Marine communications on shortwave?

[scott123]

Hi, I know this was mentioned in an earlier thread, but I am still not clear on it. Please excuse my ignorance, I don't know much about this.

I am thinking of purchasing a Tecsun PL-660 shortwave radio (or something similar). What I want to know is, will I be able to pick up boats, ships etc. on this? I live right near the shoreline of Lake Ontario. I think that would be interesting to listen to from time to time.

I've heard you need SSB for this ... which the PL 660 has. Beyond that, I don't much about it. I wouldn't go as far as getting a marine radio to hear it, just want to know if a shortwave with SSB will pick it up.

I do have an old scanner with marine band on it, but don't hear much other than the Coast Guard on it once in a while.

Thanks for any info,
Scott

[ecps92]

95% of the Coast Guard traffic moved with Rescue 21 to their own LMR [UHF and VHF] from the VHF Marine Frequencies

Originally Posted by scott123

I do have an old scanner with marine band on it, but don't hear much other than the Coast Guard on it once in a while.

Thanks for any info,
Scott

[mmckenna]

Originally Posted by scott123

Hi, I know this was mentioned in an earlier thread, but I am still not clear on it. Please excuse my ignorance, I don't know much about this.

I am thinking of purchasing a Tecsun PL-660 shortwave radio (or something similar). What I want to know is, will I be able to pick up boats, ships etc. on this? I live right near the shoreline of Lake Ontario. I think that would be interesting to listen to from time to time.

I've heard you need SSB for this ... which the PL 660 has. Beyond that, I don't much about it. I wouldn't go as far as getting a marine radio to hear it, just want to know if a shortwave with SSB will pick it up.

I do have an old scanner with marine band on it, but don't hear much other than the Coast Guard on it once in a while.

Thanks for any info,
Scott

While the Great Lakes are, well, Great, you'll find that most traffic will be on VHF rather than HF/short wave. I wouldn't rule it out 100%, though.

Large commercial ships are doing most of their business traffic via satellite now, e-mail and internet access is much easier and faster that using HF. The "home office" also doesn't need any special equipment, either, to receive traffic from their vessels.

What you will likely hear, if you have a good antenna, is marine HF traffic from the ocean. It is still used by some, and the US and Canadian Coast Guards utilize it for weather reports, ice reports, general notice to mariners, etc.

If you go to the US Coast Guard site, you can search for the HF radio channel plans. Marine HF is "channelized", as in it's not a free for all like ham radio, there are set frequencies that are used, so it would be easy for you to program some of these in to your radio and listen around. It's been a long time since I was in the Coast Guard, but we used to monitor 2182KHz on the bridge while the radio room was handling traffic on other frequencies. Actually a lot of there stuff was data using AX.25, and not voice. I do remember hearing the fishing boats talking back and forth and a few calls to the Coast Guard, but this was in the Bering Sea in the 1990s, and things have likely changed.

[mmckenna]

If you have the time, do a search on GMDSS, it lays out what commercial ships have to carry radio wise. Inmarsat C is becoming the preferred communications method, although it doesn't cover 100% of the globe. Pretty much the rules are ships must monitor VHF Channel 16, 156.800MHz, and outside of the coastal areas, 2187.5KHz. Give those two a try, likely you have the best chance of hearing something on those frequencies.

[scott123]

OK, think I am starting to get it ... the 2187.5 khz a guy mentioned I would be able to pick up on a shortwave portable. But from what I can see, I wouldn't be able to get basic CG freqs like 156.8 Mhz etc. (but that's OK, I have a scanner that does that).

But what about boaters (fishermen and otherwise) that use SSB marine radios?
Could I get that, for example, on a Tecsun PL-660?

Thanks,
Scott

[mmckenna]

Originally Posted by scott123

But what about boaters (fishermen and otherwise) that use SSB marine radios?
Could I get that, for example, on a Tecsun PL-660?

Thanks,
Scott

Sure, your radio will absolutely do that. You likely won't hear a whole lot of traffic, however. Pleasure boats that go way out, like big sailboats, often have SSB capabilities using an insulated backstay as an antenna. Satellite terminals are still costly enough that the average Joe can't afford them. On a sail boat, they also take up a lot of valuable space. You may occasionally hear phone traffic over them, but not as often as it used to happen.

