Yaesu Musen Co. Ltd. 30393X20 User Manual

Page 32

Tables on the following pages list the VHF Marine Channel assignments for 

U.S.A. and International use. Below are listed some data about the charts.
1. VTS. Where indicated, these channels are part of the U.S. Coast Guard’s 

Vessel Traffic System.

2. Alpha channel numbers, that is, channel numbers followed by the letter A 

(such as Channel 07

A) are simplex channels on the U.S.A. or Canadian 

channel assignments whose counterparts in the International assignments 

are duplex channels. International channels do not use “alpha” numbers. 

If you call the Coast Guard on Channel 16, they will sometimes ask you to 

“go to channel 22 Alpha.” This is a channel assigned to U.S.A, and Ca-

nadian Coast Guards for handling distress and other calls. If your radio is 

set for International operation you will go to Channel 22 instead of 22A, 

and will not be able to communicate with the Coast Guard. To use Channel 

22

A, your radio must be set for USA or Canada operation, usually by a U/

I/C (USA/International/Canada) control or combination of controls. Channel 

22 (without an “A”) is an International duplex channel for port operations. 

Some radios indicate an “A” adjacent to the alpha channels on the display; 

on others “alpha” is not indicated but the proper channel is selected based 

on the U/I/C setting.

3. Bridge-to-Bridge channels (for example, Channel 13) are for use by bridge op-

erators on inter-coastal waterways and rivers. It is also used by marine vessels 

in the vicinity of these bridges for navigation and for communicating with the 

bridge operators. Note that a limit of 1 Watt is specified for these channels.

4. The 

S/D column on the chart indicates either S (simplex) or D (duplex). 

Simplex means transmitting and receiving on the same frequency. Only 

one party at a time can talk, unlike a telephone. Be sure to say “over” and 

release your microphone push-to-talk switch at the end of each transmis-

sion. Duplex operation involves the use of one frequency for transmitting 

and a separate frequency for receiving. On channels specified as duplex on 

the charts, correct mode of operation is established automatically by your 

radio when you select a channel; you cannot change the mode. And you 

still must release the push-to-talk switch after each transmission in order to 

listen to the radio.

5. Channels normally used by recreational boaters are those that include the 

term “non-commercial” in the Channel Use column of the chart. Some of 

these are shared with other users and some are used only in certain geo-

graphic regions.

6. Marine vessels equipped with VHF radios are required to monitor Channel 16.

Application for FCC/IC 

FCC ID: K6630393X20 

IC: 511B-30393X20