TOC | Previous Section: Appendix J | Next Section: Appendix L
History of Communications-Electronics in the United States Navy, Captain Linwood S. Howeth, USN (Retired), 1963, pages 581-586:


Appendix  K.  The  U.S.  Naval  Communications  Frequency  Plan,  1926


In making the assignments in the U.S. Naval Communications Frequency Plan, 1926, paramount consideration was given to the communication requirements of the U.S. Fleet. Other primary considerations were the peacetime requirements of commercial radio activities; the requirements of international radio conventions; the requirements of other U.S. Government departments; and the necessity for radio intercommunication with the U.S. Army and merchant marine.
    In assigning the channels, it was decided that insofar as possible a separation of 10 percent would be used on all frequencies assigned naval high-power stations and those assigned the low-powered ones using frequencies between 75 and 600 kc. For the low-powered stations using frequencies between 600 and 2000 kc. the channels were to be separated by 20 kc. and for those above 2000 kc., by 30 kc.

Frequency channels to fleet units were to be assigned so as to fall between limits of transmitters and receivers. It was noted that radio installations on ships and aircraft were such as to permit comparatively free assignment of ships to task groups composed of various types of ships.
    Fleet, shore and naval district forces communications were to be kept in separate bands. Intercommunication was to be provided through one or more frequencies common to all systems.
    Strategical, tactical and fire-control communications of the fleet were to be kept in different bands.
    No frequencies were to be assigned the naval communication system which were in harmonic relation to one another--except above 4000 kc.
    Above 4000 kc. four widely separated working frequencies, in harmonic relationship, were to be assigned each ship or station utilizing frequencies in that portion of the spectrum. This was to permit communication at all times of day or year in any direction and at the same time was an economical utilization of the ether spectrum.
    The assignment of frequencies which were in "beat" relation to one another was avoided.
    In applying the above frequency principles and considerations, frequencies ending in the numeral 5 were assigned the channels above 150 kc. Below 150 kc. fleet frequencies ended in 5 but those ashore ended in even numbers with the exception of zero which was not used unless absolutely required. This permitted the widest separation of the most harmful harmonic interferences in the high-frequency bands, avoided the difficulties in "beating" between the fleet and ashore, and at the same time permitted a more liberal distribution of channels of communication.
    In the following table these principles were adhered to wherever practicable. Certain exceptions were made where international, national and certain technical considerations could not be overlooked.
    Where the word "Fleet" is used, it was expected that the Commander in Chief, would assign the frequency to the individual units of the fleet concerned. This permitted flexibility in the assignment of channels of communication to task groups, the composition and nature of which change from time to time according to circumstances.
DETAILED  NAVAL  FREQUENCY  ALLOCATION  FOR  PEACE  AND  WAR

HIGH  POWER  SHORE  STATIONS
Peace allocation
kilocycles**		           UseWar allocation
kilocycles**
17.5Annapolis17.5
19.8Cavite19.8
26.1Pearl Harbor26.1
28.5San Francisco No. 128.5
30.6San Diego30.6
32.8Guam32.8
35.8Puget Sound, San Juan33.8
36.0Washington36.0
38.0Heeia38.0
42.8San Francisco No. 242.8
46.0Darien46.0
48.0Cordova48.0

MEDIUM  POWER  SHORE  STATIONS
50.4Guam, Washington (NAA)50.4
52.0St. Paul, Key West52.0
54.0Heeia54.0
56.0Norfolk, Puget Sound, Cavite56.0
58.0San Diego, Port Au Prince, Bar Harbor58.0
60.0North Head, Brownsville60.0
62.0San Francisco No. 1, San Juan62.0
64.0Charleston, Great Lakes64.0
66.0Peking, Tutuila, Guantanamo, San Francisco No. 266.0
68.0Washington (NAL)68.0

FLEET
75.0Battleship Division No. 375.0
85.0Battleship Division No. 285.0
95.0Battleship Division No. 495.0

