Marine SSB: Worldwide Communications
via HF radio
Marine SSB (Single Side Band) is a popular means
of communications for the independent cruising yachtsmen and a must if you are
planning to do bluewater cruising to the Caribbean, Pacific or Mediterranean.
The range of SSB is up to several thousand miles and calls between yachts are free and there are coast stations broadcast weather bulletins and even email.WHY SSB MIGHT BE
FOR YOU!
Having an SSB MF/HF
transceiver on board your yacht offers communication independence, you are not
tied into any contracts or connection charges.
The range of SSB is up to several thousand miles and calls between yachts are free and there are coast stations broadcast weather bulletins and even email.
WHY SSB MIGHT BE
FOR YOU!
Get
the
answer from Rod Heikell's very informal site
Having an SSB MF/HF
transceiver on board your yacht offers communication independence, you are not
tied into any contracts or connection charges.
The frequencies used for marine communications are
internationally agreed by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Below you will find a list of HF frequencies. In the main most frequencies are
Duplex and intended for ship to shore use. Some bands do have simplex channels
which can be used for either ship to shore or intership working.
| Band | R/T Frequency | DSC Frequency | Day Time Range | Night Time Range |
| MF | 2182 kHz | 2187.5 kHz | 150 nm | 500 nm |
| HF4 | 4125 kHz | 4207.5 kHZ | 300 nm | 1000 nm |
| HF6 | 6215 kHz | 6312 kHz | 600 nm | 1500 nm |
| HF8 | 8291 kHz | 8414.5 kHZ | 1000 nm | 2000 nm |
| HF12 | 12290 kHz | 12577 kHz | 2500 nm | |
| HF16 | 16420 kHz | 16804.5 kHz | ||
| VHF | 156.800 MHz (Ch16) | 156.525 MHz (Ch 70) | 30 nm | 30 nm |
NOTE: Range is for guidance only and will depending on your operating conditions and HF radio propagation conditions.
| Ch | 4 Mhz | 6 Mhz | 8 Mhz | 12 Mhz | 16 Mhz | 18 Mhz | 22 Mhz | 25 Mhz |
| A | 4146 kHz | 6224 khz | 8294 kHz | 12353 kHz | 16528 kHz | 18825 kHz | 22159 kHz | 25100 kHz |
| B | 4149 kHz | 6227 kHz | 8297 kHz | 12356 kHz | 16531 kHz | 18828 kHz | 22162 kHz | 25103 kHz |
| C | 6230 kHz | 12359 kHz | 16534 kHz | 18831 kHz | 22165 kHz | 25106 kHz | ||
| D | 12362 kHz | 16537 kHz | 18834 kHz | 22168 kHz | 25109 kHz | |||
| E | 12365 kHz | 16540 kHz | 18837 kHz | 22171 kHz | 25112 kHz | |||
| F | 16543 kHz | 18840 kHz | 22174 kHz | 25115 kHz | ||||
| G | 16546 kHz | 18843 kHz | 22177 kHz | 25118 kHz |
| 4000 kHz | 4024 kHz | 4048 kHz | 8101 kHz | 8125 kHz | 8149 kHz | 8173 kHz | |
| 4003 kHz | 4027 kHz | 4051 kHz | 8104 kHz | 8128 kHz | 8152 kHz | 8176 kHz | |
| 4006 kHz | 4030 kHz | 4054 kHz | 8107 kHz | 8131 kHz | 8155 kHz | 8179 kHz | |
| 4009 kHz | 4033 kHz | 4057 kHz | 8110 kHz | 8134 kHz | 8158 kHz | 8182 kHz | |
| 4012 kHz | 4036 kHz | 4060 kHz | 8113 kHz | 8137 kHz | 8161 kHz | 8185 kHz | |
| 4015 kHz | 4039 kHz | 8116 kHz | 8140 kHz | 8164 kHz | 8188 kHz | ||
| 4018 kHz | 4042 kHz | 8119 kHz | 8143 kHz | 8167 kHz | 8191 kHz | ||
| 4021 kHz | 4045 kHz | 8122 kHz | 8146 kHz | 8170 kHz |
An open community of sailors keep in touch on a
daily basis over the SSB radio, calls are totally free.
The best time to listen is early morning 0600 to 0930 and in the evenings 1800 to 2100 local time, this is when radio conditions are ideal. You should hear a number of yachtsmen talking to each other although in Northern Europe it is not so popular compared to the the Mediterranean and Caribbean.
