What to monitor on the marine radio

[kc8syo]

I live in New Baltimore Mich and I was wondering what channel to monitor besides channel 16 I would like to listen to the freighters as they travel through my area. Is there any particular channel I should listen to? TIA

 

[trentbob]

Marine radio

... I don't live in your area but with marine radio it doesn't matter... go to your service search for marine and you will know the freqs. you want after a few days... see the listings for marine radio on RR and check out ch. 8, 9, 12, 68, 70... other than 16 and 22 for coast guard they will be on 157.05(21), 157.15(23)... companys your looking for could also be on privite biz channels too...good luck... Bob.

 

[kc8syo]

Thanks Bob for the info.

 

[policeMonitor]

well we use 9 here for local talking but 12 and 13 are bridge to bridge and is very active

 

[ecps92]

UHF Maritime

Don't forget the UHF Maritime channels. Many of the vessels operate there.

457.5000, 457.5250, 457.5500, 457.5750, 457.6000, 457.6250
467.5000, 467.5250, 467.5500, 467.5750, 467.6000, 467.6250
467.7500, 467.7750, 467.8000, 467.8250

Yes, some of these are GMRS

I live in New Baltimore Mich and I was wondering what channel to monitor besides channel 16 I would like to listen to the freighters as they travel through my area. Is there any particular channel I should listen to? TIA

 

[Don_Burke]

I live in New Baltimore Mich and I was wondering what channel to monitor besides channel 16 I would like to listen to the freighters as they travel through my area. Is there any particular channel I should listen to? TIA

As said, 13 is bridge-to-bridge and 9 is another calling channel.

I would also try 88 and everything between 60 and 82. You will stumble across fisherman (both recreational and commercial) and merchant ships. Once you find the channels used in your area, not much changes over time. People on the water tend to camp out on a few channels.

 

[ShadowFire]

I believe they have an accurate listing of freq's and coprorations over at http://www.boatnerd.com/facts-figures/boatfreq.htm

 

[bezking]

Vhf-68

 

[MWillyG]

USCG Freqs.

ShadowFire,

http://www.boatnerd.com/facts-figures/boatfreq.htm is a nice list for the Lakes area, but the SAR and/or aviation frequencies are a bit dated.

This is a more recent list:

123.1000 AM Joint SAR Operations VHF (USCG, USAF, USN, CAP)
237.9000 AM Air Operational Backup
282.8000 AM Joint SAR Operations UHF (USCG, USAF, USN, CAP)
326.1500 AM Air to Ground/Sea Primary
345.0000 AM Primary Operations UHF
379.0500 AM Air to Ground/Sea Secondary

 

[k9rzz]

What about boats from foreign lands? For example, a couple of Dutch boats were just here in Milwaukee, might they use frequencies other than normally found for North American boats? You know, HT's and shipboard comms.

 

[ecps92]

UHF Marine vs VHF Marine

You will probably find them using the normal VHF Marine channels for Talk-around or if you search, the UHF Channels are used quite a bit.

Some in simplex mode and others as a Repeater Pair.

Altho there are FCC and International Treaty rules, you can find them all over the place.

Typically tho:

457.5000 457.5250 457.5500 457.5750 457.6000 457.6250
467.5000 467.5250 467.5500 467.5750 467.6000 467.6250
467.7500 467.7750 467.8000 467.8250

Yes, some are GMRS inputs.

Post what you find. Try and identify the ships. You might also want to search my web site.
Altho primarily created for Cruise Ships, many of the channels apply, it might also give you an idea where to SEARCH. After years of looking for one of the Cruise Ships [every weekend in Boston] I found two channels at 460.700 & 460.7250 [Usually Airband Business at the airports]

What about boats from foreign lands? For example, a couple of Dutch boats were just here in Milwaukee, might they use frequencies other than normally found for North American boats? You know, HT's and shipboard comms.

 

[Bill_White]

Another idea..

HI Robert
Ship Plotter looks like fun...If I lived a little closer to the lake.
You might want to check it out:
http://www.coaa.co.uk/shipplotter.htm

Bill

 

[ecps92]

Anything to report?

Curious if you have found anything to report back?

I live in New Baltimore Mich and I was wondering what channel to monitor besides channel 16 I would like to listen to the freighters as they travel through my area. Is there any particular channel I should listen to? TIA

 

[spiritwolfpr]

Hello Friends;

What about 156.800 MHz Chn 16 in your area?

 

[ecps92]

Ch.16

Ch.16 is for Hailing and Distress , if you have plenty of "Weekend Warrior" sailors you might have some luck with that and Ch.09.

PS...anyone in the Cruise port areas, still looking to build a routine base of
Scannists, who can monitor Cruise Ships.

With the new fleet of ships being dispatched and the Rotation of ships to other ports, it is nice to get some updated info.

Hello Friends;

What about 156.800 MHz Chn 16 in your area?

 

[99chevytahoe]

16- hailing and distress
22- coast guard (23 someof the times)
9 - bridges
8 talking
68, 69 and 71 are the main talking

 

[MADScan]

try 81

 

[TWF]

Chan 11 is Sarnia Traffic Control from the St. Clair Crib light, middle of Lake St. Clair Ship channel, North through the St. Clair River
Chan 12 is Sarnia Traffic Control from the Crib light South through the Detroit River
Chan 13 is a low power Bridge to Bridge

 

[zz0468]

What about boats from foreign lands? For example, a couple of Dutch boats were just here in Milwaukee, might they use frequencies other than normally found for North American boats? You know, HT's and shipboard comms.

There's not likely to be any database listing what they may be using, and use of anything other than marine channels is not likely to be legal in a foreign port. Years ago, then I actually worked on shipboard radios, on the few vessels I knew of that used radios between crew members, they used marine band portables on one of the commercial marine frequencies. That's what they're for.

 

[TWF]

Also, if you live in New Baltimore, or on any of the Great lakes, you will find the website, "www.boatnerd.com" quite useful. It will have a listing of all vessel passages through various locations, as they are reported by volunteers, throughout the day.

There is additional information on the ships, winter layups, frequencies, ship locations, etc.

Shipping season starts again in mid March.