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Radio Yacht

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Radio Yacht è una stazione radio, è una radio del progetto Lunare ed è dedicata agli spiriti liberi di Radio Yacht, con sede a Napoli, trasmette online e sulla frequenza DAB+ per la regione Campania. Lo streaming dal vivo è dedicato alla musica dal vivo su un DJ set.

Motto: "RADIO ON THE GO – DEDICATA AGLI SPIRITI LIBERI".

Formato: Lounge .

Indirizzo: Radio Yacht, Rothenbad 18v 6015, Napoli, Campania, Italia

Telefono: +39 391 778 0486

WatsApp: +39 391 778 0486

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.radioyacht.com/

• Napoli : DAB+ Canale 10B/12D
• Caserta : DAB+ Canale 10B
• Avellino : DAB+ Canale 12D
• Benevento : DAB+ Canale 12D
• Caserta : DAB+ Canale 12D
• Salerno : DAB+ Canale 12D

Marine VHF Frequencies and Usage

International vhf marine frequencies.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) adopts international regulations and treaties governing all terrestrial and space uses of the radio frequency spectrum. Within these international regulations, individual countries may adopt their own national legislation. The intent is to provide the maritime mobile radio communications user with a group of standard frequencies that are known to all mariners and can be used worldwide.

The VHF frequencies shown below, have been set aside by the ITU for the purposes stated. As of January 01, 2017, there are now 98 VHF channels made available by international agreement. Many previous duplex channels have been split to simplex to increase the channel availability. Most nation states do not make full use of all of these channels, since some frequencies shown are auctioned off or sold outright by nation states to private use and some are dedicated for experimental or special purpose use only.

While new VHF radios will be required to take full advantage of the new frequencies, older VHF’s will remain usable other than not being able to access some of the new (4) digit channel numbers.

The complete list of frequencies available in the VHF Maritime Mobile Band with notes:

VHF Maritime International Frequencies

Notes From Table Above:

General notes.

a. Administrations may designate frequencies in the intership, port operations and ship movement services for use by light aircraft and helicopters to communicate with ships or participating coast station in predominantly maritime support operations under the conditions specified in Nos. 51.69, 51.73, 51.74, 51.75, 51.76, 51.77 and 51.78. However, the use of the channels which are shared with public correspondence shall be subject to prior agreement between interested and affected administrations. b. The channels of the present Appendix, with the exception of channels 06, 13, 15, 16, 17, 70, 75 and 76, may also be used for highspeed data and facsimile transmissions, subject to special arrangement between interested and affected administrations. c. The channels of the present Appendix, with exception of channels 06, 13, 15, 16, 17, 70, 75 and 76, may be used for direct-printing telegraphy and data transmission, subject to special arrangement between interested and affected administrations d. The frequencies in this table may also be used for radiocommunications on inland waterways in accordance with the conditions specified in No. 5.226. e. Administrations may apply 12.5 kHz channel interleaving on a non-interference basis to 25 kHz channels, in accordance with the most recent version of Recommendation ITU-R M.1084, provided: •It shall not affect the 25 kHz channels of the present Appendix maritime mobile distress and safety frequencies, especially the channels 06, 13, 15, 16, 17, 70, AIS 1 and AIS 2, nor the technical characteristics mentioned in Recommendation ITU-R M.489-2 for these channels; •Implementation of 12.5 kHz channel interleaving and consequential national requirements shall be subject to coordination with affected administrations.