The best time to listen is early morning 0600 to 0930 and in the evenings 1800 to 2100 local time, this is when radio conditions are ideal. You should hear a number of yachtsmen talking to each other although in Northern Europe it is not so popular compared to the the Mediterranean and Caribbean.
| Net Areas | frequency | Times |
| Mediterranean Net | 8122 kHz | 0530 GMT |
| Caribbean calling frequency and safety net | 8104 kHz | 1215 (0815 AST) |
| Atlantic Net (Herb) | 12359 kHz | 2000 |
| Bahamas weather net | 4003 kHz | 7:00 am AST |
| Caribbean weather net | 4045 kHz 8104 kHz 8137 kHz |
from 07:00 AST |
| Cruiseheimer's net (East coast and Bahamas) | 8152 kHz | 08:30 AST |
| Northwest Caribbean | 8188 kHz | 08:00 AST |
A network of coast-radio all for ship to shore
communications. Below is a list of stations and the channels they
use.
NOTE: ITU channel are duplex (split frequency)
e.g. coast station transmits on one frequency and the ship transmit on a different (lower) frequency.
Where (Tx in kHz) this is the coast station transit frequency, the frequency you may wish to monitor.
Frequency split; the number of kHz that has to be deducted to get the ships transmit frequency
NOTE: ITU channel are duplex (split frequency)
e.g. coast station transmits on one frequency and the ship transmit on a different (lower) frequency.
Where (Tx in kHz) this is the coast station transit frequency, the frequency you may wish to monitor.
Frequency split; the number of kHz that has to be deducted to get the ships transmit frequency
| Station | Callsign | 4MHz | 6MHz | 8MHz | 12MHz | 16MHz | 18MHz | 22MHz |
| ITU duplex channels | 401 to 429 | 601 to 608 | 801 to 837 | 1201 to 1241 | 1601 to 1656 | 1801 to 1815 | 2201 to 2253 | |
| Frequency split | -292kHz | -301kHz | -524kHz | -847kHz | -882kHz | -978kHz | -696kHz | |
|
DISTRESS (Tx in kHz) |
421 (4417) |
606 (6516) |
821 (8779) |
1221 (13137) |
1621 (17302) |
1806 (19770) |
2221 (22756) |
|
|
Olympia, Greece (Tx in kHz) |
SVN |
424 (4426) |
806 (8734) |
1232 (13170) |
1640 (17359z) |
2217 (22744) |
||
| Oostende Radio, Belgium (Tx in kHz) | OST | 411 (4387) |
815 (8761) |
1207 (13095) |
1630 (17329) |
|||
|
Monaco Radio (Tx in kHz) |
3AC |
403 (4363) |
804 (8728) |
1224 (13146) |
1607 (17260) |
2225
(22768) |
||
|
Brunei
Bay Radio (Tx in kHz) |
V8V2222 |
428 (4351) |
608 (6522) |
835 (8710) |
1239 (13191) |
1804 (19764) |
2229 (22780) |
|
| Bangkok Meteorology Service - Thailand | --- (6765.1) |
809 (8743) |
||||||
| Cape
Town - S.Africa (Tx in kHz) |
ZSC |
407 (4375) |
|
808 (8740) |
1224 (13146) |
|
|
|
|
Shipcom -
USA (Tx in kHz) |
KLB |
417 (4405) |
805 (8731) |
1209 (13101) |
1624 (17311) |
|||
|
Shipcom -
USA (Tx in kHz) |
WLO |
405 (4369) 414 (4396) |
607 (6519) |
824 (8788) 830 (8806) |
1212 (13110) 1226 (13152) |
1607 (17260) 1641 (17362) |
1807 (19773) |
2237 (22804) |
|
USA
coastguard working channels (Tx in kHz) |
424
(4426) |
601
(6501) |
816
(8764) |
1205
(13089) |
1625 (17314) |
| Station | Frequency USB | UK Coastguards in local time |
| Aberdeen Coastguard, UK | 2226 kHz | 0730 & 1930 |
| Clyde Coastguard, UK | 1883 kHz | 0810 & 2010 |
| Falmouth Coastguard, UK | 2226 kHz | 0710 & 1910 |
| Humber Coastguard, UK | 2226 kHz | 0750 & 1950 |
| Shetland Coastguard, UK | 2226 kHz | 0710 & 1910 |
| Stornoway Coastguard, UK | 1743 kHz | 0710 & 1910 |
| Below in GMT times | ||
| Malin Head , Ireland | 1677 KHz | 0033, 0433, 0833, 1233, 1633, 2033 |
| Valentia Radio, Ireland | 1752 kHz | 0233, 0633, 1033, 1433, 1833, 2233 |
| Oostende Radio, Belgium | 2761 kHz | 0230, 0630, 1030 1430, 1830, 2230 |
| Netherlands Coastguard | 3673 kHz | 0940 & 2140 |
| Gris-Nez, France | 1650 kHz | 0650 & 1850 |
| Corsen, France | 1650 & 2677 kHz | 0815 & 2015 |
| La Garde, Frence Mediterranean Coast |
1696 & 2677 kHz | 0650, 0833, 1433, 1603, 1850 |
| Machichaco, Spain | 1707 kHz | 0703, 1303, 1903 |
