This section describes the radiotelephony working frequencies assignable to ship and public coast stations.

(a) Working frequencies in the 2000-4000 kHz band. The following table describes the working carrier frequency pairs in the 2000-4000 kHz band.

Open Table
Working frequency pairs in the 2000-4000 kHz band
Region Carrier frequency (kHz)
Ship transmit Coast transmit
East Coast: 2031.5 2490.0
    2118.0 12514.0
    2126.0 2522.0
    2142.0 2538.0
    2166.0 2558.0
    2198.0 2590.0
    2366.0 2450.0
    2382.0 52482.0
    2390.0 2566.0
    2400.0 2400.0
    2406.0 2442.0
    2406.0 42506.0
West Coast: 2003.0 2450.0
    2009.0 2442.0
    2009.0 2566.0
    2031.5 2566.0
    2126.0 2522.0
    2206.0 2598.0
    2382.0 2466.0
    2406.0 2506.0
    2430.0 52482.0
Gulf Coast: 2009.0 2466.0
    2134.0 2530.0
    2142.0 2538.0
    12158.0 12550.0
    2166.0 2558.0
    2206.0 2598.0
    2366.0 2450.0
    2382.0 52482.0
    2430.0 2572.0
    2458.0 2506.0
Great Lakes2: 2118.0 2514.0
    2158.0 2550.0
    2206.0 2582.0
Alaska 2131.0 52309.0
    2134.0 2312.0
    2237.0 2397.0
    2240.0 2400.0
Hawaii 2134.0 2530.0
Caribbean: 2009.0 2506.0
    32086.0 2585.0
    2134.0 2530.0
Guam 2009.0 2506.0

1Unlimited hours of use from December 15 to April 1 and day only from April 1 to December 15. Harmful interference must not be caused to any station in the Great Lakes region.

2In the Great Lakes region 2206 kHz is not available for transmission to U.S. ships except in the case of distress. U.S. coast stations in the Great Lakes area may use 2514, 2550 and 2582 kHz on a shared basis with coast stations of Canada. Except in the case of distress, the frequency 2550 kHz must not be used for transmission to ship stations of Canada since the associated ship station transmit frequency 2158 kHz is not available to Canadian ship stations for transmission and 2582 kHz must not be used for public correspondence transmissions to U.S. ship stations since the associated ship transmit frequency 2206 kHz is not available to U.S. ship stations for transmissions except in the case of distress.

3Limited to a peak envelope power of 150 watts.

4Harmful interference must not be caused to any coast station in the Caribbean region.

5But see section 80.373(c)(3) of this chapter.

(b) Working frequencies in the 4000-27500 kHz band. This paragraph describes the working carrier frequencies in the 4000-27500 kHz band. With respect to frequencies that are assignable in more than one geographical area, once the frequency is assigned to one licensee, any subsequent license will be authorized on a secondary, non-interference basis with respect to the incumbent license's existing operation. If the first licensee later seeks authorization to operate in an additional geographic area, such authorization will be on a secondary, non-interference basis to other co-channel licensees.

(1) The following table specifies the carrier frequencies available for assignment to public coast stations. The paired ship frequencies are available for use by authorized ship stations. The specific frequency assignment available to public coast stations for a particular geographic area is indicated by an “x” under the appropriate column. The allotment areas are in accordance with the “Standard Defined Areas” as identified in the International Radio Regulations, Appendix 25 Planning System, and indicated in the preface to the International Frequency List (IFL).