Specific notes

f. The frequencies 156.300 MHz (channel 06), 156.525 MHz (channel 70), 156.800 MHz (channel 16), 161.975 MHz (AIS 1) and 162.025 MHz (AIS 2) may also be used by aircraft stations for the purpose of search and rescue operations and other safety-related operations. g. Channels 15 and 17 may also be used for on-board communications provided the effective radiated power does not exceed 1 W, and subject to the national regulations of the administration concerned when these channels are used in its territorial waters. h. Within the European Maritime Area and in Canada these frequencies (channels 10, 67, 73) may also be used, if so required, by the individual administrations concerned, for communication between ship stations, aircraft stations and participating land stations engaged in coordinated search and rescue and anti-pollution operations in local areas, under the conditions specified in Nos. 51.69, 51.73, 51.74, 51.75, 51.76, 51.77 and 51.78. i. The preferred first three frequencies for the purpose indicated in note a) are 156.450 MHz (channel 09), 156.625 MHz (channel 72) and 156.675 MHz (channel 73). j. Channel (70) is to be used exclusively for digital selective calling for distress, safety and calling. k. Channel 13 is designated for use on a world-wide basis as a navigation safety communication channel, primarily for intership navigation safety communications. It may also be used for the ship movement and port operations service subject to the national regulations of the administrations concerned. l. The channels (AIS 1 and AIS 2) are used for an automatic identification system (AIS) capable of providing worldwide operation, unless other frequencies are designated on a regional basis for this purpose. Such use should be in accordance with the most recent version of Recommendation ITU-R M.1371. m. These channels may be operated as a single frequency channels, subject to coordination with affected administrations. The following conditions apply for single frequency usage:     - The lower frequency portion of these channels may be operated as single frequency channels by ship and coast stations.     - Transmission using the upper frequency portion of these channels is limited to coast stations.     - If permitted by administrations and specified by national regulations, the upper frequency portion of these channels may be used by ship stations for transmission. All precautions should be taken to avoid harmful interference to channels AIS 1, AIS 2, 2027 and 2028. From 1 January 2019, channel 2027 will be designated ASM 1 and channel 2028 will be designated ASM 2. mm. Transmission on these channels is limited to coast stations. If permitted by administrations and specified by national regulations, these channels may be used by ship stations for transmission. All precautions should be taken to avoid harmful interference to channels AIS 1, AIS 2, 2027 and 2028. From 1 January 2019, channel 2027 will be designated ASM 1 and channel 2028 will be designated ASM 2. n. With the exception of AIS, the use of these channels (75 and 76) should be restricted to navigation-related communications only and all precautions should be taken to avoid harmful interference to channel 16 by limiting the output power to 1 W. o. (n/a) p. Additionally, AIS 1 and AIS 2 may be used by the mobile-satellite service (Earth-to-space) for the reception of AIS transmissions from ships. q. When using these channels (10 and 11), all precautions should be taken to avoid harmful interference to channel 70. r. In the maritime mobile service, this frequency is reserved for experimental use for future applications or systems (e.g. new AIS applications, man over board systems, etc.). If authorized by administrations for experimental use, the operation shall not cause harmful interference to, or claim protection from, stations operating in the fixed and mobile services. s. Channels 75 and 76 are also allocated to the mobile-satellite service (Earth-to-space) for the reception of long-range AIS broadcast messages from ships (Message 27; see the most recent version of Recommendation ITU-R M.1371). t. (n/a) u. (n/a) v. (n/a) w. In Regions 1 and 3 (i.e. except N. & S. America): Until 1 January 2017, the frequency bands 157.025-157.325 MHz and 161.625-161.925 MHz (corresponding to channels: 80, 21, 81, 22, 82, 23, 83, 24, 84, 25, 85, 26, 86) may be used for new technologies, subject to coordination with affected administrations. Stations using these channels or frequency bands for new technologies shall not cause harmful interference to, or claim protection from, other stations operating in accordance with Article 5. From 1 January 2017, the frequency bands 157.025-157.325 MHz and 161.625-161.925 MHz (corresponding to channels: 80, 21, 81, 22, 82, 23, 83, 24, 84, 25, 85, 26, 86) are identified for the utilization of the digital systems described in the most recent version of Recommendation ITU-R M.1842. These frequency bands could also be used for analogue modulation described in the most recent version of Recommendation ITU-R M.1084 by an administration that wishes to do so, subject to not claiming protection from other stations in the maritime mobile service using digitally modulated emissions and subject to coordination with affected administrations. ww. In Region 2 (i.e. N. and S. America), the frequency bands 157.200-157.325 and 161.800-161.925 MHz (corresponding to channels: 24, 84, 25, 85, 26 and 86) are designated for digitally modulated emissions in accordance with the most recent version of Recommendation ITU-R M.1842. wa. In Regions 1 and 3: Until 1 January 2017, the frequency bands 157.025-157.175 MHz and 161.625-161.775 MHz (corresponding to channels: 80, 21, 81, 22, 82, 23 and 83) may be used for digitally modulated emissions, subject to coordination with affected administrations. Stations using these channels or frequency bands for digitally modulated emissions shall not cause harmful interference to, or claim protection from, other stations operating in accordance with Article 5. From 1 January 2017, the frequency bands 157.025-157.100 MHz and 161.625-161.700 MHz (corresponding to channels: 80, 21, 81 and 22) are identified for utilization of the digital systems described in the most recent version of Recommendation ITU-R M.1842 using multiple 25 kHz contiguous channels. From 1 January 2017, the frequency bands 157.150-157.175 MHz and 161.750-161.775 MHz (corresponding to channels: 23 and 83) are identified for utilization of the digital systems described in the most recent version of Recommendation ITU-R M.1842 using two 25 kHz contiguous channels. From 1 January 2017, the frequencies 157.125 MHz and 161.725 MHz (corresponding to channel: 82) are identified for the utilization of the digital systems described in the most recent version of Recommendation ITU-R M.1842. The frequency bands 157.025-157.175 MHz and 161.625-161.775 MHz (corresponding to channels: 80, 21, 81, 22, 82, 23 and 83) can also be used for analogue modulation described in the most recent version of Recommendation ITU-R M.1084 by an administration that wishes to do so, subject to not claiming protection from other stations in the maritime mobile service using digitally modulated emissions and subject to coordination with affected administrations. ww. In Region 2, the frequency bands 157.200-157.325 and 161.800-161.925 MHz (corresponding to channels: 24, 84, 25, 85, 26 and 86) are designated for digitally modulated emissions in accordance with the most recent version of Recommendation ITU-R M.1842. In Canada and Barbados, from 1 January 2019 the frequency bands 157.200-157.275 and 161.800-161.875 MHz (corresponding to channels: 24, 84, 25 and 85) may be used for digitally modulated emissions, such as those described in the most recent version of Recommendation ITU-R M.2092, subject to coordination with affected administrations. x. From 1 January 2017, in Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, the frequency bands 157.125-157.325 and 161.725-161.925 MHz (corresponding to channels: 82, 23, 83, 24, 84, 25, 85, 26 and 86) are designated for digitally modulated emissions. From 1 January 2017, in China, the frequency bands 157.150-157.325 and 161.750-161.925 MHz (corresponding to channels: 23, 83, 24, 84, 25, 85, 26 and 86) are designated for digitally modulated emissions. xx. From 1 January 2019, the channels 24, 84, 25 and 85 may be merged in order to form a unique duplex channel with a bandwidth of 100 kHz in order to operate the VDES terrestrial component described in the most recent version of Recommendation ITU-R M.2092. y. These channels may be operated as single or duplex frequency channels, subject to coordination with affected administrations. z. Until 1 January 2019, these channels may be used for possible testing of future AIS applications without causing harmful interference to, or claiming protection from, existing applications and stations operating in the fixed and mobile services. From 1 January 2019, these channels are each split into two simplex channels. The channels 2027 and 2028 designated as ASM 1 and ASM 2 are used for application specific messages (ASM) as described in the most recent version of Recommendation ITU-R M.2092. zx. In the United States, these channels are used for communication between ship stations and coast stations for the purpose of public correspondence. zz. From 1 January 2019, channels 1027, 1028, 87 and 88 are used as single-frequency analogue channels for port operation and ship movement.

Distress, Safety and Calling Channels

The following VHF marine frequencies have been set aside by the ITU for the purposes stated. These frequencies are internationally accepted by most nations and will be found on all VHF Marine Radios regardless of where or by whom they are manufactured.

• Channel 16 (156.800 MHz) - The international distress, safety and calling frequency.
• Channel 70 (156.525 MHz) - Digital Selective Calling frequency.
• Channel 13 (156.650 MHz) - Bridge to Bridge navigation frequency.
• Channel 06 (156.300 MHz), Channel 10 (156.500 MHz), Channel 67 (156.375 MHz), and Channel 73 (156.675 MHz) - Have been set aside for coordinated search and rescue operations. Many countries have assigned closely related safety communications traffic to these frequencies as well as their primary SAR usage.

On the following pages, we have listed marine VHF frequency usage tables for a few countries from around the world. While our list is small, we hope that we can build on these tables going forward. If you have information concerning VHF frequency allocation of countries that we have not listed please send it on to us and we will try and get it published.

VHF Frequency Tables by Country

• Internationally Accepted VHF Frequencies
• Australian VHF Frequency Usage
• Bermuda VHF Frequency Usage
• Canadian VHF Frequency Usage
• New Zealand VHF Frequency Usage
• United Kingdom VHF Frequency Usage
• United States VHF Frequency Usage

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• Marine Channel Frequencies VHF UHF Radio Programming

Radio communication is an integral part of nautical life . Whether you are a casual boater or a seagoing professional,  this article provides the marine channels you need for programming modern VHF-UHF radios with the international frequencies for ships, yachts, motorboats, ferries, sailboats, cruise ships, freighters, tankers, industrial docks, skiffs, riverboats, inflatables, aquatic sports, fishing, kayaks, and all types of watercraft.  Program your walkie talkies with this free programming list. For Baofeng or any other type of radio, these are the communication frequencies for oceans, seas, lakes, and rivers of the…

Marine Channel Frequency Programming for VHF-UHF Radios

The original source of this article is RadioMaster Reports .

