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Transfer of information
Modulation
Radio waves are used to transfer information over great distances. In the maritime context
the type of information carried is voice, telex, facsimile and data. The microphone converts
speech into audio frequencies. The information from telex/data/fax modem can be
represented by sequence of audio frequencies. It is not possible to radiate efficiently the
audio frequencies. Radio frequencies should be used for this purpose. The process of
translating the audio frequencies into the radio frequencies is known as modulation. The
audio frequencies are modulated onto a defined single radio frequency called a carrier
frequency. The carrier frequency is the frequency on which the transmission will occur (for
example the frequency 2182 kHz as shown on the Figure below).

The following types of modulation are usually used in the terrestrial maritime
communication:

l Amplitude modulation
l Frequency modulation
l Phase modulation

Amplitude modulation
Amplitude modulation of a carrier frequency signal is achieved by varying its instantaneous
amplitude at the rate of change of amplitude of the audio frequency signal. This type of
modulation is used in the marine radiotelephone transmitters operating in the MF/HF bands.
An audio frequency band of 350 Hz – 2700 Hz is used in the commercial marine radio
communications.
One can prove mathematically that the modulated carrier frequency contains the carrier
frequency itself and two bands of frequencies, one above and one below the carrier
frequency. These bands are known as the upper sideband (USB) and the lower sideband
(LSB). The bandwidth of the transmitted signal created by using amplitude modulation is
double the highest frequency of the audio modulating signal. The type of the radiotelephone
transmitter that radiates the carrier and the two sidebands is known as a double sideband
transmitter (A3E mode).

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The carrier contains no useful signal information. The upper and lower sidebands contain
the same information. Marine MF/HF transmitters now use single-sideband (SSB)
techniques for transmission. By eliminating the duplicated information contained in the
lower sideband, along with the carrier, the transmitter eficiency is greatly increased (J3E
mode). The bandwidth of the radiated signal is reduced twice.
At present the transmissions on the emergency frequency 2182 kHz may still use SSB
mode with full carrier (H3E mode).
Frequency modulation
Frequency modulation of a carrier frequency signal is achieved by varying its instantaneous
frequency at the rate of change of amplitude of the audio frequency signal. Frequency
modulation is used in the marine radiotelephone transmitters operating in the VHF band
(F3E mode).
A type of frequency modulation called ‘frequency shift keying’ (FSK) is used for MF/HF
radiotelex communication. In this case the transmitted frequency shifts by 85 Hz about the
carrier frequency. This mode is described as mode of emission F1B.
Phase modulation
Phase modulation has place when the instantaneous phase of the carrier frequency is
varied in accordance with the characteristics of the modulating signal. Phase modulation is
used in the marine radiotelephone transmitters operating in the VHF band (G3E mode).
Assigned frequency
Assigned frequency is the centre of the transmitted frequency band. The difference
between the carrier and assigned frequencies is shown on the figure below.

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For F1B mode (MF/HF radiotelex) the assigned frequency is the centre frequency between
the ‘mark’ and ‘space’ frequencies radiated (the transmitted frequency shifts by 85 Hz
about the carrier frequency). In this case the assigned frequency and the carrier frequency
are the same.
For J2B mode (MF/HF radiotelex and DSC) the assigned frequency is the centre frequency
between the ‘mark’ and ‘space’ sideband frequencies radiated. The assigned frequency is
1700 Hz above the carrier frequency. It can be seen that the modes of emission J2B and
F1B are essentially identical for two-tone MF/HF radio telex transmissions.
Note: If either F1B or J2B mode is not available on the equipment being used, then it may
be necessary to offset the tuning by 1700Hz from the quoted frequency to compensate for
the difference between the F1B carrier/assigned frequency and the J2B assigned
frequency.
For J3E mode (MF/HF radiotelephony) the assigned frequency is 1400 Hz higher than the
carrier frequency.
Note: When designating frequencies for single-sideband radiotelephony the carrier
frequency is always to be designated.
Classification of modes of emission
The mode of emission is a set of characteristics. The basic characteristics are:

l First symbol – type of modulation of the main carrier:

A - Double sideband (amplitude modulation).

H - SSB with full carrier (amplitude modulation).
R - SSB with reduced carrier (amplitude modulation).
J - SSB with suppressed carrier (amplitude modulation).

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F - Frequency modulation.
G - Phase modulation.

l Second symbol – nature of signal(s) modulating the main carrier:

1 – A single channel containing quantized or digital information without the use of a

modulating sub-carrier.
2 – A single channel containing quantized or digital information with the use of a
modulating sub-carrier.
3 – A single channel containing analogue information.

l Third symbol – type of information to be transmitted:

A – Telegraphy - for aural reception (Morse).

B - Telegraphy – for automatic reception (Telex, DSC, etc.).
C – Facsimile.
E – Telephony.
Following are examples of classes of emission commonly used in marine radio
communications:
Telephony:
H3E – SSB with full carrier (permitted on 2182 kHz only)
J3E – SSB with suppressed carrier
F3E – Frequency modulation
G3E – Phase modulation
Radiotelex and DSC:
F1B – Frequency shift keying of carrier
J2B – Frequency shift keying of sub-carrier
G2B – Phase modulation; a single channel containing quantized or digital information with
the use of a modulating sub-carrier.

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