FLEET  AND  LOW  POWER  SHORE  STATIONS
100.0Annapolis100.0
102.0Boston, Key West, San Diego102.0
104.0Norfolk No. 1, Virginia Beach, Sitka, Eureka, Darien No. 1104.0
106.0Philadelphia-Portsmouth, Cordova, Pearl Harbor No. 1, San Juan-New Orleans106.0
108.0New York, Charleston, San Francisco108.0
112.0Washington NAA, Washington NAL, Pensacola, North Head, Cape Mala, Kodiak-Heeia, Cavite-Pearl Harbor No. 2112.0
115.0Battleship Division No. 5115.0
118.0Newport, Cape Hatteras, Annapolis, NAK, Guantanamo, Darien No. 2, Bar Harbor, St. Paul, Puget Sound, Hilo118.0
---Shore stations taken over in war122.0
125.0Battleship Division No. 1125.0

LOW  POWER  SHORE  STATIONS
128.0@La Palma, St. Augustine, Puerto Obaldia, Seward128.0
132.0@Great Lakes, Norfolk No. 2, Savannah, Jupiter, Brownsville, St. Thomas, Port Au Prince, Colon, Dutch Harbor, Tutuila, Olongapo, Guam, Peking132.0
---Shore stations taken over in war134.0
---Shore stations taken over in war136.0
---Shore stations taken over in war138.0
---Shore stations taken over in war142.0
---Shore stations taken over in war144.0
---Shore stations taken over in war146.0
---Shore stations taken over in war148.0

FLEET  (MAJOR  TASK  FORCE)  AND  NAVIGATIONAL  AIDS
155.0Fleet155.0
175.0Fleet175.0
195.0Fleet195.0
215.0Fleet215.0
245.0Fleet245.0
275.0Fleet275.0
---Radio Beacons300.0
315.0CINC U.S. Fleet, Navy calling315.0
375.0Radio compass stations,%% Radio Compass Communication375.0
---Fleet405.0
445.0Fleet and New London445.0
500.0Distress commercial calling500.0
550.0Aircraft squadrons and shore stations for aircraft555.0
---Fleet565.0

NAVAL  TRANSPORTATION  SERVICE--FLEET
605.0#Naval district patrol planes*; Air stations%%%605.0
615.0#Naval transportation service* and Fleet615.0
635.0#Naval district forces (vessels and section base stations)*635.0
655.0#Naval transportation service* and Fleet655.0
685.0#Naval district patrol planes* and air stations, OFU, St. Croix, TAU685.0
705.0#Naval transportation service* and Fleet705.0
715.0#Naval district forces (vessels and section base stations)715.0
725.0#Naval transportation service and Fleet*725.0
755.0#Naval district patrol planes and air stations**755.0
785.0#Naval transportation service and Fleet*785.0
815.0#Naval district forces (vessels and section base stations)*815.0
835.0#Naval transportation service and Fleet*835.0
845.0#Naval district patrol planes and air stations*845.0
865.0#Naval transportation service and Fleet-St. John*865.0
885.0#Naval district forces (vessels and section base stations)*885.0
905.0#Naval transportation service and Fleet*905.0
925.0#Naval district patrol planes and air stations*925.0
955.0#Naval transportation service and Fleet*955.0
965.0#Naval district forces (vessels and section base stations)*965.0
985.0#Naval district patrol planes and air stations*985.0
995.0#Naval transportation service and Fleet995.0

DISTRICT  AIRCRAFT
1105.0#Naval district forces (vessels and section base stations)*1005.0
1015.0#Fleet+1015.0
1025.0#Naval district forces%%%1025.0
1055.0#Fleet+1055.0
1095.0#Fleet+1095.0
1115.0#Naval district forces1115.0
1135.0#Fleet+1135.0
1145.0#Naval district forces1145.0
1155.0#Naval district forces1155.0
1165.0#Fleet+1165.0
1175.0#Naval district forces1175.0
1185.0#Naval district forces1185.0
1195.0#Fleet+1195.0
1245.0#Naval district forces1245.0
1255.0#Naval district forces1255.0
1285.0#Fleet1285.0
1295.0#Naval district forces1295.0

