Coastal Radio Network Services

An integrated network of stations operated around Australia by the States and the Northern Territory monitors the relevant VHF and HF ‘distress and calling’ frequencies and broadcast navigation warning and marine safety information relevant to their broadcast areas. In NSW, this service is provided by the Sydney, Newcastle and Port Kembla Port Corporations.

HF Radio

For HF radio 24 hour, 7 day week service is operated from Sydney Ports Corporation who monitors the 4125, 6215 and 8291 kHz distress and calling frequencies. This HF service covers NSW coastal waters to at least 200 nautical miles from the shore from a transceiver site in Sydney (Callsign COAST RADIO SYDNEY). Sydney Ports Corporation also broadcasts 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 broadcasts 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 are made 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 publicises the scheduled broadcast times.

VHF Radio

For VHF radio, Sydney, Newcastle and Port Kembla Port Corporations monitor the VHF distress and emergency channel 16 and local weather and navigation warning broadcasts are provided on VHF channel 67 at 0733 and 1733 hours EST. Severe weather warnings are 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 only covers waters within the vicinity of Newcastle to Nowra.

Purpose of Call	Radio	Relevant Frequency	Description
Distress and Emergency Calling	HF	4125 kHz 6215 kHz 8291 kHz	Monitored by Sydney Ports Corporation 24 hours 7 days a week.
	VHF	Channel 16	Monitored by Sydney, Newcastle and Port Kembla Port Corporations 24 hours 7 days a week.
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 Newcastle – Sydney – Port Kembla areas and scheduled to be broadcasted at 0733 and 1733 hours. 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.
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 Newcastle – Sydney – Port Kembla areas and scheduled to be broadcast at 0733 and 1733 hours and at times that such warnings are received from AMSA.

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 and the three port corporations. This radio is therefore capable of transmitting distress alerts, receiving weather forecasts and marine safety information.

A certificate from the Australian Communications Authority is still required to use VHF radio on boats in Australia. Marine radio users can either obtain a Marine Radio Operators Certificate of Proficiency (MROCP) or a Marine Radio Operators VHF Certificate of Proficiency (MROVCP) to meet this requirement.

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.

For more details on the volunteers in NSW visit:

Marine Rescue NSW - www.marinerescuensw.com.au

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.

Link to Marine Communications FAQs.