United States Coast Guard Communications Command Kodiak

 United States Coast Guard, radio broadcasting station, weather forecast office

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Call sign NOJ.

Communication Station Kodiak began its service as Radio Station Kodiak in 1957. With the advancement of technology, it changed to Communication Station in 1973. Now with further advancements, the Coast Guard is dedicated to finding more efficient ways to complete missions and provide services at the highest quality possible.

Coast Guard Communication Stations across the nation are being decommissioned and adopting the new system and title of Communications Command which will remotely operate certain components of the communications framework in Chesapeake, Virginia. COMMSTA Kodiak was decommissioned on Sept. 18, 2015.

COMMSTA Kodiak maintains a staff of approximately 22 watchstanders as a detachment to ensure Alaska mariners receive the same level of communication services.

This station broadcasts navigation and marine safety messages through several means, including Navigational Telex [NAVTEX] transmissions on 518 kHz; facsimile transmissions of National Weather Service charts; single sideband transmissions; and Simplex Teletype Over Radio SITOR narrow-band direct-printing broadcasts. In the 1960s through the 1980s, these transmissions were broadcast live, with the interval signal of "Semper Paratus"; however, now, using Voice Broadcast Automation (VOBRA), a computerized voice ("Perfect Paul") reads the voice messages.

NAVTEX transmissions are identified by the last letter of the callsign of the station. Each station transmits a NAVTEX broadcast six times a day, including two rebroadcasts of the general forecast. A NAVTEX broadcast includes maritime navigation warnings, weather forecasts, ice warnings, Gulf Stream locations, radio navigation information, rescue messages, and marine advisorys. Each station has 2 NAVTEX transmitters.

Besides broadcast messages, COMMSTA Kodiak handles direct traffic between aircraft, cutters, boats, and shore stations on VHF, MF, and HF frequencies, including the HF Data Link encrypted e-mail system and Digital Selective Calling (DSC), which uses radio telephone to send digitally encrypted signals to either one receiver or a group or receivers.

NAVTEX:

ID: J, 518 kHz
ID: X, 518 kHz

www.uscg.mil/pacarea/comstaKodiak/
www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=NAVTEX
www.icselectronics.co.uk/support/info/navtexdb
www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/2600314/Coast-Guard-Commun...