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Introduction To Marine Radios
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Marine radios are vital tools for communication and safety on the water.
Whether you're a recreational boater, a professional mariner, or a fishing enthusiast,
having a reliable marine radio can make all the difference in ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience.
It's important that everyone on board knows about the communication equipment and how to use the marine radio.
This ensures that in case of an emergency, help is just a call away.
Understanding distress and safety frequencies, and knowing how to correctly send and receive safety messages, is vital.
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VHF Marine Radios
Effective range of approx. 20 nautical miles (often much further), depending on the elevation of land-based receiving stations.
A VHF radio with Digital Selective Calling (DSC) and GPS functions will provide you with even greater safety and convenience,
able to transmit a distress and location at the push of a button.
In Australia, the most common frequency for marine communication is the VHF frequency, which operates in the range of 156.000 MHz to 162.050 MHz.
VHF Marines radios can be divided in to two groups,
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Handheld VHF
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A handheld VHF marine radio is a portable, battery-powered device that can be easily moved around the vessel and shared among users.
Importantly, it remains operational even if the boat's battery dies or the electrical system fails and can be taken with you
in to a life raft, on to another vessel or even taken to shore.
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Fixed Mount VHF
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A VHF fixed mount marine radio is a permanently installed communication solution on a vessel, powered by the boat's electrical system.
These radios offer several advantages over handheld units, including higher power output (up to 25 watts)
for longer transmission distances, better range and clarity due to external, higher-positioned antennas,
enhanced features like Digital Selective Calling (DSC) for automated distress signals and direct vessel-to-vessel
calls using MMSI numbers, and a reliable power source from the vessel's electrical system. Overall,
VHF fixed mount marine radios provide robust and reliable communication, crucial for safety and coordination on the water.
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Range of VHF Marine radio based on antenna height and curvature of the Earth
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VHF radios offer greater range, clearer reception, and less interference compared to older 27MHz radios.
Marine Rescue NSW recommends boaters switch to VHF technology.
A key safety advantage of VHF Marine radios is the Digital Selective Calling (DSC) feature, which enhances emergency communication.
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Channel Guide:
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Digital Selective Calling (DSC)
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DSC is a feature on Marine VHF radios that uses digital data messages to transmit urgent or important information.
Unlike voice communication, DSC sends alerts to all radios within a set range,
increasing the chances of distress signals being heard even if no one is actively monitoring the radio.
Key Features of DSC:
- Enhanced Safety: VHF radios with DSC and GPS can transmit distress signals and location data at the push of a button.
- Global Maritime Distress Safety System (GMDSS): DSC is part of GMDSS, offering all the functions of voice-only equipment plus additional features.
- Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI): Allows calling another vessel using a unique identifier. The receiving radio alerts the operator
of an incoming call and sets up communication on a different channel.
- Distress Button: Automatically sends a digital distress signal with the vessel's identity and emergency details.
- GPS Integration: Built-in or external GPS receivers can transmit the user's location with distress calls.
- MMSI Programming: New DSC radios can be programmed with the ship's MMSI number.
This system significantly enhances maritime safety and communication efficiency.
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Other Types of Marine Radios
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27MHz Marine Radios
A 27MHz radio is a basic entry-level marine radio, ideal for short-range communication on the water.
- Effective Range: 27MHz radios typically have an effective range of 10-15 nautical miles, which is generally limited to "line of sight" communication.
- Susceptibility to Static: This frequency is highly susceptible to static and interference, which can affect the clarity of communication.
- Reduced Coverage: Compared to VHF radios, 27MHz radios offer significantly reduced radio coverage, making them less reliable for long-distance communication.
- No Licence required: Neither the Operator or the equipment require a licence.
27MHz radios are a basic and affordable option for short-range marine communication, ideal for recreational boaters and small vessels.
However, they have limitations such as susceptibility to static and reduced coverage.
For more reliable and clearer communication, especially offshore, upgrading to a VHF radio is recommended.
The decreasing cost of VHF radios, which offer better performance and safety, has led to 27MHz radios being phased out.
MF/HF Marine Radios
Marine Medium Frequency/High Frequency (MF/HF) radios are designed for offshore and overseas cruising, providing long-range communication capabilities essential for vessels venturing far from shore.
- Effective Range: MF/HF radios have an effective range of up to 200 nautical miles, but can reach considerably further depending on conditions, antennas, and frequencies used.
- Extended Reach: These radios can communicate over vast distances, making them ideal for long voyages and remote areas where other communication methods may not be reliable.
- Offshore Cruising: Essential for vessels traveling far from coastal areas, ensuring reliable communication in open waters
- Equipment Licencing: The equipment requires a licence.
- User Licencing: The operator requires a Long Range Certificate or Proficiency (LROCP)
While MF/HF radios are more expensive than other marine radios, their extended range and reliability make them a valuable investment for serious offshore and international cruisers.
Proper installation and maintenance of antennas and equipment are essential to maximize performance.
Marine MF/HF radios provide unparalleled long-range communication, crucial for offshore and overseas cruising.
Despite their higher cost, they offer peace of mind and safety for vessels navigating far from shore.
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If you are in Grave and Imminent danger on the water and you need urgent help,
use every means you have to call for help, including both your marine radio and your mobile phone.