NAVAL  DISTRICT  FORCES
1305.0#Fleet1305.0
1315.0#Naval district forces1315.0
1325.0#Fleet1325.0
1455.0#Fleet1455.0
1465.0#Naval district forces1465.0
1475.0#Fleet1475.0
1485.0#Naval district forces1485.0
---Fleet1515.0
---Naval district forces1525.0
---Fleet1535.0
---Naval district forces1545.0
---Fleet1555.0
---Naval district forces1565.0
---Fleet1585.0
---Naval district forces1595.0
---Fleet1605.0
---Naval district forces1635.0
---Fleet1645.0
---Fleet1655.0
---Naval district forces1675.0
---Fleet1685.0
---Naval district forces1735.0
---Fleet1745.0
---Naval district forces1765.0
---Fleet1775.0
---Naval district forces1795.0
---Fleet1825.0
---Naval district forces1835.0
---Fleet1855.0
---Naval district forces1865.0
---Fleet1885.0
---Fleet1895.0
---Naval district forces1915.0
---Fleet1945.0
---Naval district forces1955.0
---Fleet1975.0
---Naval district forces1985.0

FLEET,  (INTRA  UNIT  TACTICAL)
---Fleet2005.0
---Fleet2035.0
---Fleet2065.0
---Fleet2095.0
---Fleet2135.0
---Fleet2165.0
---Fleet2195.0
---Fleet2235.0
---Fleet2265.0
2305.0Fleet and Fleet base shore stations***2305.0
2335.0Fleet2335.0
2385.0Fleet2385.0
2405.0Fleet2405.0
2435.0Fleet2435.0
2485.0Fleet2485.0
2515.0Fleet2515.0
2545.0Fleet2545.0
2575.0Fleet2575.0
2605.0Fleet2605.0
2655.0Fleet2655.0
2685.0Fleet2685.0
2715.0Fleet2715.0
2745.0Fleet2745.0
---Fleet2785.0
---Fleet2815.0
---Fleet2845.0
2885.0Fleet2885.0
2915.0Fleet2915.0
2955.0Fleet2955.0
2995.0Fleet2995.0

FLEET  (FIGHTING  PLANES,  TORPEDO  AND  BOMBING  PLANES)
3005.0Fleet and naval shore stations for aircraft%3005.0
3035.0Fleet3035.0
3065.0Fleet3065.0
3095.0Fleet3095.0
3155.0Fleet3155.0
3195.0Fleet3195.0

