Standard Horizon Hx500s - Manual (Page 9)

HX500S Page 7
3. ABOUT THIS RADIO
3.1 ABOUT THE VHF MARINE BAND
WARNING:
The radio frequencies used in the VHF marine band
lie between 156 and 158 MHz with NOAA Weather
stations available between 161 and 163 MHz. The
marine VHF band provides communications over dis-
tances that are essentially “line of sight” Actual transmission range depends
much more on antenna type, gain and height than on the power output of the
transmitter. A portable 5 W radio transmission expected distance can be 2 to
5 miles.
The user of a Marine VHF radio is subject to severe fines if the radio is
used on land. The reasoning for this is you may be near an inland waterway,
or propagation anomalies may cause your transmission to be heard in a
waterway. If this occurs, depending upon the marine VHF channel on which
you are transmitting, you could interfere with a search and rescue case, or
contribute to a collision between passing ships. For VHF Marine channel
assignments refer to page 31 section 12.