CHAPTER 1

Introduction from Gordon West

Welcome to the world of long distance communications with marine
single sideband (SSB) radio. Hundreds of voice and data e-mail chan-
nels in the MF and HF frequency spectrum have been allocated to mari-
ners for long-range, ship-to-ship, and ship-to-shore communications.
Marine single sideband, voice, "party line" communications can never
be replaced by ship satellite "private" communications! The
advantage of marine SSB is the ability to have a multiparty conversa-
tion for the exchange of information. Satellite communications is like
a telephone call - you can only talk to a specific person at a specific
time. You cannot talk to a group of individuals. An SSB gives mariners
the ability to share information with one another about weather, ports
of call, cruising conditions etc. Marine SSB is more like an internet
chat group than a phone call.

The marine single sideband service and frequencies have been around
for years. However, only recently have we seen the introduction of
low-cost, no-crystal, marine SSB equipment that can offer marine
radio, ham radio, and marine e-mail capabilities in one neat, 12-volt
DC package. ICOM, a leader in marine, commercial, and amateur
radio equipment, presents the overview of the marine single sideband
service, an easy-to-understand review of equipment, and suggested
installation of the radio and antenna and ground systems.

If you are like most mariners, you are probably not all that interested in
what makes SSB radio work on the inside. However, one thing is for
sure, when you pick up the mic or prepare to send a computer e-mail
message, you want the very best signal on the band, and you want to
connect with the station you are calling, on the first try!

In this book we'll show you how, in a non-technical, easy-to-under-

stand language. We will also give you some proven installation tech-
niques that will help you to install the equipment on your boat if you
are handy with tools. But, keep in mind that your marine electronics

page 1
dealer is an expert in this field. They have the experience to complete a
proper installation of your equipment. If you don't feel you have the
necessary skills, your dealer is the best person you can find to insure
proper installation and top performance from your marine SSB radio.

This handbook is also a ready reference for the hundreds of voice and
data (e-mail) channels available in the maritime service, as well as
channels and frequencies for ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore in both the
marine service and the amateur radio service. We'll even show you
how to tune in weather facsimile and NAVTEX.

TIP!
All frequencies listed have been updated in early 1997,
with no anticipated changes for the next few years.

Ready to communicate throughout the world on your marine SSB

transceiver? Do you want to pick up that microphone and immediately
make a quick phone call home? Want to send a FAX or e-mail? Ready to
receive weather information over your lap-top computer? If so, then read
on—ICOM presents the very best in marine single sideband and we will
give you a fun and easy-to-understand look at long-range radio.

page 2
 CHAPTER 2

Start with a Good VHF Set

Before you begin thinking about marine SSB long distance communi-
cations, let's first review the hard working marine VHF radio system.

ICOM's lC-M59 VHF set is shown with optional flush mount kit.

Radio rules require that you must have a marine VHF radio in your
vessel before you can install a marine SSB transceiver.

The international marine VHF service is designed for coastal cruising.

We use marine VHF when we are within 20 miles of a shore station
or another VHF equipped vessel. This is the effective range of the
VHF receiver.

The VHF system is worldwide. Whether you cruise to

Hawaii, Bermuda, or the Mediterranean, the VHF/FM channels are the
same as they are here. Just use the international (INT) button on your
radio. The frequencies assigned to channels may be different in the
US, Canada or the rest of the world.

page 3
Your typical ship-to-shore VHF range to the Coast Guard should be
about 20 miles. You can normally hear weather broadcast stations
WX-1, WX-2, and others, up to 80 miles away. The marine WX
channels are available only in the US and Canada. The range to a
marine telephone operator should be at least 20 miles. Ship-to-ship
range is better than 10 miles.

If you are not achieving this minimum range, check out your VHF
antenna system and all connections. For sailboats, the best type of
antenna is one that is mounted on the mast with good quality cable
down to your set. Keep a portable antenna as a spare in case of
dismasting. Sailboat masthead antennas will generally pull in stations
and transmit further than any other type of antenna system. These
antenna are only 3’ tall and have “3dB” gain. They use the height of
the mast head to achieve maximum range.

For powerboats, you should use a minimum of an 8-foot “6dB”

antenna. If you have a large more stable vessel, you might want to
select a 21-foot, 9dB gain antenna that performs well in all but heavy
seas. A good powerboat antenna installation will normally let you reach
out to the distances described above.

A good quality, high-tech, VHF transceiver is also important to obtain

maximum range. ICOM produces both handheld and permanently
installed marine VHF transceivers. These installed radios (with options)
meet minimum digital selective calling (DSC) requirements. DSC is a
new system for making distress calls. This system will be implemented
worldwide over the next several years. Deep Draft (over 300 tons)
vessels put into service since 1992 comply with this system now. All
such vessels must comply by early 1999. Ultimately recreational ves-
sels will need DSC VHF radios to communicate with DSC equipped
ships. It is expected that all new marine VHF radios approved for sale
in the US will be DSC equipped by 2001-2002. An ICOM DSC VHF
set connected to your onboard GPS gives you added automatic safety
communications in case of an emergency. The DSC radio will transmit
an emergency call that includes your vessel’s position taken from the
GPS. See the wide variety of ICOM VHF sets at your favorite marine
electronics dealer.

page 4
You must have a VHF set on board and a current FCC ship station
license before a single sideband radio may be installed. If you have a
licensed VHF system aboard, and you need more than 20+ miles of
range when out at sea, then single sideband communications is your
next step.

CHAPTER 3

The Marine Single Sideband (SSB) Service

Don't let the words "single sideband" scare you. It's simply a type of
radio transmission. The military has been using single sideband for
years to transmit messages throughout the world. Ham radio operators,
who are permitted to select almost any type of worldwide transmission
mode, have been using single sideband for years on worldwide
frequencies, to talk to their buddies anywhere and everywhere.

In 1971, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) phased in

SSB transmissions for the long distance marine radio service. At the
same time, it introduced the expanded marine VHF service for local
communications. It also phased out the older double sideband sets.

A single sideband signal concentrates your voice onto a tightly

compacted radio wave capable of traveling from hundreds to thousands
of miles. This very efficient, compacted radio signal is a faithful
reproduction of your actual voice. Unlike a commercial AM broadcast
station, that sends out duplicate double voice wave forms plus an
energy robbing "carrier," marine single sideband eliminates the
unneeded mirrorlike lower sideband, the power robbing "carrier" that
does nothing more than hush background noise when nothing is on the
air. Marine SSB puts all of the radio energy from your voice into a
compacted upper sideband wave form that gives you worldwide
talk power.

If you don't speak into the mic, your transmitter doesn't put out any
energy. Only when you speak will radio energy jump out into the air

page 5
You must have a VHF set on board and a current FCC ship station
license before a single sideband radio may be installed. If you have a
licensed VHF system aboard, and you need more than 20+ miles of
range when out at sea, then single sideband communications is your
next step.

CHAPTER 3

The Marine Single Sideband (SSB) Service

Don't let the words "single sideband" scare you. It's simply a type of
radio transmission. The military has been using single sideband for
years to transmit messages throughout the world. Ham radio operators,
who are permitted to select almost any type of worldwide transmission
mode, have been using single sideband for years on worldwide
frequencies, to talk to their buddies anywhere and everywhere.

In 1971, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) phased in

SSB transmissions for the long distance marine radio service. At the
same time, it introduced the expanded marine VHF service for local
communications. It also phased out the older double sideband sets.

A single sideband signal concentrates your voice onto a tightly

compacted radio wave capable of traveling from hundreds to thousands
of miles. This very efficient, compacted radio signal is a faithful
reproduction of your actual voice. Unlike a commercial AM broadcast
station, that sends out duplicate double voice wave forms plus an
energy robbing "carrier," marine single sideband eliminates the
unneeded mirrorlike lower sideband, the power robbing "carrier" that
does nothing more than hush background noise when nothing is on the
air. Marine SSB puts all of the radio energy from your voice into a
compacted upper sideband wave form that gives you worldwide
talk power.

If you don't speak into the mic, your transmitter doesn't put out any
energy. Only when you speak will radio energy jump out into the air

page 5
waves. In between each word, your transmitter and battery system
relax! This means that you can talk further with less current demands
from your battery system.

Your compressed, upper sideband signal, is captured by a distant

receiver, and that receiver converts your radio signal into crystal clear
reception.

When the FCC phased out double sideband equipment and introduced
SSB, it doubled the number of available channels for marine
communications. More new SSB channels were also added in 1991!

By compressing the transmitted signal into a very narrow band width,

distant receivers are able to reject almost half the normal noise and
interference level from the air waves. FCC-required frequency
tolerances keep SSB sets precisely on frequency to minimize that sound
distortion on receive. By simply adjusting a single ''clarifier'' knob on
your SSB receiver, you can produce the normal sounding voice that
was transmitted by a distant ship or shore station.

Coast Guard
Since safety at sea communications deserve the highest priority, let's
first examine the United States Coast Guard and its role in the high
frequency marine single sideband service. Our Coast Guard and other
distress agencies throughout the world, guard 2182 kHz as the Interna-
tional Distress frequency. This allows you to contact shore-side and
marine rescue agencies immediately when outside of VHF
Channel 16 range. Since 2182 kHz is an international distress
frequency, you will find that there are literally thousands of stations
guarding this channel for a distress call, 24 hours a day.

In 1999, 2182 was replaced by 2187.5 as the International Distress

frequency. This new frequency asisignment is part of the new GMDSS
service required on vessels over 310 tons. Use of 2182 will be phased
out and replaced by digital (DSC) watch on 2187.5.

page 6
The United States Coast Guard also offers additional working
channels on its Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Reserve
frequencies in each of the popular single sideband bands. Imagine
using your marine SSB set to place a call for help when you're
thousands of miles away from any shore station. Through the Coast
Guard AMVER system, they can readily pinpoint the position of
commercial and military vessels passing through your area and signal
them to immediately alter course and steam to your location to render
assistance. Believe it or not, you just thought you were all alone out on
the ocean. There are actually many commercial and military
vessels that could reach you within a matter of hours accounted for and
pinpointed via SSB AMVER system radio communications. The
AMVER system uses a full range of SSB frequencies to provide world-
wide safety to ocean-going vessels. See appendix for frequencies.

Phone Home?
Want to place a telephone call? Shore-side commercial telephone
stations are standing by on hundreds of frequencies to place your phone
call. These shore-based phone companies operate extensive transmit-
ting and receiving antenna systems to bring in your signals loud and
clear. Remember, their revenue depends on your satisfaction. You can
be assured that they have the most going for them when it comes to
powerful transmitters, sensitive receivers, and huge antenna arrays that
beam in on your single sideband signal. These same telephone
stations also transmit "traffic lists" for ships at sea who have telephone
calls waiting from shore-side parties. They also broadcast weather
reports, storm warnings, and other notices to mariners where safety at
sea is important. If an emergency should arise the phone companies
with their massive antenna systems can also patch you into rescue
coordination centers, hospitals, and emergency-at sea medical systems
without charge. See appendix for frequencies.

E-Mail
Your new marine SSB can also send and receive electronic mail over
public common carrier, narrow band direct printing channels. It is just
like sending e-mail from your home or office through a specific
using your secret password over phone lines. SSB e-mail relies on the

USCG INFO 800-368-5647 page 7

airwaves and ionosphere in place of phone lines. Your e-mail provider
can be reached from anywhere in the world with up to 12 network
stations standing by for your computer traffic. An e-mail connection
will provide a significant $$$ savings over conventional, high-
frequency, SSB voice or satellite-phone communications from your
vessel to your business or home; or to anyone who has an e-mail or
FAX capability on shore. Shore stations can automatically reach your
computer, by dialing a single phone number to get to your e-mail
network provider. If you have a lap-top computer onboard, your present
or new ICOM SSB may need only a small modem and software to
complete the e-mail connection.

More about SSB e-mail in Chapter 3, with a complete listing of

narrow-band direct printing frequencies listed in the appendix, plus a
map showing a radio e-mail electronic worldwide network of stations
also found in the appendix.

It is a plug-in affair to hook your marine SSB into e-mail via the airwaves.

Ship-To-Ship
There are many ship-to-ship frequencies allocated for communicating
over long distances to other vessels with marine SSB gear. Without
incurring any "land line" charges, you can communicate from one ship
to another ship in opposite parts of the world, free of charge, with
crystal clear reception. Thanks to Mother Nature, which we'll talk about

page 8
in a few moments, your signals can travel thousands of miles to other
vessels with SSB equipment with almost no loss of voice quality. See
appendix for frequencies.

Ship-To-Shore For Free

Private shore stations share ship-to-ship channels. This allows you to
communicate directly with a marine supply company that can help you
replace the part that fell off your anchor windless 3,000 miles away.
There is no land line charge in this communication service because
you are transmitting directly to a distant marine parts or marine
electronics store. These "private coast stations" can also include
private marine business, yacht club and marine salvage companies,
private air ambulance companies, and any other type of marine
business that need to regularly communicate over hundreds or even
thousands of miles to distant ship stations. You may even be able to set
up a marine SSB base station at your office to stay in touch regarding
marine matters when you're far out at sea. Your sideband may also be
operated in the SITOR mode, allowing for digital-transmission and
reception of documents, such as yacht race standings, business
transactions, and detailed manifests. See appendix for voice and
SITOR frequencies.

Shortwave
Your marine SSB radio from ICOM can also be used to receive (and in
certain cases, transmit) other services that share frequencies adjacent
to the marine band.

You can tune into worldwide international broadcast stations and find
out the latest news, here and abroad. You can eavesdrop on military and
State Department communications that fill the high frequency
spectrum. See appendix for frequencies.

Weather Facsimile Charts Free

You can tie your weather facsimile receiver into your marine sideband
set and receive crystal clear weather charts in your particular area of
cruising. See appendix for frequencies.

page 9
Ham Radio
You can also tune into amateur radio frequencies, and listen for local
weather reports on the maritime mobile amateur radio nets.
Licensed amateur operators may use ICOM SSB transceivers that are
capable of transmitting on amateur frequencies. The "No Code Techni-
cian" license allows you worldwide ham privileges when
cruising within Mexico with a valid Mexican reciprocal operating
permit. And even if you don't obtain the ham license to talk, all ICOM
marine SSB transceivers easily tune into ham calls so you can listen to
the valuable maritime mobile weather nets, both upper and
lower sideband.

Military
Use your marine SSB set as an ultra-sensitive shortwave receiver You
can tune into foreign embassies, the Air Force and the Navy, "secret"
shortwave stations, and any other type of communications that can be
found on the worldwide high frequency spectrum.

Time Signals
Oh yes, one last thing—if you forgot to set your watch, you can tune
into the international time signals wherever you cruise. Tick, tick tick,
at the sound of the tone, it is exactly. . . See appendix for frequencies.

Worldwide Reception for Free

If time ticks don't interest you, consider the following that can be
received on your new marine single sideband, all-band transceiver:

U.S. Air Force in-flight communications

Strategic Air Command
Air Force 1 (the President's plane)
Civil Air Patrol
United States Intelligence Agencies
Antarctic Stations
Interpol
U.S. Weather ships
Hurricane Research Center
Volmet-Aviation Weather Broadcasts

page 10
Morse Code News and Weather for Free
It's also possible to tune in radio facsimile broadcasts and CW Morse
code broadcasts from national news agencies, i.e. United Press
International and Associated Press. These broadcasts take place on
international frequencies that can be picked up just about anywhere in
the world. There are Morse code readers and teleprinter displays that
are easily hooked up to your ICOM transceiver and will instantly read
out what is being sent! It's almost as good as your morning newspaper.

While your ICOM marine SSB may be capable of transmitting on any

or all of these frequencies, you should not! Transmitting outside of
your authorized maritime and ham limits is illegal. If you hold a valid
amateur radio license, you will be permitted to transmit on ham bands—
but transmitting outside of the marine and ham bands would be illegal
except in an emergency to signal for help.

So get that modem and lap-top computer hooked up your ICOM ma-
rine SSB by the plug-in jacks on the back.

• Send and receive e-mail.

• Tune into weather facsimile broadcasts, and watch the weather

charts unfold on your computer screen. Decode the dots and
dashes of Morse code computer programs.

• Tune into Navtex broadcasts from the Coast Guard, and check
out the latest weather report or navigational warning.

• Your computer and your SSB make a perfect marriage to

add information and safety to your cruising.

page 11
CHAPTER 4

High Frequency Bouncing Radio Waves

Marine single sideband transceivers broadcast in the "high
frequency" range of the radio spectrum. Unlike VHF (very high fre-
quency) communications that always travel line-of-sight, transmissions
in the "high frequency" region take advantage of Mother Nature for
some extra long distance communications.

As of July 1, 1991, the following frequency bands have been allocated

for marine single sideband service:

2 MHz 6 MHz 12 MHz 18 MHz 25 MHz

4 MHz 8 MHz 16 MHz 22 MHz 27 MHz

FIGURE A

When transmitting on any band, one component of your radio signal

hugs the surface of the ocean. This is called the ground wave. Ground
waves that hug the surface of the earth and ocean travel approximately
50 to 200 miles from your transmitter. If you are communicating on
single sideband with a nearby shore station or another boat less than
100 miles away, chances are it's the ground wave component of your
signal that's doing all the work. Your ground wave signal is always
there, day or night, and does not depend on anything other than a good,
strong transmitted signal.

page 12
Good ground wave coverage out to 150 miles depends on a good
antenna and a good radio frequency ground system aboard your boat.
The better your antenna and grounding, the further you can communi-
cate via ground waves. More on this later!

It's the "sky wave" component of your transmitted radio signal that
gives you long distance, single side band range. Sky waves are the
components of your transmitted radio signal that travel up into the air
and bounce off of the ionosphere and are reflected back to earth
hundreds and even thousands of miles away.

