24-10-2016, 10:13 AM
Here is a U Tube recording on the calling and distress frequency of 500 kHz in 1974. https://youtu.be/RRak_yBhrwA We made initial calls on this frequeny and then transferred to working frequencies to exchange traffic. If distress working were in progress, normal calling moved on to the supplementary calling frequeny of 512kHz. Round the coasts, 500 was usually chaos, but there were 3 minute silence periods at H+ 15 minutes and H+45 minutes to give faint distress signals a better chance of getting through. These silence periods were strictly observed and the genberal clamour stopped abruptly as soon as they began, but a second after they finished, it was "dog eat dog" and "everyman for himself" as everyone battled to drown each other out and get the coast station first. Really daunting for a first tripper like myself on sailing from London in May 1961 aboard the old SS Rhodesa Star (built in 1943).
Bob
Bob
