing on Channel 16. Instead, you dial their MMSI number and your call is announced on their radio only, along with a notice of which channel you wish to communicate on. Any voice exchange that follows will still be transmitted to all radios monitoring the designated channel, but at least you have not announced to all listeners on Channel 16 your intention to have that conversation. How To Obtain an MMSI AssignmentIn order to obtain an MMSI, mariners required by regulation to carry a marine radio and those who travel outside the U.S. or Canada to foreign ports must apply to the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) for a ship station license or an amendment to a ship station license. State and local governments can generally obtain an FCC ship station license at no charge. Mariners not required to carry a marine radio (e.g. recreational boaters) and who remain in U.S. waters can obtain an MMSI through approved organizations such as BOAT US 1-800-563-1536, SEA TOW 1-800-4SEATOW, U.S. Power Squadron, and Shine Micro (primarily for AIS). Most of these organizations provide MMSIs at no charge even to non-members. Marine Channel Frequency AssignmentsBelow is a complete list of frequency channel assignments and the designated type of communication use of each marine channel.
NOAA Weather Radio Frequencies
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