National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

USCG Radiofax

The NWS and USCG value reports from mariners of both poor AND good radio reception. Please note your location, equipment/software used, date(s), time(s), signal strength, etc. You can send an email with your reception report and request for a QSL card to the US Coast Guard's Central Communication Headquarters at: 

COM-SMB-WATCH@uscg.mil 

Send comments about the charts to marine.weather@noaa.gov.

The NWS radiofax program prepares high seas weather maps via four U.S. Coast Guard sites: Boston, New Orleans, Pt. Reyes, and Kodiak and the Defense Department transmitter site in Honolulu. These broadcasts are prepared by the Ocean Prediction Center , National Hurricane Center, Honolulu Forecast Office. and Anchorage Forecast Office. You can also find limited satellite imagery, sea surface temperature maps and text forecasts.

Key Links:

NWS radiofax products are available via the Internet (HTTP, FTP or E-mail). 

Boston (NMF) 4235(0230-1039z),  6340.5,  9110, 12750(1400-2239z) kHz Radiofax Broadcast
Start Broadcast 0230Z 0745Z 1400Z 1720Z 1900Z
Broadcast Schedule 0243Z   1405Z    
International Ice Patrol (Seasonal, ~Feb- Sep)
Call Letters NIK
0438Z 1039Z 1600Z   2239Z

 

New Orleans (NMG) 4317.9,   8503.9,   12789.9,   17146.4(1200-2045z) kHz Radiofax Broadcast
Start Broadcast 0000Z 0600Z 1200Z 1800Z
Broadcast Schedule       2025Z

 

Kodiak (NOJ) 2054,   4298,   8459,   12410.6 kHz   Radiofax Broadcast
Start Broadcast 0340Z 0950Z 1540Z 2150Z
Broadcast Schedule     1727Z  

 

Pt.Reyes (NMC) 4346(0140-1608z),   8682,   12786,   17151.2,   22527(1840-2356z) kHz  Radiofax Broadcast
Start Broadcast 0140Z 0655Z 1120Z 1400Z 1840Z 2320Z
Broadcast Schedule     1124Z     2324Z

 

Honolulu (KVM70) 9982.5(0519-1556z),   11090,   16135(1719-0356z) kHz  Radiofax Broadcast
Start Broadcast 0519Z 1719Z
Broadcast Schedule 1300Z 0100Z
(Note: DOD station, not USCG)

USCG HF SITOR (NBDP)

National Weather Service Marine Products via U.S. Coast Guard HF SITOR

The U.S. Coast Guard broadcasts National Weather Service high seas forecasts and storm warnings from four high seas communication stations in the SITOR mode. These broadcasts are prepared cooperatively by the Ocean Prediction Center , National Hurricane Center, Honolulu Forecast Office. Offshore and coastal forecasts are available in areas such as Alaska. The International Ice Patrol also broadcasts from Boston sharing the same transmitters. 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. Visit the U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Telecommunications Information webpage for further information on U.S. Coast Guard telecommunications.

Click here to listen to what a typical SITOR signal sounds like on the air.

U.S. Coast Guard SITOR (Simplex Teletype Over Radio) text broadcasts are performed in mode B, FEC. SITOR is also known as Narrow Band Direct Printing (NBDP). SITOR/NBDP is an automated direct printing service similar to NAVTEX, but does not offer all of the same functionality such as avoiding repeated messages.

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.

National Weather Service Products Recommended for Broadcast by the US Coast Guard

Boston (NMF)
HF SITOR (NBDP Broadcast Schedule)
6314, 8416.5, 12579 kHz 0140Z*  
8416.5, 12579, 16806.5 kHz   1630Z*
*Includes ice from International Ice Patrol

 

Pt. Reyes (NMC)
HF SITOR (NBDP Broadcast Schedule)
8416.5, 16806.5 kHz 0015Z 1730Z

 

Honolulu (NMO)
HF SITOR (NBDP Broadcast Schedule)
8416.5, 12579, 22376 kHz 0130Z     2030Z
8416.5, 12579 kHz   0730Z 1330Z  

 

Guam (NRV)
HF SITOR (NBDP Broadcast Schedule)
12579, 16806.5, 22376 kHz 0230Z 0500Z 0900Z 1500Z 1900Z 2315Z
 

Assigned frequencies shown, for carrier frequencies subtract 1.7 kHz. Typically specialized marine communications equipment uses assigned SITOR frequencies while general purpose equipment uses carrier frequencies. Note that stations share common frequencies.

USCG HF Voice

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 high seas forecasts and storm warnings from six high seas communication stations. These broadcasts are prepared cooperatively by the Ocean Prediction Center , National Hurricane Center, 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.

U.S. Coast Guard HF voice broadcasts are performed in the upper sideband mode using a synthesized voice known as "Iron Mike." 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 "Iron Mike".

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 Marine Text Forecasts And Products Listing 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.

National Weather Service Products Recommended for Broadcast by the US Coast Guard

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 High seas 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.

 

USCG VHF Voice

National Weather Service Marine Products via USCG VHF Voice

Ch 16    156.8 MHz VHF FM (Calling/Announcement frequency)
Ch 22A 157.1 MHz VHF FM (Broadcast frequency)

The U.S. Coast Guard broadcasts coastal forecasts and storm Warnings of interest to the mariner on VHF channel 22A following an initial announcement on VHF channel 16. These forecasts are produced by local National Weather Service Forecast Offices. The USCG VHF network provides near continuous coverage of coastal U.S., Great Lakes, Hawaii, and populated Alaska coastline. Typical coverage is 20 nautical miles offshore, but can be significantly greater. Visit the U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Telecommunications Information webpage for further information on U.S. Coast Guard telecommunications including maps showing areas of VHF coverage and Rules Which Require Listening to your VHF Marine Radio. See tables below for a listing of current broadcast schedules of U.S. Coast Guard Group stations performing VHF voice broadcasts.

