HIGH
FREQUENCY (HF) WEATHER BROADCAST INFORMATION
Decision made to continue providing high frequency (HF)
radio broadcasts of weather forecasts and warnings...
In April 2007 the Coast Guard
issued a Notice requesting public comments on the need
to continue HF radio broadcasts of weather forecasts. Comments
closed on August 24, 2007. You may now read the press
release regarding the final Coast Guard decision.
A business
case analysis report was prepared based upon the responses.
The report concluded that: "The responding public collectively
perceives that the USCG HF broadcasts are essential to their
safety. There is no viable alternative to the USCG HF broadcasts
because present alternatives are perceived by the public to
be out of financial reach. Also, marine weather forecasts
available through these alternative sources may not guarantee
the same level of accuracy, timeliness, and/or sufficiency
as provided by the USCG HF broadcasts."
Above: Broadcast position at CAMSLANT, Chesapeake VA
The Coast Guard's HF infrastructure
The Coast Guard's HF infrastructure consisting of 123 10KW transmitters
are no longer supportable. Repair parts are increasingly difficult
to find, more expensive, and take can months to obtain. Funds
should be available to replace many, but not all of these transmitters.
Consequently all but the most essential HF services are or will
be terminated. However, due to responsive received from the
public and the conclusions of the business case report, the
Coast Guard has decided to continue HF broadcasts of high seas
weather forecasts and warnings without interruption. Transmitters
used for this purpose will be included among those recapitalized.
Above: Rockwell Collins 10KW HF80 (and Harris RF-755) transmitters
at end of useful life
The Coast Guard uses 20 high power transmitters to broadcast
HF weather facsimile, voice and text (SITOR) high seas weather
forecasts to mariners. Three additional Navy transmitters
are used to broadcast weather information from Guam. The cost
to replace one of these transmitters is ~$200K with installation
($4M total for those used for weather broadcasts).
Reliable, high power transmitters are needed to ensure mariners
can reliably receive weather information anywhere within the
National Weather Service’s area of responsibility.
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Note: VHF (Channel 22A) broadcasts are not in any way affected
by this notice, nor are Coast Guard voice broadcasts on 2670
kHz single sideband..
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