Rec. ITU-R M.
1174-4 1
RECOMMENDATION ITU-R M.1174-4 *
Technical characteristics of equipment used for on-board vessel communications
in the bands between 450 and 470 MHz
(1995-1998-2004-2015-2019)
Scope
This Recommendation describes the technical characteristics for equipment operating in the maritime mobile
services in accordance with the provisions of No. 5.287 of the Radio Regulations (RR) for on-board vessel
communications. Provision is made for 25 kHz or 12.5 kHz channel spacing for analogue and digital
technologies. In addition, 6.25 kHz channel spacing may also be used for digital technology.
Keywords
Maritime, on-board communication, territorial waters, channel spacing, frequency arrangement,
UHF
Abbreviations/Glossary
Ch. Channel number
DCS: Digital coded squelch
FSK Frequency-shift keying modulation
The ITU Radiocommunication Assembly,
considering
a) that there is a need to describe the characteristics of equipment for on-board vessel
communications in the bands between 450 and 470 MHz;
b) that changes have recently been made to the frequency availability,
recommends
1 that transmitters and receivers used in the maritime mobile service for on-board vessel
communications in the bands between 450 and 470 MHz should conform to the technical
characteristics shown in Annex 1;
2 that for analogue technology the use of continuous tone coded squelch systems or digital
coded squelch (DCS) constitute an effective means of mitigating the impression of congestion to the
user;
3 that for digital technology the use of DCS or a similar operational system should be used as
a way to mitigate the impression of congestion to user;
4 that during operation, to detect whether there is an available channel for operation, it is
advised that a method of listen before talk be employed as a possible mitigation technique;
5 that ship owners when replacing or installing communications equipment upon vessels are
encouraged to fit equipment using 12.5 kHz or 6.25 kHz channel spacing.
*
This Recommendation should be brought to the attention of the International Maritime Organization and
the International Maritime Radio Committee.
2 Rec. ITU-R M.1174-4
Annex 1
Technical characteristics of equipment used for on-board vessel communications
in the bands between 450 and 470 MHz
1 The equipment should be fitted with sufficient channels for satisfactory operation in the
area of intended use.
2 The effective radiated power should be limited to the maximum required for satisfactory
operations, but should in no case exceed 2 W. Wherever practicable the equipment should be fitted
with a suitable device to reduce readily the output power by at least 10 dB.
3 In the case of equipment installed at a fixed point on the ship, the height of its antenna
should not be more than 3.5 m above the uppermost level of the deck.
25 kHz channels 12.5 kHz channels
analogue technology analogue technology
4 Only frequency modulation with a pre-emphasis Only frequency modulation with a pre-emphasis
of 6 dB/octave (phase modulation) should be of 6 dB/octave (phase modulation) should be
used. used.
5 The frequency deviation corresponding to 100% The frequency deviation corresponding to 100%
modulation should approach 5 kHz as nearly modulation should approach 2.5 kHz as
as practicable. In no event should the frequency nearly as practicable. In no event should the
deviation exceed 5 kHz. frequency deviation exceed 2.5 kHz.
6 The frequency tolerance should be 5 parts The frequency tolerance should be 2.5 parts
in 106. in 106.
7 The audio-frequency band should be limited to The audio-frequency band should be limited to
3 000 Hz. 2 550 Hz.
12.5 kHz channels 6.25 kHz channels
digital technology digital technology
8 Only constant-envelope modulation, entitled Only constant-envelope modulation, entitled
4FSK (Four-level frequency-shift keying 4FSK (Four-level frequency-shift keying
modulation) should be used. modulation) should be used.
9 The frequency deviation is limited to ±3 024 Hz. The frequency deviation is limited to
±1 471 Hz.
10 The maximum transmit frequency error: ±2 ppm. The maximum transmit frequency error:
The maximum time base clock drift error: ±1.5 ppm.
±2 ppm. The maximum time base clock drift error:
±2 ppm.
11 Control, telemetry and other non-voice signals such as paging, should be coded in such a
manner as to minimize the possibility of false response to interfering signals. The frequencies
specified in § 15 below for on-board communications may be used for single frequency and
two-frequency simplex operation.
12 When used in the duplex mode the base transmitter frequency should be selected from the
lower range for improved operability.
Rec. ITU-R M.1174-4 3
13 In general, if the use of a repeater station is required on board a ship, the frequency bands
described in RR Nos. 5.287 and 5.288 should be used. The detailed duplex frequency arrangement
is described in § 15 below.
14 Within territorial waters, these frequencies should be used subject to national regulations.
15 Frequencies
The frequency bands specified in RR No. 5.287 (subject to national regulations) shall be used with
the following arrangement:
Lower channel Upper channel
25 kHz 12.5 kHz
6.25 kHz channel 25 kHz channel 12.5 kHz channel 6.25 kHz channel
channel channel
Ch
MHz Ch. MHz Ch. MHz Ch. MHz Ch. MHz Ch. MHz
.
102 457.515625 202 467.515625
111 457.521875 211 467.521875
1 457.525 11 457.5250 4 467.525 21 467.5250
112 457.528125 212 467.528125
121 457.534375 221 467.534375
12 457.5375 22 467.5375
122 457.540625 222 467.540625
131 457.546875 231 467.546875
2 457.550 13 457.5500 5 467.550 23 467.5500
132 457.553125 232 467.553125
141 457.559375 241 467.559375
14 457.5625 24 467.5625
142 457.565625 242 467.565625
151 457.571875 251 467.571875
3 457.575 15 457.5750 6 467.575 25 467.5750
152 457.578125 252 467.578125
161 457.584375 261 467.584375
NOTE – The repeater station should be used as pairs of lower channel and upper channel with frequency
separation exactly 10 MHz (e.g. Ch. 2 and Ch. 5, Ch. 11 and Ch. 21).
Interference from digital system to existing analogue system is concerned. Administrations are
invited to consider the impact of analogue communication especially those operating lower channel.