Make a MAYDAY call on your marine radio and call Triple Zero (000) on your mobile phone.
In An Emergency - On Your VHF Radio
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If you see a red button with 'DSC' - press that first
Use your VHF radio on channel 16, transmit:
Mayday, Mayday, Mayday.
Vessel Name, Vessel Name, Vessel Name.
Mayday.
Vessel Name.
Position, use latitude and longitude.
POB, how many people are on board.
Problem, sinking, on fire etc.
Description, 6m red runabout.
Intentions, setting off EPIRB, abandoning ship.
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On Your Phone
Call Triple Zero (000) and ask for Police.
Next actions
- Activate your EPIRB to guide rescue crew to your location.
- Ensure everyone is wearing a life jacket
- Display your orange V sheet to help attract attention.
- When in sight of another vessel, let off a flare.
- Make a plan for your next actions
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For routine assistance, use your VHF radio on channel 16.
Call "Marine Rescue Sydney" then state your call sign twice.
Be ready with your location, number of people on board and your situation details.
The radio operator will guide you through the rest of the conversation.
Here is a typical call for routine breakdown assistance.
- On the VHF radio, set to channel 16
- Set the volume and make sure no one is talking on the channel before transmitting
- Say
"Marine Rescue Sydney"
"This is
Rogers Boat,
Rogers Boat
..Over"
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- Marine Rescue will acknowledge the call. Say:
"We are at location OLD MANS HAT,
2 POB
anchored
and need assistance"
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- Marine Rescue operators will change to a working channel and confirm details before dispatching assistance
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Marine Rescue NSW Network
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Marine Rescue NSW (MRNSW) owns, operates, and maintains the marine radio network in New South Wales,
serving recreational boaters, emergency services, and commercial vessels.
Marine Rescue NSW has significantly upgraded its marine radio network infrastructure and radio base equipment,
especially in the Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast, and Far South Coast regions.
These upgrades have eliminated reception blackspots and provided consistent coverage along the coastline,
extending usually more than 50 nautical miles out to sea.
This enhancement has greatly improved the safety of offshore and coastal boating.
The network of Marine Rescue NSW Search and Rescue Coordination Centres and Radio Bases is interconnected via a central communications backbone.
This system links radio bases over the internet, allowing remote monitoring of radio traffic if any facility goes offline.
Marine Rescue NSW ensures continuous radio coverage along the NSW coastline, from Point Danger in the north to Eden in the south.
Operators at these centres monitor VHF marine radio frequencies around the clock to provide swift assistance to boaters in distress.
Services Provided:
- 24/7 Marine Distress Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of distress signals along the entire NSW coastline.
- Emergency Response: Rapid activation and coordination of emergency responses.
- Log On Service: The only service in the state that keeps watch while you're on the water.
Log on when you head out and log off when you return.
If you're not back as expected, a search will be initiated.
- Weather Forecasts and Warnings: Regular updates and on-demand weather information.
- Radio Checks: Ensure the strength and clarity of your radio signal.
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Using your Marine Radio or the Marine Rescue APP, log on with our radio base for every trip.
If you let us know where you are going, how many people are on board and your expected return time,
we will come looking for you if you dont log off. It's peace of mind for your day on the water.
If you don't Log Off as planned, our volunteers will start searching for you.
To Log On, call your Marine Rescue NSW base on VHF Channel 16 or use the free MarineRescue App. You can download the App at the App Store for Apple devices or Google Play for Androids.
You can always Log On, whether you're out for a morning's fishing, a day trip around your local area or cruising along the coastline.
And it doesn't matter if you're on a tinnie, a cruiser, a yacht, a kayak, a canoe or a jet ski.
When you Log On via, our radio operator will ask you for some basic information about your vessel, your destination and contacts.
You'll enter the same details on your smartphone or other device if you're using the MarineRescue app.
If you don't Log Off, this information will help us find you, whether you've simply forgotten to Log Off when you returned to shore or you're caught in an emergency and need help fast.
The information we will ask you:
- Your vessel name & registration number
- Mobile telephone number onboard
- Vessel type, length and colour
- Number of people of board
- Where you are heading
- When you expect to return
- Shore contact name and number
If the fish are biting and you decide to stay out longer, simply call the base on VHF Ch 16 or use the MarineRescue App to update your arrival time.
Remember to Log Off when you're back on shore. If you haven't let us know you're back safely, we'll start to look for you.
We'll try calling you first up, just in case you've forgotten to Log Off and headed home with your catch. That's the best outcome.
If we get no answer, we'll step up the response. When you Log On via the App, choose the live safety tracking option so your position is updated in our vessel tracking system every 30 minutes.
This means that in an emergency, our rescue crews will have a starting point for a search operation,
based on your last known position, saving valuable time when minutes can mean the difference to a successful rescue.
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SKEDS (Scheduled Check ins)
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If you're travelling along the coastline, we encourage you to establish a voyage plan with Marine Rescue NSW and an offshore tracking schedule for you to check in (to 'sked')
with our bases along your route. This lets us know that you're travelling safely, on schedule and not in need of emergency help. We'll keep track of your progress until you safely
arrive at your destination in NSW or we hand you over to the marine rescue service in the next State if you're travelling further north or south.
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