47 CFR § 80.379 - Maritime frequencies assignable to aircraft stations.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t47/s80.379"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "47 CFR § 80.379 - Maritime frequencies assignable to aircraft stations."
title_number: 47
title_name: "Telecommunication"
section_number: "80.379"
section_name: "Maritime frequencies assignable to aircraft stations."
chapter_name: "FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION"
subchapter_number: "D"
subchapter_name: "SAFETY AND SPECIAL RADIO SERVICES"
part_number: "80"
part_name: "STATIONS IN THE MARITIME SERVICES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "47 U.S.C. 151-155, 301-609; 3 U.S.T. 3450, 3 U.S.T. 4726, 12 U.S.T. 2377."
regulatory_source: "51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "80"
---


# 80.379 Maritime frequencies assignable to aircraft stations.

This section describes the maritime frequencies assignable to aircraft stations for simplex operations:

(a) Available frequencies:

| Carrier frequency | Conditions of use |
| --- | --- |
| 2738 kHz | (1) |
| 2830 kHz | (1) |
| 3023 kHz | (2) |
| 4125 kHz | (3) |
| 5680 kHz | (2) |
| 121.500 MHz | (4) |
| 123.100 MHz | (4) |
| 156.300 MHz | (5) |
| 156.375 MHz | (5) |
| 156.400 MHz | (5) |
| 156.425 MHz | (5) |
| 156.450 MHz | (5) |
| 156.625 MHz | (5) |
| 156.800 MHz | (5) |
| 156.900 MHz | (5) |
| 157.100 MHz | (6) |
| 157.425 MHz | (5)(7) |

(b) The conditions of use of the carrier frequencies in paragraph (a) of this section, are:

(1) For permissible geographic areas of operation see § 80.373(b)(1). For other limitations see § 80.373(b)(7);

(2) Aircraft and ship stations may use 3023.0 kHz and 5680.0 kHz for search and rescue scene-of-action coordination including communications between these stations and participating land stations. Stations using these frequencies must use J3E emission;

(3) Assignable for distress and safety communications between aircraft and maritime mobile stations;

(4) Assignable for search and rescue between ships and aircraft. Stations using these frequencies must use A3E emission;

(5) These frequencies may be used by aircraft stations when:

(i) The altitude of aircraft stations does not exceed 300 meters (1,000 feet), except for reconnaissance aircraft participating in icebreaking operations where an altitude of 450 meters (1,500 feet) is allowed;

(ii) The mean power of aircraft stations must not exceed five watts;

(iii) Communications are limited to operations in which the maritime mobile stations are primarily involved and where direct communications between the aircraft and the ship or coast station is required;

(iv) Stations may use 156.300 MHz for safety purposes only;

(v) Stations may use 156.800 MHz for distress, safety and calling only; and

(vi) Use of 156.375 MHz by aircraft is not permitted in the New Orleans VTS area specified in § 80.383.

(6) The use of 157.100 MHz is limited to communications with stations of the Department of Interior at Lake Mead, Nevada; and

(7) Commercial fishing vessels and associated aircraft may use 157.425 MHz while engaged in commercial fishing activities except within 120 km (75 miles) of the United States/Canada border and Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca and its approaches, the Great Lakes, and the St. Lawrence Seaway.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 58 FR 44953, Aug. 25, 1993]