Radio and Safety

VHF Coverage, Channels and Skeds VHF repeaters cover all the SA coast on VHF marine channels 80, 81,82, 83, 21 & 22.

These channels are monitored by the numerous volunteer marine radio base stations all along the SA coast,

A full listing of these stations can be found in the current edition of the Tide Tables for SA Ports which should be available in all marine supply stores.

HF Radio Coverage, Frequencies and Skeds

HF marine distress frequencies are monitored by Coast Radio Adelaide and also by some of the volunteer marine radio stations. This station maintains a 24 watch on channels: 4125, 6215 and 8291 kHz also VHF Ch 16. The HF frequencies should be be reliable for up to 200nm offshore. The distress frequencies are: 4125, 6215, 8291 kHz. 2182 kHz is no longer monitored by Coast Radio stations but may still be monitored by some volunteer stations. Coast Radio will broadcast warnings for Auscoast Area E ( South Australian Waters) on 8176 kHz at 1327 and 1727 CST.

Weather Skeds

Weather information is provided at the listed times on the following stations. These stations also monitor emergency calls and some provide scheds for vessels making passage. A listening watch only is provided on some stations.


Sea Rescue Adelaide (0700 to 1900 hrs)

Weather Report Times: 0740, 1710, 1210
Radio Frequencies: 27 MHz; Ch 86; VHF Ch 67; VHF Ch 80
Monitored Frequencies: 27 MHz; Ch 88, 86; VHF Ch 16, 80; HF 2032, 2182, 2524, 4125, 6215, 6227, 8291 KHz (Scan Mode)

VMR American River (KI)

Weather Report Times: 0720, 1640, 0735, 1705, 0815, 1815
Radio Frequencies: VHF Ch 21, 80; HF 2524, 4483 KHz
Monitored Frequencies: 27 MHz; VHF Ch 16, 80, 21; HF 2524, 4483 KHz

Whyalla Sea Rescue (0700 to 1800 hrs)

Weather Report Times: 0805, 1545
Radio Frequencies: 27 MHz; Ch 88, 91; VHF Ch 73
Monitored Frequencies: 27 MHz; Ch 88; VHF Ch 16, 82; UHF CB Ch 11

VMR Tumby Bay (0700 to 1800 hrs)

Weather Report Times: 0745, 1715
Radio Frequencies: 27 MHz; Ch 88, 86; VHF Ch 81; HF 2524 Khz
Monitored Frequencies: 27 MHz; Ch 88, 86; VHF Ch 16, 81; HF 2524

Coast Guard Ardrossan (0700 to 1800 hrs)

Weather Report Times: 0835, 1805
Radio Frequencies: 27 MHz; Ch 88; VHF Ch 80
Monitored Frequencies: 27 MHz; Ch 88; VHF Ch 16, 80

VMR Port Lincoln (0700 to 1800 hrs)

Weather Report Times: 0745, 1715
Radio Frequencies: 27 MHz; Ch 88, 86; VHF Ch 81; HF 2524
Monitored Frequencies: 27 MHz 88,90, 91, 94, 96; VHF Ch 16, 81; HF  2524

Sea Rescue Wirina

Monitored Frequencies: 27 MHz; Ch 88; VHF Ch 16, 80, 83 (weekends only)

Sea Rescue Edithburgh (0700 to 1900 hrs)

Monitored Frequencies: 27 MHz; Ch 88; VHF Ch 16, 80; DSC HF 2032, 2182, 2524, 4125, 4535, 6215, 6227, 8291 KHz (monitored 7 days/week)

Sea Rescue Copper Coast (Wallaroo)

Monitored Frequencies: 27 MHz; Ch 88; VHF Ch 16, 82 (weekends only)