Doha Radio/A7D

[ This page is maintained by Albert Raj] ITU / IMO / GMDSS / My Colleague's Page

Introduction This is where I work since February, 1991 and I am very happy to include this page mentioning about a brief activities of my work place. Station Name/Call Sign Radio Maritime Coast Station (Doha Radio) Call Sign - A7D. This station is managed and operated by Qatar Public Communication Corp. (Q-Tel), in accordance with the provisions and regulations of International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and International Maritime Organization (IMO). Location Doha Radio is situated on the East Coast of Qatar. Doharadio is one among the major Coast Stations in the Arabian Gulf. Latitude 25 21 N, Longitude 51 32 E Area Coverages VHF - Territorial Water, MF - The Arabian Gulf, HF - Red Sea, Mediterranean, Europe, Atlantic Ocean, African Coasts, Far East, North Australia and northwest Pacific Emission A1A, A2A, H2B, F1B, H3E, J3E, F3E Frequency Bands Medium, High and Very High Frequency Local Time Universal Time Coordinated (UTC) + 3 Hours. (UTC = GMT) Activities The major activities of this coast station includes 24 hours public correspondence to maritime mobile stations and vessels plying in this region and else where in the world. Services Provided 1. Radio Telegram services to and from ships. 2. Radio Telephone call services to and from ships. 3. Radio Telex services to and from ships. Other Services Besides the above services, Doha Radio also keep a 24 hours monitoring watch on international distress frequencies 500 khz and 2182 khz, and 156.8 mhz as per the requirement of Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) conventions. In the event of a distress or urgency messages received from a maritime mobile station/vessel, we alert all ships and coast stations in the region by relaying such messages immediately there by possible assistance to the vessels are reached in time to save the man and machinery at sea. GMDSS When situations warrants Doha Radio coordinate Search and Rescue (SAR) operations with ships and other SAR units involved. In the scenario of Global Maritime Distress and Safety Systems (GMDSS), Doha Radio may have to assume the responsibilities as Rescue Coordinating Centre (RCC). Weather, Gale Warnings & Navigational Warnings Weather forecasts received from the meteorological office in Doha for the shipping and local fishermen are transmitted twice at 1000 UTC and 1600 UTC on daily basis on MF (CW & SSB) and VHF channels. Gale Warnings, Navigational Warnings and other safety messages to mariners are transmitted on aforesaid bands as and when they are received.