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National Weather Service Marine Forecasts
U.S. COAST GUARD HF VOICE

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NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MARINE PRODUCTS VIA U.S. COAST GUARD HF VOICE

Also see COMMERCIAL MARITIME COAST STATIONS and WEATHER NETS

The U.S. Coast Guard broadcasts National Weather Service highseas forecasts and storm warnings from six high seas communication stations. These broadcasts are prepared cooperatively by the Ocean Prediction Center, Tropical Prediction Center and Honolulu Forecast Office. Offshore and coastal forecasts are available in areas such as Alaska. See table below for station locations and schedules. Transmission range is dependent upon operating frequency, time of day and atmospheric conditions and can vary from only short distances to several thousand miles. Best reception can be achieved by proper selection of frequency and an adequate antenna system.

USCG to continue HF weather broadcasts via radiofax, voice, and SITOR

Effective Jan 01, 2005 U.S. Coast Guard long range communications stations NMF, NMN, NMA, NMG, NMC, NMO, NOJ and NRV changed their single sideband voice radio guard to the following simplex frequencies: 4125, 6215, 8291, and 12290 kHz. These frequencies are intended for initial voice contact and distress alerts and working only. Follow-on working frequencies if necessary shall be by mutual agreement after initial contact. Previously the ship/shore guard duplex frequencies of 4134/4426, 6200/6501, 8240/8764, 12242/13089, and 16432/17314 kHz were routinely shared with the broadcasts of maritime safety information, including weather. These duplex frequency pairs may still be used, however, for traffic handling purposes after initial contact is established on the distress and initial contact frequencies. For further information including monitoring schedules and frequency details, see http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/cgcomms/call.htm

U.S. Coast Guard HF voice broadcasts are performed in the upper sideband mode using a synthesized voice known as "Iron Mike" ("Perfect Paul" retired in April 07). This voice is very distinctive and serves as in aid in identifying and copying these weather broadcasts. Click here to listen to a typical USCG HF voice broadcast by "Perfect Paul".

Visit the U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Telecommunications Information webpage for further information on U.S. Coast Guard telecommunications.

A Listing of NWS Marine Products Broadcast via U.S. Coast Guard HF Voice   is available.

For a complete listing of NWS marine text products (with links) visit the NWS Production Schedule for Marine Text Products webpage.

Refer to NGA Publication 117, which is updated through the Notice to Mariners, for the latest official listing of U.S. Coast Guard broadcast schedules. The British Admiralty List of Radio Signals , is an excellent reference source for weather broadcast information.

All NWS marine forecasts rely heavily on the Voluntary Observing Ship (VOS) program for obtaining meteorological observations.
 
Chesapeake(NMN)
HF Voice Broadcast Schedule
4426, 6501, 8764 kHz (USB) 0330Z1  0515Z2 0930Z1
6501, 8764, 13089 kHz (USB) 1115Z2 1530Z1 2130Z1 2315Z2
8764, 13089, 17314 kHz (USB) 1715Z2
1 Offshore Forecasts, hurricane information
2 Highseas Forecast, hurricane information

Broadcast of hurricane and other weather broadcasts from this station may on occasion be preempted, as the frequencies are shared with other USCG stations.

   
New Orleans(NMG)
HF Voice Broadcast Schedule
4316, 8502, 12788 kHz (USB) 0330Z1  0515Z2 0930Z1 1115Z2 1530Z1 1715Z2 2130Z1 2315Z2
1 Offshore Forecasts, hurricane information
2 Highseas Forecast, hurricane information

Broadcast of hurricane and other weather broadcasts from this station may on occasion be preempted, as the transmitters are shared with the radiofax broadcast.

   
Pt. Reyes(NMC)
HF Voice Broadcast Schedule
4426, 8764, 13089 kHz (USB) 0430Z 1030Z
8764, 13089, 17314 kHz (USB) 1630Z 2230Z

Broadcast of hurricane and other weather broadcasts from this station may on occasion be preempted, as the frequencies are shared with other USCG stations, and the transmitters are shared with the radiofax broadcast.

   
Kodiak(NOJ)
HF Voice Broadcast Schedule
6501 kHz (USB) 0203Z 1645Z
 
 
Honolulu(NMO)
HF Voice Broadcast Schedule
6501, 8764 kHz (USB) 0600Z 1200Z
8764, 13089 kHz (USB) 0005Z 1800Z 

   
Guam(NRV)
HF Voice Broadcast Schedule
6501 kHz (USB) 0930Z 1530Z
13089 kHz (USB) 0330Z 2130Z 

   

HF voice broadcasts may be terminated if longer than the available broadcast period. This will most likely occur during the hurricane season when supplementary advisories are broadcast in addition to the routine forecasts.

Carrier frequencies shown.  HF voice broadcasts use a synthesized voice "Iron Mike".

ITU channel numbers as follows:
4426(#424), 6501(#601), 8764(#816), 13089(#1205), 17314(#1625)

Note that stations share common frequencies.



National Weather Service
Office of Climate, Weather, and Water Services
Marine and Coastal Weather Services Branch (W/OS21)
Last modified: Feb 05, 2008
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