Marine Radio: Changes to HF

From 9 May, the call sign for distress and emergency calls on HF marine band radio for NSW waters is ‘Charleville Radio’ instead of ‘Coast Radio Sydney’.

There is no change to the emergency calls protocol for those using the more common VHF marine radio.

The change follows a move to superior and better positioned HF radio equipment located in Charleville, Queensland, far away from radio interference that normally occurs along the coast and in the cities.

HF radio is generally used, in conjunction with other bands of marine radio, by larger sea-going vessels. Most smaller recreational vessels use VHF marine radio, for which there will be no change in the distress and emergency calls protocol.

HF is part of the National Coastal Radio Network (NCRN) which was established on 31 July 2002 by each State and the Northern Territory.

The HF service covers NSW coastal waters to at least 200 nautical miles from the shore.

The HF service has been transferred from Sydney Ports to Kordia and includes the monitoring of HF distress and emergency frequencies 4125 kHz, 6215 kHz and 8291 kHz and provision of navigation warnings on 8176 kHz at 1057 and 2357 hours and at times that such warnings are received from AMSA.

More information about the Coastal Radio Network...