International Marine VHF and UHF Channel Frequencies Programming

PRINT THIS Marine VHF UHF channel list  and save it. You will need it later.

International Marine VHF UHF Channel Frequencies Programming List

PRINT THIS Marine VHF UHF channel list  and save it.

Download: Marine VHF UHF Channels for Chirp Programming

• You will need a USB-to-Radio programming cable that is made for use with your radio . One end plugs into the USB port of your computer and the other plugs into the microphone jack of your radio.

• Use the programming list to build your channel list into Chirp.
• Upload the file to your radio.
• Check your radio for proper operation.

Typical USB to Radio Programming Cables:

Convenient HT radio programming cable USB to microphone jack

Backup Radios for Marine Use

Accidents happen on the water, just like they do on land. All ships and boats should have a proper VHF marine radio and keep it tuned to Channel 16 for normal safety and distress calls. The cost of a bonafide Marine VHF radio is not high. But, mariners also like to keep a backup radio on hand for when the main radio goes out or the marine VHF walkie talkie gets lost. Also, there is a need for UHF among some users, especially for operation with cruise ships and industrial operations. Larger ships, and especially petroleum industry vessels issue intrinsically safe radios to their crews. These are sealed to prevent any internal sparks from igniting fuel on board or at port. UHF capability is a feature that is not often found in lower priced marine VHF HTs. Ship crews often use separate UHF-only radios for on board comms. Fortunately, modern VHF-UHF walkie talkie HT handheld transceivers are inexpensive ( in the $25 range ) and ubiquitous. With the programming list provided here, they have all the channels and communication capability of a marine VHF HT plus a UHF HT. Such inexpensive radios can easily be acquired online or even in the local radio electronics shops of ports all over the world. These days, all crew members can easily afford their own personal radio, and now they never need to be without a backup radio of their own. Add a longer whip antenna ( in the $12 range ) on them and the VHF distance performance can be quite good for intership or ship-to-shore.

Water sports radio bag

Sure, many of the cheaper radios are not waterproof, rugged, or intrinsically safe; and they certainly aren’t maritime-rated or type accepted for marine service, but they will still communicate adequately. The audio quality is usually good enough that the party on the other end of the transmission won’t even suspect what type of radio you are on. Keep it in a sealed zip lock plastic bag or water sports radio bag and it should provide many years of backup service. The radio might even save the life of you and your shipmates some day.

Distress Safety and Calling Channels

There are 3 VHF channels recognized worldwide for marine safety purposes:

MAR 16 (156.800 MHz) – Distress, Safety and Calling MAR 13 (156.650 MHz) – Intership Navigation, Bridge-to-Bridge MAR 70 (156.525 MHz) – Digital Selective Calling

The channels should be set to scan channels 16 and 13.

Cruise Ship UHF Radio on a shore tour transport skiff

UHF Cruise Ship Frequencies On Board

UHF frequencies are part of the channel list. These are not VHF marine channels, but they are the UHF marine channels commonly utilized on board large vessels, such as cruise ships and ferries. Ships also may have UHF repeaters on these frequencies for use by the working crews. There are  6 sets of paired channels. The 457 MHz range is common to both european CEPT and USA/North American ships. The channels in the 467 MHz range may vary by the area where the vessel is from. The UHF channel names with A designators are european CEPT and the channel names with B designators are USA/North American. Example: Channel UHF1B is a USA/North America channel at 467.750000 MHz. The repeater offset is 10.000000 MHz for CEPT vessels and 10.225000 MHz for USA and North American vessels. Duplex UHF repeaters with either (-) Negative or (+) Positive splits are common on vessels.

Industrial Ship UHF Radio

Most on board UHF ship radios utilize PL or CTCSS sub-audible tone squelch , although some use DCS digital coded squelch . The most common PL tone (88.5 Hz) is provided as a default in the programming list, but you may need to manually change the programming of that default tone on a channel to another specific tone frequency, to be compatible with a specific ship channel. The programming list uses carrier squelch for receive, so you can always listen to all transmissions by ships on the UHF channels, but they probably will not hear your transmission unless you change the PL transmit tone to the same tone as they are using. These same UHF channels are also found around major shipyards, freight docks, freighters, tankers, industrial marine sites, oil platforms, ports, and many other types of marine sites.

Cruise ship passengers commonly use FRS or PMR radios to keep in touch with family members on the cruise

Additional Walkie Talkie Channels

A few additional walkie talkie channels are provided in the programming list. These include FRS, PMR, FreeNet, MURS, etc. They may come in handy to communicate with common bubble pack radios or other non-marine HT radios that are often encountered around marine environments. It is very common for passengers on cruise ships to use PMR Personal Mobile Radio or FRS Family Radio Service radios while on board, on shore tours, and in ports.

New Marine VHF Channels 12.5 kHz Interleaved

New maritime VHF channels which are interleaved between the existing channels are now available for use by suitably equipped vessels in some areas of the world. These new channels are numbered in the 200 series, and they are spaced at 12.5 kHz intervals from the previous channel frequencies. The use of these channels is in addition to the existing channels, and they do not replace the existing channels. Channel 16 calling, distress and safety channel remains the same, and the interleaved channels adjacent to it are reserved and not utilized in the interleaving plan, to prevent interference. Additionally, new AIS automatic identification system vessel tracking channels have been added, and new AIS services are being expanded in some areas. As part of the spectrum efficiency process called  narrowbanding , the international maritime VHF band will also be further interleaved with 6.25 kHz spaced channels in the near future. More digital services and digitized voice modes will be applied to these channels. The narrowband 6.25 kHz marine VHF channels will have channel numbers in the 1000 series.

New Marine VHF 12.5 kHz Channel Frequencies Interleaved. Also known as the 200 channels.

Marine VHF UHF Channel Frequencies USA-Canada Programming List 2016B

International Standard Channel Frequency List for Maritime Mobile UHF: ITU-R M.1174-3

ITU-R M.1174-3 UHF MARINE channels (release date 2015) international standard list of UHF marine frequencies for use on vessels. This chart includes the original 6 channels (mostly analog FM at 25 kHz channel spacing). The 25 splinter channels (analog or digital at 12.5 kHz channel spacing). The new narrowband digital channel numbers 102-161 and 202-261 are interspersed (at 6.25 kHz channel spacing) between the splinter channels. The international standard for split frequency duplex is for base or repeater on the Lower Channel, but some vessels utilize the opposite of this standard.

