No plans to change use of 27 MHz marine band

In a newsletter to the marine radio community, ACMA has reiterated that it has no plans to change the designated uses of the 27 MHz band. ACMA does say, however, that in many places 27 MHz is not monitored by the relevant state authorities or approved marine volunteer organisations, and most infrastructure funding is being directed to VHF radio installations. ACMA says that it recommends that if you use 27 MHz radios on the water, you should check if and when your local volunteer organisation listens on that band.

Users should also be familiar with the class licence, particularly which channels to use and when. Channels 86 and 88 are only for distress, urgency, safety and calling.

The ACMA newsletter goes on to say that 27 MHz users should consider switching to a VHF marine radio - the result will be better signal quality and range and access to new technology such as digital selective calling.

In other marine radio news, a new Bureau of Meteorology marine weather and warning service for the Torres Strait is now available. Mariners can access a single coastal waters forecast providing wind, seas and swell information for the next four days, plus a dedicated wind warning service covering the entire Torres Strait area. The new Torres Strait marine forecast area will have a southern boundary at Crab Island and Sharp Point, and extend northwards to include the Australian territories of Boigu Island and Saibai Island located near Papua New Guinea.

Mariners can access the Torres Strait forecast service on the Bureau’s HF radio broadcast on frequency 8176 or 12365 kHz every four hours commencing at 7.30 am, VHF radio on Channel 14 and the Bureau’s boating website. The Torres Strait marine forecasts will be updated twice a day.