Working Carrier Frequency Pairs in the 4000-27500 kHz Band

Open Table
Channel Ship transmit Coast transmit USA-E USA-W USA-S USA-C VIR HWA ALS PTR GUM
401 4065 4357 x x x x
403 4071 4363 x x x x x x
404 4074 4366 x x x x
405 4077 4369 x x x x x x
409 4089 4381 x x x x
410 4092 4384 x x
411 4095 4387 x x x
412 4098 4390 x x x
414 4104 4396 x x x x
416 4110 4402 x x x x
417 4113 4405 x x x x
418 4116 4408 x x
419 4119 4411 x x x x x
422 4128 4420 x x x
423 4131 4423 x x x x x
424 4134 4426 x
427 4143 4435 x x x x x x x
428 4060 4351 x
604 6209 6510 x x x x x x x x
605 6212 6513 x
607 6218 6519 x
802 8198 8722 x x x x
803 8201 8725 x
804 8204 8728 x x x
805 8207 8731 x x x
807 8213 8737 x
808 8216 8740 x x x x x
809 8219 8743 x x
810 8222 8746 x x x
811 8225 8749 x x x
814 8234 8758 x x x x x x
815 8237 8761 x x x
817 8243 8767 x
819 8249 8773 x
822 8258 8782 x x x
824 8264 8788 x x x
825 8267 8791 x x x
826 8270 8794 x x x
829 8279 8803 x x x x
830 8282 8806 x x
831 8285 8809 x x x
836 8113 8713 x
837 8128 8716 x
1201 12230 13077 x x x
1202 12233 13080 x x x x
1203 12236 13083 x x x x x x
1206 12245 13092 x x x
1208 12251 13098 x x
1209 12254 13101 x x x x
1210 12257 13104 x x x x
1211 12260 13107 x x x x x
1212 12263 13110 x x x x x
1215 12272 13119 x x x
1217 12278 13125 x
1222 12293 13140 x
1223 12296 13143 x x x x
1225 12302 13149 x x
1226 12305 13152 x x x
1228 12311 13158 x x x
1229 12314 13161 x
1230 12317 13164 x x x x
1233 12326 13173 x
1234 12329 13176 x x x x
1235 12232 13179 x
1236 12335 13182 x
1237 12338 13185 x x x x
1601 16360 17242 x x x x
1602 16363 17245 x x x
1603 16366 17248 x x x x
1605 16372 17254 x x
1607 16378 17260 x x x x
1609 16384 17266 x x x
1610 16387 17269 x x x
1611 16390 17272 x x x
1616 16405 17287 x x x x x
1620 16417 17299 x x
1624 16429 17311 x x x
1626 16435 17317 x
1631 16450 17332 x
1632 16453 17335 x x x x
1641 16480 17362 x x x
1642 16483 17365 x x x x x x x x
1643 16486 17368 x
1644 16489 17371 x x x x x x
1645 16492 17374 x
1646 16495 17377 x
1647 16498 17380 x x x x x
1648 16501 17383 x x x x x x
1801 18780 19755 x x x x x x x x
1802 18783 19758 x x x x x
1803 18786 19761 x x x x x x x
1804 18789 19764 x x x x
1805 18792 19767 x x
1807 18798 19773 x
1808 18801 19776 x x x x x x x x
2201 22000 22696 x x x x
2205 22012 22708 x x x
2210 22027 22723 x
2214 22039 22735 x x x
2215 22042 22738 x x x
2216 22045 22741 x x x
2222 22063 22759 x
2223 22066 22762 x x x x x x
2227 22078 22774 x x x
2228 22081 22777 x x
2231 22090 22786 x x x x
2236 22105 22801 x x
2237 22108 22804 x x x
2241 22120 22816 x x x x x x x x
2242 22123 22819 x
2243 22126 22822 x x x x x x x x
2244 22129 22825 x x x
2245 22132 22828 x x x x
2246 22135 22831 x
2247 22138 22834 x x x x x x x
2501 25070 26145 x x x x x x
2502 25073 26148 x x x x x x x x
2503 25076 26151 x
2504 25079 26154 x x x x x x x x

(2) The following table specifies the non-paired carrier frequencies that are available for assignment to public coast stations for simplex operations. These frequencies are available for use by authorized ship stations for transmissions to coast stations (simplex operations). Assignments on these frequencies must accept interference. They are shared with government users and are considered “common use” frequencies under the international Radio Regulations. They cannot be notified for inclusion in the Master International Frequency Register, which provides stations with interference protection, but may be listed in the international List of Coast Stations. (See Radio Regulation No. 1220 and Recommendation 304.)