The following chart shows the Lower Band and Upper Band paired UHF marine onboard channels for repeaters.

UHF Marine Onboard Communications Standard Channel Frequencies

Submission of monitoring reports, imagery, errata, and detailed information is encouraged  by RadioMaster Reports.

©2016 RadioMaster Reports

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17 responses to “ marine channel frequencies vhf uhf radio programming ”.

Hi. I have a pair of these radios and I am trying to get a PTT to work with them with no luck at all. The system I am using is an eBay special, military style headset with the oversized 4 way plug and a PTT button with a 2.5m plug for the radio end. The speaker works fine but the PTT either doesn’t work at all or will activate the mic for a second and then it shuts off. Any tips would be appreciated, I am having a real hard time finding anything useful (read very ammature level) for this.

thank you for inform us. I feel happy to know industrial Communicative operation of radio. for a long times i would attempted to create frequency programming and make free channel conditionally same communication operation Icom and pptf were can’t resistant water proof and crash accident. so i need metal cover absolutely strength frequency channel file.

Hey thankya for the channel download it helps to have a spare radio for going ashore. The frs channels in it turned out to be real handy too. We can talk to those talkabouts the kids have

Thank you for the file! I was going to start typing every channel in by hand before coming across this post. It saved me quite a bit of time!

Thanks for this article, saves me a lot of research. And the printable image is very handy indeed!

why ch 9 is 156.400 instead of 156.450 usa canada marine ch list wrong i guess

The list is correct. You appear to be confusing the memory position number with the channel number (channel name). MAR09 is 156.450 MHz. Be sure to use Channel Name for your display.

Hi, can you mail me the 70cm list for chirp?

respectfully, no.

The links to the frenquency files does not work anymore

Yes, the CSV link is dead, does anyone have a mirror please?

Love this pst, great read! The links for the frequency files did not open for me either, anyone still have them? [email protected]

file not found on csv files files should work on uv-9r if i can source them (i hope) for international . save me ton of work

I agree with you

Hey everyone. Here’s a working link to a CSV for International Marine Channels.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/kl5khd4zkc3ft0j/MARINE_VHF_UHF_INTERNATIONAL_2016B.csv?dl=0

Thanx for this listing I was able to get it programmed and working as backup for my boat

[email protected] Quiero saber las frecuencias del estado donde vivo en Tamaulipas Matamoros q son de emergencia tengo radios Baofeng porfa saludos gracias

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Marine VHF Channels And Frequencies

When you use a marine VHF, the first thing you need to do is to tune in to the channel that you want to use. This is just like tuning your FM radio to the correct station. 

The main difference is that marine VHF channels are numbered, so you do not need to remember the frequency of every channel. All frequencies are pre-programmed into a marine VHF radio already.

The main VHF channels and frequencies to be aware of are:

With VHF channels and frequencies, different countries have different rules about what each channel is used for.

The channels in the table above are the main channels that have almost uniform usage worldwide. This means that these channels are used for the same thing, no matter where you are in the world.

The most important VHF channel is 16 . Ch16 is used internationally for distress, safety and calling. It is illegal to use this channel for any other purposes.

Either side of ch 16, you find 15 & 17 . The specific use of each of these does change from country to country, but I have included them because they share one specific characteristic. They can only be used on low power (1W).

This is because they are the closest channels to ch 16, and we do not want the use of either of them to interfere with a potential mayday situation.

As they are low power, they are typically used for communication within a vessel, or across a short distance.

Ch 70 is used for Digital Selective Calling (DSC). It is not a voice communication channel.

When you make a DSC call, your radio will use ch 70 to send the alert to the MMSI number that you input.

Finally, CH 87B & 88B are both used for AIS. AIS uses your VHF antenna to automatically transmit your vessel’s information. Both of these channels cannot be used for voice communication.

For more detail about how AIS works, you can read this article: How Does AIS Work?

Aside from these “universal” channels, we have around 60 other VHF channels whose specific usage varies from country to country. In the rest of this article, we will break it down further so that you have a full understanding of the range of VHF channels and frequencies available.

Where are marine VHF frequencies in the radio spectrum?

Marine VHF runs on frequencies between 156 MHz and 161 MHz.

The radio spectrum describes different frequencies and wavelengths of electromagnetic waves.

When it comes to radio communication, we use electromagnetic radiation with relatively low energy, and a long wavelength. Communication frequencies range from 3 kHz to 300 GHz, with wavelengths from 100km to 1mm.

VHF is just one small part of the spectrum that is used for communications.

As you can see from the diagram above, VHF frequencies range from 30 MHz to 300 MHz. Similarly, wavelengths can be anywhere between 10m and 1m.

Pro Tip: Antenna length is directly proportional to wavelength. HF antennas are longer than VHF antennas which are longer than UHF antennas.

Within the entire VHF spectrum, only a small portion is reserved for use in marine VHF specifically. The rest is used for things like aviation, television, radio, DAB etc.

The small part assigned to marine VHF is 156 MHz – 161 MHz.

Breaking down the marine VHF frequencies even further, you get into specific channels.

For example, 156.750 MHz MHz is one channel. 156.800 MHz is another channel.

We label them with channel numbers instead of writing out the frequency every time. 

156.750 MHz is channel 15, and 156.800 MHz 16.

The channel numbers are just a consistent way of labelling marine VHF frequencies, standardised across radio manufacturers.

It means navigators only need to remember channel numbers rather than individual frequencies.

Types of VHF channel

We have seen that VHF channels are just labels for specific frequencies within the marine VHF radio spectrum.

The other concept to understand with marine VHF is that you can find two different types of channel.

• Simplex channels
• Duplex channels

Simplex VHF channels

A simplex marine VHF channel is a radio channel where you transmit and receive on the same frequency.

Although we call it “simplex”, it is actually a “half-duplex” channel. A true simplex channel is one where information only flows in one direction.

For example, a true simplex channel would be something like a TV channel. The TV antenna can only transmit, and the aerial on your roof can only receive.

In marine VHF usage, however, we mean that the channel can only carry a single transmission at any one time.

Either the ship station can transmit, or the shore station can transmit. Both cannot transmit at the same time.

These channels are the traditional ones where you make your broadcast, then end it with the word “over” to let the recipient know you are finished.

While the transmission is taking place, it is acting as a simplex channel. One person is transmitting, and the other person is receiving.

Marine VHF equipment contains both a transmitter and a receiver, which is why it is technically a “half-duplex” channel instead. You can immediately switch between transmission mode and reception mode.

Duplex VHF channels

A duplex marine VHF channel is a radio channel where you can transmit and receive at the same time. With a duplex channel, you can have a conversation with another party, potentially both speaking at the same time, just like you can on a telephone.

