Ian Waugh - A Mariner\'s Guide to Marine Communications

Appendix IV

IV Marine radio and satellite frequency spectrum

Frequency Band

EHF (Extreme

High Frequency)

Equipment

* no GMDSS kit

Propagation path/Remarks

Visible Light; Infra-red;

Gamma/X-Rays & Ultra Violet light

Frequency/Wavelength Division - 30 GigaHertz (30GHz}/tcentimetre (tcm)

SHF (Super * SART /radar Direct Wave (Line of Sight)

High Frequency) * C/Ku-Band

Satellite Systems

Frequency/Wavelength Division - 3 GHz/IO centimetres (IOcm)

UHF {Ultra * Inmarsat Direct Wave {Line of Sight}

High Frequency} * satellite EPIRB

* non-GMDSS 'on-

board' hand-helds

Frequency/Wavelength Division - 300 MegaHertz {300MHz)/1 metre

VHF (Very High * EPIRB homing Direct Wave {Line of Sight}

Frequency} signal (121.5MHz)

HF {High
Frequency}

6.1 The marine VHF radio network

{fixed and hand-held}

* Survival Craft

hand-held VHF radio

Frequency/Wavelength Division - 30MHz/1O metres

* Marine SSB

Radio

* HFMSI

Receiver

Sky Wave {also has limited Ground

Wave propagation}

FrequencylWavelength Division - 3MHz/100 metres

MF {Medium * Marine SSB Ground Wave (but some Sky

Frequency) * NAVTEX wave propagation at night}

* MF MSI Receiver

Frequency/Wavelength Division - 300 kiloHertz (300kHz}}/1000 metres

LF/VLF *no GMDSS
Low Frequency/ radio equipment
Very Low Frequency)

228 THE NAUTICAL INSTITUTE

Ground Wave-and can also penetrate

through water {and so used for

submarine broadcasts}