| Cabo de Penas, Spain | 1677 kHz | 0703, 1303, 1903 |
| Coruna, Spain | 1698 kHz | 0703, 1303, 1903 |
| Finisterre, Spain | 1764 kHz | 0703, 1303, 1903 |
| Chipiona, Spain | 1656 kHz | 0733, 1233, 1933 |
| Tarifa, Spain | 1704 kHz | 0733, 1233, 1933 |
| Cado de Gata, Spain | 1767 kHz | 0750, 1303, 1950 |
| Palma, Spain | 1755 kHz | 0750, 1303, 1950 |
| Arrecife, Canary Isles | 1644 kHz | 0803, 1233, 1903 |
| Las Palma, Canary Isles | 1689 kHz | 0803, 1233, 1903 |
| Alges, Horta, Monsanto - Portugal Ponta Delgada - The Azores Porto Santo - Maderia |
2657 kHz | |
| Ancona, Italy | 2656 kHz | 0133, 0433, 0733, 0933, 1333, 1733, 1933, 2133 |
| Rome, Italy | 1888 kHz | |
| Kerkyra -
Greece Limnos Irakleion Rodos |
2830 kHz 2730 kHz 2799 kHz 2624 kHz |
0730, 0903, 1533, 2133 |
| Turkey | 2670 kHz | |
| Haifa, Israel | 2649 kHz | 0303, 0703, 1103, 1503, 1903, 2303 |
| US Coastguard | 2670 kHz |
| US Coastguard Weather Transmissions | ||
| Station and Callsign | Frequencies | Times (GMT) |
| USCG Chesapeake (NMN) | 4426 kHz, 6501 kHz, 8764 kHz, 13089 kHz, 17314 kHz | 0330, 0515, 0930, 1115, 1530, 1715, 2130, 2315 |
| USCG Pt Reyes (NMC) | 4426 kHz, 6501 kHz, 8764 kHz, 13089 kHz, 17314 kHz | 0430, 1030, 1630, 2230 |
| USCG New Orleans (NMG) | 4316 kHz, 8502 kHz, 12788 kHz, | 0330, 0515, 0930, 1115, 1530, 1715, 2130, 2315 |
| USCG Honolulu (NMO) | 6501 kHz, 8764 kHz, 13089 kHz | 0005, 0600, 1200, 1800 |
| Australia Coastguard Weather Transmissions | ||
| Station and Callsign | Frequencies | Times (CST) |
| Wiluna W. Australia (VMW) | 2056 kHz, 4149 kHz, 6230 kHz, 8113 kHz, 12362 kHz, 16528 kHz | 0300, 0700, 1100, 1500, 1900, 2300 |
| Charleville S. Australia (VMC) | 2201 kHz, 4426 kHz, 6507 kHz, 8176 kHz, 12365 kHz, 16546 kHz | 0200, 0600, 1000, 1400, 1800, 2200 |
| Frequency | Comments | |
| 2182kHz | MF International distress frequency for ship, aircraft and survival craft. | |
| 3023kHz | Intercommunications between mobile stations engaged in coordintion of search and rescue. | |
| 4125kHz | Distress and safety traffic by radiotelephone | |
| 5680kHz | Intercommunications between mobile stations engaged in coordintion of search and rescue. | |
| 6125kHz | Distress and safety traffic by radiotelephone | |
| 8364kHz | Designated for use by survival craft stations. | |
Marine Radio Operator's Certificate
A marine
radio operator's licence is an international legal requirement.
Yachtsmen operating a VHF only radio require a
Short Range Certificate .
If
operating an SSB, VHF and Inmarsat from a yacht then a
Long Range Certificate is required.
Visit www.yachtcom.co.uk for
more information about otaining your marine radio operators certificate.
Long Range Certificate
The
Long Range Certificate is required for
operations on all marine frequencies from a leisure craft.
MCA approved course &
exam.
The course covers:-
- Marine VHF, SSB including DSC
-
Inmarsat
- Operation and procedures.
- EPIRB, SARTs and NAVTEX.
Course duration including exam:-
- 2 days with on-line e-study
- 4 days
with classroom study.
Click here for more information
Short Range Certificate
The
Short Range Certificate is required
for operations on marine VHF channels from onboard a leisure craft.
In
the UK the Short Range Certificate is issued by the
RYA.
The course
covers:-
- Marine VHF DSC radio
- Operation and procedures
- EPIRB,
SARTs and NAVTEX.
Course duration including exam:-
- 1 day
Click here for more information
On-Line e-study
Both the
Short Range Certificate (SRC)
and
Long Range Certificate (LRC)
can be studied on-line using YachtCom's e-study training package.
The LRC and SRC e-study packages have been used by mainy students to obtain
there marine radio operator's certificate.
Easy of use and informative
the on-line e-study package is an ideal way to study for your marine radio
operator's certificate. To study on-line just sign up for a course.
Click here for more information