2182 kHz is a radio frequency designed exclusively for distress calls and related calling operations[1] in the maritime service.[2]
Transmissions on 2182 kHz commonly use single-sideband modulation (SSB) (upper sideband only). However, amplitude modulation (AM) and some variants such as vestigial sideband are still in use, mainly by vessels with older equipment and by some coastal stations in an attempt to ensure compatibility with older and less sophisticated receivers.
| Allocation to services | ||
|---|---|---|
| ITU Region 1 | ITU Region 2 | ITU Region 3 |
| 2173.5–2190.5 kHz Mobile service (distress and calling) | ||
2182 kHz is analogous to channel 16 on the marine VHF band, but unlike VHF which is limited to ranges of about 20to depending on antenna height,[3] communications on 2182 kHz and nearby frequencies have a reliable range of around 50to during the day and 150to or sometimes more at night.[4]
The reception range of even a well-equipped station can be severely limited in summer because of static caused by lightning.
Historically, all stations using 2182 kHz were required to maintain a strictly enforced three-minute silence and listening period twice each hour, starting at h+00ᵐ, h+30ᵐ. This allowed any station with distress, urgent or safety traffic the best chance of being heard at that time, even if they were at some distance from other stations, operating on reduced battery power or perhaps reduced antenna efficiency, as for example from a demasted vessel.
As a visual aide-memoire, a typical clock in a ship's radio room would have these silence periods marked by shading the sectors from h+00ᵐ to h+03ᵐ, and from h+30ᵐ to h+33ᵐ in green. Similar sectors were marked in red for what used to be the corresponding silence and listening period on 500 kHz from h+15ᵐ to h+18ᵐ, and from h+45ᵐ to h+48ᵐ.[1] Since the introduction of GMDSS, these silence periods are no longer required.
See main article: GMDSS. In order to operate a marine radio transmitter on 2182 kHz, the operator must hold a GMDSS General Operating Certificate for mandatory installations, a Long Range Certificate for voluntary ones, or other equivalent and recognised radio operator's qualifications. Both these certificates have a wider syllabus than those of the GMDSS Restricted Operators Course or the RYA Short Range Certificate that is necessary for marine VHF use. In practice, an unqualified operator would not be prosecuted for the use of either type of transmitter in a situation that turned out to be a genuine emergency.
2182 kHz forms an essential part of the Global Maritime Distress Safety System (GMDSS). It has an associated DSC frequency at 2187.5 kHz. Other international distress frequencies, in use as of 2008, include: