With centralization and the introduction of remote operation it is not always easy or even possible to identify what you actually heard. Sending DSC messages with MMSI 002301000 this station is referred to as Mariehamn Radio in the DSC community. The ITU list gives MRCC Turku as the station however, and Turku is definitely the control centre for operations in the western part of Finland. Helsinki seems to be the other main control centre.
Anyway, as QSL Mariehamn / Turku Radio for a reception of their DSC test message on 2187.5 kHz I got a short email from mrcc@raja.fi, which is the email address for the headoffice in Turku.
In the old days things were easier: I added the QSL I received in 1989 for my reception of Mariehamn Radio on 1852 kHz which definitely originated from the Aland Islands.
Turku Radio is the only maritime safety radio in Finland.
Turku Radio’s MF/HF radio service ended on 31.12.2009.
Only VHF remains.
Hi, thank you for the interest in my website. And thanks for filling in. It is always nice to get input from the operators that run the stations.
Can I ask you a question? I agree that the MF/HF radio service ended (unfortunately, those were the days). DSC Safety watch continues on MF though, with the ITU listing Turku Radio as the maritime safety radio, using 3 transmitter locations on MF (Mariehamn, Vaasa and Kemi). Turku has MMSI 02301000 in the ITU database. And I think a MMSI 02301000 could come from any of these locations, remotely operated.
But we still see messages with MMSI 02302000 as well. In the DSC hobby community they are referred to as Helsinki Radio, but this MMSI doesn’t show up in the ITU database.
Do you know what their origin is, and why there are two MMSI’s for Finland Martime Safety in active use?
Kind regards,
Peter Reuderink
Turku Radio does not carry DSC Safety watch on MF/HF. It is VHF only.
Turku Radio´s MMSI is 002300230.
MMSI numbers you provided belong to Finnish Border Guard which operates Maritime Rescue Centers in Finland:
002301000 MRCC Turku
002302000 MRSC Helsinki
ITU Database details of Turku Radio:
https://www.itu.int/mmsapp/coaststation/one/735?context=bzs2RCadTUz44b98w9OBV7bHPPGw50SC%2BHyDfrByh0Vw3sUPDkPwfTjoUh5b21fH8om1QCyssnIUSJkxS41cQ1B1g3wLF75ggoU6dbyVoK%2BuoHI5PWYeGM66A09tAYOp%2FyiXGRIICTWmyE95ACpPdA%3D%3D
Finnish Border Guard:
https://raja.fi/en/emergency-notices-and-maritime-radio-traffic
Fintraffic Vessel Traffic Services Ltd. (operates Turku Radio)
https://www.fintraffic.fi/en/maritime_traffic/maritime-traffic-services/maritime-safety-radio
Turku Radio VHF links on map:
https://www.fintraffic.fi/sites/default/files/2023-11/Turku%20radio%202023_0.png