The ionosphere surrounds our globe and is present 24 hours a day. Its
density and reflecting capabilities change with day and night, the
season of the year, and the 11-year solar cycle. Hanging like an
invisible radio mirror between two stations, the ionosphere is
responsible for reflecting back to earth marine SSB waves that strike it
at the right angle.

“The right angle" to establish communications with a station, let's say

3,000 miles away, depends on the time of day you are broadcasting and
the particular band of frequencies you are using. Lower frequencies
tend to bounce back to earth close in. Frequencies around 12 MHz tend
to bounce back to earth over fairly long distances, typically 3,000 miles.
22 MHz may give us the longest bounce, enabling you to communicate
from the West Coast of the United States into the Mediterranean. If the
ionosphere is very strong, you may get a second bounce off your sky
wave signal, which enables you to talk twice the distance that you
normally would. On 22 MHz, this means that you can easily talk all the
way around the world on a double-hop or triple-hop transmission.

The ionosphere is constantly changing, and a frequency that you

communicated on yesterday might not be suitable for communications
today. Often the time of day and season of the year will make a
difference. When band conditions change in the ionosphere, you
simply change frequencies on your ICOM to maintain a good, clear
signal. With multiple frequencies and multiple bands available,
you can stay in touch as the ionosphere goes through its regular
ups and downs.

page 13
 FIGURE B

At night, the ionosphere gradually lowers. Your signals won't be able

to bounce as far, however, you will still enjoy several thousand miles of
communications range.

During daylight hours, the ionosphere rises, giving you longer range
on higher frequencies. Since it's the sun's rays that charge up the
ionospheric layers, solar and other disturbances will sometimes
enhance— and sometimes occlude—single sideband marine
communications.

Sky waves are unaffected by local weather conditions. Whether it's

sunny or cloudy, snow or rain, windy or still, your sky wave range will
not be influenced by local weather conditions.

Did You Know?

The only time you will hear "weather noise" on your
transceiver is in the proximity of lightning and thunder-
storms. Lightning may be picked up as far away as 200
miles on lower frequencies. It sounds like a static crash at
the exact same time that you see the bolt illuminate. Some
mariners leave their SSB radio turned on while cruising at
night in inclement weather to get prepared for storm cells.
When they hear it on the radio they should be prepared to
see it soon!

page 14
After a few weeks of playing around with your new single sideband
radio telephone, you will begin to get a feel for the expected range on
any one particular band of frequencies. In our next chapter, we'll give
you some secrets!

CHAPTER 5

Single Sideband Range

Your transmitted ground waves are seldom influenced by atmospheric
or ionospheric conditions. Here is what to expect in ground wave range,
24 hours a day:

SSB Ground Wave Range

2 MHz - 150 miles

4 MHz - 100 miles

6 MHz - 75 miles Anytime,

8 MHz - 70 miles day or night

12 MHz - 50 miles

16 MHz - 50 miles

VHF Band (156 MHz) - 8 miles vessel-to-vessel

25 miles to Coast Guard

page 15
After a few weeks of playing around with your new single sideband
radio telephone, you will begin to get a feel for the expected range on
any one particular band of frequencies. In our next chapter, we'll give
you some secrets!

CHAPTER 5

Single Sideband Range

Your transmitted ground waves are seldom influenced by atmospheric
or ionospheric conditions. Here is what to expect in ground wave range,
24 hours a day:

SSB Ground Wave Range

2 MHz - 150 miles

4 MHz - 100 miles

6 MHz - 75 miles Anytime,

8 MHz - 70 miles day or night

12 MHz - 50 miles

16 MHz - 50 miles

VHF Band (156 MHz) - 8 miles vessel-to-vessel

25 miles to Coast Guard

page 15
Sky waves give you the very longest range, thanks to the ionosphere.
Here's what to expect in solid communication range to distant ship and
shore stations:

SSB SKY WAVE RANGE

FREQUENCY DAYTIME N I G H T TI M E
BAND RANGE RANGE
2 MH z Sky waves absorbed 1,000 miles
4 MHz Sky waves absorbed 1,500 miles

6 MHz 500 miles 2,000 miles

8 MHz 700 miles 3,000 miles

12 MHz 1,500 miles Worldwide in the

direction of the sun.
16 MHz 3,000 miles Worldwide in the
direction of the sun
until 8 p.m. local
time.
22 MHz Worldwide Little sky wave
reflection after sunset.
25 MHz Worldwide Little sky wave
reflection after sunset.

As you can see, to talk further, go to a higher frequency. However,

watch out—you can sometimes select a frequency that is too high. This
may cause your sky wave signal to actually bounce over the
station that you wish to communicate with, or go off into space.

If your signal is literally skipping over the desired station, switch to a

lower frequency.

After a few weeks of tuning your receiver to different stations, you will
be able to anticipate which band will be the best for a particular time of
day to talk to a specific station hundreds or thousands of miles away.
Try tuning your set during the day, and then at night, and listen to the

page 16
difference in range. Switch between bands and begin to get a feel for
how the ionosphere causes signals to skip long distances, and some-
times short distances.

Marine telephone shore stations make it easy to predict the best band
to establish rock-solid communications. Every four hours they read a
traffic list (calls being held for vessels at sea) as well as ocean weather
conditions. They simultaneously transmit this information on each one
of the authorized bands. Simply switch bands while they are transmit-
ting and determine which band offers the best reception. Where you
hear them loudest is where they will hear you best. After they finish
with their traffic list, give them a short call and you have now
established communications, thanks to sky waves and Mother Nature's
reflective ionospheric mirror.

CHAPTER 6

Band and Channel Selection

It's easy to program additional frequencies and channels with today's
modern, high-frequency, marine single-sideband transceivers. You don't
need to purchase expensive plug-in crystal elements. Everything is syn-
thesized, and your modern ICOM marine SSB receives from .5 MHz
through 29.999 MHz, and transmits from 1.6 MHz to 27.500 MHz.

The marine single-sideband service uses specific channels to identify

specific frequencies between 4 MHz and 27.5 MHz This book has a
listing of channels and frequency assignments in the appendix. On the
2 MHz band, we use actual frequencies not International Telecommu-
nications Union (ITU) channel designators. We use ITU channel
designators on frequencies between 4 MHz and 27.5 MHz.

Most mariners will use about 10 frequencies in each marine band. New
ICOM marine SSB transceivers offer over 300 channels that are
synthesized, for voice, and an additional 600 channels for electronic

page 17
difference in range. Switch between bands and begin to get a feel for
how the ionosphere causes signals to skip long distances, and some-
times short distances.

Marine telephone shore stations make it easy to predict the best band
to establish rock-solid communications. Every four hours they read a
traffic list (calls being held for vessels at sea) as well as ocean weather
conditions. They simultaneously transmit this information on each one
of the authorized bands. Simply switch bands while they are transmit-
ting and determine which band offers the best reception. Where you
hear them loudest is where they will hear you best. After they finish
with their traffic list, give them a short call and you have now
established communications, thanks to sky waves and Mother Nature's
reflective ionospheric mirror.

CHAPTER 6

Band and Channel Selection

It's easy to program additional frequencies and channels with today's
modern, high-frequency, marine single-sideband transceivers. You don't
need to purchase expensive plug-in crystal elements. Everything is syn-
thesized, and your modern ICOM marine SSB receives from .5 MHz
through 29.999 MHz, and transmits from 1.6 MHz to 27.500 MHz.

The marine single-sideband service uses specific channels to identify

specific frequencies between 4 MHz and 27.5 MHz This book has a
listing of channels and frequency assignments in the appendix. On the
2 MHz band, we use actual frequencies not International Telecommu-
nications Union (ITU) channel designators. We use ITU channel
designators on frequencies between 4 MHz and 27.5 MHz.

Most mariners will use about 10 frequencies in each marine band. New
ICOM marine SSB transceivers offer over 300 channels that are
synthesized, for voice, and an additional 600 channels for electronic

page 17
e-mail. ICOM marine transceivers also offer over 100 channels that are
user-programmable, perfect for ham frequencies, shortwave broadcast-
ing stations, weather facsimile frequencies, and just about any other
frequency that you might want to tune in and listen.

You can add, change, or delete frequencies yourself by entering the

proper numbers on the keypad. Most ICOM marine electronic dealers
can custom program local frequencies to save you the time of entering
them into memory using the key pad.

Did You Know?

Your ICOM marine SSB can also work in any mode, in-
cluding lower sideband or ham channels on 40 meters and
80 meters, without the need to buy an expensive lower side-
band filter.

Plan your communications range by selecting the appropriate bands. If

you're not going to be communicating halfway around the world, then
don't program many channels above 16 MHz. If you are only going to
Mexico, or to the Caribbean, load up on 4 MHz, 8 MHz, and 12 MHz
frequencies and channels. More than likely, these frequencies and chan-
nels are already loaded into your equipment.

page 18
 CHAPTER 7

Equipment Selection and Location

Locate your marine SSB in a place that is convenient for operation.
The radios are large and heavy. They should be positioned for easy
access to all controls. Most of the time your SSB set can nestle right
along with your other nav gear.

You can build the equipment into your instrument panel, however, you
should provide some ventilation. Many new SSB’s are fan coded and
there needs to be a source of fresh air to facilitate this process. Every-
thing on the inside of the radio is transistorized, and slight amounts of
heat are actually good for the equipment—it dries things out.

TIP!
We recommend keeping the equipment down low for easy
channel selection. Make it comfortable to operate. Some
night in a cozy harbor you may wish to simple flip through
the worldwide frequencies to pick up some action. You
want the set as accessible to your hand as possible without
any undue effort.

ICOM SSBs have a built-in speaker that faces forward. This

eliminates having to purchase an external speaker which is required
when the built-in speaker is located elsewhere. A good carpenter can
build a teak frame that will make the equipment look nice. An
anodized aluminum trim kit is also available from your ICOM dealer.
A heavy-duty mounting bracket is shipped with each rig to facilitate
mounting it from below or hanging from above.

Once you have selected an ideal location for mounting the equipment,
read on, because we'll take a look at power requirements, antennas,
and grounding.

page 19
◆ Installation Recommendations

Automatic Antenna Tuner Mounting Locations

(1) Aboard sailboats, the automatic antenna tuner normally
feeds an insulated section of rigging, such as a backstay or,
on a ketch, a mizzen sidestay. The automatic tuner hides
away, below, near the chain plate that holds this particular
insulated stay. The automatic tuner should go as far
away from the radio as possible in order to minimize RF
feedback.

TIP!
FCC rules require the active antenna tuner to be located as
far away from people as possible. In other words, don't
mount the tuner in an area where someone could actually
touch the high voltage output single wire terminal!

(2) The automatic tuner requires no specific orientation. You

can hang it vertically or horizontally. You should insure that
it will stay relatively dry and the water drain screws (if any)
are at the low point of the unit if it is going to get wet.
(3) Remove the downward-facing drain screw to provide an es-
cape path for trapped moisture.

page 20
(4) Aboard powerboats, the automatic antenna tuner normally
feeds a fiberglass whip. If possible, mount the tuner up in
the flying bridge area, well protected from the weather.
Mount it as far away from the helm as possible. If there is
no flying bridge on the powerboat, the tuner may be mounted
near the base of the white fiberglass whip.
(5) The wire feeding your antenna system is high-voltage
"GTO-15." It is available at most marine electronic stores.
Although it looks like coaxial cable, it is not. The jacket
contains no internal braid. This means the high-voltage
single wire is part of your active antenna system, and should
be routed far away from other wires aboard. Keep it away
from sleeping quarters or areas where crew members might
sit. It's always a good idea to keep everyone at least 5 feet
away from the GTO-15, antenna lead wire.

Did You Know?

It is normal to hear your automatic tuner make a clicking
sound during tune-up. What you are hearing are the inter-
nal relays self-adjusting inductance and capacitance for the
best possible match. The clicking will normally stop after
about 5 seconds of initial tune-up. The tuner will remain
silent during normal communications on marine SSB. The
clicking sounds during normal tune-up are a positive indi-
cation that your system is performing as it should. How-
ever, if the clicking continues for more than 10 seconds,
chances are the tuner is missing its ground connection or
the antenna connection up on deck.

page 21
CHAPTER 8

Grounding (Counterpoise)
Good grounding or counterpoise techniques are absolutely necessary
for maximum single sideband range. Half your antenna is your radio
frequency ground, so don't skimp here! The radiating portion of your
antenna needs to see a mirror image of itself before it will send out
your SSB signal. This mirror image, called a counterpoise, is created
by using metal surface and seawater as your radio frequency
ground plane.

Your marine single sideband system will not perform satisfactorily if

you don't have a good counterpoise system. Poor counterpoise (ground)
equals poor range. This is especially true on lower frequencies where
large RF grounds (counterpoise) are required for good range.

If you make direct contact with the seawater, you may be able to
reduce the amount of ground foil that must be run from your radio and
the automatic tuner. If your through-hulls are metal and are all bonded
with a green wire per ABYC (American Boat & Yacht Council)
standards, find a couple of in-water bronze through-hulls, and run the
foil directly to them for an effective seawater ground. But make sure
that bronze through-hull is already part of your bonding system with a
telltale green wire attached to it and going off to other underwater
metals. Never ground to a bronze through-hull that has been specifi-
cally left isolated and ungrounded.

Use a wire brush to clean up the neck of the through-hull, and then use
a hose clamp to affix the copper foil to that through-hull. Bunch the
foil up a few times to provide a good solid connection where it won't
easily rip.

page 22
 TIP!
If there are several bonded underwater through-hulls near
your automatic antenna tuner, your grounding will be easier.
You might only need 50 feet of ground foil to complete the
entire process! Direct contact with seawater improves any
RF ground system.

Same thing for a powerboat—but you'll need more ground foil because
your automatic antenna tuner is probably mounted up top on the flying
bridge. In this case, you will need to follow a wire run channel from the
top of the flying bridge down below decks, and down to the bilge area
where you can make connection to underwater through-hulls. You could
even use a metal tube that may already be in place as part of your
ground foil run.

Why foil? Round wires

create inductive reactance
at radio frequencies, and are
not effective as a good
grounding conveyance. Use
2 or 3 inch wide, 3 mil
copper foil (available at
most marine electronic
stores) to achieve a good
seawater ground.

Your counterpoise system

needs to begin directly
below your antenna feed-
point if at all possible. When
you use an antenna coupler,
we will consider this as the
Use 3-inch wide, 3-mil copper foil to
ensure a good sea water ground.
"feedpoint."

page 23
An ideal counterpoise for all frequency single side band work should
consist of up to 100 square feet of metal surface area directly below the
feedpoint. While this may sound like an impossible number of square
feet to achieve, consider the following large surface RF ground planes
(counterpoise) already available to you:

Tanks Stainless steel tuna towers/stanchions

Propeller and shaft Chain plates
Encapsulated lead keel Engine block
Bonded through-hulls

You can develop your own large surface area RF ground plane (coun-
terpoise) system by fiberglassing into your hull copper screen or 2-3
inch wide copper foil strips. It's too bad they didn't build in the ground
plane when they laid up the hull, isn't it?

It will probably take you about a day and a half and a hundred feet of
copper foil to create a good capacity ground plane below the water
line. You will be running copper foil inside your hull for a capacitive
ground to the seawater. No, the foil does not go on the outside of the
hull! The fact that the ground foil is close to the seawater makes all the
difference on transmit and receive range. While it might be an effort to
get all this foil below the water line, it will really make the difference
when you press down on your microphone key.

Did You Know?

Your bonding of underwater metals that are already tied in
with a common ground wire will not affect your corrosion
control system. If your present underwater metals are not
all bonded together, you may wish to lay out a RF ground
system (counterpoise) independent of an actual connec-
tion to the seawater but that's not really necessary.

These other copper foil leads go directly to the antenna tuner. The tuner
will have a ground terminal to which the foil is attached. Do not reduce

page 24
the size of the foil as you approach the tuner or the radio. Also, do not
convert the foil to wire as you approach the tuner or the radio. Fold the
foil back on itself and drill a hole for the mounting stud.

Your RF ground system (counterpoise) does not actually need to

contact the seawater to be effective. Even though an encapsulate lead
keel doesn't actually touch the seawater, it makes a capacitive ground
by being next to the seawater, if you run wide copper foil to it.

You may either double bolt the foil to an exposed keel bolt, or actually
tap directly into the lead keel with a bolt going through the copper foil
and into the lead.

In attaching to through-hulls, remember, it will improve performance

if you run foil between each through-hull. Stainless steel hose clamps
are the best way to "pick up" these underwater metals. Water tanks,
copper hydraulic lines, etc.; can also be connected with foil using
hose clamps.

I know, I know, trying to get a good RF ground (counterpoise) system

is a bit difficult—especially if you can't get at your keel bolt. If this is
the case, then drill into the keel and pull up some lead. Any sailboat
system that doesn't use a poured keel is losing a tremendous amount of
potential in obtaining a super signal. Only if your keel is made of lead
shot poured in fiberglass would you not elect to use it. In any other
case, where there is a large amount of surface area below the water
line, such as a lead keel, by all means use it in your RF ground plane
counterpoise. It will save you many hours of trying to run more copper
foil and screen below decks.

Good RF grounding (counterpoise) techniques will also enhance your

overall protection from a lightning strike. Lightning protection and good
RF grounding all have a common denominator—a large amount of
surface area below the water line.

Again, I would like to mention that running wire—even battery cable—

is not effective as an RF ground (counterpoise) at radio frequencies.
Although, wire looks like a good DC ground, it looks invisible at most

page 25
radio frequencies. Use foil, and only foil. Even aluminum foil will work
in a pinch. You can even use aluminum air conditioning foil with
sticky on the back as counterpoise. Wires won't work so forget about
using them.

