[garcia]

I watched a story on the news yesterday and it indicated that the same federal switchover from analog to digital that will affect TV signals will affect Marine Radios. I have searched and the only thing that I can find is that EPIRB/ GPS-C signals are going digital.

Does anyone know if VHF Radios will be affected? I called West marine and Boater's world and they were clueless. THey did say that they had not had a rush on purchase of new radios nor had they seen a switch in the inventory to digital radios.

Thanks for any help that you can give me.

 

[CaptKennyW]

Im wondering about this too. I work on a tugboat and we havent herd anything about it. Im guessing it wont affect anything, if it did we would have herd more about it.

 

[rj]

The switchover is for EPIRBS only, not radios. as of today the 121.5 mz will no longer be monitored by sattelite.
they will only be monitoring 406 mz epirbs. if you are a commercial vessel that is required to carry an EPIRB you are required to have a 406 mz device

NOAA SARSAT

 

[garcia]

Thanks RJ

Thanks for the info.

 

[Sandtiger]

The switchover is for EPIRBS only, not radios. as of today the 121.5 mz will no longer be monitored by sattelite.
they will only be monitoring 406 mz epirbs. if you are a commercial vessel that is required to carry an EPIRB you are required to have a 406 mz device

NOAA SARSAT

Didn't know satellites could monitor 121.5 MHz. 121.5 MHz is the aircraft version of VHF Marine channel 16. I'm betting that the FAA will not be monitoring for EPIRBs in the future on 121.5 MHz.

 

[wildbillfish2]

There will not be any VHF related issued. Unlike your receive-only TV, VHF radios are both transmit and receive. Thus, both your radio and that of the person you are communicating with would have to be digital, and that's not the case. So, I think what you heard is incorrect. FYI, our NOAA Weather Radio signal is NOT changing, so all marine radios will still receive NWS information as they always have.

Bill S.

 

[tcannonsr]

Bill, what about GPS. Isn't it already digital ?

 

[Paradux]

121.5 MHz signals have a range generally limited to line of sight and is monitored by direction finding stations and some mlitary and civil aircraft. The frequency is also guarded by military and most civilian air control towers, flight service stations, and radar facilities. However, the signal does not necessarily extend to the entire reach of a paricular radar's coverage area. Basically, 121.5 MHz would be used by a pilot in distress as this frequency is dedicated exclusively for distress calls. In other words, if you have an EPIRB that transmits on the 121.5 MHz frequency, you MAY get a signal to an over-flying commercial or military aircraft...then again, you MAY NOT.

On that note, I'd like a recommendation for a new EPIRB for my (non-commercial) boat...any suggestions?