HIGH
FREQUENCY (HF) WEATHER BROADCAST INFORMATION
Decision made to continue providing high frequency (HF)
radio broadcasts of weather forcasts and warnings.
In April 2007 the Coast Guard
issued a Notice requesting public comments on the need
to continue HF radio broadcasts of weather forecasts. Comments
closed on August 24, 2007.
A business
case analysis report was prepaired based upon the responses.
The report concluded that:
"The responding public collectively perceives that
the USCG HF broadcasts are essential to their safety. There
is no viable alternative to the USCG HF broadcasts because
present alternatives are perceived by the public to be out
of financial reach. Also, marine weather forecasts available
through these alternative sources may not guarantee the same
level of accuracy, timeliness, and/or sufficiency as provided
by the USCG HF broadcasts."
Above: Broadcast position at CAMSLANT, Chesapeake VA
The Coast Guard's HF infrastructure.
The Coast Guard’s HF infrastructure consisting of 123
10KW transmitters are no longer supportable. Repair parts are
increasingly difficult to find, more expensive, and can take
months to obtain. Funds should be available to replace many,
but not all of these transmitters. Consequently all but the
most essential HF services are or will be terminated. However,
due to responsive received from the public and the conclusions
of the business case report, the Coast Guard has decided to
continue HF broadcasts of high seas weather forecasts and warnings
without interruption. Transmitters used for this purpose will
be included among those recapitalized.
Above: Rockwell Collins 10KW HF80 (and Harris RF-755) transmitters
at end of useful life
The Coast Guard uses 20 high power transmitters to broadcast
HF weather facsimile, voice and text (SITOR) high seas weather
forecasts to mariners. Three additional Navy transmitters
are used to broadcast weather information from Guam. The cost
to replace one of these transmitters is ~$200K with installation
($4M total for those used for weather broadcasts).
Reliable, high power transmitters are needed to ensure mariners
can reliably receive weather information anywhere within the
National Weather Service’s area of responsibility.
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Note: VHF (Channel 22A) broadcasts are not in any way affected
by this notice, nor are Coast Guard voice broadcasts on 2670
kHz single sideband..
For More Information:
U.S. Coast Guard brief
given to the radio technical Commission for Maritime Services
(RTCM) Assembly May 2007
U.S. Coast Guard Maritime
Safety Information broadcasts
Final Report
- United States Coast Guard High-frequency Broadcasts of
National Weather Service Marine Weather Forecasts.
Business
Case Analysis Report Annex D, Part 1
Business
Case Analysis Report Annex D, Part 2
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