The more counterpoise, the better your signal. Ever wonder why
supertankers always have the loudest signals on the band? They are
only using 100-watt equipment, and a standard 23-foot antenna, but
their signal literally bounces off of their gigantic counterpoise.

TIP!
Again, RF grounding IS the key to single sideband super
range. It's one of the few components of the installation
you can control.

Once the copper is in place, you can just about forget it. It will do the
work for you. We recommend applying a thin coat of paint or resin
over the copper to keep the salt water from tarnishing it. While green
copper works just as well as bright, shiny copper, it's a much more
sanitary installation to keep it isolated from the elements. It also pre-
vents tearing or other damage to the system.

If you have soldered all copper joints, you won't need to check for
continuity. However, you may wish to clean up copper connections at
through-hull fittings every couple of years. Since these connections are
made with hose clamps, there is the possibility that the contacts may
get corroded after a few years in the bilge. A steel brush should bring
both the copper and the through-hull fitting up to a nice shiny surface,
and you can make your connection again.

The periodic inspection of your copper ground system, you can be

assured that your signal will stay loud and clear.

page 26
◆ Ground System Review

(1) The automatic tuner must be connected to a good electrical

ground. A good ground prevents shocks, interference and
numerous other problems. One example of a good ground
is the nearest metal member on a metal vessel. For best
results, use metal strap or foil. Make the length as short as
possible.
(2) Good ground systems on wood or fiberglass boats are more
difficult to install. For best results, use strap or foil con-
nected to the keel, tanks, or other large metal objects.

If you have no way of contacting the seawater, you could install a

counterpoise for each band of frequencies used above 4 MHz, as shown
in the figure. This would be a last resort!

Ground plates? We save the underwater ground plate as an absolute

last resort for a single-sideband antenna system that is working off of
an automatic antenna tuner. Ground plates provide terrific contact to
the seawater, and also have good connection points to attach the foil.
The porous ground plates don't achieve any better ground than if you
were to come up with your own copper plate, but they do provide a
superior means for mounting them through the hull. Using a ground
plate as a RF ground may cause interference with other on board elec-
tronics using the same ground plate as a DC ground.

page 27
The automatic antenna tuner performs best with a direct seawater ground
connection. Whether it be through your bonded underwater
through-hulls, or to a dedicated ground plate, the direct connection is
one great way to minimize hours spent in the bilge developing a
good-ground system.

TIP!
A capacitive ground system, made up of copper strips run
around the hull below the water line, or individual copper
strips at one-quarter wavelength sections, is one way to
achieve a good ground, but may take several days to lay
into the hull and keep dry. Why not go for the direct sea-
water contact, and establish your single-sideband ground
connection in hours instead of days!

◆ Typical Installation

The following figure shows a typical installation. Any radio communi-

cations system operating with a whip antenna or long wire antenna
(insulated back stay) must have an adequate ground connection,
otherwise the overall efficiency of the radio installation is degraded
especially at low frequencies.

The 50 ohm output impedance of the transceiver makes it necessary to

employ antennas of the trapped or externally matched type. The use of
an antenna coupler in conjunction with a whip antenna or long wire
antenna (insulated back stay) allows an efficient installation which will
cover all HF marine bands.

Of course, those of you with aluminum hull vessels, your

RF groundplane (counterpoise) is your hull, and you'll probably
have the loudest signal anywhere in the world. No further RF
grounding is necessary.

page 28
 CHAPTER 9

Antennas
To achieve the ultimate in long skywave range, you need an antenna
system that is a minimum of 23 feet long tied into your automatic
antenna tuner. The longer the antenna, the better!

For powerboats, your antenna will be a 2 or 3-piece, fiberglass whip.

The fiberglass whip, on a powerboat, is mounted on the port or
starboard side with an upper support bracket. It is fed with single
wire GTO-15 that connects the whip to the nearby automatic antenna
tuner. This whip is sufficient for most powerboats.

For sailboats, insulating one of the stays "in the clear" is the best way
to achieve an antenna system that is between 30 feet and 70 feet long.
An insulated backstay is the most popular choice. The insulators
are put on by professional riggers. The rigger should place the top
insulator at a point where it is about 3 feet from the mast. The bottom

page 29
 insulator, on a single
backstay, is placed at eye
level. Any lower and some-
one might actually touch
the hot part of the antenna.
Any higher and it's tough
to service the connection
point. Keep it at eye level.

On a split backstay, where

the split is below the mast-
head, use three (3) insula-
Use a stainless steel hose clamp or brass kearny
tors. The top and bottom in-
nut to make your connection. sulators are installed on the
side of the backstay to be
used as the antenna. The other insulator should be placed near the top
of the split leg as close to the Y as possible. This effectively takes the
split out of the antenna system. Run the GTO-15 up the stay to a point
above the lower insulator.

Use a stainless steel hose clamp to make your connection. You can also
make the connection with a brass kearny nut available at electrical
houses. Make sure that there is a good contact between the GTO-15
single wire and the insulated stay. NEVER USE COAX! Use rigger's
tape to completely seal the connection, and at least once a year check
your connection to insure it is making a good electrical contact with
the stay.

On a ketch, you can insulate either the port or the starboard main stays,
or you could insulate a mizzen stay and achieve good
results. I like the mizzen stay better than the port or starboard stay,
because it is more likely to be outside of and away from other riggins.
Anytime you provide an antenna that is part of your rigging that is
surrounded by other rigging, you lose valuable transmission and re-
ception range. On sailboats, with all sorts of grounded rigging, your
antenna must be outside of this rigging, and in the clear, to transmit
and receive over long range.

page 30
If your insulated stay may come in contact with other metals, or could
be touched by someone on deck, use rigger's tape or plastic stay covers
to keep it isolated. Always keep in mind that everyone on deck needs to
stay away from your transmitting antenna when you are actually on the
air with the microphone keyed. On receive, the antennas are
harmless. But on transmit, new FCC rules require everyone stay clear
of the radiating antenna.

Remember, where ever you install GTO-15 (a "hot" part of your

antenna system) along a metal component of the vessel, you should cut
any green bonding wire that connects that component to ground. If
the backstay chain plate is bonded, cut the bonding wire to that chain
plate. If you have installed GTO-15 next to a stanchion, that stanchion
should be removed from the bonding system. This prevents that
powerful SSB signal from
going right back to ground
rather than radiating from
your antenna

Pre-Tuned 6-Foot Whip

A pre-tuned 6-foot whip
containing both ham and
marine radio frequencies
will work nicely on both
powerboats and sailboats.
The whip does not require
an automatic antenna tuner,
so what you pay for the
whip will actually be less
than what you would have
paid for an automatic an-
tenna tuner. Your range
with the whip is about 30%
less than you would get
with an automatic tuner
connected to a long
Whip antenna mounted over a stailess steel rail antenna wire.

page 31
The Whip Must Be Mounted Over A Horizontal Stainless Steel Rail!
The whip cannot be mounted on wood, nor can it be mounted on fiber-
glass. These pre-tuned whips MUST be over a horizontal rail with at
least 3 feet of surface area on each side of the whip.

For sailboats, the whip goes where you normally put the hibachi or
outboard motor. Keep it away from the self-steering metal wind vane or
wind generator.

On powerboats, the pre-tuned whip is placed over any horizontal rail,

with the rail around the flying bridge most preferred. This gets the
energy up and away from everyone down below. Remember, everyone
must be at least 5 feet away from any transmitting high frequency
antenna system.

The whip features plug-in "taps" to cause the antenna to self-resonate

on specific marine radio or ham radio frequencies. Each tap point is
marked in MHz for marine band, and meters for the ham band. You
simply plug in the banana plug to the appropriate jack, and you are on
the air with your self-tuned antenna system.

The self-resonant whip antenna gives good results up to a 3,000 miles

range. But each time you switch from one marine MHz band to an
other one, you must send someone out to the whip to tap into the
appropriate band that you plan to operate on.

page 32
 CHAPTER 10

Adding 12 Volts
Your transceiver will be shipped with a red and black power cord. This
is your 12-volt connection, and it is fused.

A 150-watt marine single sideband transceiver can draw over 30 amps

on voice peaks. It's only when you talk that current is consumed in
these proportions so don't worry, it's not 30 amps continuous out of
your battery when the mic button is pressed down!

It's recommended to hook up your 12-volt connections directly to your

ship's battery system. This allows you to stay on the air in case of a
malfunction of your electrical panel. This is when you may need your
set the most.

If you have some hefty 12-volt wires leading from your battery com-
partment to your fuse panel, a second choice would be to go ahead and
make your connection at the instrument panel. Clip off large amounts
of extra power cable, but always leave enough coiled up behind the
radio so you can pull it from its mount with enough cable to work on
the set turned on.

Route your power cable along the same track as your RF ground foil.
Watch out for those sharp edges so that they don't nick the cable. Don't
even think about using the RF ground foil as the black side of the power
cable—these are two separate "ground" systems. One is for 12 volts
DC and the other is for radio frequencies!

Use wire lugs to attach the cable to the terminal strip. The radio power
lead is already fused, you do not necessarily need to go through an
external circuit breaker; you can if you want, but that adds one more
"weak link" in your power cable assembly.

page 33
 TIP!
If you run the power cable to your battery system, choose
a battery that is less apt to fail in an emergency. It you have
a separate battery that is located above the water line,
choose it in case of flooding. Just as soon as seawater
covers your batteries, you are off the air—just when you
wish you were on.

If you need to extend the wires supplied by the factory, see the wire
table below. Make certain that any splices are well soldered and are
protected from the salt environment. Soldering with radio solder is the
preferred method. Measure the distance from the battery to the radio
and back to the battery.

CONDUCTOR SIZED (AWG) FOR 3% VOLTAGE DROP AT 12 VOLTS

Current (AMPS)
LENGTH 5 10 15 20 25 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
10' 18 14 12 12 10 10 8 8 6 6 6 4 4
15' 16 12 10 10 8 8 6 6 4 4 4 2 2
20' 14 12 10 8 8 6 6 4 4 4 2 2 2
25' 14 10 8 8 6 6 4 4 2 2 2 1 1
30' 12 10 8 6 6 4 4 2 2 2 1 1/0 1/0
40' 12 8 6 6 4 4 2 2 1 1/0 1/0 1/0 1/0
50' 10 8 6 4 4 2 2 1 1/0 1/0 2/0 3/0 3/0
60' 10 6 6 4 2 2 1 1/0 2/0 2/0 3/0 3/0 4/0
70' 10 6 4 2 2 2 1/0 2/0 2/0 3/0 3/0 4/0 4/0
80' 8 6 4 2 2 1 1/0 2/0 3/0 3/0 4/0
90' 8 4 4 2 1 1/0 2/0 3/0 3/0 4/0

Use 3% voltage drop for any "critical application" affecting the safety of
the vessel or its passengers: bilge pumps, navigation lights, electronics, etc.

page 34
 CHAPTER 11

Eliminating Noise Interference

Now that you have your SSB station completely installed, it's time to
turn it on and start listening to the bands. Your antenna tuner system is
automatically set close enough on receive that you should hear plenty
of signals. Notice that there is more atmospheric noise on the lower
frequencies than the higher frequencies. With your engines and other
motors turned off, the noise is the usual type of background racket
prevalent on every band until a signal appears.

TIP!
Strong signals will usually completely mask out noise.
Weak signals on 2 and 4 MHz will only quiet the noise by
about 50 percent. The more sensitive your receiver, the
more atmospheric noise you are going to pick up—this is
normal. Poor receivers don't pick up backgr ound noise!

Atmospheric noise is always there—on any frequency, but louder on

lower frequencies. It can not be filtered out—to do so would also cause
your distant radio signals to fade away.

The noise that can be filtered is electrical noise generated by the

ignition system of your engine, plus noise from other motors onboard.
Fluorescent lights also create noise that is usually heard on the lower
frequencies. Other noise sources: fans, refrigeration, battery voltage
monitors, inverters, computers and battery chargers.

Onboard noise sources should be filtered at the spot they are gener-
ated. There are filters for alternators, and filters for fluorescent lights.
You can put resistor spark plugs on your gas engine, and electronic
tachometer filters on your electronic tachs. Fuel pumps can be quieted
down, and bait tanks silenced, with specific filters designed for each
individual interference source.

page 35
 TIP!
Tune in a relatively weak signal on your SSB set, and then
start the engine. If the signal is still there, your interfer-
ence noise problems are few. However, if the signal com-
pletely disappears—you will need to get some filters for
each noise interference source.

For noises and interference external to your boat, such as a passing

skiff with an outboard that can be heard clearly on your SSB set,
simply turn on your noise-blanker switch on the front of your radio.
This will cancel out the repetitious popping sound almost completely.
It may also help on your fluorescent lights. Although the noise-blanker
built into your set is one way of dampening repetition-type noise, noise
filters at the source of the noise are the best way to go. Like plugging
leaks, you must methodically get every single one.

page 36
 CHAPTER 12

Your FCC License

Did You Know?

Marine SSB operation still requires a Federal Communi-
cations Commission marine station license, as well as a
restricted operators permit. Even though the Federal
Communications Commission has stopped licensing
certain VHF radio systems, your longer range marine single
side band still needs the proper call letters.

FCC Form 506 must be completed, following all instructions carefully.

If you already have a valid VHF license, you will still use Form 506,
but indicate that you are requesting a modification.

Form 506 is rather complex, but give it your best try by indicating "fee
type code" as "PASR", and a licensing fee for 10 years at $75. Be sure
to answer "Yes" on requesting a new or modified maritime mobile
service identity number. This will give you capabilities for digital
selective calling.

Check the category of transmitters for VHF, all EPIRB types, SSB for
both bands, radar at 9300-9500 MHz, RTTY, and satellite. If you
already have a selective call number be sure to list it. Same for your
INMARSAT number—if you have one, list it!

Read the fine print on the form, and then send it on to the Federal
Communications Commission. It may take several tries to get the
license to go through; but when it does, you will be all set for your new
marine SSB system.

Complete FCC Form 753 for your personal operators permit. This is
called the restricted operators permit, and it's necessary for all SSB
installations. If you will be carrying passengers for hire, you also need

page 37
a marine radio operators permit. This requires a simple multiple-choice
test to make sure you know how to run and operate a marine radio
telephone. For information about the marine radio operators permit,
and a simple book that prepares you for the test, call 1-(800) 669-9594
and ask for the Gordon West Commercial General Radiotelephone book.

The Federal Communications Commission may also have these forms

on the lnternet (http://www.fcc.gov), and you may be able to go on-
line and apply for all of this right at the computer.

page 38
 CHAPTER 13

Going on the Air

Your new marine SSB transceiver has been pre-programmed by the
manufacturer, a dealer, or distributor that sold the equipment. It is easy
to reprogram different frequencies into your new equipment. Refer to
your owner's manual for programming instructions. It's just as easy as
pushing buttons on your telephone. Go on, give it a try!

The Federal Communications Commission requires that your marine

station license is valid and covers the frequencies 2,000 kHz to 27,000
kHz or 2 MHz to 27 MHz before transmitting. Make sure you have this
license posted before going on the air.

If you followed the installation instructions precisely for both your

radio equipment and the automatic antenna tuner, your radio should
perform up to specifications. If you have any questions, you might want
a technician to check it out. The instruction manual with your new
ICOM SSB lists several ways to verify full power output.

TIP!
Before transmitting on any frequency, listen! In fact, spend
a complete week listening to different frequencies and
different bands to get a feel for how marine SSB commu-
nications take place.

When listening to ship-to-ship and ship-to-private shore station calls,

you will generally hear both sides of the conversation. This will give
you an idea of how ship-to-ship communications take place. Always
remember to give your official FCC call sign at the beginning of your
transmission, at least once every 10 minutes, and when you sign off.

When tuning into the ship-to-shore marine telephone station, you will
only hear the shore station side of the conversation. The marine
telephone frequencies are duplex. Ship stations transmit on different

page 39
frequencies than the shore stations. Your ICOM SSB automatically
knows where to transmit when tuned to the shore station telephone
companies. The very professional marine telephone operators and their
service technicians will expertly ask you the questions about where
you are, who you are, and what number you want. Simply follow their
instructions and you will have no problems communicating through
the telephone service.

The same thing holds true with the United States Coast Guard AMVER
stations. You will only hear the shore side of the conversation. The
United States Coast Guard personnel expertly extract all of the infor-
mation they need for any emergency. Once again, do a lot of listening
before making any calls.

Probably your first call will be for a radio check. Don't use the United
States Coast Guard or 2182 kHz for radio checks as they have far more
important matters than giving out signal reports all day long.

When you are ready for a radio check, try the distant high seas marine
operator. Wait until they are finished with their local weather reports
before giving them a call. Always choose the band that sounds the
strongest to you.

Follow the procedures for initiating a call in the upcoming chapters of

this handbook. The marine telephone companies, it they're not real busy,
are more than happy to accommodate a radio check.

You can also receive radio checks from other pleasure boats that you
might hear on ship-to-ship frequencies. Most commercial vessels will
probably ignore any calls for radio check, so try to select one that sounds
like a fellow pleasure boat mariner, and exchange signal
reports. You should generally receive reciprocal reports. If a station
sounds very weak to you, they will probably say that you are weak to
them. Same thing with the telephone service; if they're not coming in
strong, you won't either.

Weak signals are not necessarily a result of something wrong with your
installation. Sometimes ionospheric band conditions simply won't

page 40
favor any particular single sideband band. Try the next band up to
improve signal reports. Try a different time of day, and expect that
some days you'll have better signal levels than others.

Did You Know?

