2008 REED’s East Coast Edition - Communications
U.S. VHF Channels 23A U.S. Government only.
# Use
24 Public Correspondence (Marine Operator.)
01A Port Operations and Commercial. VTS in
25 Public Correspondence (Marine Operator).
selected areas.
26 Public Correspondence (Marine Operator).
05A Port Operations. VTS in Seattle.
27 Public Correspondence (Marine Operator).
6 Intership Safety.
28 Public Correspondence (Marine Operator).
07A Commercial.
63A Port Operations and Commercial. VTS in
8 Commercial (Intership only).
selected areas.
9 Boater Calling. Commercial and Non-
65A Port Operations.
Commercial.
66A Port Operations.
10 Commercial.
67 Commercial (Intership only).
11 Commercial. VTS in selected areas.
68 Non-Commercial.

69 Non-Commercial.
12 Port Operations. VTS in selected areas.
70 Digital Selective Calling (voice communica-

tions not allowed).
13 Intership Navigation Safety. (Ships over 20
71 Non-Commercial.
meters in length must maintain a listening
72 Non-Commercial (Intership only).
watch in US waters.)
73 Port Operations.
14 Port Operations. VTS in selected areas.
74 Port Operations.
15 Environmental (Receive only). Used by
77 Port Operations (Intership only.
Class C EPIRBs.
78A Non-Commercial.
79A Commercial.
16 “International Distress, Safety and Call-
80A Commercial.
ing. (Ships required to carry a radio, the
81A U.S. Government only - Environmental
U.S.C.G., and most coast stations maintain
protection.
a listening watch on this channel.)
82A U.S. Government only.
17 State Control.
83A U.S. Coast Guard only.
18A Commercial.
84 Public Correspondence (Marine Operator).
19A Commercial.
85 Public Correspondence (Marine Operator).
20 Port Operations (duplex).
86 Public Correspondence (Marine Operator).
20A Port Operations.
87 Public Correspondence (Marine Operator).
21A U.S. Government only.
88 Public Correspondence in selected areas
22A U.S. Coast Guard.
only.
88A Commercial (Intership only).
MF-HF Single-Sideband
safety; calling by voice or DSC; inter-ship;
public correspondence; narrow-band direct-
Marine Service
printing; data; and fax. A complete list of
SSB frequencies is included in the SSB Chan-
The MF-HF service operates in a number
nels table. Following are some of the most
of bands at approximately 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16,
important, special-use frequencies to know.
18, 22, and 25 MHz. Specific frequencies are
designated in each of these bands for various
Distress Calling
types of communications. These frequencies
The international hailing and distress fre-
nearly all rely on the single-sideband method
quency is 2182 kHz. This frequency is moni-
of transmission, and, consequently, all MF/
tored by all Coast Guard stations, any vessel
HF service is usually referred to simply as
equipped with the proper equipment while
SSB radio. Many of these frequencies have
under way, and many coast stations. After
been given channel numbers much like those
initial contact on 2182 kHz, you will usu-
used on VHF, except that these numbers
ally be asked to switch to 2670 kHz, which is
have three or four digits, the first one or two
the U.S. Coast Guard working frequency for
of which relate to the frequency band con-
weather broadcasts, notices to mariners and
cerned.
marine safety broadcasts.
Frequencies are designated for specific
The U.S. Coast Guard also monitors the HF
types of communications: distress and
carrier frequencies listed below for distress
820