Active hf marine

[n4nct]

Does anyone know of any daily active HF marine frequencies ? I have a list of marine frequencies but so far no activity, I use to hear river boats ect but one in a long time

 

[Bucko]

Like you I use to enjoy listening to the river traffic on HF and the Great Lakes. It appears most traffic has moved on to Satellite communications but I do still hear some traffic on freqs like 6.215 & 8.294 for example. I can not say I hear activity daily though but hear some traffic for I keep them in the memory of the R75.

 

[n4nct]

Thanks for the frequencies, I will pull them up and start listening for activity, I figured most had gone to Satellite communications, Once in a while I get lucky with a band opening and I am able to pick up some comercial activity on VHF & UHF from Norfolk & Wilmington ports but not very Often.

 

[SCPD]

I disagree somewhat. SATCOM is expensive and with the economy in shambles, people are looking to cut costs any way they can. The only SATCOM marine traffic are the large commercial vessels, such as oil tankers, cargo ships and cruise ships.

For casual chit-chat, the 6 and 8 meg bands are the most popular. Sometimes 12 megs. 16 megs during the day time hours can be quite busy.

Remember though, most of the 6/8 meg traffic is busy only well-after sunset.

From my QTH, I can hear 5650u which is a popular channel for Aussie or NZL boaters to chat.

I've heard southern accents on the 8 meg channels (probably from Mississippi) and the west coast fisherman tend to hover on the 6 meg channels.


-Nick
Seattle, WA

 

[n4nct]

Thanks for the information, I will be listening on those frequencies and maybe I will run across some activity, If your interested I have a link to a site that tracks ships & boats in any body of water, Most commercial and pleasure craft now have satellite tracking and you can track them as they make their trips. It is a pretty interesting web site.
73's
Lewis

 

[SCPD]

Sailing Yachts:

There's several known frequencies and you may hear a variety of languages on: 8294 and 8297. These are "Yachtcom" frequencies and are specific marine HF channels for assistance and communication for sailing yacht vessels. There's two "sides" -- the Atlantic and the Pacific side with the Panama Canal in-between.

Here's the doc on this "Net"

http://www.sailvalis.com/misc/2012 SSB Test Net.pdf


Here's another decent site with the breakdown of frequencies:

SSB Simplex Channels

 

[ecps92]

what site ?

Thanks for the information, I will be listening on those frequencies and maybe I will run across some activity, If your interested I have a link to a site that tracks ships & boats in any body of water, Most commercial and pleasure craft now have satellite tracking and you can track them as they make their trips. It is a pretty interesting web site.
73's
Lewis

 

[n4nct]

Live Ships Map - AIS - Vessel Traffic and Positions

 

[SCPD]

what site ?

He probably means this one: Live Ships Map - AIS - Vessel Traffic and Positions

 

[Fast1eddie]

Monitored a USCG boarding operation on 12.353 last summer during daylight hours. Although I could only hear the shore side with a minor amount from the boarding vessel. You pretty much have to park on freq and wait....and wait....but the results are worth it. Monitor 12.353 during evening hours, used to hear Missiissippi (can't spell) river traffic checking in with shore.

 

[ecps92]

I was thrown off, when you said Satellite.

AIS is actually two VHF [161/162 Mhz] frequencies using Shore-Stations for most of the reporting. Yes there are a few that get shared via Sat [internet access] however the ship is actually listening to one or both of the VHF AIS Freqs. If your close enough to the Water, put 161.9750 or 162.0250 in your scanner in "AM" mode and you should make out the data blips.

Live Ships Map - AIS - Vessel Traffic and Positions