Since your radio waves are solely dependent on ionospheric
conditions, it's quite normal for signal levels to change.
You may also notice that signals will fade in and out on the
higher frequencies, such as 12, to 27 MHz. Again, this is
completely normal and should result in almost no loss of
intelligibility during a call.

Another fun way to check the operation of your equipment is to

receive as many foreign broadcast stations as possible. Refer to the
back of this book for a listing of international shortwave transmitting
stations. These stations should normally come in loud and clear, but
are still subject to 20 second fades. If you are hearing plenty of activity
on these frequencies, plus strong signals from other boats and shore
stations, chances are your installation is working fine, and you will
enjoy worldwide communications with single sideband equipment.

If you decide to have a licensed technician check out your equipment,

most marine electronic dealerships will be more than happy to send a
tech with the proper field strength equipment to "sign off" your station.
Since you completely installed the equipment yourself, there will be
little that the technician will need to do other than to check out your
antenna tuner setup, double check all connections to insure that they
are weatherproof, and to make some field strength measurements and
exchange signal reports with distant stations. Since electronic
technicians are quite familiar with the characteristics of single
sideband frequencies, they can quite accurately assure you that your
set is on the air and operating perfectly. If there is any way that they
can squeeze a few more watts out of your system, they will also do
that. Have them sign your log book with their license number to
further verify that your system is 100 percent "go."

page 41
CHAPTER 14

Operating Procedures - Distress, Urgency

and Safety
If you have an emergency, plan to use your VHF set as well as your
marine single sideband to call out for help. If you are within 100 miles
of the shore, first try your VHF on the international distress channel,
Channel 16. If you are far out to sea and do not receive immediate
response on VHF Channel 16, your next step is to switch to long-range
single sideband.

First try 2187.5 kHz, the international distress call for marine single
sideband. If after three attempts you do not receive an immediate reply
to your distress call, then switch to any frequency where you hear strong
signals. The marine operator is always a good one. Use any frequency
on your marine sideband that will get a response from another station.

Here are the procedures for placing or acknowledging a distress call on

your marine single side band, as well as for your VHF marine
transceiver. These are the approved procedures as outlined by the
Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services in cooperation with
the Federal Communications Commission.

◆ Spoken Emergency Signals

There are three spoken emergency signals:

(1) Distress Signal: MAYDAY

Distress signal MAYDAY is used to indicate that a mobile
station is threatened by grave and immediate danger and
requests immediate assistance. MAYDAY has priority over
all other communications.
(2) Urgency Signal: PAN-PAN (Properly pronounced
PAHN-PAHN)
Used when the safety of the vessel or person is in jeopardy.

page 42
 "Man overboard" messages are sent with the Urgency
signal. PAN-PAN has priority over all other communica-
tions with the exception of distress traffic.
(3) Safety Signal: SECURITY (Pronounced SAY-CURITAY)

Used for messages concerning the safety of navigation or

giving important meteorological warnings.
Any message headed by one of the emergency signals (MAYDAY,
PAN-PAN, or SECURITY), must be given precedence over routine
communications. This means listen. Don't transmit. Be prepared to help
if you can. The decision of which of these emergency signals to use is
the responsibility of the person in charge of the vessel.

◆ Radiotelephone Alarm Signal [notes indicate this rule changes in

1999 -- 2187.5]

This signal consists of two audio frequency tones transmitted

alternately. This signal is similar in sound to a two-tone siren used by
some ambulances. When generated by automatic means, it shall be sent
as continuously as practicable over a period of not less than 30 seconds
nor more than one minute. The purpose of the signal is to attract the
attention of the person on watch or to actuate automatic alarm devices.
The radiotelephone alarm signal shall be used only with the distress
signal except in the situation discussed in the section
dealing with the Urgency Call and Message Procedures.

◆ Distress Call and Message

SENDING: Distress Call and Message

First send the Radiotelephone Alarm Signal, if available.

(1) Distress signal MAYDAY (spoken three times)

(2) The words THIS IS (spoken once)
(3) Name of vessel in distress (spoken three times) and call
sign (spoken once)

page 43
The Distress Message immediately follows the Distress Call and
consists of:

(4) Distress signal MAYDAY (spoken once)

(5) Name of vessel (spoken once)
(6) Position of vessel in distress by latitude and longitude or
bearing (true or magnetic, state which) and distance to a
well-known landmark such as a navigational aid or small
island, or in any terms which will assist a responding
station in locating the vessel in distress. Include any
information on vessel movement such as course, speed,
and destination.
(7) Nature of distress (sinking, fire, etc.)
(8) Kind of assistance desired
(9) Any other information which might facilitate rescue,
such as: length or tonnage of vessel, number of persons
on board, and number needing medical attention, color
of hull, decks, cabin, masts, etc. (10) The word OVER

EXAMPLE: Distress Call and Message

(Send Radiotelephone Alarm Signal, if available, for at least 30

seconds but not more than one minute)

"MAYDAY-MAYDAY-MAYDAY
THIS IS-BLUE DUCK-BLUE DUCK-BLUE DUCK-WA 1234
MAYDAY-BLUE DUCK
DUNGENESS LIGHT BEARS 185 DEGREES
MAGNETIC-DISTANCE 2 MILES
STRUCK SUBMERGED OBJECT
NEED PUMPS-MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AND TOW
THREE ADULTS-TWO CHILDREN ABOARD
ONE PERSON COMPOUND FRACTURE OF ARM
ESTIMATE CAN REMAIN AFLOAT TWO HOURS
BLUE DUCK IS THIRTY-TWO FOOT CABIN CRUISER
BLUE HULL-WHITE DECK HOUSE
OVER"

page 44
NOTE: Repeat at intervals until answer is received. If no answer is
received on the Distress frequency, repeat using any other available
channel on which attention might be attracted.

◆ Acknowledgment of Distress Message

If you hear a Distress Message 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. In any event, you must log all pertinent details of the
Distress Call and Message.

SENDING: Acknowledgment of Receipt of Distress Message

Acknowledgment of receipt of a Distress Message usually includes the

following:

(1) Name of vessel sending the Distress Message

(spoken three times)
(2) The words THIS IS (spoken once)
(3) Name of your vessel (spoken three times)
(4) The words RECEIVED MAYDAY (spoken once)
(5) The word OVER (spoken once)

EXAMPLE: Acknowledgment Message

"BLUE DUCK-BLUE DUCK-BLUE DUCK-WA 1234

THIS IS-WHITE WHALE-WHITE WHALE-WHITE
WHALE-WZ4321
RECEIVED MAYDAY
OVER"

◆ Offer of Assistance

After you acknowledge receipt of the distress message, allow a short

interval of time for other stations to acknowledge receipt, if any are in
a position to assist. When you are sure of not interfering with other

page 45
distress-related communications, contact the vessel in distress and
advise them what assistance you can render. Make every effort to
notify the Coast Guard. The offer-of-assistance message shall be sent
only with the permission of the person in charge of your vessel.

SENDING: Offer-of-Assistance Message

The Offer-of-Assistance Message usually includes the following:

(1) Name of the distressed vessel (spoken once)

(2) The words THIS IS (spoken once)
(3) Name of the calling vessel (spoken once)
(4) The word OVER (spoken once)
(5) (On hearing an acknowledgment, ending with the word
OVER from the distressed vessel, continue with your
offer of assistance message.)
(6) Name of calling vessel and radio call sign (spoken once)
(7) The word OVER (spoken once)

EXAMPLE: Offer-of-Assistance

To be sent after a short interval of time, but long enough to be sure that
further transmissions will not cause harmful interference and long
enough to work out relative position and time to reach the distressed
vessel:

"BLUE DUCK-THIS IS-WHITE WHALE-OVER

(on hearing the word OVER from BLUE DUCK, continue)
I AM PROCEEDING TOWARD YOU PROM TEN MILES
WESTWARD EXPECT TO ARRIVE IN ONE HOUR
COAST GUARD HAS BEEN NOTIFIED INCLUDING
YOUR NEED FOR DOCTOR
I HAVE ONE INCH PORTABLE PUMP
PLEASE ADVISE IF MY ASSISTANCE IS NOT NEEDED
WHITE WHALE-WZ4321-OVER"

page 46
◆ Urgency Call and Message Procedures

The Urgency Call begins with the emergency signal, consisting of three
repetitions of the group of words PAN-PAN (pronounced
PAHN-PAHN). The Urgency Call and Message is transmitted on
VHF Channel 16 (or 2182 kHz, in the same way as the Distress Call
and Distress Message. The Urgency signal PAN-PAN indicates that
the calling person has a message concerning the safety of the vessel, or
a person in jeopardy. The Urgency signal is authorized for situations
like the following:

- Transmission of an urgent storm warning by an

authorized shore station.
- Loss of person overboard but only when the assistance
of other vessels is required.
- No steering or power in shipping lane.

SENDING: Urgency Call and Message

The Urgency Call and Message usually include the following:

(1) The Urgency signal PAN-PAN PAN-PAN PAN-PAN

(2) Addressee-ALL STATIONS (or a particular station)
(3) The words THIS IS (spoken once)
(4) Name of calling vessel (spoken three times) and
call sign (spoken once)
(5) The Urgency Message (state the urgent problem)
(6) Position of vessel and any other information that will
assist responding vessels. Include description of your
vessel, etc.
(7) The words THIS IS (spoken once)
(8) Name of calling vessel and radio call sign (spoken once)
(9) The word OVER

EXAMPLE: Urgency Call and Message

(Not involving possible use of radiotelephone alarm)

page 47
 "PAN-PAN PAN-PAN PAN-PAN-ALL-STATIONS
(or a particular station)
THIS IS-BLUE DUCK-BLUE DUCK-BLUE DUCK
HAVE LOST MY RUDDER
AM DRIFTING TOWARD SHORE AND REQUIRE TOW
SEVEN PERSONS ON BOARD
BLUE DUCK IS THIRTY-TWO FOOT CABIN
CRUISER - BLUE HULL
WHITE DECK HOUSE
THIS IS-BLUE DUCK-WA 1234
OVER"

◆ Safety Call and Message Procedures

The Safety Call, headed with the word SECURITY (SAY-CURITAY,

spoken three times), is transmitted on the Distress and Calling frequency
(VHF Channel 16 or 2182 kHz), together with a request to shift to a
working frequency where the Safety Message will be given. The Safety
Message may be given on any available working frequency.

United States Coast Guard stations routinely use the Safety Call
SECURITY to alert boating operators that they are preparing to
broadcast a message concerning safety of navigation. The call also
precedes an important meteorological warning. The Safety Message
itself is usually broadcast on Coast Guard Channel 22A (157.1 MHz)
and 2670 kHz. Although recreational boating operators may use the
Safety Signal and Message, in many cases they would get better results
and perhaps suffer less criticism by giving the information to the Coast
Guard without making a formal Safety Call. The Coast Guard usually
has better broadcast coverage from its shore stations and will
rebroadcast the information if it is appropriate.

SENDING: The Safety Call and Message

The Safety Call usually includes the following: (On VHF Channel 16
or 2182 kHz.)

page 48
 (1) The Safety Signal SECURITY (spoken three times)
(2) Addressee-ALL STATIONS (or a particular station)
(3) The words THIS IS (spoken once)
(4) Name of vessel calling and radio call sign
(5) Announcement of the working channel (frequency)
where the Safety Message will be given
(6) Radio Call Sign
(7) The word OUT

The Safety Message usually includes the following: (Select working

channel (frequency) announced in step 5 above)

(1) The Safety Signal SECURITY (spoken three times)

(2) The words ALL STATIONS (spoken once)
(3) The words THIS IS (spoken once)
(4) Give the Safety Message
(5) Repeat the Radio Call Sign
(6) The word OUT

EXAMPLES: Safety Call and Message

(On VHF Channel 16)

"SECURITY-SECURITY-SECURITY-ALL STATIONS
THIS IS-BLUE DUCK-WA 1234
LISTEN CHANNEL 68
WA 1234-OUT"

(On VHF Channel 68)

"SECURITY-SECURITY-Security-ALL STATIONS
THIS IS-BLUE DUCK-WA 1234
A LOG APPROXIMATELY TWENTY FEET LONG
TWO FEET IN DIAMETER ADRIFT OFF HAINS
POINT
POTOMAC RIVER
WA 1234-OUT"

page 49
◆ Coast Guard Channels

The government frequency 2182 kHz and 2670 kHz are widely used
by recreational boating operators for communicating with U.S. Coast
Guard shore stations and ship stations, and with USCG Auxiliary
vessels when these vessels are operating under orders. When using
these channels, you must first establish communications on the appro-
priate calling frequency, 2182 kHz on the following long range Coast
Guard channels:

COAST GUARD CHANNELS

Yo u r Yo u r I . T. U .
Remarks
Tr a n s m i t R e c e ive Channels
2182 kHz 2182 kHz None International distress &
calling frequency to all
Coast Guard & Rescue
agencies worldwide.
2670 kHz 2670 kHz None U.S. Coast Guard working
channel.
4134 kHz 4426 kHz 424 500-mile Coast Guard
working channel.
6200 kHz 6501 kHz 601 Gulf Coast Guard
working channel.
8240 kHz 8764 kHz 816 Medium-range Coast
Gaurd working channel.
12242 kHz 13089 kHz 1205 Long-range 24-hour Coast
Guard working channel.
16432 kHz 17314 kHz 1625 Day/evening long-range
Coast Gaurd working
channel.

page 50
 TIP!
Consult your ICOM SSB frequency chart to see where these
channels are in your set's memory.

◆ Operating Procedures - Regular Communications

It's very important that you monitor a frequency at least one minute
prior to transmitting over it. This insures that you won't "cover up" any
communications that may be going on that you might not hear clearly
at first. Always wait until a frequency is clear before transmitting.

The following procedures for operating your marine SSB are approved
by the Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services in coopera-
tion with the Federal Communications Commission:

Safety Frequencies
The following table describes the distress and safety frequencies
between 4000-27,500 kHz for ship and coast stations, public and
private, operating voice radiotelephony (HF-SSB).

SAFETY FREQUENCIES
CHANNEL
FREQUENCY DESIGNATOR
4125.0 "4 Safety"

6125.0 "6 Safety"

8291.0 "8 Safety"

12290.0 "12 Safety"

16420.0 "16 Safety"

Operating Procedures (other than Distress, Urgency and Safety)

page 51
◆ Maintain a Watch

Whenever your marine VHF or SSB radio is turned on, keep the re-
ceiver tuned to the appropriate distress and calling frequency, 156.8
(VHF Channel 16) or 2182 kHz. This listening watch must be main-
tained at all times the station is in operation and you are not actually
communicating. The Coast Guard maintains a silent period on 2182
kHz for three minutes immediately after the hour and for three minutes
immediately after the half hour. During these silent periods only mes-
sages or transmissions concerning distress or urgency are made.

Since this watch is required for safety and to facilitate communications

by providing a common calling channel, it is not permissible for one
vessel in a fleet of vessels traveling together to maintain this watch
while the other vessels guard another channel, such as a common
intership channel. You may maintain a watch on a working channel,
however, and may establish communications directly on that channel
provided you simultaneously maintain your watch on the distress and
calling channel.

Record the times you maintain this watch in your Radio Log.

◆ Choose the Correct Channel or Frequency

Ship-to-Ship Channels
Each of the marine frequencies and channels is authorized for a
specific type of communication. It is required that you choose the
correct channel for the type of communication you are making. For
example, certain channels are set aside exclusively for intership use.
See the following chart.

page 52
 SHIP FREQUENCIES (SIMPLEX)
(USB)
MINIMUM INFORMAL FREQUENCY
BEST TIME
RANGE CHNL CODE kKz
50 miles Ship 2-A 2065.0 Night
50 miles Ship 2-B 2079.0 Night
50 miles Ship 2-C 2096.5 Night
50 miles Ship 3-A 3023 Night
150 miles Ship 4-A 4146 Night
150 miles Ship 4-B 4149 Night
150 miles Ship 4-C 4417 Night
170 miles Ship 5-S 5680 Day/Night
200 miles Ship 6-A 6224 Day/Night
200 miles Ship 6-B 6227 Day/Night
200 miles Ship 6-C 6230 Day/Night
200 miles Ship 6-D 6516 Day/Night
400 miles Ship 8-A 8294 Day
400 miles Ship 8-B 8297 Day
1000 miles Ship 12-A 12353 Day
1000 miles Ship 12-B 12356 Day
1000 miles Ship 12-C 12359 Day
5000 miles Ship 16-A 16528 Day
5000 miles Ship 16-B 16531 Day
5000 miles Ship 16-C 16534 Day
5000 miles Ship 18-A 18840 Day
5000 miles Ship 18-B 18843 Day
10,000 miles Ship 22-A 22159 Day
10,000 miles Ship 22-B 22162 Day
10,000 miles Ship 22-C 22165 Day
10,000 miles Ship 22-D 22168 Day
10,000 miles Ship 22-E 22171 Day
10,000 miles Ship 25-A 25115 Day
10,000 miles Ship 25-B 25118 Day

page 53
◆ Calling Another Ship

Turn your radiotelephone on and listen on the appropriate distress and

calling frequency, 2182 kHz, to make sure it is not being used. If it is
clear, put your transmitter on the air. This is usually done by depress-
ing the "push to talk" button on the microphone. (To hear a reply, you
must release this button.)

Speak directly into the microphone in a normal tone of voice. Speak

clearly and distinctly. Call the vessel with which you wish to commu-
nicate by using its name; then identify your vessel with its name and
FCC assigned call sign. Do not add unnecessary words and phrases as
"COME IN BOB" or "DO YOU READ ME." Limit the use of
phonetics to poor transmission conditions.

