What distance defines NAVTEX coverage from broadcast locations?

• A. 100 NM
• B. 200 NM
• C. 300 NM
• D. 400 NM

Answer: (B)

NAVTEX broadcasts are designed to deliver safety and weather messages to ships in the near-coastal area, and the practical service distance is about 200 nautical miles from the transmitter. This figure reflects the typical propagation characteristics of the 518 kHz signal and the standard transmitter and antenna setups used at coast stations. Within roughly 200 NM, reception is generally reliable for ships equipped with NAVTEX receivers; beyond that, reception becomes inconsistent, requiring other dissemination methods. Real-world factors like transmitter power, antenna height, sea state, receiver sensitivity, and atmospheric conditions can adjust the actual range, but 200 NM is the standard planning distance used in training.