New marine radios for the VHF-FM band (156 to 162 MHz) are being made with a new channel numbering scheme. The “A” designation for some channels in the U.S. is being replaced with 10. Going forward, channel 22A, which is used by the Coast Guard for all ship’s calls and Urgent Marine Information Broadcasts, will become 1022.
There’s no effect on operation. All two-digit assignments, designated uses and frequencies stay the same. Eighteen channels for the U.S. numbering scheme are affected, while four “B” channels in Canada will change to “20” designations.
The change was ordered by the International Telecommunications Union and will become effective Jan. 1 for vessels subject to the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention. This will affect all recreational boaters because all radios will be produced with the four-digit channels programmed.
A more-detailed article will appear in the January/February 2025 issue of Ocean Navigator. “This article originally appeared in America’s Boating Compass”
