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(Annapolis, MD) A member of the Personal Radio Association today reported that from one or more of the three foreign ships anchored below the Annapolis Bay Bridge radio transmissions were heard on GMRS repeater inputs 467.575, 467.650, and 467.700 MHz. One ship seen arriving at about 1030 hours was using 467.575 to handle anchoring procedures.
Ships in US waters are NOT permitted to use these radio frequencies yet some ship’s masters and radio officers remain clueless of applicable international agreements. Ships operating on these channels frequently interfere with LICENSED GMRS users of the radio channels. PopularWireless.com coined the problem “Foreign Shipping Interference,” or FSI. The General Mobile Radio Service is used by American families to coordinate their family activities and personal business. In Europe and Asia GMRS is allocated to the maritime service.
The United States Government, through the Federal Communications Commission revised the list of AUTHORIZED frequencies for use by foreign vessels in 2005. These were negotiated by ITU countries in 2003.
” 5.288 In the territorial waters of the United States and the Philippines, the preferred frequencies for use by on-board communication stations shall be 457.525 MHz, 457.550 MHz, 457.575 MHz and 457.600 MHz paired, respectively, with 467.750 MHz, 467.775 MHz, 467.800 MHz and 467.825 MHz. The characteristics of the equipment used shall conform to those specified in Recommendation ITU-R M.1174-1.”
“Ships have been quiet lately as they sail past PRA HQ at Plum Point, Maryland, ” said Doug Smith, President of the PRA, Inc., Board of Trustees. “It appears the compliance to international treaty may only be within radio range of PRA HQ. The PRA has had similar reports from New York Harbor and the San Francisco Bay Area,” said Smith. A log of FSI complaints is maintained at the Personal Wireless BBS at PopularWireless.com.
