Radio Communications Cheat Sheet: Listening Stations & Signals | Survival Solutions

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Field principle
Listen to authorized public broadcasts and permitted radio services. Monitoring private communications and transmitting without authorization may be illegal. Frequencies and channel allocations depend on country; check the local regulator and official notices.
Quick visual reference. Read the explanations and limitations before use.
On this page
1. Radio bands and what to expect
2. What a listening station is
3. Make an emergency call clearly
4. Make a quick listening log
Reference 1 of 4
Radio bands and what to expect
Medium wave / AM broadcast:
Roughly 0.5–1.7 MHz depending on region; carries public broadcasts.
FM broadcast:
Typically 87.5–108 MHz in Europe; public broadcasting and news.
Shortwave HF:
Roughly 3–30 MHz encompasses multiple broadcast and licensed radio services; reception varies with solar conditions and time.
VHF marine channel 16:
156.800 MHz: international maritime distress, safety and calling voice channel; not a general entertainment channel.
VHF marine channel 70:
156.525 MHz: digital selective calling (DSC) only, not voice traffic.
NOAA Weather Radio (United States):
162.400–162.550 MHz across seven designated frequencies; regional coverage.
Amateur radio:
Permitted frequencies vary by region, class and licence; listen or transmit only as legally authorized.
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Reference 2 of 4
What a listening station is
Official weather/alert broadcasts:
Use public radio channels and official local alert sources. NOAA Weather Radio applies in the US, not globally.
Marine coast radio / MRCC:
Coast stations and maritime rescue coordination centres provide safety services; coverage and listening schedules vary.
Voluntary vessel radio watch:
Marine crews may keep a watch on safety channels under local rules and operational conditions.
Shortwave broadcasts:
International broadcasts can travel far; keep a printed local station/frequency and schedule list and test reception.
Radio scanner caution:
Do not attempt to intercept private, encrypted or restricted transmissions. The ability to receive a signal does not automatically make interception lawful.
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Reference 3 of 4
Make an emergency call clearly
Choose correct channel:
Use the designated emergency channel for your service and country. On marine VHF, Ch 16 is voice distress and Ch 70 DSC alerting.
Lead with urgency:
Distress MAYDAY is for grave and imminent danger; follow applicable maritime radio procedures.
State essentials:
Who you are; exact location or bearing; nature of emergency; assistance needed; number of people; repeat as instructed.
Conserve battery:
Keep nonessential traffic short, listen for responses, and maintain the watch where safe.
Use redundancy:
Have alternative ways to summon help such as emergency phone, registered beacon, visual signals and written contact list.
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Reference 4 of 4
Make a quick listening log
Record:
Date/time (UTC), station name, frequency, mode (AM/FM/SSB), program, signal strength and source.
Verify:
Compare with up-to-date official frequency tables, current station schedules and local band plans.
Do not rely on one source:
Coverage changes due to terrain, propagation, outages, regulations and equipment.
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Further reading & source material
Use these sources to validate local rules, technical standards and updates. No emergency article replaces official alerts or trained responders.
US Coast Guard — VHF Channel information
US Coast Guard — DSC distress
Ofcom — radio spectrum and the law
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