As radio frequencies can only carry a single message at once, a duplex channel actually consists of two different frequencies. Each station transmits on one frequency and receives on the other.

As they are working on different frequencies, both can transmit at the same time while simultaneously listening to the broadcast from the other station.

A duplex channel just tells your radio to tune in to the different frequencies for transmission and reception.

For example, VHF 84 is a duplex channel where a ship station transmits on 157.225 MHz, and the shore station transmits on 161.825 MHz.

A ship’s VHF would tune its transmitter into 157.225 MHz and its receiver to 161.825 MHz.

How are VHF channels numbered?

VHF channels are labelled with channel numbers. Broadly speaking, they are numbered from 1-28 and 60-88.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) assigns a channel number to each frequency for simplex channels, or pair of frequencies in the case of duplex channels.

This standardised set of frequencies and channel numbers is used by marine VHF manufacturers to program their VHFs.

Some countries, like the USA, produce their own standards instead. We’ll cover that in more detail below, but for now it is important to understand that they still use the same general system of numbering channels.

Original VHF channels

Original VHF channels were numbered from 1 to 28.

The idea was that they were spaced at 0.05 MHz intervals across the part of the electromagnetic spectrum reserved for marine VHF use.

For example, VHF Ch 9 and VHF Ch 10 are at 156.450 MHz and 156.500 MHz respectively.

The interval was chosen because that was the limit of what could be reliably used on the available technology at the time.

When frequencies are too close together, radio equipment cannot easily differentiate between the signals, resulting in interference.

You need the interval between channels to be large enough to minimise interference, yet small enough so that you can get sufficient channels within the available space.

As technology improves, however, it becomes possible to tune in to more precise frequencies.

Newer VHF channels

Newer VHF channels are those numbered between 60 to 88.

With newer radio technology, it became possible to assign more channels within the same band of frequencies by reducing the interval between them.

Originally the interval was 0.05 MHz, but the newer technology could half that to 0.025MHz intervals instead.

The result was that you could squeeze newer channels between original ones.

Rather than re-name all the original channels, the new ones were given channel numbers between 60 and 88 instead.

As the channel numbers are just labels for frequencies that are programmed into VHF units, it doesn’t matter that they don’t run sequentially. Users only use the labels, they don’t need to remember each of the frequencies.

Pro Tip: Check old vs new channels if you have interference. For example, on Ch 9 it is more likely interference is coming from Ch 69 rather than from Ch 10.

What does “A” or “B” mean in a VHF channel?

VHF channels are labelled with an “A” or “B” when they are a new simplex channel that has been derived from an original duplex channel.

For example, when AIS was developed there was not sufficient space within the VHF spectrum to assign it a new frequency. The only option was to repurpose another channel that was already in use.

You can repurpose a duplex channel and create two simplex channels instead.

In the case of AIS, they started with the two duplex channels, 87 and 88.

If you re-designate them as simplex channels, you free up the shore frequencies that are no longer needed. The result is four new channels.

87B and 88B were given to AIS and renamed as AIS1 and AIS2. 

The simplex ship frequencies were retained for voice communication and the “A” suffix was dropped to make it simpler for numbering on a VHF set. 

It was only possible to drop the suffix because it no longer acts as a duplex channel anywhere in the world. If it was still used as a duplex channel somewhere, the suffix would need to remain to differentiate between the two.

When you see an “A” or “B” on a VHF channel number, it just means that it was originally one half of a duplex channel.

What is the difference between USA and International VHF channels and frequencies?

VHF radios in the US use different channels to the rest of the world.

The reason for this is that some parts of the radio spectrum that are used for maritime communication internationally have been auctioned off in the USA for use in other industries, like the railways. 

This means that if you make a broadcast on some international VHF frequencies within the US, you might be illegally transmitting on an unauthorised channel.

To get around this, most VHF radios give you the option of switching between “USA” or “Int”.

“Int” or “International” gives you access to all the frequencies that are used throughout most of the world.

“USA” gives you access to frequencies that are used specifically in the USA, while also removing access to channels that cannot be used for maritime transmissions in the USA.

A lot of channels are common between both the “USA” and “Int” versions, but the potential for incorrect use of the others means it is essential to make sure your VHF is set on the correct setting.

Lots of USA channels have the “A” suffix

You’ll notice that many channels used in the US are labelled with the letter “A”.

For example, in the US Ch 1A is a simplex channel operating on 156.050 MHz. Internationally, Ch 1 is a duplex channel operating across frequencies 156.050 MHz and 160.050 MHz.

In the US, the second part of the duplex channel, the 160.050 MHz frequency, is used by railways instead.

As a result, only the “A” part of the duplex channel is available for maritime communication. US radios, therefore, give you Ch 1A to use as a simplex channel.

The same principle applies with other international duplex channels that have been repurposed in the USA after part of the spectrum was sold off.

You will also see these channels labelled with a “10” prefix, rather than an “A” suffix. Going forward, it will become more common to have a “10” prefix instead.

For example, the US channel 1A is also known as channel 1001. 

Why are channels 75 and 76 missing?

Channels 75 and 76 are both not available to use because they are “guarding” channel 16.

When the lower increments were introduced in between original VHF channels it increased the chance of interference on channels that are close together.

Given its importance, channel 16 was given special protection from interference by removing the new channels that were introduced on either side of it.

Channel 75 is 0.025 MHz below the channel 16 frequency, and channel 76 is 0.025 MHz above it.

List of VHF frequencies in the USA

A complete list of channels and frequencies and their use is available from the USCG: US VHF Channel Information .

List of international VHF channels and frequencies

Take a walk through the most ancient Kremlin in Russia

The Novgorod Kremlin, which is also called ‘Detinets’, is located on the left bank of the Volkhov River. The first fortified settlement was set here during the reign of prince Vladimir Yaroslavich, the son of Yaroslav the Wise. During these times, all the state, public and religious life of Novgorod was concentrated here. It was the place where people kept chronicles and copied the texts of books. The Novgorod Kremlin, the most ancient one in Russia, was founded here in the 15th century.

St. Sophia Cathedral (11th century), The Millennium Of Russia Monument, Episcopal Chamber (15th century) and the main exhibition of The State Novgorod Museum-reservation located in a public office building of the 18th century are all situated in the Novgorod Kremlin. The exhibition will tell you about the whole Novgorod history from ancient times to the present day. There are also restoration workshops, a children’s center, a library and a philharmonic inside the Kremlin walls.

Send a letter with the State Novgorod Museum-reservation stamp

While visiting the main building of the Novgorod Kremlin museum, you’ll see a small bureau near the souvenir area. Two more bureaus like that can be found in the Fine Arts Museum and the Museum information centre. This is the Museum Post, the joint project of the State Novgorod Museum-reservation and Russian Post.

