Radio & Safety
All sailors should read this
VHF Coverage, Channels and Skeds VHF repeaters cover all the SA coast on VHF marine channels 80, 81,82, 83, 21 & 22. A new Ch 21 repeater at Mt Macdonnell now covers Kangaroo Island, Investigator Strait and into the the southern waters of the Gulfs. This repeater became operational on September 10 2008. A new Ch 22 repeater at The Bluff near Mount Gambier in the South East now covers coastal waters from Robe into Victorian waters. This repeater became operational on July 25 2009. The map below shows the approximate ranges of the repeaters and the appropriate channel to call on within each area. These channels are monitored by the numerous volunteer marine radio base stations all along the SA coast, see below. A full listing of these stations can be found in the current edition of the Tide Tables for SA Ports which should be available in all marine supply stores.
This map is reproduced courtesy of Flinders Ports and the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure. Click here to download a printable version with more detail.
HF Radio Coverage, Frequencies and Skeds
HF marine distress frequencies are monitored by Coast Radio Adelaide and also by some of the volunteer marine radio stations. This station maintains a 24 watch on channels: 4125, 6215 and 8291 kHz also VHF Ch 16. The HF frequencies should be be reliable for up to 200nm offshore. The distress frequencies are: 4125, 6215, 8291 kHz. 2182 kHz is no longer monitored by Coast Radio stations but may still be monitored by some volunteer stations. Coast Radio will broadcast warnings for Auscoast Area E ( South Australian Waters) on 8176 kHz at 1327 and 1727 CST.
Weather Skeds
Weather information is provided at the listed times on the following stations. These stations also monitor emergency calls and some provide scheds for vessels making passage. A listening watch only is provided on some stations.
Sea Rescue Adelaide (0700 to 1900 hrs)
Weather Report Times: 0740, 1710, 1210
Radio Frequencies: 27 MHz; Ch 86; VHF Ch 67; VHF Ch 80
Monitored Frequencies: 27 MHz; Ch 88, 86; VHF Ch 16, 80; HF 2032, 2182, 2524, 4125, 6215, 6227, 8291 KHz (Scan Mode)
VMR American River (KI)
Weather Report Times: 0720, 1640, 0735, 1705, 0815, 1815
Radio Frequencies: VHF Ch 21, 80; HF 2524, 4483 KHz
Monitored Frequencies: 27 MHz; VHF Ch 16, 80, 21; HF 2524, 4483 KHz
Whyalla Sea Rescue (0700 to 1800 hrs)
Weather Report Times: 0805, 1545
Radio Frequencies: 27 MHz; Ch 88, 91; VHF Ch 73
Monitored Frequencies: 27 MHz; Ch 88; VHF Ch 16, 82; UHF CB Ch 11
VMR Tumby Bay (0700 to 1800 hrs)
Weather Report Times: 0745, 1715
Radio Frequencies: 27 MHz; Ch 88, 86; VHF Ch 81; HF 2524 Khz
Monitored Frequencies: 27 MHz; Ch 88, 86; VHF Ch 16, 81; HF 2524
Coast Guard Ardrossan (0700 to 1800 hrs)
Weather Report Times: 0835, 1805
Radio Frequencies: 27 MHz; Ch 88; VHF Ch 80
Monitored Frequencies: 27 MHz; Ch 88; VHF Ch 16, 80
VMR Port Lincoln (0700 to 1800 hrs)
Weather Report Times: 0745, 1715
Radio Frequencies: 27 MHz; Ch 88, 86; VHF Ch 81; HF 2524
Monitored Frequencies: 27 MHz 88,90, 91, 94, 96; VHF Ch 16, 81; HF 2524
Sea Rescue Wirina
Monitored Frequencies: 27 MHz; Ch 88; VHF Ch 16, 80, 83 (weekends only)
Sea Rescue Edithburgh (0700 to 1900 hrs)
Monitored Frequencies: 27 MHz; Ch 88; VHF Ch 16, 80; DSC HF 2032, 2182, 2524, 4125, 4535, 6215, 6227, 8291 KHz (monitored 7 days/week)
Sea Rescue Copper Coast (Wallaroo)
Monitored Frequencies: 27 MHz; Ch 88; VHF Ch 16, 82 (weekends only)
Weather sheds are transmitted by VMC and VMW stations. Both stations can be received in SA waters.
A list of the VMC and VMW frequencies is available from:
HF weather forecast and warnings on VMC and VMW
Further informations can be found at:
Other weather information sites.
Forecast Areas for South Australia
