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 Code of Federal Regulations (Last Updated: May 6, 2024)
 Title 47 - Telecommunication
 Chapter I - Federal Communications Commission
 SubChapter D - Safety and Special Radio Services
 Part 80 - Stations in the Maritime Services
 Subpart H - Frequencies
 Radiotelephony

  § 80.371 - Public correspondence frequencies.  

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  • § 80.371 Public correspondence frequencies.

    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.

    Working frequency pairs in the 2000–4000 kHz band
    Region Carrier frequency (kHz)
    Ship transmit Coast transmit
    East Coast:2031.52490.0
    2118.0 1 2514.0
    2126.02522.0
    2142.02538.0
    2166.02558.0
    2198.02590.0
    2366.02450.0
    2382.0 5 2482.0
    2390.02566.0
    2400.02400.0
    2406.02442.0
    2406.0 4 2506.0
    West Coast:2003.02450.0
    2009.02442.0
    2009.02566.0
    2031.52566.0
    2126.02522.0
    2206.02598.0
    2382.02466.0
    2406.02506.0
    2430.0 5 2482.0
    Gulf Coast:2009.02466.0
    2134.02530.0
    2142.02538.0
    1 2158.0 12550.0
    2166.02558.0
    2206.02598.0
    2366.02450.0
    2382.0 5 2482.0
    2430.02572.0
    2458.02506.0
    Great Lakes2:2118.02514.0
    2158.02550.0
    2206.02582.0
    Alaska2131.0 5 2309.0
    2134.02312.0
    2237.02397.0
    2240.02400.0
    Hawaii2134.02530.0
    Caribbean:2009.02506.0
    3 2086.02585.0
    2134.02530.0
    Guam2009.02506.0

    1 Unlimited 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.

    2 In 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.

    3 Limited to a peak envelope power of 150 watts.

    4 Harmful 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

    Channel Ship transmit Coast transmit USA-E USA-W USA-S USA-C VIR HWA ALS PTR GUM
    40140654357xxxx
    40340714363xxxxxx
    40440744366xxxx
    40540774369xxxxxx
    40940894381xxxx
    41040924384xx
    41140954387xxx
    41240984390xxx
    41441044396xxxx
    41641104402xxxx
    41741134405xxxx
    41841164408xx
    41941194411xxxxx
    42241284420xxx
    42341314423xxxxx
    42441344426x
    42741434435xxxxxxx
    42840604351x
    60462096510xxxxxxxx
    60562126513x
    60762186519x
    80281988722xxxx
    80382018725x
    80482048728xxx
    80582078731xxx
    80782138737x
    80882168740xxxxx
    80982198743xx
    81082228746xxx
    81182258749xxx
    81482348758xxxxxx
    81582378761xxx
    81782438767x
    81982498773x
    82282588782xxx
    82482648788xxx
    82582678791xxx
    82682708794xxx
    82982798803xxxx
    83082828806xx
    83182858809xxx
    83681138713x
    83781288716x
    12011223013077xxx
    12021223313080xxxx
    12031223613083xxxxxx
    12061224513092xxx
    12081225113098xx
    12091225413101xxxx
    12101225713104xxxx
    12111226013107xxxxx
    12121226313110xxxxx
    12151227213119xxx
    12171227813125x
    12221229313140x
    12231229613143xxxx
    12251230213149xx
    12261230513152xxx
    12281231113158xxx
    12291231413161x
    12301231713164xxxx
    12331232613173x
    12341232913176xxxx
    12351223213179x
    12361233513182x
    12371233813185xxxx
    16011636017242xxxx
    16021636317245xxx
    16031636617248xxxx
    16051637217254xx
    16071637817260xxxx
    16091638417266xxx
    16101638717269xxx
    16111639017272xxx
    16161640517287xxxxx
    16201641717299xx
    16241642917311xxx
    16261643517317x
    16311645017332x
    16321645317335xxxx
    16411648017362xxx
    16421648317365xxxxxxxx
    16431648617368x
    16441648917371xxxxxx
    16451649217374x
    16461649517377x
    16471649817380xxxxx
    16481650117383xxxxxx
    18011878019755xxxxxxxx
    18021878319758xxxxx
    18031878619761xxxxxxx
    18041878919764xxxx
    18051879219767xx
    18071879819773x
    18081880119776xxxxxxxx
    22012200022696xxxx
    22052201222708xxx
    22102202722723x
    22142203922735xxx
    22152204222738xxx
    22162204522741xxx
    22222206322759x
    22232206622762xxxxxx
    22272207822774xxx
    22282208122777xx
    22312209022786xxxx
    22362210522801xx
    22372210822804xxx
    22412212022816xxxxxxxx
    22422212322819x
    22432212622822xxxxxxxx
    22442212922825xxx
    22452213222828xxxx
    22462213522831x
    22472213822834xxxxxxx
    25012507026145xxxxxx
    25022507326148xxxxxxxx
    25032507626151x
    25042507926154xxxxxxxx

    (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)]

    165372 188252217425100
    16540188282217725103
    1883125106
    1883425109
    1883725112

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

    2 The 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

    Channel designator Carrier Frequency (MHz)
    Ship transmit Coast transmit
    24157.200161.800
    84157.225161.825
    255 157.250161.850
    852 157.275161.875
    26157.300161.900
    86157.325161.925
    27157.350161.950
    873 157.375161.975
    28157.400162.000
    884 157.425162.025

    1 For 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.

    2 The 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.

    4 The 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.

    5 In 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 through 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.

    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)

    20861 4065620982011236216543
    27824089621282131236516546
    411665108725
    440865138737

    1 Limited 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]

    Editorial Note

    Editorial Note:

    For Federal Register citations affecting § 80.371, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.