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Common Ground News

What frequencies do marine radios use?

Author

Penelope Carter

Updated on February 21, 2026

What frequencies do marine radios use?

It uses FM channels in the very high frequency (VHF) radio band in the frequency range between 156 and 174 MHz, inclusive. In the official language of the International Telecommunication Union the band is called the VHF maritime mobile band.

Just so, what frequency do marine radios use?

It uses FM channels in the very high frequency (VHF) radio band in the frequency range between 156 and 174 MHz, inclusive. In the official language of the International Telecommunication Union the band is called the VHF maritime mobile band.

Secondly, how far will a marine VHF radio transmit? Your VHF radio is intended mainly for short range communications, generally 5-10 miles, and at least 20 miles to a USCG station. To communicate at longer ranges, you will normally need a satellite telephone or an MF/HF marine radiotelephone.

Additionally, which radio is commonly used for high frequency communications?

VHF radio waves operate in a band between 30-300 megahertz, while UHF radio signals are propagated within 300 megahertz and 3 gigahertz.

What VHF channel should I use?

VHF Marine Radio ChannelsHowever, channel 16 on your VHF radio is probably the most important. Channel 16 is designated as the national distress, safety and calling frequency. All vessels should monitor this channel while underway.

Can you use a marine VHF radio on land?

That's illegal. Marine VHF radios, whether fixed or handheld, may not be used on land, period. It's the law. Once a VHF radio goes ashore, it cannot be used for marine band transmission (without a Coast Station License).

What marine radio channel should I use?

If you have a VHF marine radio, tune it to channel 16. Unless you know you are outside VHF range of shore and ships, call on channel 16 first. Distress signal “MAYDAY”, spoken three times.

Is Marine band AM or FM?

Generally, the Mode is AM in both Bands, although there is a growing trend for the Military to have FM systems in the 380 - 400 MHz segment. The original post was about FM in the VHF Marine Band, which is around 156 MHz.

What is a marine radio call sign?

Maritime call signs are call signs assigned as unique identifiers to ships and boats. All radio transmissions must be individually identified by the call sign. Merchant and naval vessels are assigned call signs by their national licensing authorities.

What are the VHF marine channels?

A Guide to VHF Radio Channels
  • The most important channel to know is Channel 16. This is the International Hailing and Distress Frequency.
  • Channels 1, 7A, 8, 10, 11, 18A, 19A, 63, 77, 79A, 80A and 88A.
  • Channels 1, 5, 12, 14, 20, 63, 65A, 66A, 73, 74 and 77.
  • Channel 6.
  • Channel 9.
  • Channel 13.
  • Channels 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 84, 85, 86 and 87.
  • Channel 22.

What is the VHF emergency frequency?

The frequencies are 121.5 MHz for civilian, also known as International Air Distress (IAD) or VHF Guard, and 243.0 MHz for military use, also known as Military Air Distress (MAD) or UHF Guard.

Can you listen to Marines online?

Listen to Maritime Radio online
You can listen to live online radio from Maritime Radio for free. Apps: we may also list official apps to help you tune in on Maritime Radio's page.

What are the GMRS frequencies?

Frequency Table
FrequencyFRS ChannelGMRS Bandwidth
462.5625 MHz120 kHz
462.5875 MHz220 kHz
462.6125 MHz320 kHz
462.6375 MHz420 kHz

What are high frequencies?

High frequency (HF) is the ITU designation for the range of radio frequency electromagnetic waves (radio waves) between 3 and 30 megahertz (MHz). It is also known as the decameter band or decameter wave as its wavelengths range from one to ten decameters (ten to one hundred metres).

What is the highest frequency?

Gamma rays have the highest energies, the shortest wavelengths, and the highest frequencies. Radio waves, on the other hand, have the lowest energies, longest wavelengths, and lowest frequencies of any type of EM radiation.

Which is better UHF or VHF?

In general, UHF radios are better for indoor use because their wavelengths are shorter and better able to penetrate through steel and concrete. VHF radio signals tend to degrade more than UHF signals indoors.

Does higher frequency mean higher pitch?

People can hear sounds that range from about 20 to about 17,000 hertz. The word that musicians use for frequency is pitch. The shorter the wavelength, the higher the frequency, and the higher the pitch, of the sound. In other words, short waves sound high; long waves sound low.

Is VHF analog or digital?

Both analog and digital radios send signals over a radio channel using a carrier frequency wave, in this case Very High Frequency (VHF) or Ultra High Frequency (UHF).

Does higher frequency mean louder sound?

