HF Maritime Communications

HF Maritime Communications

HF maritime communications can be found below 30 MHz. Here's a sample of what you can hear:

• Canadian Coast Guard-Radio Aids to Navigation
• HF Underground Maritime Weather Transmissions
• HF Underground Maritime FAX Transmissions
• United States Coast Guard Operations
  • United States Coast Guard MF & HF Channel Information page has several frequency lists.
• Weather broadcasts, using voice, data or weather charts (FAX). The HFFAX.de website run by Marius Rensen with extensive HF and satellite FAX information
  • For USCG Voice HF Weather Forecast frequencies and schedules, see here
  • NOAA Maritime Products The place to begin to find schedules for SITOR and FAX stations from the US and elsewhere
• Fishing Fleets (some using illegally modified ham HF gear)
• Dockside Radio Interesting place to find HF frequencies, both ham and marine for various support nets

Hurricane Related

• Hugh Stegman's Hurricane Frequency List
• When a hurricane (cyclone in the Pacific) is spotted, the Tropical Cyclone Plan of the Day will give you an idea of when the flights to track these storms will take place

What Equipment Will I Need to Hear these Stations?

• See our The HF Utility Receiver and Accessories article for a discussion of this topic.

How to Find Activity?

The spectrum for HF maritime communications is very wide. Unlike VHF/UHF scanning, it's challenging toautomatically scan a segment of the band because HF noise will always be present. While some maritime stations are on a fixed schedule, others (such as fishing fleets) are much more difficult to detect due to their transient nature; thus, listening for maritime comms can be a game of patience. The more time passes, the harder it is to hear again. Mailing lists are one of the best ways to keep ahead of what is being heard, as traffic can be passed relatively quickly. The Utility DXers Forum is very active and is widely recognized.

Magazine Logs

The Spectrum Monitor Electronic Magazine is the only remaining hobby level magazine that publishes logs from its subscribers. Most others have gone by the wayside, having been supplanted by many web-based sites - which may or may not have up to date information.