VOLMET

VOLMET

VOLMET, or meteorological information for aircraft in flight, is the term applied to a worldwide network of radio stations that broadcast TAF, SIGMET and METAR reports on shortwave frequencies. Reports are sent using automated voice transmissions, in the upper sideband or J3E mode. As the name suggests, pilots on international air routes use these transmissions to determine what procedures to use for descent, approach, and landing, such as a visual approach or an instrument approach and the correct STAR. The actual term comes from the contraction of 2 French words, loosely translated as 'Flying Weather'.

The VOLMET network divides the world into specific regions, and individual VOLMET stations in each region broadcast weather reports for specific groups of air terminals in their region at specific times, coordinating their transmission schedules so as not to interfere with one another. Schedules are determined in intervals of five minutes, with one VOLMET station in each region broadcasting reports for a fixed list of cities in each interval. These schedules repeat every hour.

VOLMET Broadcasts are great for propagation measuring, since they have set schedules and frequencies all over the world and can give an clear indication of when propagation is strong or weak in areas.

English-language stations

All frequencies are in kHz and Upper Side Band (USB)

Frequencies!Service Area!Ground stations	3485, 6604, 10051, 13270	North Atlantic Ocean	New York, Gander
3413, 5505, 8957, 13264	Europe	Shanwick
2863, 6679, 8828, 13282	Pacific Ocean	Honolulu, New Tokyo, Hong Kong, Auckland
2965, 6676, 11387	Southeast Asia	Australia, Kolkata, Bangkok, Karachi, Singapore, Mumbai
3458, 5673, 8849, 13285	Southeast Asia	Guanggzhou, Beijing
5450, 11253	Europe	St. Eval (Military One)
4742, 11247	Europe	Mount Pleasant (Viper), Akrotiri (Cyprus)
6754 15034	North Atlantic	Trenton

• Source: VOLMET station list by William Hepburn

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