VHF Marine Radio InformationReed’s Nautical Almanac provides critical and practical information for the use of VHF marine radio including a complete listing of U.S. marine radio channels. ABOUT VHF MARINE RADIOThe National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) operates 400 VHF marine radio transmitters in the United States, each with a range of 40 miles. These VHF marine radio transmitters broadcast continuously, providing recorded weather analyses and forecasts (projected from six to 24 hours) for coastal waters. Seven VHF marine radio frequencies from 162.400 to 162.550 MHz allow for overlapping coverage. These forecasts are updated every few hours, more frequently if necessary, and are intentionally kept brief (about four to six minutes). Long-term weather features are not normally included, although significant features outside the forecast area, such as hurricanes often will be highlighted. USING VHF MARINE RADIO FOR DISTRESS CALLSIn the coastal waters of the United States, vessels may use VHF marine radio to contact the Coast Guard or to send a distress alert. The Coast Guard is available on VHF marine radio channel 16 which should be used ONLY for distress calls. After initial contact on channel 16, you will usually be asked to switch to channel 22A or 12. The Coast Guard does not advocate cellular phones as a substitute for VHF marine radio due to spotty coverage offshore. Vessels may also use the international hailing and distress frequency (2182 kHz) in the medium-frequency band. All Coast Guard stations monitor this VHF marine radio frequency. Reed’s Nautical Almanac also provides additional information regarding emergency VHF marine radio operation including high frequency SSB, HF-RadioTelex/Sitor and DSC. VHF MARINE RADIO LICENSINGA U.S. federal ship station license is required to operate and SSB radio on board any boat or ship. No license is required to operate a VHF marine radio on most recreational boats; however, special registrations are required for DSC-enabled VHF marine radios. COASTAL MARINE RADIO INFORMATIONVessels operating along the North American coast have excellent safety, weather, and communications resources available via VHF marine radio and medium-frequency SSB radio, as well as from AM and FM stations. Reed’s Nautical Almanac explains the services provided by common types of stations and lists selected specific stations from North to South. REED'S NAUTICAL ALMANAC EAST COAST EDITIONFor VHF marine radio information pertaining to the Atlantic coast, please consult Reed’s Nautical Almanac North American East Coast Edition. This edition covers points from Nova Scotia proceeding South along the Atlantic coast, through Florida and then North and West along the Gulf of Mexico.
REED'S NAUTICAL ALMANAC WEST COAST EDITIONFor VHF marine radio information pertaining to the Pacific coast, please consult Reed’s Nautical Almanac North American West Coast Edition. This edition covers points from Kodiak, Alaska South through the Baja peninsula in Mexico. This edition also features coverage for Puget Sound, British Columbia inside passage and the Hawaiian Islands.
REED'S NAUTICAL ALMANAC CARIBBEAN EDITIONFor VHF marine radio information pertaining to the Caribbean, please consult Reed’s Nautical Almanac Caribbean Edition. This edition covers points from South Florida through the Gulf Coast of Mexico. ORDER REED'S NAUTICAL ALMANAC ONLINEIf you would like more information about VHF marine radio and other navigation aids, consider purchasing one of our publications. Reed's Nautical Almanac East Coast, West Coast and Caribbean editions are available for online purchase and make great gifts. |
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