FLEET (OBSERVATION  PLANES  AND  AIRCRAFT  FIRE  OBSERVATION  COMMUNICATION)
3235.0Fleet3235.0
3265.0Fleet3265.0
3295.0Fleet3295.0
3345.0Fleet3345.0
3385.0Fleet3385.0
3415.0Fleet3415.0
3445.0Fleet3445.0
3475.0Fleet and naval shore stations% and for aircraft3475.0
3505.0##Fleet3505.0
3535.0##Fleet3535.0
3585.0##Fleet3585.0
3615.0##Fleet3615.0
3665.0##Fleet3665.0
3695.0##Fleet3695.0
3725.0##Fleet3725.0
3755.0##Fleet3755.0
3785.0##Fleet3785.0
3815.0##Fleet3815.0
3845.0##Fleet3845.0
3865.0##Fleet3865.0
3905.0##Fleet3905.0
3935.0##Fleet3935.0
3965.0##Fleet3965.0
3985.0##Fleet3985.0
FLEET  AND  SHORE  HIGH  FREQUENCY
4015.0, 8030.0, 12,045.0, 16,060.0 Washington No. 1, Pearl Harbor No. 14015.0, 8030.0, 12,045.0, 16,060.0
4035.0, 8070.0, 12,105.0, 16,140.0San Francisco No. 1, Cavite No. 14035.0, 8070.0, 12,105.0, 16,140.0
4045.0, 8090.0, 12,135.0, 16,160.0Darien No. 1, Guam No. 1, Tutuila No. 14045.0, 8090.0, 12,135.0, 16,180.0
4055.0, 8110.0, 12,165.0, 16,220.0Puget Sound, Norfolk4055.0, 8110.0, 12,165.0, 16,220.0
4065.0, 8150.0, 12,195.0, 16,260.0Brownsville4065.0, 8150.0, 12,195.0, 16,260.0
4075.0, 8150.0, 12,225.0, 16,300.0Pearl Harbor No. 24075.0, 8150.0, 12,225.0, 16,300.0
4105.0, 8210.0, 12,315.0, 16,420.0Fleet (cruisers)4105.0, 8210.0, 12,315.0, 16,420.0
4115.0, 8230.0, 12,345.0, 16,460.0Cordova, New York4115.0, 8230.0, 12,345.0, 16,460.0
4135.0, 8270.0, 12,405.0, 16,540.0Darien No. 24135.0, 8270.0, 12,405.0, 16,540.0
4145.0, 8290.0, 12,435.0, 16,580.0Boston4145.0, 8290.0, 12,435.0, 16,580.0
4155.0, 8310.0, 12,465.0, 16,620.0Pensacola, Lakehurst4155.0, 8310.0, 12,465.0, 16,020.0
4175.0, 8350.0, 12,525.0, 16,700.0San Francisco No. 24175.0, 8350.0, 12,525.0, 16,700.0
4195.0, 8390.0, 12,585.0, 16,780.0Bar Harbor4195.0, 8390.0, 12,585.0, 16,780.0
4205.0, 8410.0, 12,615.0, 16,820.0Fleet (Fleet and Cruiser Submarines and Scouting Aircraft)4204.0, 8410.0, 12,615.0, 16,820.0
4215.0, 8430.0, 12,645.0, 16,860.0Cavite No. 24215.0, 8430.0, 12,645.0, 16,860.0
4225.0, 8450.0, 12,675.0, 16,900.0St. Paul4225.0, 8450.0, 12,675.0, 16,900.0
4235.0, 8470.0, 12,705.0, 16,940.0Tutuila No. 24235.0, 8470.0, 12,705.0, 16,940.0
4245.0, 8490.0, 12,735.0, 16,980.0San Diego4245.0, 8490.0, 12,735.0, 16,980.0
4265.0, 8530.0, 12,795.0, 17,060.0Guam No. 24265.0, 8530.0, 12,795.0, 17,060.0
4295.0, 8590.0, 12,885.0, 17,180.0Washington No. 24295.0, 8590.0, 12,885.0, 17,180.0
4305.0, 8610.0, 12,915.0, 17,220.0Anacostia4305.0, 8610.0, 12,915.0, 17,220.0
4315.0, 8630.0, 12,945.0, 17,260.0Great Lakes4315.0, 8630.0, 12,945.0, 17,260.0
4325.0, 8650.0, 12,975.0, 17,300.0New Orleans4325.0, 8650.0, 12,975.0, 17,300.0
4345.0, 8690.0, 13,035.0, 17,380.0Philadelphia4345.0, 8690.0, 13,035.0, 17,380.0
4355.0, 8710.0, 13,065.0, 17,420.0Peking, Key West4355.0, 8710.0, 13,065.0, 17,420.0
4385.0, 8770.0, 13,155.0, 17,540.0Fleet (flagships)4385.0, 8770.0, 13,155.0, 17,540.0
4405.0, 8810.0, 13,215.0, 17,620.0Charleston4405.0, 8810.0, 13,215.0, 17,620.0
4435.0, 8870.0, 13,305.0, 17,740.0Quantico, Port Au Prince4435.0, 8870.0, 13,305.0, 17,740.0
4475.0, 8950.0, 13,425.0, 17,900.0Guantanamo4475.0, 8950.0, 13,425.0, 17,900.0
4525.0, 9050.0, 13,575.0, 18,100.0San Juan4525.0, 9050.0, 13,575.0, 18,100.0