This preliminary call must not exceed 30 seconds. If contact is not

made, wait at least two minutes before repeating the call. After this
time interval, make the call in the same manner. This procedure may be
repeated no more than three times. If contact is not made during this
period, you must wait at least 15 minutes before making your next
attempt.

Once contact is established on 2182 kHz, you must switch to an

appropriate working frequency for further communication. You may
only use VHF Channel 16 and 2182 kHz for calling, and in emergency
situations.

Since switching to a working frequency is required to carry out the

actual communications, it is often helpful to monitor the working
frequency you wish to use, briefly, before initiating the call on
2182 kHz. This will help prevent you from interrupting other users of
the channel.

All communications should be kept as brief as possible and at the end

of the communication, each vessel is required to give its call sign, after
which, both vessels switch back to the distress and calling channel in
order to reestablish the watch.

page 54
Two examples of acceptable forms for establishing communication with
another vessel follow:

EXAMPLE 1
VESSEL VOICE TRANSMISSION
BLUE DUCK "MARYJANE-THIS IS-BLUE DUCK-WA 1234"
(on 2182 kHz)
"BLUE DUCK-THIS IS-MARY JANE-
MARY JANE WA 5678-REPLY 8A"
(on 2182 kHz) (or some toher proper working channel.)
"8A" ie "ROGER"
BLUE DUCK (If unable to replay on the channel selected,
(on 2182 kHz) an appropriate alternate should be selected.)
BLUE DUCK
(on working "BLUE DUCK"
channel 8A)
MARY JANE
(on working "MARY JANE"
channel 8A)
((Continue
Continue w with message
ith m essage and
and terminate
terminate
BLUE DUCK ccommunications
ommunication wwithin ithin trthree
hree mminutes.
inutes. At
At
(on working the
the end
end of
of the
the communications,
communicaiton, eeach ach vvessel
essel
channel 8A) ggives
ives iits
ts call
call sign.)
sign.)

EXAMPLE 2
VE S S E L VO I C E T R A N S M I S S I O N
BLUE DUCK
(on 2182 kHz) "MARYJANE-BLUE DUCK-WA 1234-REPLY"

MARY JANE "MARY JANE-WA 5678"

(on 4A)

BLUE DUCK "BLUE DUCK"

(on 4A) (Continues message and terminate
communicaitons as indicated in example 1)

A short form most useful when both parties

are familiar with it

page 55
CHAPTER 15

Using Your SSB for Low-Cost E-Mail

Marine SSB will accept the radio modem and computer on rear accessory plugs.

Your new SSB transceiver may have many channels designated for nar-
row-band direct printing (NBDP). These are frequencies for simplex
telex over radio (SITOR) which has been the established mode of mari-
time communications for the merchant shipping industry for more than
50 years. SITOR is electronic e-mail over marine frequencies. All you
need is a computer and a radio modem to complete the
marriage to your marine SSB. With this equipment, you will be able to
send and receive e-mail over worldwide frequencies.

Using your lap-top computer and a special modem and your new ICOM
SSB, you can send and receive written text messages far more
efficiently than voice messages. Written messages allow you to think
through what you want to say ahead of time, format your message
off-line in your computer, and then send it off with a few
keystrokes, right from your vessel at anytime, day or night, anywhere
in the world. Your SITOR one-third page of text can go in less than 2 or
3 minutes or often less than the minimum air time voice telephone
charge. If you have several pages of text, it could take up to 10-30
minutes, but you are assured of "solid copy" at the other end of the

page 56
circuit. You can also receive e-mail as well. Inbound traffic for your
vessel is saved in your vessel's own mailbox in the host computer until
you are ready to receive it. People on shore can access the system by
the Internet, or any one of the several commercial e-mail system such
as CompuServe, AOL, Telex, FAX, or voice transcription, using the
public telephone system via any of the common carriers. You can
also use your computer and your SSB to receive, free of charge,
weather facsimile imagery directly from the Coast Guard. You can also
receive high-quality weather forecast charts in your mailbox for
downloading at your convenience through private yacht weather
forecasting companies.

Electronic e-mail over marine SSB circuits are carried on by more than
200 radio telex shore stations in the world as described in the admiralty
list of radio signals. All of these worldwide data stations have been
coordinated in respect to international billing arrangements for ships
of all nations which wish to connect to any foreign coast station along
the route of their voyage. Two companies, Globe Wireless, and PinOak
Digital offer worldwide networks of pickup and relay stations with
only one administration to deal with as you make your international
voyage. These networks, of high-frequency coast radio stations are
designed to provide both spacial and frequency-diverse channel capac-
ity to all mariners around the globe. Multiple propagation paths to-
gether with automated control of the ship's existing high-frequency SSB
radio system provide transmission quality and link availability not pre-
viously obtainable on similar voice circuits. Traffic lists, message traf-
fic, and other data services are sent throughout all of the world wide
network e-mail stations, and downloaded easily with your shipboard
lap-top computer.

The typical cost for a SITOR message is about $2.00 a minute, where
approximately 300 characters can be sent per minute. This works out
to be about three cents per word. If you plan to send high volumes of
data on your computer on an almost daily basis, PinOak Digital and
Globe Wireless offer other types of high speed data transfer systems
that allow you to send and receive messages in about one-tenth the
time as normal SITOR.

page 57
 Did You Know?
For more information about the Globe Wireless e-mail
connection to your ICOM SSB, contact Globe Wireless at
(800) 876-7234.
For more information about PinOak Digital High
Frequency Digital Communications, call (800) 746-625l.
For more information about SAILMAN visit their
website at www.sailmail.com

CHAPTER 16

Review: SSB Channel Designators

Explained
Your friends with marine SSB may tell you. . .

To talk local, you want to go on 4A. They sometimes call that 4-alpha.
It's good in the mornings, and 4-alpha on your set is 4-2. Some sets
have it as 4-1, but that's really 4-S. You can look up this channel as 451,
which is really 4146. Got it?"

The mysteries of SSB channelization get worse. Did you know that
international distress frequency 2182 kHz may NOT be the best place
to cry Mayday when you are halfway across the sea?

Single Sideband
And if you call Mayday on Coast Guard working channel 816 or 1205,
they could be "duplexing" a weather report and not listening to their
input frequency. So WHO do you call in an emergency, anyway, on
marine SSB?

And what about making phone calls? Are you really charged $25 just
for getting an answering machine? I am happy to report, NO.

page 58
 Did You Know?
For more information about the Globe Wireless e-mail
connection to your ICOM SSB, contact Globe Wireless at
(800) 876-7234.
For more information about PinOak Digital High
Frequency Digital Communications, call (800) 746-625l.
For more information about SAILMAN visit their
website at www.sailmail.com

CHAPTER 16

Review: SSB Channel Designators

Explained
Your friends with marine SSB may tell you. . .

To talk local, you want to go on 4A. They sometimes call that 4-alpha.
It's good in the mornings, and 4-alpha on your set is 4-2. Some sets
have it as 4-1, but that's really 4-S. You can look up this channel as 451,
which is really 4146. Got it?"

The mysteries of SSB channelization get worse. Did you know that
international distress frequency 2182 kHz may NOT be the best place
to cry Mayday when you are halfway across the sea?

Single Sideband
And if you call Mayday on Coast Guard working channel 816 or 1205,
they could be "duplexing" a weather report and not listening to their
input frequency. So WHO do you call in an emergency, anyway, on
marine SSB?

And what about making phone calls? Are you really charged $25 just
for getting an answering machine? I am happy to report, NO.

page 58
So let's demystify that new marine SSB installation, and compare the
channels and frequencies listed in this chapter with what is stored in
your SSB's memory.

ALL THOSE CHANNELS. Marine SSB frequencies are assigned

specific channels within the following megahertz regions:

MEGAHERTZ REGIONS
CHANNEL MHZ APPROXIMATE RANGE
2 XX 2 MHz 100 miles day; 1000 miles night
4 XX 4 MHz 100 miles day; 1500 miles night

6 XX 6 MHz 500 miles; 1500 miles night

8 XX 8 MHz 700 miles day; 2000 miles night

12 XX 12 & 13 MHz 100 miles evenings; 3000 miles
days
16 XX 17 & 17 MHz Unreliable evenings; 4000 miles
days
22 XX 22 MHz Daytime only band, worldwide

Each band of marine frequencies skips off the ionosphere and refracts
signals back down to earth at different angles. 2 and 4 MHz come back
down relatively close to your vessel. 8 and 12 MHz are excellent for
medium-range, day and night, skywave "skip" contacts. On 16 and 22
MHz, skywaves fade out at night, but offer the longest range during day-
light hours. The best range usually follows the direction of the sun.

Choose the megahertz range that will skip your signal to the
approximate distance you want to reach. 8 and 12 MHz are the
favorites during the day, and 4 and 6 MHz are the favorite bands
during the night. 2 MHz is clobbered with noise, and you won't get zip.
22 MHz is too high for reliable daily contacts. Choose 8 and 12 MHz
as your "bread and butter" bands.

page 59
Marine radio channels are assigned ITU designators. ITU stands for
International Telecommunications Union, and assigns commonality
to every country's marine SSB set.

But there are differences between each manufacturer of SSB equipment

on how they read out the channels, so stay tuned. More to follow.

Most 2 MHz frequencies have little use even 2182 MHz, the international
distress and calling frequency. The range is so limited, you would do
better to squawk Mayday on VHF channel 16. Most 2 MHz frequencies
go by their actual numerical frequency kilohertz, not by three-digit
channel designators. Lucky for us, a kilohertz readout on the radio dial
is common among all marine SSB radios in every country.

4 MHz to 22 MHz marine channels are all listed by a three-digit or

four-digit channel designator. An example would be marine Channel
401, or marine Channel 809, or marine Channel 1206. These channel num-
bers, common worldwide, are assigned to pairs of radio frequencies that
make up a radio channel. Both the marine telephone companies of the
world and the United States Coast Guard and rescue agencies throughout
the world operate on frequency PAIRS where they transmit on one fre-
quency, and listen on another. This is called DUPLEX. But you don't need
to worry about the individual frequencies for ship transmit and ship re-
ceive because your marine SSB has all of these channels pre stored in ITU
memory. If you dial up marine Channel 808, your set automatically re-
ceives on 2740 kHz, and transmits automatically on 8216 kHz. It is pre-
stored duplex, so all you need to know is the channel number and what
service goes with which channel numbers.

Currently, AT&T runs the high seas maritime radiotelephone services

from three stations that serve this half of the world. However in the
future, access will be through station WLO out of Mobile Alabama.
AT&T will be limiting the service provided by KMI, WOM, and WOO.
From Australia to Africa and everything in between, the AT&T marine
operator offers you radiotelephone service on the following channels:

page 60
 AT&T MARINE OPERATOR
AT&T AT&T AT&T
SAN FRANCISCO FLORIDA NEW JERSEY
KMI WOM WOO
401, 416, 417 403, 412, 417 410, 411, 416
804, 809, 822 423, 802, 810 808, 811, 815

1201, 1202, 1203 814, 825, 831 1203, 1210, 1211

1229, 1602, 1603 1206, 1208, 1209 1605, 1620, 1626

1624, 2214, 2223 1215, 1223, 1601 2201, 2205, 2210

2228, 2236 1609, 1610, 1611 2236

1616, 2215, 2216

2222

TIP!
Choose the channel on a likely frequency that will skip
your waves into the particular AT&T maritime services
station closest to you. If you're in the South Seas, you might
try Channel 1602 to AT&T coast station in California. If
you're in the Caribbean, try AT&T coast station in Florida
on Channel 403. And if you're sailing to Spain, you might
to try AT&T coast station New Jersey on 1203. Otherwise
use the WLO Frequencies listed below.

WLO ITU CHANNELS

Channel Number RX Frequency TX Frequency
405 ..................................... 4369.0 ......................... 4077.0
414 ..................................... 4396.0 ......................... 4104.0
419 ..................................... 4411.0 ......................... 4119.0
607 ..................................... 6519.0 ......................... 6218.0
824 ..................................... 8788.0 ......................... 8264.0
WLO ITU Channels continued on page 62

page 61
 WLO ITU CHANNELS
Channel Number RX Frequency TX Frequency
829 ..................................... 8803.0 ......................... 8279.0
830 ..................................... 8806.0 ......................... 8282.0
1212 ................................. 13110.0 ....................... 12263.0
1225 ................................. 13149.0 ....................... 12302.0
1226 ................................. 13152.0 ....................... 12305.0
1607 ................................. 17260.0 ....................... 16378.0
1641 ................................. 17362.0 ......................... 1648.0
1647 ................................. 17380.0 ....................... 16498.0
2237 ................................. 22804.0 ....................... 22108.0

Contact Rene Stiegler of WLO radio for information and

frequency information packs. PH:(334)665-5110,
FX:(334)666-8339, or [email protected] or [email protected]

Try tuning these channels in now and listen to the ship-to-shore traffic.
You will hear only the shore side of the conversation because the ships
are transmitting duplex. Phone calls cost under $5 a minute, with no
land-line charges. There is a 3-minute minimum, so once you start
gabbing, go for 3 minutes and make it a $15 bill. If you get an
answering machine, tell the operator to cancel the call, and you pay
nothing. Radio checks with AT&T are free. Calling the Coast Guard
through AT&T is also free. What? Calling the Coast Guard through
the high seas marine telephone service? Why?

COAST GUARD CHANNELS

2182 kHz - Distress 424 Working, Weather, AMVER
Channel 601 Working, Weather, AMVER

Channel 816 Working, Weather, AMVER

Channel 1205 Working, Weather, AMVER

Channel 625 Working, Weather, AMVER

page 62
These are United States Coast Guard weather, AMVER, and working
channels and are not necessarily monitored 24 hours a day for a
distress call. These are the channels where you will hear automated
Coast Guard weather. It is digital speech synthesized, and will sound
like someone sitting on a fish hook.

If you need the Coast Guard anywhere in the world, call on the high
seas marine operator duplex channels. I guarantee they are listening
because they're looking to make money on an incoming phone call.
They won't make money on a Coast Guard call because they'll patch
you through free. But once your situation is stabilized, the Coast Guard
will ask you to switch over to one of their working channels. Suggest a
channel near the MHz band you are presently going through the
marine operator on. Just look at your radio dial—if it's reading 1201,
then you are on the 12 MHz band. You would suggest to the Coast
Guard you can work them on ITU Channel 1205. Switch over, and you
will hear their friendly voice.

Did You Know?

The Coast Guard tracks commercial shipping all over the
world on a computer in New York—and if you need help
or evacuation anywhere out on the sea they can probably
find someone within 300 miles of you and request them to
divert and lend assistance. This is part of the Coast Guard's
AMVER program.

Ship-to-Ship
Here is where SSB radio manufacturers have split from the normal
channeling scheme. Here are the channel designators that SHOULD
come up on your marine SSB for ship to-ship safety and routine calls:

page 63
 CHANNEL DESIGNATORS
CHANNEL FREQUENCY USE AND DESIGNATOR
4-0 4125 kHz Safety, "4S"
4-1 4146 kHz Ship-to-Ship, "4A"
4-2 4149 kHz Ship-to-Ship, "4B"
4-3 4417 kHz Ship-to-Ship, "4C"
6-0 6125 kHz Safety, "6S"
6-1 6224 kHz Ship-to-Ship, "6A"
6-2 6227 kHz Ship-to-Ship, "6B"
6-3 6230 kHz Ship-to-Ship, "6C"
6-4 6516 kHz Ship-to-Ship, "6C"
8-0 8291 kHz Safety, "8S"
8-1 8294 kHz Ship-to-Ship, "8A"
8-2 8297 kHz Ship-to-Ship, "8B"
12-0 12.290 kHz Safety, "12S"
12-1 12.353 kHz Ship-to-Ship, "12A"
12-2 12.356 kHz Ship-to-Ship, "12B"
12-3 12.359 kHz Ship-to-Ship, "12C"
12-4 12.362 kHz Ship-to-Ship, "12C"
12-5 12.356 kHz Ship-to-Ship, "12E"
16-0 16.420 kHz Safety, "16S"
16-1 16.528 kHz Ship-to-Ship, "16A"
16-2 16.528 kHz Ship-to-Ship, "16B"
16-3 16.534 kHz Ship-to-Ship, "16C"
22-8 22.159 kHz Ship-to-Ship, "22A"
22-9 22.162 kHz Ship-to-Ship, "22B"
22-0 22.165 kHz Ship-to-Ship, "22C"
22-4 22.168 kHz Ship-to-Ship, "22C"
22-5 22.171 kHz Ship-to-Ship, "22E"

page 64
 TIP!
Not all marine SSB transceivers list these ship-to-ship
channels by the ITU duplex number. Most ICOM marine
SSB transceivers list ship-to-ship simplex frequencies by
the megahertz band, a hyphen, and numbers 1 through 9.
Sometimes the number l and 2 correspond with ship-to-
ship A and B channels, yet other times they number up
from the safety channel so A now becomes "-2." But not to
worry, just double check the frequency with the ship-to-
ship channels and frequencies I have just listed, and go
with the frequency.

The safety channels are restricted to navigation. Safety, and weather

information, similar to what takes place on marine VHF channel 6. No
gabbing on the marine SSB safety channels. The marine ship-to ship
channels may also be used by private coast stations so you can talk
from ship to shore and bypass the marine operator. Towing and
salvage companies, plus marine stores regularly conduct business on
ship-to-ship channels 4A, 8A, and 12A. Now go back to the list and
double check the frequencies:

4A = 4146 kHz
8A = 8294 kHz
12A = 12,353 kHz

Find these channels on your own SSB radio, and verify the channel
number agreeing with the actual ship-to-ship/ship-private coast shore
frequency.