The tradition to exchange letters (at that time written on birch bark sheets) dates back to the 11th century so it’s hardly surprising that such a project appeared here. The bureaus are desks and mailboxes at the same time, so you can send your friends a postcard with a view of Novgorod right from the museum.

Find the famous Russian poet Alexander Pushkin among the figures of The Millennium Of Russia Monument

In 1862, 1000 years after the Varangians were called to Russia, a monument dedicated to this event was launched in Novgorod. To tell the story of Russia’s one thousand years, the sculptor used 129 bronze figures: from state and military leaders to artists and poets.

One of figures portrays Afanasy Ordin-Nashchokin, a politician and reformer who was responsible for Russia’s diplomatic relations in the middle of the 17th century. He is believed to be the father of international and regular mail in Russia. He was also the person who came up with the idea of the first Russian Post official emblem — a post horn and a double-headed eagle.

Cross the Msta River over the first arch bridge in Russia

The steel bridge in Borovichi town that connects two banks of the Msta river was built at the beginning of the 20th century. The project of the bridge was created by Nikolay Belelyubsky, engineer and professor of St. Petersburg State Transport University. This is the first arch bridge in Russia.

In 1995, it was included in the national cultural heritage register. More than 100 bridges across Russia were developed by Belelyubsky, but only this one is named after him.

Cast a virtual bell

When in the Novgorod region, you’ll definitely hear bells ring and learn about the Novgorod Veche Bell. During the siege of the city, tsar Ivan III ordered to remove this bell from the bell tower and send it to Moscow. Legend says that the bell didn’t accept his fate, fell to the ground near the border of the Novgorod region and broke to pieces against the stones.

In the biggest Museum Bell Centre in Russia located in the Valday town, you can see bells from across the world and learn why Novgorod bells are unique. The museum’s collection represents bells from different countries and ages, some of them dating back to the 3rd century BC. You’ll learn about the history of casting and modern bell-making technologies and also play games on a touch table. For example, harness virtual ‘troika’ (three) horses with bells or cast a virtual bell.

Spot the pigeon on the cross of St. Sophia Cathedral

St. Sophia Cathedral was built in Novrogod between 1045 and 1050 by Kievan and Byzantine masters. It was conceived as the main cathedral of the city, and during its first years it was the only stone building in Novgorod. So where does the pigeon on the cross of the cathedral’s biggest dome come from?

Legend says that while tsar Ivan the Terrible and his Oprichniki were cruelly killing peaceful city folk in 1570, a pigeon suddenly sat down to the cross of the city’s main cathedral. It looked down, saw the massacre, and was literally petrified with horror. Since then the pigeon has been considered the defender of the city. People believe that as soon as the pigeon flies away from the cross, Novgorod will come to an end.

Visit a monastery, that was founded by Patriarch Nikon

The Valday Iver Monastery is situated on the island in the middle of the Valday lake. It is considered to be one of the most important and picturesque orthodox shrines.

The monastery was founded in 1653 by the initiative of Nikon who had just been elected Patriarch. Nikon wanted the monastery to look like the Iviron Monastery on Mount Athos, including the architectural style and monk’s clothes. Legend says that Nikon saw the spot for the monastery in a dream.

Check out Fyodor Dostoevsky’s country house

Fyodor Dostoevsky, a famous Russian writer, first visited Staraya Russa town in 1872 during a summer trip with his family. They liked it so much that the next year they rented a house near the Pererytitsa River’s embankment and spent every summer here ever since.

Dostoevsky loved this house, called it ‘his nest’ and considered it the perfect place to work and to be alone. In Staraya Russa he wrote his novels ‘The Adolescent’, ‘The Brothers Karamazov’ and ‘Demons’. Today, this place is a museum where you can explore what Dostoevsky’s house looked like and see his family’s personal belongings, photos and letters.

Visit an authentic Russian ‘izba’ (wooden house)

If you want to really enjoy the atmosphere of the old Novgorod, you should come to the Vitoslavlitsy Museum of folk wooden architecture that is located on the Myachino lake not far away from Veliky Novgorod. In this open-air museum you’ll see the best examples of Russian wooden architecture, including authentic old ‘izbas’ (wooden houses), rural chapels and churches.

During the year, the museum hosts fairs of crafts and folklore, christmastides, and even an international bell ringing festival.

Learn what Brick Gothic looks like

The Episcopal Chamber of the Novgorod Kremlin is the only non-religious German Gothic building of the 15th century preserved in Russia. You can have a good look at the facets of the gothic cross-domed vaults inside the chamber. This is why this building is also called ‘Faceted Chamber’ or ‘Chamber of Facets’.

The chamber was part of Vladychny Dvor, the place where all important city events took place: court hearings, gatherings of the Council of Lords of the Novgorod Republic, ambassador’s receptions and feasts. The seals of the city’s lords were kept here. The decree of tsar Ivan III on merging the Novgorod Republic with the Moscow State was first announced in 1478 in Episcopal Chamber. This is when the name of the new state, Russia, was first pronounced.

See the murals by Theophanes the Greek

The Byzantine Empire had a huge impact on the development of the Russian culture. Many works of art and architecture in ancient Russia were created by Byzantine artists and masters. Theophanes the Greek was one of them. He was born in Byzantine and created icons and murals in Constantinople and Caffa (modern Feodosia). After that he moved to Novgorod where he was commissioned to paint the walls of the Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior on Ilyina Street. You can enjoy his unique and expressive style if you look at the murals inside the dome of the church and the Trinity side chapel.

The most recognizable and the only monumental work of Theophanes the Greek that is preserved today is the chest-high portrait of the Savior the Almighty in the dome of the Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior.

Take a photo with an ancient Novgorod citizen who is learning how to read and write

In 1951, a letter written on birch bark dating back to the 14–15th centuries was found in Veliky Novgorod. Many decades later, in 2019, a sculpture designed by Novgorod artist and sculptor Sergey Gaev appeared on this exact site.

The sculpture portrays an 8–year old boy sitting on a stool and holding a piece of birch bark. At this age children in Novgorod started to learn how to read and write. During archaeological excavations in Novgorod, scientists often found ancient handwriting practice books and children’s drawings on birch bark sheets.

Feel like an ancient viking or prince Rurik’s guest

Novgorod is one of the waypoints of the famous trade route from the Varangians to the Greeks. The route passed through the Volkhov river. In the 9–10th centuries there was a fortified settlement of the Viking Age here.

