Coastal Radio Network Services
The existing marine safety radio service used by most
commercial vessels and some recreational vessels operating in waters off the
coast is changing from
Replacement Services 2005
An integrated network of stations operated around
HF Radio
For HF radio 24 hour, 7 day week service will be operated
from Sydney Ports Corporation that will monitor the 4125, 6215 and 8291 kHz
distress and calling frequencies. This HF service will cover NSW coastal waters
to at least 200 nautical miles of the shore from a new transceiver site in
Sydney (Callsign COAST RADIO SYDNEY). Sydney Ports
Corporation will also broadcast relevant navigation warnings and marine safety
information (MSI) on 8176 kHz at 1057 and 2357 hours and as such warnings are
received from AMSA.
The Bureau of Meteorology will broadcast marine weather information for NSW ‘coastal waters’ and ‘high seas’ from VMC Weather Australia East located at Charleville Qld on the existing working frequencies: 2201, 4426, 6507, 8176, 12365 plus 16546 kHz. These broadcasts will be on a 24 hour, 7 day a week basis. These frequencies have been allocated to the Bureau of Meteorology and their use as general working frequencies is no longer practicable.
The Bureau will publicise the scheduled broadcast times.
VHF Radio
For VHF radio, Sydney, Newcastle and Port Kembla Port
Corporations will monitor the VHF distress and emergency channel 16 and local
weather and navigation warning broadcasts will be provided on VHF channel 67 at
0733 and 1733 hours EST. Severe weather warnings will be broadcast at hourly
intervals upon receipt of such warnings from AMSA and until such time that the
severe weather conditions no longer exist. This VHF
service will only cover waters within the vicinity of
Purpose of Call |
Radio |
Relevant Frequency |
Description |
Distress and Emergency Calling |
HF |
4125 kHz 6215 kHz 8291 kHz |
Monitored by Sydney Ports Coportion
24 hours 7 days a week. |
|
|
|
|
VHF |
Channel 16 |
Monitored by
|
|
Weather Forecasts and Warnings |
HF |
VMC Charleville:
2201 kHz 4426 kHz 6507 kHz 8176 kHz 12365 kHz 16546 kHz |
Broadcast schedule is available at Bureau of Meteorology |
VHF |
Channel 67 |
Available in the
|
|
Navigation Warnings |
HF |
8176 kHz |
Navigation warnings are scheduled to be broadcast at 1057 and 2357 hours and at times that such warnings are received from AMSA.
|
VHF |
Channel 67 |
Available in the
|
Note: the above frequencies are
unchanged from those currently used by Sydney Radio.
A Description of Coastal Radio Network Services
27MHz
27 MHz is the main frequency used by recreational
boaters and the volunteer services because of its low cost (approximately $200)
and its suitability for use in enclosed waters where the majority of
recreational boaters operate. This radio provides a range of 10 -15 nautical
miles which is usually limited to line of sight.
27
MHz radios allow ship to ship communication between other users of this
frequency and ship to shore communication with the volunteer services. 27MHz
radios are capable of transmitting distress alerts, receiving weather forecasts
and marine safety information provided that the vessel is operating within the
coverage area and times of the volunteer services.
VHF
The VHF radios have a better
range and clarity than 27 Mhz
radios but are more expensive (approximately $400). The Uniform Shipping Laws
(USL) Code states that effective VHF coverage only extends to 20 nautical miles
from a shore station but may be as far as 30 nautical miles under some
circumstances.
VHF also allows ship to ship communication between
vessels using a VHF radio and ship to shore communications with the volunteer
services, the three port corporations and the Coastal Radio Network (CRN) until
A certificate from the Australian Communications
Authority is still required to use VHF radio on boats in
However, VHF radio is now covered
by a Class Licence, so marine radio users do not need to obtain (and pay for)
a separate radio licence.
HF
HF is used for long distance ship to shore communication
at a cost of around $4,000. HF coverage is highly variable and dependant on
a number of factors such as atmospheric and weather conditions and the power
of the HF radio that is being used. Generally speaking HF coverage is up to
200 Nautical miles but under certain circumstances can be considerably more.
Please
note: New HF radio services from the Bureau
of Meteorology commence from