Public Correspondence Simplex

[Non-paired radiotelephony frequencies in the 4000-27500 kHz Band1 Carrier Frequencies (kHz)]

Open Table
165372 18825 22174 25100
16540 18828 22177 25103
    18831 25106
    18834 25109
    18837 25112

1Coast stations limited to a maximum transmitter power of 1 kW (PEP).

2The alternative carrier frequency 16537 kHz may be used by ship stations and coast stations for calling on a simplex basis, provided that the peak envelope power does not exceed 1 kW.

(c) Working frequencies in the marine VHF 156-162 MHz band.

(1)

(i) The frequency pairs listed in this paragraph are available for assignment to public coast stations for communications with ship stations and units on land.

Working Carrier Frequency Pairs in the 156-162 MHz Band1

Open Table
Channel designator Carrier Frequency (MHz)
Ship transmit Coast transmit
24 157.200 161.800
84 157.225 161.825
255 157.250 161.850
852 157.275 161.875
26 157.300 161.900
86 157.325 161.925
27 157.350 161.950
873 157.375 161.975
28 157.400 162.000
884 157.425 162.025

1For special assignment of frequencies in this band in certain areas of Washington State, the Great Lakes and the east coast of the United States pursuant to arrangements between the United States and Canada, see subpart B of this part.

2The frequency pair 157.275/161.875 MHz is available on a primary basis to ship and public coast stations. In Alaska it is also available on a secondary basis to private mobile repeater stations.

3 The frequency 161.975 MHz is available only for Automatic Identification System communications. In VPCSAs 10-42, site-based stations licensed to operate on frequency 161.975 MHz prior to March 2, 2009 may continue to operate on a co-primary basis on that frequency until March 2, 2024.

4The frequency 162.025 MHz is available only for Automatic Identification System communications. One hundred twenty kilometers (75 miles) from the United States/Canada border, the frequency 157.425 MHz is available for intership and commercial communications. Outside the Puget Sound area and its approaches and the Great Lakes, 157.425 MHz is available for communications between commercial fishing vessels and associated aircraft while engaged in commercial fishing activities.

5In VPCSAs 10-42, the working carrier frequency pair 157.250/161.850 MHz (Channel 25) is not available for assignment under part 80.

(ii) Service areas in the marine VHF 156-162 MHz band are VHF Public Coast Service Areas (VPCSAs). As listed in the table in this paragraph (c)(1)(ii), VPCSAs are based on, and composed of one or more of, the U.S. Department of Commerce's 172 Economic Areas (EAs). See 60 FR 13114 (March 10, 1995). In addition, the Commission shall treat Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Gulf of Mexico as EA-like areas, and has assigned them EA numbers 173-176, respectively. Maps of the EAs and VPCSAs are available for public inspection and copying at the Federal Communications Commission's Reference Information Center, located at the address of the FCC's main office indicated in 47 CFR 0.401(a), Tel: 1-888-225-5322. In addition to the EAs listed in the table in this paragraph (c)(1)(ii), each VPCSA also includes the adjacent waters under the jurisdiction of the United States. In VPCSAs 10-42, the working carrier frequency pair 157.250 MHz/161.850 MHz (Channel 25) is not available for assignment under this part.

