Coast Radio Adelaide monitors distress calls made on the distress frequencies, 4125 kHz, 6215 kHz and 8291 kHz, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, utilising HF receiving and transmitting sites at Alice Springs and Broken Hill. Please remember to limit the use of these frequencies to distress and safety.
|
Frequency (KHz) |
Purpose |
|
4125 |
Distress, urgency, safety and calling only |
|
6215 |
|
8291 |
|
8176 |
Broadcast of marine safety information (shared with the Bureau of Meteorology) |
|
4146 |
Safety working channels |
|
6227 |
|
8294 |
The rule of thumb for high frequency radio is to use the higher frequencies during the day and the lower at night. The best frequency for the time of day is likely to be:
- 8291 - during the day
- 4125 - at night
- 6215 - as the next choice for either day or night.
More accurate predictions can be found on the Australian Commonwealth Government IPS Radio and Space Service agency website by selecting:
- Hourly Area Prediction charts (HAP charts) show the area covered by each frequency for that time of the day for locations in South Australian coastal waters by each of the Broken Hill or the Alice Springs HF radio sites used to provide Coast Radio Adelaide.
- Hourly Network Area Prediction charts (NAP charts) show the best frequency for that time of the day for locations in South Australian coastal waters used to call Coast Radio Adelaide.
These charts are updated on an hourly basis.
If your vessel is fitted with an HF marine radio it's important to check that these frequencies are available so you can access these distress and safety services.