A marine radio is a communication device used on board vessels to listen to important broadcasts and communicate with other vessels. VHF FM radios are commonly used, with a range of up to 25 nautical miles. There are 104 designated VHF channels, with channel 16 being the distress and safety frequency. Digital Selective Calling (DSC) marine radios are part of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). The FCC regulates the use of marine radio in US waters, requiring certain vessels to carry a marine radio and monitor channel 16 at all times.
A marine radio is a radio intended to be carried on board marine vessels for communication purposes. A ship equipped with a marine radio can use it to listen to important broadcasts, such as severe weather warnings or distress signals from other vessels.
Various types of radio equipment can be used on board ships; however, the term marine radio generally refers to a very high frequency FM (VHF FM) radio. The VHF frequency range is between 156 and 162 MHz. A VHF marine radio is a transceiver, a combination transmitter and receiver, and operates on standard international frequencies or channels. As transceivers, marine radios primarily use simple transmit, which means they can only communicate in one direction at a time, determined by a transmit button. Some channels allow two-way calls.
A VHF marine radio has a transmit power of 1 to 25 watts. This gives marine radio a maximum range of 25 nautical miles (46 km) between antennas on ships or tall structures, and 3 nautical miles (6 km) between smaller ships at sea level. A marine radio can be fixed or portable. Fixed arrays offer more reliable power sources, larger antennas and displays, and higher transmit power. Portable sets can be more useful in emergencies and are easier to waterproof.
There are 104 VHF channels designated for marine radio service, 54 of which will be used exclusively in United States waters. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has established three VHF marine radio stations that will be recognized worldwide for safety reasons. Channel 16 (156.800 MHz) is the distress, safety, and calling frequency, continuously monitored by the United States Coast Guard. Channel 13 (156.65 MHz) is the bridge-to-bridge or “pilot” channel, used to communicate navigation information between vessels. Channel 70 (156.525 MHz) is for digital selective calls.
A Digital Selective Calling (DSC) marine radio uses a two-tone digital signaling protocol to call or receive calls from other ships or shore stations, or all stations in a geographic area. It is part of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), a set of regulations established in 1996 by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
The FCC regulates all use of marine radio in United States waters. They require certain US vessels, such as those over 20 meters (65.5 feet) in length or carrying more than six chartered passengers on the open sea, to carry a marine radio and monitor channel 16 at all times. These vessels must have an FCC ship station license. Other FCC regulations for marine radio include limits on call time, keeping channel 16 open when switching to another channel after making contact, and prohibiting false emergency calls and obscenity.
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