If you're cruising, the Federal Communications Commission offers ad-

ditional 4 MHz and 8 MHz channels for ship-to-ship communications.
This will relieve all of the congestion now found on popular channels
4A, 4B, 8A and 8B. At last—"secret" ship-to-ship SSB
frequencies that are perfectly legal under FCC Rule 80.374 (b) (c).

page 65
 "SECRET" SHIP-TO-SHIP FREQUENCIES
4 MHz SHIP-TO-SHIP 8 MHz SHIP-TO-SHIP
FREQUENCIES FREQUENCIES
4000 8101
4003 8104
4006 8107
4009 8110
4012 8116
4015 8119
4018 8122
4021 8125
4024 8131
4027 8134
4030 8137
4033 8140
4036 8143
4039 8146
4042 8149
4045 8152
4048 8155
4051 8158
4054 8161
4057 8164
8157
8170
8173
8176
8179
8182
8185
8188
8191

page 66
The FCC Rules state, "These frequencies are shared with fixed
services, and marine ship-to-ship operation must not cause harmful
interference to those other services." In other words, if you and a
cruising buddy land on a frequency and overhear shore traffic
complaining about your ship-to-ship communications, switch off that
channel in the table above.

Shore stations will continue to monitor their regular frequencies on 4

and 8 Alpha and Bravo frequencies, no charge. But mariners wishing
to intercommunicate ship-to-ship on 4 MHz and 8 MHz may now switch
to these new, very quiet SSB channels in full compliance with FCC
rules. In fact, 4030 MHz is fast becoming the Baja "intercom" channel
for mariners with SSB transceivers.

In the Caribbean to Panama canal, try 4054. Hams in the canal, listen
7083 to 7085 lower sideband.

HOT WEATHER FACSIMILE CHANNELS

ALL UPPER SIDEBAND:
Pacific Coast 8680.1 kHz
Pacific Coast/Long-Range 12,728.1 kHz
Hawaii 11,088.1 kHz
Pacific/Hawaii 16,133.1 kHz
Hawaii 9980.6 kHz
New Gulf Frequencies 4316, 8502, 12,788 kHz
Boston 6340.5 kHz
Atlantic 10,863.2, 12,748.1, 8078.1, 15,957 kHz

page 67
 TIP!
You might also memorize aeronautical East Coast and West
Coast tower channels 13,282 and 13,270 kHz. I would also
fill up one of those user-programmable memory channels
with 13,300 and 5547 kHz, both upper sideband, aeronau-
tical in-route frequencies. If you can’t raise the Coast
Guard in an emergency, squawk Mayday to an airliner!
It's been done before.

FCC rules prohibit a marine radio being shared with another radio
service. But if you are a voluntary equipped boat, you are not required
by law to have a marine radio onboard—so one day you consider it a
marine radio, and the next day you consider that marine radio a ham
radio. Trust me. It works, but only if the marine radio has capabilities
already unleashed as an amateur radio.

You could store the ham FREQUENCIES into any one of the 100 or
more user-programmable marine channels on a modem ICOM marine
SSB radio. A sample:

3968 kHz, lower sideband, West Coast marine nets

7268 kHz, lower sideband, East Coast waterway net
7238 & 7294 kHz, lower sideband, morning West Coast nets
14.300 kHz, upper sideband, 24-hour ham maritime mobile nets
14.340 kHz, upper sideband, West Coast 11 :00 a.m. mañana net
14,313 kHz, upper sideband, Pacific evening maritime net
21,402 kHz, upper sideband, Pacific and South Pacific

You need an amateur license to talk on these frequencies, but you don't
need a license to listen and glean great weather information. In an emer-
gency, you can holler for help on these frequencies without any ques-
tions asked. But it better be a real life-and-death emergency. You know
how hams are. I'm one of them, too!

page 68
Finally, your SSB transceiver can be put into the AM double sideband
mode, and the time signals and shortwave broadcast frequencies memo-
rized to get up-to-date weather information the correct time, and the
latest news from BBC and Voice of America.

5, 10, 15 and 20 MHz time signals

5975 kHz AM shortwave
7435 kHz AM shortwave
9575 kHz AM shortwave
11, 835 kHz AM shortwave
13,760 kHz AM shortwave
15,120 kHz AM shortwave

Tune anywhere around these AM shortwave frequencies for plenty of

foreign and USA broadcasts.

Your best radio check is with the high seas marine operator. You must
call them for a minimum of 45 seconds in order for them to beam you
in with their massive antenna systems. A quick call will lead to no
contact. Make it a long call, giving your vessel name, official FCC call
sign or ship registration number, your position, the ITU channel you
are communicating over, and repeat the process over and over and over
and over again for 45 total seconds. Close talk the mic—push the plas-
tic right up against your lips. If you talk 6 inches away from the mic,
your power output will be zilch. SSB mic are all noise canceling, and
you must absolutely touch the mic to your lips to get a signal out on the
airwaves.

As you talk, you may notice your panel lights blinking, your anemom-
eter exceeding 100 knots, your electric head going into the masticate
mode, and various other pieces of marine electronics including autopi-
lots going nuts on transmit. This is perfectly normal. It means you're
putting out one walloping signal. You must live with it. There is no
simple cure.

page 69
 TIP!
Your radio check to the marine operator should finally
achieve success on one of their working channels. If one
megahertz band doesn't work, dial in another marine op-
erator in another part of the country, and give THEM a try.
Or tail in at the end of another ship contact when
the marine operator is ready to sign off. If you can hear the
marine operator well, they should pick you up as well.

One of the best radio checks is from the technician that installed the
marine SSB. Don't let them off the ship until they reach a marine
operator at least 1,000 miles away and get a good radio check on the
air. Accept no excuses. I have seen marine SSB installations that LOOK
good on a wattmeter, but over the air SOUND bad. An improperly
installed automatic antenna tuner cable rectifies the RF wave and brings
it back into the radio, scrambling your audio to sound like you are
talking underwater. You can't see it on a meter, but you'll sure know
you have this problem if absolutely nobody comes back to your
request for radio checks.

With more and more radiotelephone calls going satellite aboard ships,
be assured that the high seas marine SSB radiotelephone service is
looking for more activity out there on the airwaves, and the technicians
are eager to get you into their computers and will regularly run radio
checks with you to give you the confidence of knowing they can reach
out almost anywhere to take your incoming or outgoing phone call.
Radio checks are free.

page 70
 Did You Know?
The marine SSB radio manufacturers are delivering equip-
ment designed more for the radio guru than the active sailor
with things on the mind other than is 451 really 4-1 or is it
really 4-alpha? ICOM's M710 marine SSB has the capa-
bility of programming the screen to read out the channel
function in addition to just the channel number and fre-
quency. Great idea.

A marine SSB is a powerful communications device for worldwide

cruising and sailing. Know its capabilities, and know what the
channels can do for you. There is absolutely nowhere in the world that
you could cruise that you couldn't get back to a shore-side station on
marine SSB on one of the megahertz bands. EVERYWHERE there are
domestic and foreign shore-side stations ready to take your duplex chan-
nel activity. The modern marine SSB has all of these channels in
memory. Now you know where to go to make that ship-to-ship,
ship-to-shore, or emergency distress call.

page 71
 INTERNATIONAL VOICE
CHANNEL DESIGNATORS (4-16 MHZ)
Coast Ship Coast Ship Coast Ship
Channel Channel Channel
Tranmit Transmit Tranmit Transmit Tranmit Transmit
No. No. No.
(kHz) (kHz) (kHz) (kHz) (kHz) (kHz)

401 4065 4357 812 8228 8752 1230 12317 13164

402 4068 4360 813 8231 8755 1231 12320 13167
403 4071 4363 814 8234 8758 1232 12323 13170
404 4074 4366 815 8237 8761 1250 12290 Safety
405 4077 4369 816 8240 8765 1251 12353 Simplex
406 4080 4372 817 8243 8767 1252 12356 Simplex
407 4083 4375 818 8246 8770 1253 12359 Simplex
408 4086 4378 819 8249 8773 1601 16360 17242
409 4089 4381 820 8252 8776 1602 16363 17245
410 4092 4384 821 8255 8779 1603 16366 17248
411 4095 4387 822 8258 8782 1604 16369 17251
412 4098 4390 823 8261 8785 1605 16372 17254
413 4101 4393 824 8264 8788 1606 16375 17257
414 4104 4396 825 8267 8791 1607 16378 17260
415 4107 4399 826 8270 8794 1608 16381 17263
416 4110 4402 827 8273 8797 1609 16384 17266
417 4113 4405 828 8276 8800 1610 16387 17269
418 4116 4408 829 8279 8803 1611 16390 17272
419 4119 4411 830 8282 8806 1612 16393 17275
420 4122 4414 831 8285 8809 1613 16396 17278
421 4125 4417 832 8288 8812 1614 16399 17281
422 4128 4420 850 8291 Safety 1615 16402 17284
423 4131 4423 851 8294 Simplex 1616 16405 17287
424 4134 4426 852 8297 Simplex 1617 16408 17290
425 4137 4429 1201 12230 13077 1618 16411 17293
426 4140 4432 1202 12233 13080 1619 16414 17296
427 4143 4435 1203 12236 13083 1620 16417 17299
450 4125 Safety 1204 12239 13086 1621 16420 17302
451 4146 Simplex 1205 12242 13089 1622 16423 17305
452 4149 Simplex 1206 12245 13092 1623 16426 17308
453 4417 Simplex 1207 12248 13095 1624 16429 17311
601 6200 6501 1208 12251 13098 1625 16432 17314
602 6203 6504 1209 12254 13101 1626 16435 17317
603 6206 6507 1210 12257 13104 1627 16436 17320
604 6209 6510 1211 12260 13107 1628 16441 17323
605 3212 6513 1212 12263 13110 1629 16444 17326
606 6215 6516 1213 12266 13113 1630 16447 17329
650 6215 Safety 1214 12269 13116 1631 16450 17332
651 6224 Simplex 1215 12272 13119 1632 16453 17335
652 6227 Simplex 1216 12275 13122 1633 16456 17338
653 6230 Simplex 1217 12278 13125 1634 16459 17341
654 6516 Simplex 1218 12281 13128 1635 16462 17344
801 8195 8719 1219 12284 13131 1636 16465 17347
802 8198 8722 1220 12287 13134 1637 16468 17350
803 8201 8725 1221 12290 13137 1638 16471 17353
804 8204 8728 1222 12293 13140 1639 16474 17356
805 8207 8731 1223 12296 13143 1640 16477 17359
806 8210 8734 1224 12299 13146 1641 16480 17362

page 88
 INTERNATIONAL VOICE
CHANNEL DESIGNATORS (4-16 MHZ)
Coast Ship Coast Ship Coast Ship
Channel Channel Channel
Tranmit Transmit Tranmit Transmit Tranmit Transmit
No. No. No.
(kHz) (kHz) (kHz) (kHz) (kHz) (kHz)

807 8213 9737 1225 12302 13149 1650 16520 Safety

808 8216 8740 1226 12305 13152 1651 16528 Simplex
809 8219 8743 1227 12308 13155 1652 16531 Simplex
810 8222 8746 1228 12311 13158
811 8225 8749 1229 12314 13161
1801 19755 18780 2209 22024 22720 2232 22093 22789
1802 19758 18783 2210 22027 22723 2233 22096 22792
1803 19761 18786 2211 22030 22726 2234 22099 22795
1804 19764 18789 2212 22033 22729 2235 22102 22798
1805 19767 18792 2213 22036 22732 2236 22105 22801
1806 19770 18795 2214 22039 22735 2237 22108 22804
1807 19773 18798 2215 22042 22738 2238 22111 22807
1808 19776 18801 2216 22045 22741 2239 22114 22810
1809 19779 18804 2217 22048 22744 2240 22117 22813
1810 19782 18807 2218 22051 22747 2251 22159 Simplex
1811 19785 18810 2219 22054 22750 2252 22162 Simplex
1812 19788 18813 2220 22057 22753 2253 22165 Simplex
1813 19791 18816 2221 22060 22756 2254 22168 Simplex
1814 19794 18319 2222 22063 22759 2255 22171 Simplex
1815 19797 18822 2223 22066 22762 2501 26145 25070
2201 22000 22696 2224 22069 22765 2502 26148 25073
2202 22003 22699 2225 22072 22768 2503 26151 25076
2203 22006 22702 2226 22075 22771 2504 26154 25079
2204 22009 22705 2227 22078 22774 2505 26157 25082
2205 22012 22708 2228 22081 22777 2506 26160 25085
2206 22015 22711 2229 22084 22780 2507 26163 25088
2207 22018 22714 2230 22087 22793 2508 26166 25091
2208 22021 22717 2231 22090 22786

page 89
 MARITIME RADIOTELEPHONE
PUBLIC CORRESPONDENCE STATIONS
Country Station Name Call I.T.U. Channel #

ALBANIA Durres P.T. Radio ZAD 402, 805, 1206, 1639,

2226

ALGERIA Alder Radio 7TA 410, 413, 424, 426, 601,

603, 605, 802, 809, 813,
825, 1207, 1215, 1217,
1232, 1629, 1631, 1636,
1641, 2205, 2225, 2227,
2238

ARGENTINA Bahia Blanca Radio LPW 406, 421, 601, 818, 821
Corrientes Radio LPB 424, 810
General Pacheco Radio LPL 413, 421, 426, 603, 606,
802, 814, 821, 1220,
1221, 1601, 1621, 2204,
2221
Ushuaia Radio LPC 410, 812, 1230

AUSTRALIA Adelaide Radio VIA 419, 424, 603, 817, 1227

Brisbande Radio VIB 404, 415, 424, 603, 811,
1229
Broome Radio VIO 424, 603
Carnarvon Radio VIC 424, 603
Darwin Radio VID 415, 424, 603, 811, 815,
1227, 1229
Esperance Radio VIE 424, 603
Hobart Radio VIH 424, 603
Melbourne Radio VIM 404, 424, 603, 811, 1226
Perth Radio VIP 404, 424, 603, 811, 1226
Rockhampton Radio VIR 424, 603
Sydney Radio VIS 405, 417, 424, 603, 802,
829, 1206, 1231, 1602,
1610, 2203, 2223,
Thursday Island Radio VII 424, 603
Townsville Radio VIT 419, 424, 603, 817

AZORES Miguel Radio CUG 426, 813, 1207, 1615,

1632, 2207, 2222

BAHRAIN Bahrain Radio A9M 413, 806, 1209, 1618

page 72
 MARITIME RADIOTELEPHONE
PUBLIC CORRESPONDENCE STATIONS
Country Station Name Call I.T.U. Channel #
BANGLADESH Chittagong Radio S3D 402, 416, 421, 602, 806,
821, 1202, 1221, 1603,
2202
Khulna Radio S3E 418, 416, 421

BARBADOS Barbados Radio 8PO 407, 816, 825, 1213,

1640

BELGIUM Oostende Radio OSU 408, 411, 417, 421, 422,

425, 602, 606, 803, 805,
806, 812, 813, 815, 821,
829, 1207, 1213, 1215,
1218, 1219, 1221, 1609,
1613, 1621, 1625, 1627,
1630, 2209, 2214, 2219,
2221, 2225, 2239

BERMUDA Bermuda Radio VRT 410, 603, 817, 1220,

1618

BRAZIL Belem Radio PPL 404, 405, 419, 819, 821,

822, 830, 1228, 1633
Fortaleza Radio PPF 819, 821, 828
Ilheus Radio PPI 404, 405, 819, 821, 824
Itajai Radio PPC 404, 405, 819, 821, 822
Juncao Radio PPJ 404, 409, 419, 819, 821,
824, 828, 1228, 1617
Manaus Radio PPM 404, 405, 416, 819, 821,
830
Natal Radio PPN 404, 409, 819, 821, 830
Olinda Radio PPO 404, 405, 419, 821, 824,
828, 1211, 1606
Rio Radio PPR 404, 405, 409, 416, 419,
819, 821, 822, 828, 830,
1214, 1221, 1611, 1613,
1621, 2221, 2238
Salvador Radio PPA 404, 409, 416, 819, 821,
822
Santarem Radio PPT 404, 409, 819, 821, 824,
1209

page 73
 MARITIME RADIOTELEPHONE
PUBLIC CORRESPONDENCE STATIONS
Country Station Name Call I.T.U. Channel #
BRAZIL Santos Radio PPS 404, 409, 416, 819, 821,
(CONT'D) 824, 1219
S. Luis Radio PPB 404, 409, 819, 821, 824
Vitoria Radio PPV 404, 409, 416, 819, 821,
828

CANADA Cambridge Bay VFC 403

Coast Guard Radio
Coppermine VFU 403
Coast Gaurd Radio
Coral Harbor Coast VFU 407
Guard Radio
Frobisher Bay VFF 407, 603, 812, 1201,
Coast Guard Radio 1634
Goose Bay VFZ 408
Coast Guard Radio
Halifax VCS 413, 418, 605, 823, 1213,
Coast Guard Radio 1604
Inuvik VFA 403
Coast Guard Radio
Killinek VAW 407
Coast Gaurd Radio
Resolute VFR 407, 825
Coast Guard Radio
Vancouver VAI 410, 605, 807, 1207,
Coast Guard Radio 1608, 2220
Vancouver Radio CFW 418
(B.C. Tel.)