I'd suggest 2187.5 as a place to start. USCG will often do broadcasts on there. Do some searches on the web for things like Ice Reports, Notice To Mariners, weather reports, etc. USCG still broadcasts those on HF. USCG has a pretty good website for that sort of stuff. The reports are often scheduled, so if you tune in at the right time, you should be able to hear something.

[majoco]

Is there any voice (AM/USB?) on 2187.5 - IMHO that's the DSC frequency - 2182 is still used as the calling/distress frequency.

[nickcarr]

Originally Posted by scott123

OK, think I am starting to get it ... the 2187.5 khz a guy mentioned I would be able to pick up on a shortwave portable. But from what I can see, I wouldn't be able to get basic CG freqs like 156.8 Mhz etc. (but that's OK, I have a scanner that does that).

But what about boaters (fishermen and otherwise) that use SSB marine radios?
Could I get that, for example, on a Tecsun PL-660?

Scott, the problem isn't so much the radio, it's your listening environment. With everyday folks buying tons of electronic/digital gear, almost every neighborhood has a ton of RFI from plasma TVs, garden lights, flood lamps, etc.

Looking at Google Maps, it looks like Rochester is nestled in-between rural country. If you were to go out away from the city, then you'd likely get some decent signals.

The problem (or design issue) with SW portables is that they're not usually sensitive enough for picking up weak signals. Give it a shot with the whip antenna first. Then I would recommend adding an external wire antenna.

If you really get into SWL, then go for a SDR or a desktop receiver and active loop antenna.

The frequencies you're looking for HF marine 4, 6, 8, 12, and 16 Mhz bands. You'll probably have better luck on the 12/16 Mhz bands during the daytime. The lower frequencies are really hurt by the RFI as mentioned above.

Here's a complete frequency list of the HF Marine SSB channels:

HF Maritime Radiotelephone Channels

PS. From your location, you'll likely pick up boaters in the eastern Atlantic and possibly Great Lakes/Mississippi River transports. You might be able to hear some Alaska boaters but they're not usually chatty until very early AM your time.

USCG Distress Info:

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=cgcommsCall

[mmckenna]

Yep, you are absolutely correct, 2182KHz is the correct frequency.

Good source of info is here: MF & HF Channel Information

NOAA HF weather broadcasts: USCG HF Voice

[scott123]

Thanks guys, think that's the info I was looking for (the HF Marine channel guides) ... I'll just give it a shot and see what I can pick up. I live near Lake Ontario and figure I'll just drive down to the beach area on a warm summer day when it's active and see what I can receive. Thanks

[mmckenna]

Sure thing. Would likely be better in the evenings if you want to pick up distant stuff, but there is plenty of opportunities in the daytime. Either way, sitting down at the beach with a radio on a nice day sounds like a winner no matter what. Enjoy!

[nickcarr]

Originally Posted by scott123

Thanks guys, think that's the info I was looking for (the HF Marine channel guides) ... I'll just give it a shot and see what I can pick up. I live near Lake Ontario and figure I'll just drive down to the beach area on a warm summer day when it's active and see what I can receive. Thanks

Just note that HF is not like VHF with LOS communications. There are many variables that determine the signal strength but it's best to just be someplace where it's RFI-quiet...

An external antenna is also recommended.

A lot of patience is required.

[eorange]

You can occasionally hear traffic on 4149 USB. Every now and then as I flip through my memory channels, I catch activity.

[brandon]

Try 11320. It's been used lately by a very chatty fleet operating off Baja, Mexico area.

[nickcarr]

6551.7u @ 0820z

Example of fisherman chatting --- I think these guys are near Hawaii

http://home.comcast.net/~k7cj/655170.mp3

[scott123]

Originally Posted by nickcarr

6551.7u @ 0820z

Example of fisherman chatting --- I think these guys are near Hawaii

http://home.comcast.net/~k7cj/655170.mp3

that's awesome, exactly the kind of stuff I want to pick up. You can even hear the water in the background ha ha .... thanks for posting.

[cronst10]

scott123, yes you want SSB on the portable radio and the PL660 does have that as well as others. You will enjoy it more than without SSB, and in your situation as to what you want to search it is necessary, have fun and enjoy. I 'll bet as time passes you will want to upgrade, radio, antennas and such, I'm to that point now, hope all works out for you.

[nickcarr]

Fisherman on now... 12740khz USB

[jimlawrence]

Is HF still in use by vessels on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers?

[brandon]

Pacific tuna boats up on 11345.8 USB right now. (0506utc)