Important Radio Freq
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San Francisco Bay Area Marine Radio Safety Frequencies
Essential Marine VHF Channels
| Channel | Frequency (MHz) | Use / Notes | QR Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | 156.800 | International Distress, Safety, and Calling. Monitored by Coast Guard 24/7. Use for emergencies and hailing only. |
|
| 09 | 156.450 | Hailing, marinas, bridges, drawbridges (Delta bridges monitor Ch. 9) | |
| 13 | 156.650 | Navigation safety, ship-to-ship, tugs, pilots, bridge-to-bridge | |
| 12 | 156.600 | Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) Offshore Sector | |
| 14 | 156.700 | VTS Inshore Sector | |
| 22A | 157.100 | US Coast Guard Liaison, Safety Broadcasts (announced on Ch. 16) | |
| 70 | 156.525 | Digital Selective Calling (DSC) – emergency digital distress only, no voice | |
| 68, 69, 71, 72, 78A | 156.425, 156.475, 156.575, 156.625, 156.925 | Non-commercial, recreational, intership use |
For detailed U.S. VHF channel information, visit the USCG Navigation Center.
NOAA Weather Radio Channels (Bay Area)
| Channel | Frequency (MHz) | Transmitter / Area (Call Sign) | QR Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| WX1 | 162.550 | Mt. Umunhum (Monterey/South Bay) (KEC49) |
|
| WX2 | 162.400 | San Francisco (KHB49) | |
| WX3 | 162.475 | Sonoma County (WZ2504) | |
| WX4 | 162.425 | Mt. Diablo (Contra Costa County) (WNG655) | |
| WX5 | 162.450 | Mt. Umunhum (Monterey Marine) (WWF64) | |
| WX6 | 162.500 | Big Rock Ridge (N. SF Bay) (KDX54) |
For more specific transmitter information by location, you can also use the NOAA NWR Station Search.
HF/SSB & Other Safety Frequencies
| Service | Frequency (MHz) | Use | QR Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| USCG Distress (HF/SSB) | 4.125, 6.215, 8.291, 12.290 | Coast Guard monitored for long-range distress |
|
| West Coast Weather | 13.282 | Weather broadcasts (HF) |
For detailed MF & HF channel information, visit the USCG Navigation Center.
Tip: Print this page and keep it on your boat for quick access to emergency and safety radio frequencies. For best QR code scanning, print in color and ensure each code is at least 1 inch wide.