Open Table
VHF Public coast station areas (VPCSAs)
VPCSAs EAs
1 (Northern Atlantic) 1-5, 10
2 (Mid-Atlantic) 9, 11-23, 25, 42, 46
3 (Southern Atlantic) 24, 26-34, 37, 38, 40, 41, 174
4 (Mississippi River) 34, 36, 39, 43-45, 47-53, 67-107, 113, 116-120, 122-125, 127, 130-134, 176
5 (Great Lakes) 6-8, 54-66, 108, 109
6 (Southern Pacific) 160-165
7 (Northern Pacific) 147, 166-170
8 (Hawaii) 172, 173, 175
9 (Alaska) 171
10 (Grand Forks) 110
11 (Minot) 111
12 (Bismarck) 112
13 (Aberdeen) 114
14 (Rapid City) 115
15 (North Platte) 121
16 (Western Oklahoma) 126
17 (Abilene) 128
18 (San Angelo) 129
19 (Odessa-Midland) 135
20 (Hobbs) 136
21 (Lubbock) 137
22 (Amarillo) 138
23 (Santa Fe) 139
24 (Pueblo) 140
25 (Denver-Boulder-Greeley) 141
26 (Scottsbluff) 142
27 (Casper) 143
28 (Billings) 144
29 (Great Falls) 145
30 (Missoula) 146
31 (Idaho Falls) 148
32 (Twin Falls) 149
33 (Boise City) 150
34 (Reno) 151
35 (Salt Lake City-Ogden) 152
36 (Las Vegas) 153
37 (Flagstaff) 154
38 (Farmington) 155
39 (Albuquerque) 156
40 (El Paso) 157
41 (Phoenix-Mesa) 158
42 (Tucson) 159

(iii) Subject to paragraph (c)(3) of this section, each licensee may also operate on 12.5 kHz offset frequencies in areas where the licensee is authorized on both frequencies adjacent to the offset frequency, and in areas where the licensee on the other side of the offset frequency consents to the licensee's use of the adjacent offset frequency. Coordination with Canada is required for offset operations under any circumstance in which operations on either adjoining 25 kHz channel would require such coordination. See §80.57 of this part.

(2) Any recovered channel pairs will revert automatically to the holder of the VPCSA license within which such channels are included, except the channel pairs listed in the table in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section. Those channel pairs, and any channel pairs recovered where there is no VPCSA licensee, will be retained by the Commission for future licensing.

(e) Canada/U.S.A. channeling arrangement frequencies. The VHF frequencies assignable to ship and coast stations in the State of Washington and their usage limitations pursuant to the Canada/U.S.A. channeling arrangement are described in subpart B of this part.

(4) Subject to the requirements of §1.924 of this chapter and §80.21, each VPCSA licensee may place stations anywhere within its region without obtaining prior Commission approval provided:

(i) It provides to co-channel coast station incumbent licensees, and incumbent Private Land Mobile Radio licensees authorized under part 90 of this chapter on a primary basis, protection as defined in subpart P of this part. VPCSA licensees that share a common border may either distribute the available frequencies upon mutual agreement or request that the Commission assign frequencies along the common border.

(ii) The locations and/or technical parameters of the transmitters are such that individual coordination of the channel assignment(s) with a foreign administration, under applicable international agreements and rules in this part, is not required.

(iii) For any construction or alteration that would exceed the requirements of §17.7 of this chapter, licensees must notify the appropriate Regional Office of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA Form 7460-1) and file a request for antenna height clearance and obstruction marking and lighting specifications (FCC Form 854) with the FCC, Attn: Information Processing Branch, 1270 Fairfield Rd., Gettysburg, PA 17325-7245.

(iv) The transmitters must not have a significant environmental effect as defined by §§1.1301 through 1.1319 of this chapter.

(d) Working frequencies in the Mississippi River System. The Mississippi River System includes the Mississippi River and connecting navigable waters other than the Great Lakes. The following simplex frequencies are available for assignment to public coast stations serving the Mississippi River System for radiotelephony communications. These simplex frequencies also are available for use by authorized ship stations within communication service range, whether or not the ship is operating within the confines of the Mississippi River System.

Mississippi River System Working Frequencies; Carrier Frequencies (kHz)

Open Table
20861 4065 6209 8201 12362 16543
2782 4089 6212 8213 12365 16546
    4116 6510 8725
    4408 6513 8737

1Limited to a maximum transmitter output of 150 watts (PEP).

(e) Canada/U.S.A. channeling arrangement frequencies. The VHF frequencies assignable to ship and coast stations in the State of washington and their usage limitations purusant to the Canada/U.S.A. channeling arrangement are described in subpart B of this part.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986]


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