CAPE Praia de Dabo Verde D4D 418, 820, 1218, 1623

VERDE Radio
S. Vicente de Cabo D4A 418, 820, 1218, 1623
Verde Radio

CHILE Valparaiso Playa Ancha CBV 419, 421, 425, 601, 606,
Radiomaritima 807, 809, 815, 821, 1210,
1218, 1221, 1224, 1621,
1631, 1640, 2221, 2225,
2240

page 74
 MARITIME RADIOTELEPHONE
PUBLIC CORRESPONDENCE STATIONS
Country Station Name Call I.T.U. Channel #
COLOMBIA Barranquilla Radio HKB 406, 826, 1203, 1615
Buenaventura Radio HKC 406, 826, 1203, 1615

COOK Rarotonga Radio ZKR 821, 825

ISLAND

CUBA Havana Radio CLA 401, 418

Sntiago de Cuba Radio CLM 418, 809, 1217, 1626

CYPRUS Cyprus Radio 5BA 406, 141, 421, 426, 603,

606, 807, 818, 820, 821,
829, 1201, 1208, 1221,
1230, 1603, 1621, 1632,
2212, 2218, 2221

DENMARK Lyngby Radio OXZ 401, 403, 409, 415, 418,

420, 421, 424, 425, 426,
603, 605, 606, 801, 808,
811, 813, 818, 821, 823,
825, 827, 829, 1203,
1210, 1211, 1214, 1215,
1217, 1219, 1221, 1223,
1226, 1601, 1603, 1605,
1608, 1614, 1617, 1618,
1621, 1622, 1635, 1641,
2203, 2208, 2211, 2213,
2216, 2218, 2228, 2234,
2236

DJIBOUTI Djibouti Radio J2A 418, 827, 1210

EGYPT Alexandria Radio SUH 418, 605, 817, 1216,

1610, 2226

ETHIOPIA Assab Radio ETC 403, 605, 805

FIJI Suva Radio 3DP 406, 810

page 75
 MARITIME RADIOTELEPHONE
PUBLIC CORRESPONDENCE STATIONS
Country Station Name Call I.T.U. Channel #
COLOMBIA Barranquilla Radio HKB 406, 826, 1203, 1615
Buenaventura Radio HKC 406, 826, 1203, 1615

COOK Rarotonga Radio ZKR 821, 825

ISLAND

CUBA Havana Radio CLA 401, 418

Sntiago de Cuba Radio CLM 418, 809, 1217, 1626

CYPRUS Cyprus Radio 5BA 406, 141, 421, 426, 603,

606, 807, 818, 820, 821,
829, 1201, 1208, 1221,
1230, 1603, 1621, 1632,
2212, 2218, 2221

DENMARK Lyngby Radio OXZ 401, 403, 409, 415, 418,

420, 421, 424, 425, 426,
603, 605, 606, 801, 808,
811, 813, 818, 821, 823,
825, 827, 829, 1203,
1210, 1211, 1214, 1215,
1217, 1219, 1221, 1223,
1226, 1601, 1603, 1605,
1608, 1614, 1617, 1618,
1621, 1622, 1635, 1641,
2203, 2208, 2211, 2213,
2216, 2218, 2228, 2234,
2236

DJIBOUTI Djibouti Radio J2A 418, 827, 1210

EGYPT Alexandria Radio SUH 418, 605, 817, 1216,

1610, 2226

ETHIOPIA Assab Radio ETC 403, 605, 805

FIJI Suva Radio 3DP 406, 810

page 76
 MARITIME RADIOTELEPHONE
PUBLIC CORRESPONDENCE STATIONS
Country Station Name Call I.T.U. Channel #
FRANCE S. Lys Radio FFL 404, 405, 416, 419, 817,
825, 828, 830, 1222,
1226, 1229, 1231, 1604,
1619, 1628, 1633, 2204,
2226, 2231, 2235

FRENCH S. Paul et Amsterdam FJY 411, 825

SOUTHERN Radio
&
ANTARCTIC
LANDS

FINLAND Hanko Radio OFI 406, 413, 141, 417, 422

Helsinki Radio OHG 406, 413, 414, 417, 422,
802, 804, 805, 809, 829,
1206, 1209, 1213, 1216,
1224, 1227, 1230, 1606,
1611, 1614, 1615, 1623,
1636, 1638, 2204, 2210,
2214, 2222, 2231

GAMBIA Banjul Radio C5G 405, 829

GERMANY Norddeich Radio DAP 401, 824, 1205, 1610,

2217
Ruegen Radio Y5P 405, 407, 410, 419, 802,
809, 826, 831, 1202,
1204, 1206, 1232, 1619,
1629, 1633, 1640, 2220,
2224, 2226, 2230

GHANA Takoradi Radio 9GA 402, 601, 823, 1202,

1616, 2213
Tema Radio 9GX 409, 602, 825, 1224,
1622, 2215

GIBRALTAR Gilbraltar Naval Radio GYU 401, 404, 602, 807, 1212,
1611, 2212

page 77
 MARITIME RADIOTELEPHONE
PUBLIC CORRESPONDENCE STATIONS
Country Station Name Call I.T.U. Channel #
GREECE Athinai Radio SVN 413, 415, 424, 425, 603,
802, 806, 808, 809, 814,
819, 820, 823, 1204,
1207, 1212, 1220, 1232,
1607, 1609, 1625, 1626,
1627, 1629, 1640, 2217,
2219, 2224, 2231, 2235

GUINEA- Bissau Radio J5M 413, 426, 802, 813, 1203,

BISSAU 1615, 1635

HONG Cap D'Aguilar Radio 411, 417, 606

KONG (Hong Kong Radio)

ICELAND Hornafjoerdur Radio TFT 406, 414, 416, 419

Reykjavik Radio TFA 406, 414, 416, 419, 601,
603, 805, 807, 809, 831,
1206, 1208, 1215, 1220,
1606, 1615, 1625, 1630,
2225, 2226
Siglufjoerdur Radio TFX 406, 414, 416, 419

INDONESIA Amboina Radio PKE 408, 826, 1210

Banjarmasin Radio PKG 411, 602, 816
Belawan Radio PKB 810, 1205
Bitung Radio PKM 418, 830, 1209
Dumia Radio PKP 401, 816, 1209
Jakarta Radio PKI 812, 1210, 1610, 2234
Kupang Radio PKK 604
Makassar Radio PKF 414, 828, 1201
Palembang Radio PKC 414, 830
Sabang Radio PKA 411, 826
Semarang Radio PKR 422, 604, 828
Sorong Radio PKY 422, 601, 828
Surabaya Radio PKD 408, 826, 1212
Telukbayur Radio PKP 605

IRAN Abadan Radio EQA 407, 604, 1605

Abbas Radio EQI 416, 604, 805, 1616,
2235

page 78
 MARITIME RADIOTELEPHONE
PUBLIC CORRESPONDENCE STATIONS
Country Station Name Call I.T.U. Channel #
IRAN Bushire Radio EQM 405, 604, 810, 1629,
(Cont'd) 2203
Khark Radio EQQ 410, 604, 1220
Khoramshahr Radio EQK 408, 604, 824, 1625,
2205
Lavan Radio EQR 420, 604
Nowshahr Radio EQO 411, 604, 817
Shahpoor Radio EQN 402, 604, 829, 1231,
2233

ISRAEL Haifa Radio 4XO 404, 410, 418, 423, 603,

604, 801, 805, 812, 821,
827, 1204, 1207, 1213,
1215, 1221, 1609, 1613,
1617, 1628, 2204, 2207,
2217

ITALY Genova P.T. Radio ICB 408, 409, 806, 823, 1205,
1211, 1608, 1614, 2216
Roma P.T. Radio IAR 402, 412, 420, 423, 602,
604, 814, 819, 820, 826,
831, 1206, 1209, 1213,
1218, 1230, 1603, 1606,
1616, 1624, 2202, 2211,
2223, 2237

IVORY Abidjan Reche Radio 404, 602, 806, 1212

COAST Abidjan Radio TUA 419, 603, 822, 1205,
1634, 2225

JAMAICA Kingston Jamaica Radio 6YI 405, 416, 605, 812, 1224

JAPAN Tokyo Radio JBO 407, 425, 426, 810, 812,

820, 1207, 1212, 1218,
1604, 1609, 1632, 2227,
2236, 2240

KENYA Mombasa Radio 5ZF 414, 822

page 79
 MARITIME RADIOTELEPHONE
PUBLIC CORRESPONDENCE STATIONS
Country Station Name Call I.T.U. Channel #
KIRIBATI Tarawa Radio T3T 411, 814
(Republic of)

KOREA Seoul Radio HLS 401, 419, 602, 605, 803,

827, 1213, 1229, 1634,
1637, 2209, 2222

LEBANON Beyrouth Radio ODR 426, 828, 1216

MADAGASCAR Antalaha Radio 402
Diego-Suarez Radio 5RL 415
Fort-Dauphin Radio 5RD 406
Maintirano Radio 415
Majunga Radio 5RO 415
Manakara-Sud Radio 402
Manajary Radio 415
Morondava Radio 406
Nossi-Be Radio 5RN 406
Tamatave Radio 5RS 406, 604, 605, 807, 831,
1206, 1225, 1637, 2240

MADEIRA Madeira Radio CUB 413, 426, 802, 813, 1203,

1207, 1615, 1632, 2207,
2222
MARTINIQUE Fort de France Radio FFP 404, 424, 825, 828
(French Dept. of)

MEXICO Acapulco, XFA 403, 408, 421, 603, 604,

Guerrero Radio 606, 809, 821, 826, 1209,
1221, 1222, 1604, 1614,
1621, 2221, 2225, 2234
Chetumai, XFP 404, 401, 421, 601, 604,
Quintana Roo Radio 606, 817, 821, 829, 1209,
1221, 1222, 1604, 1614,
1621, 2221, 2225, 2238
Ciudad del Carmen XFD 404, 413, 421, 606, 809,
Campeche Radio 821, 826, 1209, 1221,
1222, 1604, 1614, 1621,
2221, 2225, 2234

page 80
 MARITIME RADIOTELEPHONE
PUBLIC CORRESPONDENCE STATIONS
Country Station Name Call I.T.U. Channel #
MEXICO Coatzacoalcos, XFF 404, 413, 421, 603, 604,
(Cont'd) Veracruz Radio 606, 817, 821, 829, 1221,
1222, 1225, 1604, 1614,
1621, 2221, 2234, 2238
Cozumel, XFC 403, 408, 421, 603, 604,
Quintana Roo Radio 606, 809, 821, 826, 1209,
1221, 1225, 1604, 1614,
1621, 2221, 2225, 2234
Ensendada, XFE 403, 413, 421, 603, 604,
Baja California Radio 606, 809, 821, 826, 1209,
1221, 1222, 1604, 1614,
1621, 2221, 2225, 2234
Guaymas, Sonora Radio XFY 404, 413, 421, 606, 817,
821, 829, 1209, 1221,
1225, 1604, 1614, 1621,
2221, 2225, 2238
La Pax, Baja California XFK 404, 413, 421, 603, 604,
Radio 606, 817, 821, 829, 1221,
1222, 1225, 1604, 1621,
2221, 2234, 2238
Manzanillo, XFM 404, 413, 421, 601, 603,
Comima Radio 606, 817, 821, 829, 1209,
1221, 1222, 1604, 1614,
1621, 2221, 2225, 2234
Mazatlan, XFL 403, 408, 601, 604, 606,
Sinaloa Radio 809, 821, 826, 1209,
1221, 1225, 1604, 1621,
2221, 2225, 2238
Progreso, XFN 404, 413, 421, 601, 603,
Yucatan Radio 606, 817, 821, 829, 1221,
1222, 1225, 1614, 1617,
1621, 2221, 2234, 2238
Salina Cruz, XFQ 404, 413, 421, 601, 604,
Oaxaca Radio 606, 817, 821, 829, 1221,
1222, 1225, 1604, 1621,
2221, 2234, 2238

page 81
 MARITIME RADIOTELEPHONE
PUBLIC CORRESPONDENCE STATIONS
Country Station Name Call I.T.U. Channel #
MEXICO Tampico, XFS 404, 413, 421, 601, 604,
(Cont'd) Tamaulipas Radio 606, 817, 821, 829, 1221,
1222, 1225, 1604, 1614,
1621, 2221, 2225, 2238
Veracruz, XFU 404, 413, 421, 601, 604,
Veracruz Radio 606, 817, 821, 829, 1209,
1221, 1222, 1604, 1621,
2221, 2234, 2238
MONACO Monaco Radio 3AC 403, 413, 421, 602, 804,
809, 821, 1221, 1224,
1607, 1621, 2219, 2221
MOROCCO Casablanca Radio CNP 828, 1223, 1638
NAURU Nauru Radio C2N 817
NETHERLANDS Curacao Radio PJC 408, 803, 1207, 1607
ANTILES

NETHERLANDS Scheveningen Radio PCG 405, 407, 410, 419, 421,

602, 606, 805, 806, 821,
826, 1207, 1213, 1219,
1221, 1621, 1621, 1623,
1636, 1639, 2205, 2221,
2232
NEW Noumea Radio RJP 404, 805, 1205
CALEDONIA
&
Dependencies

NEW Awarua Radio ZLB 421

ZEALAND Wellington Radio ZLW 408, 421, 601, 807, 1209,
1606, 2213
NORWAY Rogaland Radio LGN 401, 403, 407, 409, 415,
418, 420, 421, 424, 425,
426, 603, 605, 606

page 82
 MARITIME RADIOTELEPHONE
PUBLIC CORRESPONDENCE STATIONS
Country Station Name Call I.T.U. Channel #
NORWAY LFL 801, 803, 808, 809, 810,
(Cont'd) 811, 813, 818, 821, 823,
825, 827, 828, 829, 1203,
1204, 1205, 1210, 1211,
1213, 1214, 1217, 1218,
1219, 1221, 1222, 1223,
1225, 1226, 1228, 1231
LFN 1601, 1603, 1604, 1605,
1607, 1608, 1610, 1613,
1614, 1617, 1618, 1619,
1620, 1621, 1622, 1627,
1629, 1635, 1641, 2202,
2203, 2208, 2211, 2213,
2215, 2216, 2218, 2221,
2228, 2230, 2233, 2234,
2236, 2237, 2239, 2240
PAPUA NEW Port Moresby Radio P2M 409, 417, 604, 805
GUINEA Rabaul Radio P2R 409, 417, 604, 805, 1225
PHILIPPINES Bacoor Radio DZI 409, 605, 817, 1220,
1605
Bulacan Radio DZJ 418, 603, 814, 1201, 1605
409, 605, 820, 1220,
Bulacan Radio DZO 1605, 825
825
Cebu Radio DYP 412, 820
Iloilo Radio DYV 418, 603, 808, 1201,
Manila Radio DZZ 1605
POLAND Gdynia Radio SPF 402, 804, 1209, 1633,
2206
SPD 406, 824, 1229, 1631,
2232
SPC 423, 602, 812, 1216,
1607, 2215
SPG 806, 1231, 2209
Szczecin Radio SPR 404, 830, 1227, 1638
SPO 408, 604, 810, 1220,
1625, 2219

page 83
 MARITIME RADIOTELEPHONE
PUBLIC CORRESPONDENCE STATIONS
Country Station Name Call I.T.U. Channel #
FRENCH Mahina Radio FJA 416, 829, 1605
POLYNESIA

PORTUGAL Lisboa Radio CUL 413, 602, 802, 1203,

1615, 1632, 2207, 2222
POLAND Gdynia Radio SPF 402, 804, 1209, 1633,
2206
SPD 406, 824, 1229, 1631,
2232
SPC 423, 602, 812, 1216,
1607, 2215
SPG 806, 1231, 2209
Szczecin Radio SPR 404, 830, 1227, 1638
SPO 408, 604, 810, 1220,
1625, 2219
PUERTO RICO Q.P.P.A. Radio A7S 423, 804, 1229, 1626,
2235
REUNION S. Denis Reunion FFD 404, 418, 819, 824
(French Dept. of)

SAMOA Pago Pago Radio KUQ 408, 806, 1232, 1638

(American)

SAMOA Apia Radio 5WA 603, 820, 1213, 1624,

(Western) 2219
SAUDI Dammam Radio HZG 406, 409, 421, 601, 603,
ARABIA 606, 808, 811, 821, 1202,
1221, 1223, 1602, 1609,
1621, 2221, 2222, 2231
SENEGAL Dakar Radio 6VA 404, 803, 1212, 1629,
2220
SEYCHELLES Seychelles Radio S7Q 410, 818, 1215, 1601
(Republic of)

S. HELENA S. Helena Radio ZHH 414, 807, 1217

page 84
 MARITIME RADIOTELEPHONE
PUBLIC CORRESPONDENCE STATIONS
Country Station Name Call I.T.U. Channel #
SINGAPORE Singapore Radio 9VG 405, 407, 602, 606, 804,
815, 821, 824, 1216,
1219, 1221, 1613, 1621,
1641, 2212, 2221
SOLOMON Honiara Radio VQJ 830
ISLANDS