Some scientists believe that Novgorod is named after this area which was called ‘Stary Gorod’ (‘Old City’) at that time. Some historians and archeologists consider this place to be the residence of Prince Rurik who was asked to rule the city in 862. That’s why this ancient settlement is called ‘Rurikovo Gorodische’ (‘Ruruk’s Old City’).

Learn more about the Soviet modernist architecture

On the bank of the Volkhov river near the Novgorod Kremlin, there is an incredible building that looks like a spaceship and contrasts strongly with the ancient buildings of the city.

This is the Fyodor Dostoevsky Theater of Dramatic Art that was built in 1987. It is one of the most striking examples of the Soviet modernist architecture. The theater was built for 10 years according to the project of architect Vladimir Somov.

See what an everyday life of Old Believers looks like

The Krestsy town in the Novgorod region has always been considered to be the center of the Novgorod Old Belief community, and it still is. Before the Soviet revolution there were three Old Believers churches here.

The Lyakova village, which is located not far from the town, used to be inhabited completely by Old Believers. You can learn more about their lifestyle in the local interactive museum. You’ll be introduced to Old Believers’ traditional crafts and ceremonies, drink tea with healing herbs and learn how to chop wood and use an old spinning wheel.

Buy a traditional embroidered tablecloth

A unique embroidery style that is now famous all over the world was born in the Staroye Rakhino village in the Novgorod province. By the middle of the 19th century, it had become a folk craft. Since then, linen tablecloths, towels and clothing items decorated with unusual ornaments have been popular not only among the locals, but also travellers.

In 1929, the first cooperative partnership of embroidery masters was created in Kresttsy. Later it turned into a factory that still operates today. The factory has a museum where embroidery traditions are preserved and new ornaments and technologies are created.

Find yourself in the Middle Ages

In the Middle Ages, Staraya Russa town could be called ‘the salt cellar of Russia’. That’s because salt making was the main trade here up to the 19th century. A few years ago, the old craft was brought back to life, and construction of salt works began. Later, an interactive museum was launched based on the results of archaeological findings.

This museum recreates a typical medieval manor of Staraya Russa of the 12th century with living rooms, a bathhouse, workshops, a livestock pen and traditional peasant household items. In this museum, you can also buy salt which is made in the same way as 1000 years ago.

See the place where Suvorov started his Italian campaign

Alexander Suvorov’s manor in the Konchanskoe village, which has now become the museum of the great commander, was originally the place of his exile. Suvovor openly disagreed with the reform of Russian’s army based on the Prussian model, and Emperor Paul the First didn’t appreciate such behaviour. He first fired Suvorov and then sent him away to his family estate.

However, the exile lasted for only two years. The great commander started the military campaign straight from his house in the Konchanskoe. During this legendary expedition, he crossed the Alps and defeated the French army.

Become a real hiker

If you dream of having a hike in the Novgorod region, but at the same time you are afraid that a tourist’s life may be too hard, you should try the Big Valday trail. This is a five-day 59-kilometer walking route. Its central part goes right through the Valday National Park’s territory.

You won’t have to cope with difficulties and inconveniences of camping life here. The route is marked with signs, and there are camping sites where you can find everything you need for an overnight stay from shelters and places for a fire to toilets. The trail finishes at the Dunayevshchina village where you can take a bus back to Valday. To take the trail, you have to fill out a special form and register on the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Russian Federation website.

Russian Post has launched a limited series of products dedicated to the cultural heritage of the Novgorod region.

In autumn 2020, Russian Post announced an open contest to create the design for its limited series dedicated to Novgorod region. The project was supported by the Government of the Novgorod region, ‘Russ Novgorodskaya’ (Novgorod Russia) project, the State Novgorod Museum-reservation and Yandex.

Stamps and envelopes are traditionally used to spread information about historic dates and figures and famous landmarks. Now we can also use parcel boxes, packaging tape and postcards. The limited series products will travel around the world, introducing the most popular Russian attractions to six million Russian Post clients daily.

The participants were to create the design for the limited series featuring three iconic attractions of the Novgorod region, the Novgorod Kremlin, the Millennium Of Russia Monument and the Belelyubsky Bridge in Borovichi. Moscow designers and graduates of the Higher School of Economics’ Art and Design School Alena Akmatova and Svetlana Ilyushina won the contest. Their project was chosen via an open vote and by the expert jury.

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Why was Novgorod a unique city in medieval Russia?

As the most prominent and powerful city of northwestern Rus in the Middle Ages, and being very popular with European merchants, Novgorod was unlike any other settlement in the lands of the Eastern Slavs during that era.

Traditionally, medieval Russian cities grew around the main fortress, which was the political and religious heart of the community. Novgorod, however, emerged from a union of three settlements inhabited by different Slavic tribes. For them, it became a “new city” – this is how “Novgorod” is literally translated from Russian ( Novy – “new”, and gorod – “city”).

In the 14th and 15th centuries, during its heyday as a commercial and political power, the city of Novgorod was officially known as Gospodin Velikiy Novgorod – literally “The Great Master Novgorod”. The city was almost an empire, controlling vast lands from the Baltic Sea in the west to the Ural Mountains in the east, and from the White Sea in the north to the upper Volga in the south. After Kiev, it was the second most powerful city in medieval Rus.

Commerce: Making Novgorod great

Novgorod market in the 17th century

International commerce was the foundation of Novgorod's prosperity, which truly made it great and powerful. The local craftsmen – weavers and tanners, jewelers and glass blowers, potters and foundry workers, gunsmiths and locksmiths – were famous throughout the Russian lands. But Novgorod also did a brisk trade with Western Europe via the Baltic Sea trade routes.

By the end of the 13th century, merchants from the Hanseatic League developed strong trade relations with Novgorod. The Hanseatic League was the largest trade association of merchants from major German cities situated along the Baltic and North seas, but it also maintained four representative offices outside of the German-speaking world – in Novgorod, Bruges, Bergen and London.

Guests from over the sea, Nikolai Rerikh, 1901

The German merchants came to Novgorod to make wholesale purchases, and deals were concluded at the Hanseatic League's representative office. However, a merchant from any other Russian city couldn't enter the office's territory and make deals there.

European merchants were eager to come to Novgorod to sell prized luxury goods such as wine, expensive fabrics, ornamental stones, and precious metals. In return, Novgorod sold fine and precious furs such as squirrel, weasel, and sable. Novgorod also massively exported honey, leather, wax (which Europe needed to make church candles), and walrus ivory.

Boyar republic

Velikiy Novgorod

Novgorod’s political system was unique among the myriad of city-states and principalities of medieval Rus; it was ruled by a small circle of boyar families that owned huge fiefdoms both near the city and in remote northern lands. The title of boyar in Novgorod was hereditary, a fact that distinguished the city from the rest of Russia, where the title of boyar usually was bestowed upon military commanders who were close to the Rurikid princes. The fact that Novgorod was ruled solely by locally-born aristocracy was actually a prominent feature in the principality’s unique form of republican government.

