International Distress Frequency - Current Frequencies

Current Frequencies

International distress frequencies, currently in use are :

• 500 kHz is still monitored but as of 2010 has ceased to be used as the primary distress calling frequency at sea

• 2182 kHz for medium range maritime voice use

• Several HF maritime voice frequencies exist for long-distance distress calls:
  • 4,125 kHz
  • 6,215 kHz
  • 8,291 kHz
  • 12.290 MHz
  • 16.420 MHz

• 121.5 MHz is the civilian aircraft emergency frequency or International Air Distress frequency. It is used by civilian distress radiobeacons; however, the Cospas-Sarsat system no longer monitors the frequency.

• 243 MHz for NATO military aircraft emergency frequencies

• Marine VHF radio Channel 16 (156.8 MHz) for short range maritime use

• 406 MHz to 406.1 MHz is used by the Cospas-Sarsat international satellite-based search and rescue (SAR) distress alert detection and information distribution system