Click here to listen to a typical USCG VHF broadcast.

In areas where NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts provide complete overlapping coverage of the U.S. Coast Guard VHF network, the U.S. Coast Guard may elect to broadcast warnings only and not routinely broadcast NWS marine forecasts.

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.

National Weather Service Products Recommended for Broadcast by the US Coast Guard

First Coast Guard District
VHF Voice Weather Broadcast CH 16/22A
Sector Northern New England 1105z, 2305z
Sector Boston 1035z, 2235z
Sector Southeastern New England 1005z, 2205z
Sector Long Island Sound 1120z, 2320z

 

Fifth Coast Guard District
VHF Voice Weather Broadcast CH 16/22A
Sector Delaware Bay 1103z, 2303z (Coastal)
1235z, 0035z (Rivers)
Sector Baltimore 0130z, 1205z
Sector Hampton Roads 0230z, 1120z
Sector North Carolina Warnings only

 

Seventh Coast Guard District
VHF Voice Weather Broadcast CH 16/22A
Sector Charleston 1200z, 2200z
Sector Jacksonville Warnings only
Sector Miami Warnings only
Sector Key West 1200z, 2200z
Sector San Juan 1210z, 2210z
Sector St. Petersburg 1300z, 2300z

 

Eighth Coast Guard District
VHF Voice Weather Broadcast CH 16/22A
Sector Ohio Valley None
Sector Upper Mississippi River None
Sector Lower Mississippi River None
Sector Mobile 1020z, 1220z, 1620z, 2220z
Sector New Orleans 1035z, 1235z, 1635z, 2235z
Sector Houston-Galveston 1050z, 1250z, 1650z, 2250z
Sector Corpus Christi 1040z, 1240z, 1640z, 2240z

 

Ninth Coast Guard District
VHF Voice Weather Broadcast CH 16/22A
Sector Buffalo 0255z, 1455z
Sector Detroit 0135z, 1335z
Sector Lake Michigan 0255z, 1455z
Sector Sault Ste. Marie 0005z, 1205z

 

Eleventh Coast Guard District
VHF Voice Weather Broadcast CH 16/22A
Sector Humboldt Bay 1615z, 2315z
Sector San Francisco 1630z, 1900z, 2130z(winter)
Sector Los Angeles/Long Beach 0200z, 1800z
Sector San Diego 0100z, 1700z

 

Thirteenth Coast Guard District
VHF Voice Weather Broadcast CH 16/22A
Sector Seattle 0630z, 1830z
Sector Columbia River 1745z
Sector North Bend 0603z, 1803z

 

Fourteenth Coast Guard District
VHF Voice Weather Broadcast CH 16/22A
Sector Honolulu 0500z, 1700z
Sector Guam 0900z, 2100z

 

Seventeenth Coast Guard District
VHF Voice Weather Broadcast CH 16/22A
Sector Juneau None
Sector Anchorage None

 

National Weather Service Products Recommended for Broadcast by the US Coast Guard

NAVTEX Broadcast Schedule

 

NAVTEX Broadcast Schedule (Station, Identifier and time of weather broadcast in UTC) 

Station Identifier WX Broadcast Schedule (UTC)
Adak X (Broadcast no longer available)
Kodiak1 J
X
0130, 0530, 09302, 1330, 1730, 21302
0350, 0750, 11502, 1550, 1950, 23502
Astoria W 03402, 0740, 1140, 15402, 1940, 2340
San Francisco C 0020, 04202, 0820, 1220, 16202, 2020
Cambria Q 02402, 0640, 1040, 14402, 1840, 2240
Marianas V 0330, 0730, 1130, 1530, 1930, 2330
Honolulu O 0220, 0620, 10202, 1420, 1820, 22202
Boston F 0050, 0450, 08502, 1250, 1650, 20502
Portsmouth N 02102, 0610, 1010, 14102, 1810, 2210
Charleston E 0040, 0440, 08402, 1240, 1640, 20402
Miami A 0000, 0400, 08002, 1200, 1600, 20002
San Juan R 02502, 0650, 1050, 14502, 1850, 2250
New Orleans G 0100, 0500, 09002, 1300, 1700, 21002

1. Kodiak also broadcasts weather forecasts during time slots initially allocated to Adak.

2. Routine weather forecasts are broadcast four times per day with these being the normal times when repeats of Notices to Mariners are broadcast in lieu of weather. Weather warnings may be broadcast at any time.

The U.S. Coast Guard may on occasion have to defer or shorten the broadcast of a scheduled weather forecast via NAVTEX to ensure delivery of more urgent navigational and safety warnings.

NAVTEX receivers must be programmed with proper NAVTEX station and subject identifiers in order to receive weather broadcasts.

U.S. NAVTEX broadcasts of weather forecasts containing a warning or a Dense Fog Advisory will be broadcast with a Subject Indicator of "B" vs. "E", such that receipt cannot be suppressed on the user's equipment. Mariners are encouraged to include subject indicator "E" in programming their NAVTEX in order to receive routine weather forecasts as well as weather warnings via NAVTEX.