Talk:International distress frequency

Amateur radio frequencies
A recent edit added a list of several amateur radio frequencies to the article, but I question whether mention of these frequencies belongs in it. The article is about international distress frequencies, and I doubt amateur radio frequencies qualify. Unlike the non-amateur frequencies listed, the amateur ones lack legal recognition and protection. They are portions of amateur bands voluntary set aside portion by a segment of the amateur radio community. As such, they are not well known or published outside of amateur or shortwave listener circles, nor are they regularly monitored by government agencies. I find it dubious that a station in distress would first resort to calling for aid on these frequencies, if they even know about them. The amateur frequencies may have some notability, but I do not think they belong in this article. Should they be removed?

–Sparkgap (talk) 17:04, 12 October 2011 (UTC)


 * I agree these do not belong here, as unlike distress frequencies, these are not exact frequencies in any case, but "centre of operation frequencies" of +/- 20kHz, and only recommended, and not actually monitored by any official watch anywhere (though on 14.300 there are a few nets on a daily basis monitoring the frequency and sometimes involved in assisting relay of messages to distressed yachts at sea, but this is not 24 hours a day. --LS (former ships R/O now radio amateur) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 118.211.38.238 (talk) 14:18, 8 November 2016 (UTC)


 * At least there are some international standards for the Amateur radio use of frequencies, i dont belive CB radio is in any sense international, is it? Different rules for different countries?Billlion (talk) 20:05, 30 December 2014 (UTC)


 * As long as the information is properly sourced, I don't see an reason for removing the Amateur Radio section. The IARU is a respected NGO and Amateur Radio has a long history of successful use in emergency situations (see Tampere Convention). Many cruisers use Amateur Radio to supplement Marine SSB radio and employ the amateur emergency frequencies as a backup. Our readers are capable of understanding the difference between the more official emergency frequencies and Amateur Radio ones.--agr (talk) 18:59, 8 November 2016 (UTC)

500kHz still monitored?
By whom? I doubt it and as I understand it has now been allocated to different purposes. Anyone have verifiable information?Billlion (talk) 08:43, 28 December 2014 (UTC)

Swiss emergency frequencies
161.3 MHz can be used by anyone throughout Switzerland to call out the rescue services in the event of an emergency: https://www.bakom.admin.ch/bakom/en/homepage/frequencies-and-antennas/frequency-use-with-or-without-licences/free-licence-equipments/emergency-radio-in-switzerland-and-use-of-plb.html

I'm not sure how that works with the 145.5 MHz emergency frequency in Europe. I'd still add it to the table. Werner BEROUX (talk) 20:00, 1 June 2022 (UTC)