The ocean racing yachts that will set off on Wednesday’s Sydney Hobart Yacht Race are required to carry radio equipment that includes both VHF and HF radios.
Image courtesy of Michael Cratt
As part of the race, each yacht must participate in scheduled position reporting and declarations via HF radio activity. These are also known as ‘skeds’. As such, the event becomes lots of fun for Tecsun radio enthusiasts.
All of the yachts will be transmitting on the following frequencies as they conduct their required position reporting.
Daily position reports will be conducted as follows:-
From Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2018 ‘Sailing Instructions’
On 6516kHz at 1705 hours on each day; and on
4483kHz at 0005, 0735 hours on each day
and at other times as may be advised by ‘JBW’.
A weather report may be issued at this time.
The position reports consist of latitude and longitude in degrees and whole minutes. These scheduled transmissions are often followed by weather reports and can take up to an hour to complete. Wind, retirement reports and the Green Cape declarations are also interesting to listen to.
To listen in you can use the handy and ultra portable Intek AR-109 Airband Scanner Radio or Tecsun PL365 radios or the Tecsun PL880 or the Tecsun PL660. All radios have ultra reliable VHF capability, perfect for the race!
Image courtesy of Michael Cratt
Where will you be tuning into the Race from? Tell us in the comments below!
I’ll try tuning in from the eastern suburbs, Melbourne. Are those sked times in Eastern daylight saving time?
Hi David. Good question! We believe it is AEDT. Unfortunately it’s not specified in the official documentation. If you see otherwise, please let us know!
I will listen in from 143 long, -37 lat near the Cape Clear “lighthouse” at Cape Clear. Post code is 3351 and over looking the Western plains of Victoria. Don’t look for us along the coast and not to be confused with our linked town in Cork, Ireland. Try the web. I can guarantee there will be no sea running. !!
Hi Craig. I think the signals will be very strong for your location. Please let us know which receiver you are using and what results you get as the race progresses.. This will help other listeners.
Will I be able to listen in in Tanunda SA please?
Will I be able to tune in from Tanunda in SA please?
Hi Peter. We believe you should be able to turn into it. You might need an outdoor antenna, however depends on the propagation. What sort of radio do you have? Please let us know how you go! We’d love to know.
Monitrting from Westport Harbour (41 degrees South) New Zealand on S-2000 and a PL-365.
Hi there! Fantastic stuff! Let us know how you go and we’d love to see your DX reports.
I’m certainly going to try and pick it up.
have a PL880 with just a standard wire indoor antenna so I am far from hopeful.
live in Wyndham Vale vic.
I also believe you need to be in USB mode.
Hi Michael. Great to hear from you. We’d love to hear if you end up picking up the transmissions in Wyndham Vale. Looking forward to hearing your DX reports!
Listening from Maroochydore on the Sunshine coast with a Barrett 2050 and 2019 Autotune antenna.
Hi Kate! That’s great! Looking forward to hearing your DX reports.