Active Marine VHF NJ Frequencies

[spongella]

Wanted to add some marine band VHF frequencies into my 2m Icom 2300H for receive only. Here I can barely hear the USCG announcements and was wondering what other marine freqs are the most active? Just wanted to dabble a bit in the marine band but don't hear much. Am using a discone on the roof. Probably a stretch at this distance though.

Thanks.

 

[scanner1man]

If you look in the Wiki at the top of the RR Main Page, and type in USCG Frequencies,you'll find all the info

you will need. The main Channels to start with 16, 21, 22, 81,82.

 

[Analogrules]

Yes, I would dedicate one bank or favorite list for all of the Marine frequencies and program them in. I live in Union County and the following frequencies are the ONLY ones I have found to be fairly active from my location: (If anyone wants to add specific notes to this list, please feel free because I realize it is very vague)

156.325 - Port Ops (which port, I have no idea)
156.350 - Commercial
156.450 - Boat Calling Coast Guard (non emergency)
156.500 - Commercial
156.550 - NYC Vessel Traffic
156.600 - Raritan Bay and East River
156.650 - Manasquan Inlet (very active when monitoring from Monmouth county beaches)
156.675 - Port Ops (not sure which specific port)
156.700 - NYC Vessel Traffic
156.800 - Emergency Channel
156.900 - Commercial
156.925 - hear activity on here at times, unknown use
156.950 - Staten Island Ferry (not sure if it is still used for that though, maybe someone can confirm)
157.050, 157.100, 157.150 - US Coast Guard, but very weak from my home location)

I am also still looking for the frequency the NYC ferries use, such as the new Rockaway Beach ferry from Wall St. Pier. I am hoping to bring my scanner along for the ride this summer and close-call them.

 

[Darkstar350]

Marine radios have a dedicated set of frequencies so if your searching for activity a good idea is to probobly just program in all of the marine radio channels (i think its around 40 im not sure..) and see what you catch
But to add to the list N2Z posted heres some active marine freqs in the ny/nj area-
156.300
156.600
156.850
Pretty sure those freqs are mostly used by just fishers/people out on boats - keep in mind there are some marine channels that can only be used by the Coast Guard or only to be used when boaters need to call them
As far as the Coast Guard goes aside from the standard marine channels they also use some military/govt freqs
I have these down as being used by the coast guard -
162.125
164.300
165.3125
165.3375
237.900
287.800
381.800
Some of those freqs may be P25 and encrypted
When using helicopters they may also use the common airband freqs such as 123.100 126.200
I also heard there was at one time or is some type of net where amateur radio operators can talk to the Coast Guard i have these amateur freqs down as being part of that - 143.280 143.875

 

[ipfd320]

If Those Dont to Your Likeings Work Try This Site--

https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=mtVhf

 

[ecps92]

And, altho here [US of A] there should only be US freqs in use, don't rule out the occasional use of the INTL channels :wink:

If Those Dont to Your Likeings Work Try This Site--

https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=mtVhf

 

[nd5y]

US, Canada and International channels all in one table.
https://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Marine_VHF_Band_Plans

 

[jaymatt1978]

You need to remember the majority are simplex and low power

 

[RadioDitch]

Amtrak, Conrail, and NJTransit railroad moveable bridge operators in New Jersey monitor 156.450 (09), 156.650 (13), and 156.800 (16 - Distress) with Channel 13 being primary.

 

[FDNY216]

Nyc ferries

They operate on channel 72

 

[spongella]

Thanks!

 

[Analogrules]

NYC ferries on Ch. 72....thanks!

 

[Analogrules]

So far, I am only hearing some spanish communication on Ch 72 from my location. I will confirm whether or not this is really their frequency via close-call this summer.

 

[jaymatt1978]

I know thrains have licenses on these frequencies but has anyone HEARD them marine frequencies in NJ???

Amtrak, Conrail, and NJTransit railroad moveable bridge operators in New Jersey monitor 156.450 (09), 156.650 (13), and 156.800 (16 - Distress) with Channel 13 being primary.

 

[ecps92]

Trains themselves do NOT

The Railroad does, for the Bridge Tender to communicate with Marine traffic when requesting a bridge openning

I know thrains have licenses on these frequencies but has anyone HEARD them marine frequencies in NJ???

 

[RadioChief55]

I listen to marine radio traffic in the north east are of NJ, I have never heard any railroad equipment talking on any marine radio channel. If you listen to marine 13, you'll hear the Arthur Kill (AK RAILROAD BRIDGE IS OPENING IN ** MINUTES) That's just to alert any marine traffic transiting the Arthur Kill that the bridge will be down for rail traffic. Usually the bridge is in the open position. Anyone who listens to the marine radio in this area will diffidently know that recording, I want to smash the radio when I hear it. It usually starts 90 minutes before it's going to open and makes the announcement every 5 minutes until the time it opens.