Finding out about frequency
When a noise is made, it creates a vibration – the size of this vibration is called amplitude, and the speed of the vibration is called frequency. Larger vibrations means the sound is louder – called high amplitude – whereas high frequency refers to a higher pitch of sound.

Is higher or lower frequency better?

Higher energy means higher frequency. So lower frequency waves "penetrate" materials better, because photons with lower frequencies don't have enough energy and simply "pass through" without interacting with the matter.

What is TX frequency?

The frequency separation between the TX (transmit) and the RX (receive) is sometimes referred to as the split or repeater pair of frequencies. For example, on 2 meters the split is . 6 MHz (600 kHz). The TX can be the low frequency and the RX the high, or vice versa.

What is the difference between radio frequency and high frequency?

High frequency (HF) is the ITU designation for the range of radio frequency electromagnetic waves (radio waves) between 3 and 30 megahertz (MHz). Frequencies immediately below HF are denoted medium frequency (MF), while the next band of higher frequencies is known as the very high frequency (VHF) band.

How do you talk on a marine radio?

Turn radio to one-watt power setting, and key the microphone. Call "radio check" three times, followed by your boat name and location. Wait for a reply confirming someone has heard your transmission. For general communications, always use channel 16.

Do you need a Licence for VHF marine radio?

Marine radio licensing. You need a licence for a VHF on a boat and a different one for the operator. The vessel's licence is like a car tax disc, but it is also the key to obtaining an MMSI number, which will uniquely identify your vessel. You can obtain an application form for a ship's radio OFCOM.

What is the difference between a CB radio and a marine radio?

Most CB radios are clunky and big, and need to be mounted in a vehicle with an exceptionally long antenna for a better range (between 3 to 6 feet high). Unlike VHF radios, CB radios need large antennas, while VHFs are easily portable. There is a lot of radio signal interference in the 27 MHz band.

Are marine radios UHF or VHF?

VHF- Very High Frequency
Very high frequency is commonly used for FM radio broadcast, two-way land mobile radio systems, long-range data communication, and marine communications, just to name a few. VHF includes radio waves from 30 MHz to 300 MHz. VHF waves must not exceed the local radio horizon of 100 miles.

What is the major limitation of VHF radio?

The most common limitation of VHF/UHF technology is that it requires Line of Site (LoS) between transmission points. Whilst there are many tracks where this is not an issue, Kyalami is a challenge.

Can you use a marine radio in a vehicle?

Mounting a marine radio in the car is not the issue. Transmitting with the radio is. Unless your on the water (NOT NEAR IT) you cant use a marine radio without a shore use license.

What do 2 short blasts from a horn mean?

Two Short Blasts - This means "I intend to leave you on MY starboard side". If you are behind another boat, going the same direction and about to overtake it, two short blasts means: "I intend to pass you on YOUR port side, MY starboard side."

How does VHF marine radio work?

Marine VHF radios work on a line-of-sight basis. That is, they can transmit and receive to and from another antenna as long as that antenna is above the horizon. How far is that? Standing in the cockpit of a boat, the distance to the horizon for most adults is about three miles.

How many VHF channels are there?

All ships of length 20m or greater are required to guard VHF channel 13, in addition to VHF channel 16, when operating within U.S. territorial waters.

NOAA Weather Radio Frequencies.

ChannelFrequency (MHz)
WX1162.550
WX2162.400
WX3162.475
WX4162.425

What is the height of a VHF radio antenna important?

VHF is line of sight. In general with (most) antenna's mounting them higher provides for better reception. This is because building, tress, etc can block some of the transmitted signal or produce mutipath reflections which attenuate (reduce) the strength and quality of the signal your trying to receive.

Which has longer range VHF or UHF?

For most applications, lower radio frequencies are better for longer range. A broadcasting TV station illustrates this. A typical VHF station operates at about 100,000 watts and has a coverage radius range of about 60 miles. A UHF station with a 60-mile coverage radius requires transmitting at 3,000,000 watts.

Which VHF channel is used in case of emergency?

Channel 16

What is the purpose of VHF Channel 06?

VHF CH 06 is designated to be used for communication with aircraft in the event of SAR action. NOTE: In case of SAR action, those channels should not be used for reasons other than for distress communication.

What VHF channel do bridges use?

Channel 13: For requesting bridge openings, although in some areas it's channel 67.

What is the range of VHF?

Very high frequency (VHF) is the ITU designation for the range of radio frequency electromagnetic waves (radio waves) from 30 to 300 megahertz (MHz), with corresponding wavelengths of ten meters to one meter.

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