SOUTH Cape Town Radio ZSC 405, 421, 821, 1209,

AFRICA 1608, 2204
Durban Radio ZSD 407, 421, 602, 808, 821,
1221, 1224, 1633, 2206
SPAIN Pozuelo del Rey Radio EHY 406, 407, 409, 411, 416,
601, 604, 803, 804, 810,
816, 818, 1201, 1208,
1210, 1225, 1227, 1620,
1630, 1634, 1637, 1639,
2201, 2224, 2226, 2229,
2234
SWEDEN Goteborg Radio SAG, 401, 403, 409, 418, 420,
SAB 424, 603, 605, 801, 803,
808, 811, 818, 825, 827,
829, 1203, 1210, 1211,
1214, 1215, 1217, 1219,
1223, 1226, 1601, 1603,
1605, 1608, 1614, 1617,
1618, 1622, 1635, 1641,
2203, 2208, 2211, 2213,
2218, 2228, 2230, 2234
Harnosand Radio SAH 401, 420, 424
SWITZERLAND Bern Radio HEB 408, 424, 822, 824, 831,
1202, 1227, 1230, 1611,
1615, 1631, 2214, 2220,
2232
TOGO Lome Radio 5VA 403

page 85
 MARITIME RADIOTELEPHONE
PUBLIC CORRESPONDENCE STATIONS
Country Station Name Call I.T.U. Channel #
TURKEY Antalya Radio TAM 409, 1620
Canakkale Radio TAM 407, 810, 1226
Iskenderun Radio TAM 420
Istanbul Radio TAN 417, 811, 831, 1218,
1608, 2230
Izmir Radio TAN 401, 602, 1618
Mersin Radio TAM 803, 1206, 1216, 1611,
2213, 2214
Samsun Radio TAN 420, 1606
Trabzon Radio TAO 401, 602
Zonguldak Radio TAN 411, 1222
TUVALU Funafuti Island Radio 814, 1207, 1608
UNITED Portishead Radio GKT 402, 406, 410, 802, 1201,
KINGDOM 1202, 1206, 1602, 1606,
2206
GKV 426, 822, 826, 1224,
1228, 1230, 1623, 2227,
2229
GKU 816, 819, 1611, 1615,
1618, 2212, 2220
GKW 831, 1232, 1632, 1637,
1640
RUSSIA Arkhangelsk Radio 401, 823, 1209, 1626
Astrakhan Radio 405, 804
Baku Radio 405, 807
Jdanov, Donetskoi Radio 413, 1641
Kholmsk Radio 1626, 2213
Klaipeda Radio 405, 1205, 1601
Leningrad Radio 414, 807, 1204, 1605,
2213
Moskva Radio 1201, 1606, 2207
Murmansk Radio 402, 824
Nakhodka, 1613
Primorskogo Radio
Novorossiisk, 405, 815, 1209, 1601,
Krasnodarskogo Radio 2231

page 86
 MARITIME RADIOTELEPHONE
PUBLIC CORRESPONDENCE STATIONS
Country Station Name Call I.T.U. Channel #
RUSSIA Odessa Radio 1205, 1623, 2202, 2218
(Cont'd) Riga Radio 401, 1205, 1630
Vladivostok Radio 401, 603, 805, 1201,
1607, 2202
UNITED Mobile, Alambama Radio WLO 405, 414, 419, 607,
STATES 824, 829, 830, 1212,
1225, 1226, 1607, 1632,
Point Reyes, California KMI* 1641, 2227, 2231, 2237
Radio 401, 416, 417, 804, 809,
822, 1201, 1202, 1203,
1229, 1602, 1603, 1624,
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida WOM* 2214, 2223, 2228, 2236
Radio 403, 412, 417, 423, 802,
805, 810, 814, 825, 831,
1206, 1208, 1209, 1215,
1223, 1230, 1601, 1609,
1610, 1611, 1616, 2215,
Manahawkin, New Jersey WOO* 2216, 2222
Radio 410, 411, 416, 422, 808,
811, 815, 826, 1203,
1210, 1211, 1228, 1605,
1620, 1626, 1631, 2201,
2205, 2210, 2236

Rijeka Radio YUR 408, 419, 602, 605, 810,

830, 1224, 1229, 1611,
1627, 2204, 2206, 2239

* Limited services after 2/28/2000

page 87
 SSB MARINE CHANNELS
Ship-to-ship and ship-to-coast shore station SSB marine channels, along
with their channel designators. Safety channels are identified with a designator "S".
Regualr ship-to-ship channels are designated "A" through "E".

Frequency Chnl Designator Application

SAFETY ONLY

2182 Marine, international distress & calling

Coast Gaurd short-range
4125 4S short-range safety
6215 6S short-range safety
8291 8S medium-range safety
12,290 12S long-range safety
16,420 16S very long-range safety

SHORT-RANGE SHIP-TO-SHIP CHANNELS

2065 nights, short-range

2079 nights, short-range
2096.5 nights, short-range
3023 search and rescue
4146 4A short-range
4149 4B short-range
4417 4C daytime short-range
6224 6A medium-range
6227 6B medium-range
6230 6C medium-range
8294 8A long-range
8297 8B long-range
12,353 12A long-range
12,356 12B long-range
12,359 12C long-range

VERY LONG-RANGE SHIP-TO-SHIP CHANNELS

16,528 16A very long-range days

16,531 16B long-range
16,534 16C very long-range
18,840 18A quiet channel, long-range
18,843 18B quiet channel, very long-range
22,159 22A extremely long-range
22,162 22B extremely long-range
22,165 22C extremely long-range
22,168 22D extremely long-range

page 90
 WEATHER FAX
Country Call Signs Frequencies Times
CAIRO, EGYPT SUU29 11015 kHz 1900-0700
SUU33 15664 kHz #
SUU45 17635 kHz 0700-1900
NAIROBI, KENYA 5YE1 9043 kHz Continuous
5YE2 12315 kHz Continuous
5YE8 15525 kHz Continuous
5YE6 16315 kHz Continuous
5YE3 17365 kHz Continuous
5YE7 15525 kHz Continuous
SAINT DENIS/ FZR81 8176 kHz 24 hrs.
CHAUDRON,REUNION FZS63 16335 kHz 24 hrs.
DAKAR, SENEGAL 6VU73 13667.5 kHz Continuous
6VU79 19750 kHz Continuous
PRETORIA, ZRO5 4014 kHz 1530-0400
SOUTH AFRICA ZRO2 7508 kHz Continuous
ZRO3 13538 kHz Continuous
ZRO4 18238 kHz Continuous

ASIA
BEIGING (PEKING), BAF6 5525 kHz
CHINA BAF36 8120 kHz
BAF4 10115 kHz
BAF8 14365 kHz
BAF9 16025 kHz
BAF33 18235 kHz
SHANGHAI, CHINA BDF 3241 kHz
5100 kHz
7420 kHz
11420 kHz
18940 kHz
NEW DELHI, INDIA ATA55 4993.5 kHz 1430-0230
ATP57 7403 kHz Continuous
ATV65 14842 kHz Continuous
ATU38 18227 kHz 0230-1430

page 91
 WEATHER FAX
Country Call Signs Frequencies Times
TOKYO 1, JAPAN JMH 3622.5 kHz Continuous
JMH2 7305 kHz Continuous
JMH3 9970 kHz Continuous
JMH4 13597 kHz Continuous
JMH5 18220 kHz Continuous
JMH6 23522.9 kHz Continuous
TOKYO 2, JAPAN JMJ 3365 kHz Continuous
JMJ2 5405 kHz Continuous
JMJ3 9438 kHz Continuous
JMJ4 14692.5 kHz Continuous
JMJ5 18441.2 kHz Continuous
TAIPEI, BMF 4616 kHz
REPUBLIC OF CHINA 5250 kHz
8140 kHz
13900 kHz
SEOUL, HLL8 5857.5 kHz Continuous
REPUBLIC OF KOREA

BANGKOK, HSW64 7395 kHz

THAILAND HSW61 17520 kHz
KHABAROVSK, RXB72 4516.7 kHz Continuous
RUSSIA RXB75 7475 kHz Continuous
RXO70 9230 kHz Continuous
RXO72 14737 kHz Continuous
RXO74 19275 kHz Continuous
NOVOSIBIRSK 1, ROF73 4445 kHz Continuous
RUSSIA RYO79 5765 kHz Continuous
RTB26 9220 kHz Continuous
RYO76 12320 kHz Continuous
NOVOSIBIRSK 2, 3675 kHz Continuous
RUSSIA 4475 kHz 1425-0245
RCU73 9060 kHz Continuous
RCU79 12230 kHz 0350-1325
TIKSI BUKHTA, 227 kHz
RUSSIA

page 92
 WEATHER FAX
Country Call Signs Frequencies Times
TOKYO 1, JAPAN JMH 3622.5 kHz Continuous
JMH2 7305 kHz Continuous
JMH3 9970 kHz Continuous
JMH4 13597 kHz Continuous
JMH5 18220 kHz Continuous
JMH6 23522.9 kHz Continuous
TASHKENT 1, RBV70 3690 kHz 1300-0130
UZBEKISTAN RPJ78 4365 kHz Continuous
RBV78 5890 kHz Continuous
RBX72 7570 kHz 0130-1300
RCH72 9340 kHz Continuous
RBV76 14982.5 kHz Continuous
TASHKENT 2, RBX70 3280 kHz Continuous
UZBEKISTAN 5090 kHz Continuous
RBX71 5285 kHz Continuous
RCH73 9150 kHz Continuous

SOUTH AMERICA
BEUNOS AIRES, LRO69 5185 kHz Continuous
ARGENTINA LRB72 10720 kHz Continuous
LRO84 18053 kHz Continuous
OLINDA/ PPO 8294 kHz 0745/1745
RIO DE JANEIRO, PWZ-33 12660 kHz 0745/1745
BRAZIL PWZ-33 17140 kHz 0745/1745
SANTIAGO, CHILE CCS 4766 kHz Continuous
6418 kHz Night
8594 kHz Continuous
13525 kHz Day
22071 kHz Continuous

NORTH AMERICA
ESQUIMALT, BRITISH CKN 2752.1 kHz Continuous
COLUMBIA, CANADA 4266.1 kHz Continuous
6454.1 kHz Continuous
12751.1 kHz Continuous

page 93
 WEATHER FAX
Country Call Signs Frequencies Times
HALIFAX, NOVA CFN 122.5 kHz Continuous
SCOTIA, CANADA 4271 kHz Continuous
6496.4 kHz Continuous
10536 kHz Continuous
13510 kHz Continuous
IQALUIT, N.W.T., VFF 3251.1 kHz 1 July - 15 Oct.
CANADA VFF 7708.1 kHz 1 July - 15 Oct.
RESOLUTE, N.W.T., VFR 3251.1 kHz 1 July - 15 Oct.
CANADA VFR 7708.1 kHz 1 July - 15 Oct.

NEW ORLEANS, NMG 8503.9 kHz Various

LOUISIANA 4317.9 kHz Various
ELENDORF AFB, 2280 kHz
ALASKA, U.S.A. 3394 kHz 1200-2400
5095 kHz 0000-1200
7398 kHz 1200-2400
10665 kHz 0000-1200
15805 kHz
19332 kHz
KODIAK, ALASKA, NOJ 4298 kHz
U.S.A. 8459 kHz
POINT REYES, NMC 4346 kHz
CALIFORNIA, U.S.A. 8682 kHz
12730 kHz
17151.2 kHz
22528 kHz
BOSTON, NIK 6340.5 kHz 1600 & 1840
MASSACHUSETTS, 12750 kHz 1600 & 1840
USA

MARSHFIELD, NMF 6340.5 kHz 1600 & 1840

MASSACHUSETTS, 12750 kHz 1600 & 1840
USA

ROGERS CITY, WLC 2195.5 kHz 0130-0430(2)

MICHIGAN, U.S.A. 5898.6 kHz 1030-2230(2)

page 94
 WEATHER FAX
Country Call Signs Frequencies Times
OFFUTT 3231 kHz
AFB/ELKHORN, 5096 kHz 0000-1200
NEBRASKA, U.S.A. 6904 kHz 0000-1200
10576 kHz 1200-2400
11120 kHz 1200-2400
15681 kHz
19325 kHz
NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, NAM 3357 kHz 0000-1200
U.S.A. 3820.5 kHz On Call
NAM 8080 kHz On Call
9318 kHz Continuous
9108.1 kHz
12748.1 kHz
NAM 10865 kHz 1200-0000
NAM 15959 kHz On Call
18486 kHz On Call
NAM 20015 kHz On Call

PACIFIC OCEAN BASIN

DARWIN, AUSTRALIA AXI32 5755 kHz 1110-2300
AXI33 7535 kHz 1110-2300
AXI34 10555 kHz 0000-2359
AXI35 15615 kHz 2300-1110
AXI37 18060 kHz 2300-1110
MELBOURNE, AXM31 2628 kHz Continuous
AUSTRALIA AXM32 5100 kHz Continuous
AXM34 11030 kHz Continuous
AXM35 13920 kHz Continuous
AXM37 20469 kHz Continuous
WELLINGTON, NEW ZKLF 5807 kHz Continuous
ZEALAND 9459 kHz Continuous
13550 kHz Continuous
16340.1 kHz Continuous

page 95
 WEATHER FAX
Country Call Signs Frequencies Times
QUAM 1, M.I. NPN 49657 kHz 0000-2359@
LSB
10255 kHz 0000-2359*
LSB/USB
12777 kHz 0000-2359@
USB
16029.6 kHz 0000-2359*
LSB
19860 kHz 0000-2359*
LSB/USB
22324.5 kHz 0000-2359@
LSB
@ Japan freq.
* Guam freq.

QUAM 2, M.I. NPN 5260 kHz 0000-2359*

USB
NKM 7580 kHz 1400-0159$
USB
NKM 12804 kHz 0000-2359$
USB
NKM 20300 kHz 0200-1359$
USB
NPN 23010 kHz 0000-2359*
LSB
$ Diego Garcia freq.
* Guam freq.

QUAM 3/ 4943 kHz

ANDERSON AFB, M.I. 6919 kHz
7708.5 kHz
13385 kHz
14397 kHz
17526 kHz
20380 kHz
HONOLULU, KVM70 9982.5 kHz Continuous
HAWAII, U.S.A. 11090 kHz Continuous
16135 kHz Continuous
23331.5 kHz Continuous

page 96
 WEATHER FAX
Country Call Signs Frequencies Times
PEARL HARBOR, NPM 4855 kHz 0600-1600*
HAWAII, U.S.A. LSB/ISB
6453 kHz Continuous&
USB/ISB
8494 kHz Continuous#
LSB
9090 kHz Continuous&
USB/ISB
21735 kHz 1600-0600*
LSB/ISB
* Pearl Harbor freq.
# ADAK, AK freq.
& Stockton, CA
freq.

EUROPE
PRAGUE, CZECH OLT21 111.8 kHz Continuous
REPUBLIC

SKAMLEBAEK, OXT(1) 5850 kHz 0030-1005

DENMARK 9360 kHz 0005-0025
1010-1215
1245-1305
1830-1850

13855 kHz 1220-1240

1310-1330
1805-1825
17510 kHz 1335-1355
HELSINKI, FINLAND OGH 2803 kHz 0840
OGH 2811.7 kHz 0840
OFB28 8018 kHz 0840
MARIEHAMM, OFH 1877.7 kHz 0840, 0990,
FINLAND 1300
HAMBURG/ DDH3 3855 kHz 0600-2300
PINNEBERG, DDK3 7880 kHz Continuous
GERMANY DDK6 13882.5 kHz Continuous

page 97
 WEATHER FAX
Country Call Signs Frequencies Times
OFFENBACH/ DCF54 134.2 kHz Continuous
MAIN-MAINFLINGEN 1,
GERMANY

OFFENBACH/ DCF37 117.4 kHz Continuous

MAIN-MAINFLINGEN 2,
GERMANY

ATHENS, GREECE SVJ4 8530 kHz

ROME, ITALY IMB51 4777.5 kHz Continuous
IMB55 8146.6 kHz Continuous
IMB56 13597.4 kHz Continuous
MADRID, SPAIN 3650 kHz
ECA7 6918.5 kHz
10250 kHz
ROTO, SPAIN AOK 4623 kHz 1800-0600
5856.4 kHz Continuous
9382.5 kHz Continuous
11485 kHz 0600-1800
ANKARA, TURKEY YMA20 3377 kHz 1610-0500
YMA20 6790 kHz 0500-1610
MOSCOW, RUSSIA RVO76 2815 kHz 1530-0510
RCI72 3875 kHz 1710-0510
RND77 5355 kHz Continuous
RAW78 7750 kHz Continuous
RKA73 10710 kHz Continuous
RDD79 10980 kHz Continuous
RBI77 15950 kHz 1510-1710
RIZ59 18710 kHz Unknown
MOSCOW 2, RUSSIA RTO 53.6 kHz Continuous
RVO73 5150 kHz Continuous
RAN77 6880 kHz Continuous
RCC76 7670 kHz Continuous
RKA78 10230 kHz Continuous
RWZ77 11525 kHz 0230-1805
RKU71 13470 kHz Continuous

page 98
 WEATHER FAX
Country Call Signs Frequencies Times
MOSCOW 3, RUSSIA RGC 144.5 kHz
RKB78 12165 kHz
MOSCOW 4, RUSSIA RWW79 4550 kHz
MURMANSK, RUSSIA RBW48 10130 kHz 0600-1900
ST. PETERSBURG, 7480 kHz 1900-2200
RUSSIA 13780 kHz 1900-2200
BRACKNELL, GFA 2618.5 kHz 1800-0600
UNITED KINGDOM GFA 4610 kHz Continuous
GFA 8040 kHz Continuous
GFA 14436 kHz Continuous
GFA 18261 kHz 0600-1800
CROUGHTON, 4755 kHz
UNITED KINGDOM 5235 kHz
5932 kHz
6827 kHz
6937 kHz
7596 kHz
7623 kHz
7930 kHz
9100 kHz
10385 kHz
10873 kHz
13537 kHz
13585 kHz
14397 kHz
14677 kHz
17526 kHz
20051 kHz
20095 kHz
23155 kHz
23195 kHz
25245 kHz
25480 kHz

page 99
 WEATHER FAX
Country Call Signs Frequencies Times
NORTHWOOD, GYA 2374 kHz Continuous
UNITED KINGDOM GYA 3652 kHz Continuous
GYA 4307 kHz Continuous
GYA 6446 kHz Continuous
GYA 8331.5 kHz Continuous
GYA 12844.56 kHz Continuous
GYA 16912 kHz Continuous

ANTARCTICA
CASEY, ANTARCTICA VLM 7468.1 kHz 1200-0300
VLM 11453.1 kHz 0300-1200

page 100