READ MORE: Who were the Russian boyars?

Unlike the boyars in the rest of the Russian lands, the boyars of Novgorod weren’t military commanders. Rather, they were locally-born landowners and high-profile international traders who also were proficient in politics. The supreme authority in Novgorod was the Veche , a kind of parliament that included the wealthiest and most influential men in the city. The upper part of the Veche included at least 300 boyars – 14th century German sources report that the main assembly in Novgorod was called the "300 golden belts".

The Veche met in public on the square near the central market, and its convocation was announced by the famous Veche bell, a symbol of Novgorod’s freedom and independence. The veche was not unique to Novgorod, however, and it was also a feature of the political system in other cities of medieval Rus until the time when Moscow began to solidify control over the other principalities to form a centralized Russian state. Only in Novgorod did the Veche exist up to the 15th century.

The Veche was so powerful that it elected and could even expel the prince; it also issued laws, declared war and made peace, established taxes and duties. Also, the members of the Veche chose a posadnik , who was the managerial head of the city. He monitored whether the prince fulfilled the terms of the agreement with the city, as well as managed Novgorod’s possessions and was responsible for law enforcement, the courts, and even signed diplomatic treaties. The prince of Novgorod had to represent the city to the other Russian lands and was responsible for the city’s defense.

The political life of Novgorodians, however, was not limited to the central Veche; ordinary Novgorodians also had the chance to participate in the city’s local street and district veches. The boyars used these meetings to promote their interests and fight against their opponents.

The city’s religious authorities enjoyed great freedom ever since the people of Novgorod were able to secure autonomy for their archbishop. From the beginning of the 12th century, the Kiev bishop (known as a “metropolitan”) basically rubber stamped whatever candidate was proposed by the Novgorodians for this position. The archbishop had his own regiment for protection, participated in diplomatic negotiations and put his official seal on international agreements.

Liberty in princes

Yaroslav the Wise, Nikolai Rerikh, 1941-1942

Restriction of the rights of the princes began in Novgorod during the lifetime of Yaroslav the Wise (978 – 1054), who agreed to give special privileges to the Novgorod boyars vis-a-vis the prince in exchange for support in the struggle for control of Kiev. Novgorod did not develop a separate princely dynasty after the death of Yaroslav, because the city was at the source of the trade route "from the Varangians to the Greeks” and was closely connected with Kiev. When he died in 1054, Yaroslav the Wise bequeathed Kiev and Novgorod to his eldest son. As a result, the princely line that ruled Kiev usually chose a prince to rule in Novgorod, or Novgorod had the same prince as Kiev did.

In 1136, a rebellion in Novgorod led to the expulsion of the prince. From then on, the Novgorodians invited princes themselves and concluded a temporary agreement with them, according to which they could not interfere in the affairs of city management, change the highest officials and acquire lands on the outskirts of the Novgorod republic. In case of any violation of the agreement, the prince was expelled from the city, and the Veche selected a new candidate. Such changes more than once had a serious impact on the life of all the principalities of Rus.

Despite such treatment of the princes, all the major figures of Kievan Rus, who were the builders of the future united Russian state – from Vladimir the Great to Vladimir Monomakh – reigned in Novgorod before ascending the throne in Kiev. Symbolically, Novgorod was also the first place where Rurik reigned in Russia.

The most literate city in Russia

Birch bark letter #1

On July 26, 1951, archaeological excavations in Novgorod found the first letter written on birch bark, with a discernible text carved on the surface. In total, more than 1100 such letters were found in Novgorod and about 100 in other cities of medieval Russia.

The analysis of Novgorod’s birch-bark letters allowed scholars to reconstruct the everyday life of the city and its inhabitants over the course of the 11th to the 15th centuries, which was the golden era of the Novgorod Republic.

The texts on birch bark testify to widespread literacy among the people of Novgorod who wrote to each other often and on a variety of matters, where they discussed household affairs, commercial transactions, as well as court decisions and simply the local gossip. Both men and women were literate, which was unheard of for Western Europe at this time.

READ MORE: How did single women survive in Tsarist Russia?

The birch-barks showed that the position of women in Novgorod society was quite prominent, and they conducted their own affairs, concluded commercial transactions, dispatched their husbands orders, as well as appeared in court, including on financial issues; and in general were actively engaged in economic activity.

Among the letters there were also touching declarations of love, such as the famous letter written by an unknown young woman in the 12th century: "I sent to you three times. What evil do you have against me that you did not come to me?" Another birch-bark letter contains one of the first records of Russian cursing.

Novgorod's heroes, its tragic fall and legacy today

Sadko, Ilya Repin, 1876

Novgorod’s political structure and the nature of its economy created special cultural and real heroes. Unlike the characters of the Russian bylinas who spend their time lying on the stove and waiting for an opportunity to stand up for the fatherland, Novgorod's main hero, Sadko, who is a handsome man, as well as gusli player and merchant, is relentless in his pursuit of money and fame. He successfully swindles the sea tsar and wraps him around his finger, and once he is rich, he swears to buy up all Novgorod’s goods. In some versions of the legend he even succeeds.

Another atypical Novgorod hero, one not from a bylina but rather someone from real history, was the leader of the local resistance against Moscow. Marfa Boretskaya (or Marfa Posadnitsa because Marfa's second husband was a posadnik) came from an influential boyar family and owned vast tracts of land that were already in her family’s possession, as well as those lands that she inherited after the death of her first husband.

The taking away of the Novgorod Veche bell. Marfa Posadnitsa. 1889

When in the 15th century the Grand Prince of Moscow, Ivan III, began to unite the Russian lands by conquering other cities, Marfa entered into negotiations with the Lithuanian Grand Duke to propose a merger with Novgorod on the condition that it maintains its rights of autonomy.

READ MORE: How Russians executed... bells

Having learned about the negotiations, Ivan III declared war on Novgorod, and in 1478 the republic ceased to exist. As a sign of the abolition of Novgorod’s Veche, the famous bell was taken to Moscow, and the most promised townspeople were repressed. Marfa's lands were confiscated, and she herself soon died.

Nevertheless, while Novgorod has long disappeared from the map as an independent political entity, its legacy resonates today in the modern era. At the dawn of Russian history Novogorod accepted Rurik to reign, thereby laying the foundation of Russian statehood. Also, the city and its republican form of government showed that the path to rigid centralization and the absolute power of the Grand Prince was not the only possible political path for Russia.

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• Veliky Novgorod Region: Why you need to see the jewel in Russia’s ‘Silver Necklace’
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