NOTES
@@ The frequencies marked @@ are used primarily for non-Government marine traffic.
    ** These allocations are not exclusive for the Navy, in many cases they are shared with the Army, especially where there would be no interference.
    * Naval observation aircraft attached to the fleet will use frequencies marked * if 3000 to 4000 kc., proves unsuccessful.
    + Naval fighting planes etc. will use frequencies marked + if 3000 to 3200 kc. proves unsuccessful.
    # The use of frequencies marked # is restricted in peace as follows: The officer in charge of military or naval radio operations will confer with the Department of Commerce supervisor of radio in the locality, where interference is probable, to determine the frequencies which may be used with the least interference. Naval and military operations will then be confined so far as is possible to the time periods, frequencies, and powers which will cause minimum interference in the locality. It is understood that military and naval operation in this band will in general be limited to an antennae radiation of 75-meter amperes, to daylight hours, and to a limited number of hours per week and weeks per year. The amount of operation will differ somewhat in different parts of the country.
    ## The use of frequencies marked ## is limited in peace to communications between naval aircraft and naval vessels working aircraft.
    ### Navy Radio Washington is assigned a broadcast frequency of 690 kc.
    % The naval radio shore stations assigned for communication with aircraft on 550, 3005, and 3475 kc. in peace are: Lakehurst, Pensacola, Anacostia, Boston, Bar Harbor, New York, Norfolk, Quantico, Balboa, Colon, Puget Sound, San Francisco, San Diego, Hilo, Pearl Harbor, Philadelphia, Dahlgren, Cavite, Guam, Guantanamo, Jupiter, Key West, New Orleans, Eureka, and St. Augustine. Whenever the Navy desires to use the frequencies 550, 3005, 3475 k.c., or any of them, at naval shore stations designated to communicate with aircraft, it will notify the Interdepartmental Radio Advisory Committee of the location of such station or stations.
    %% The following naval radio stations use 375 kc. to transmit radio compass bearings: Bar Harbor, Cape Elizabeth, Maine, Boston, North Truro, Mass., Surfside, Mass., Prices Neck, R.I., Amagansett, Long Island, Fire Island, N.Y., Lakehurst, N.J., Cape Henlopen, Del., Virginia Beach, Va., Cape Hatteras, N.C., Morehead City, N.C., North Island, S.C., Folly Island, S.C., Savannah, Ga., Types Island, Ga., Jupiter, Fla., Key West, Fla., Pensacola, Fla., South Pass, La., Galveston, Texas, St. Paul, Alaska, Cape Hinchinbrook, Alaska, Soapstone Point, Alaska, Cattle Point, Wash., Smith Island, Wash., New Dungeness, Wash., Tatoosh, Wash., Destruction Island, Wash., Klipsan Beach, Wash., Fort Stevens, Oreg., Marshfield, Oreg., Empire, Oreg., Point St. George, Calif., Eureka, Calif., Point Reyes, Calif., Point Montara, Calif., Farallon Island, Calif., Point Arguello, Calif., Point Hueneme, Calif., Point Fermin, Calif., San Diego, Calif., Whitefish Point, Mich., Detour Point, Mich., Eagle Harbor, Mich., Colon, C.Z., Cape Mala, C.Z., Thatchers Island, Mass., Deer Island, Mass., Fourth Cliff, Mass., Sandy Hook, N.J., Manasquan, N.J., Cape May, N.J., Bethany Beach, Del., Hog Island, Va., Poyners Hill, N.C., Cape Lookout, N.C., Imperial Beach, Calif., Grand Marias, Mich.
    *** The Fleet base stations are: Newport, New York, Norfolk, Guantanamo, Puget Sound, San Francisco, San Diego, Balboa, Pearl Harbor, Cavite.
    %%% The actual assignment of frequencies to "naval district forces" and to "naval district patrol planes and air stations" in war will be made by the Chief of Naval Operations in cooperation with the War Department.
    There are some experimental naval radio stations which use miscellaneous frequencies from time to time--these are: Bellevue (NKF) , Annapolis (NZP), Dahlgren (NDY), Indian Head (NBG), San Diego (NPL.) and Paris Island (NAV).
TOC | Previous Section: Appendix J | Next Section: Appendix L