Cruise Ship Crew Communications

[Robertsez]

I am attempting to monitor onboard crew communication on a cruise ship. I understand they utilize four UHF channels (457.525, 457.550, 457.575, 457.600) with onboard repeaters to enhance penetration. They are DMR (digital).

I have an analog (FM) handheld transceiver, do I confirmed the traffic is indeed digital, and I have a DMR handheld (Tytera MD-380), but it does not appear to be able to decode the transmissions.

I noticed some of the crew members were using Motorola EVX-S24 radios. These are DMR, but are capable of different flavors that perhaps are not supported by my Tytera MD-380, which is the manufacturer’s first DMR radio. According to the specifications, it is compatible with MotoTRBO Tier 1 and Tier 2.

Does anyone know what DMR format the cruise line is using, and what i would need to monitor the traffic?

 

[w2lie]

The last ship I was on it was standard DMR through a conventional repeater.
MDRs were using FM.

See my post here: What Radio Systems Should I Expect On The NCL Escape?

 

[ecps92]

I am attempting to monitor onboard crew communication on a cruise ship. I understand they utilize four UHF channels (457.525, 457.550, 457.575, 457.600) with onboard repeaters to enhance penetration. They are DMR (digital).

I have an analog (FM) handheld transceiver, do I confirmed the traffic is indeed digital, and I have a DMR handheld (Tytera MD-380), but it does not appear to be able to decode the transmissions.

I noticed some of the crew members were using Motorola EVX-S24 radios. These are DMR, but are capable of different flavors that perhaps are not supported by my Tytera MD-380, which is the manufacturer’s first DMR radio. According to the specifications, it is compatible with MotoTRBO Tier 1 and Tier 2.

Does anyone know what DMR format the cruise line is using, and what i would need to monitor the traffic?

Keep in mind they are likely also using the 12.5 splinters and it maybe bleeding over, hence not able to decode properly
Did you try 457.5375, 5625 and 5875 ? Just to be sure?

 

[dave3825]

I am attempting to monitor onboard crew communication on a cruise ship.

Does anyone know what DMR format the cruise line is using, and what i would need to monitor the traffic?

You might get more responses if you name the cruise line or search posts by user @Computrguy That guy has been on many cruise lines.

 

[Fast1eddie]

Ok, I will give it a try....Sailing on MSC World America in October. Anyone familiar with MSC's carry on radio policy? Thought I saw somewhere on MSC's site they are prohibited.

 

[Robertsez]

You might get more responses if you name the cruise line or search posts by user @Computrguy That guy has been on many cruise lines.

Carnival Cruise Line

 

[ecps92]

Ok, I will give it a try....Sailing on MSC World America in October. Anyone familiar with MSC's carry on radio policy? Thought I saw somewhere on MSC's site they are prohibited.

https://www.msccruisesusa.com/manage-booking/before-you-go/luggage

Didn't see anything, on a quick glance, but YMMV

World America is too new a ship and no data reports , your best bet is to plug in all the common 457/467 frequencies.
Most likely being a newer ship it is DMR, however some new ships have still been found in Analog

 

[dave3825]

Best bet is to email them and ask. If they say yes and the guy at the gate says no, maybe the email would let you on with the scanner. Or if your bringing a laptop, bring sdr dongles also.

 

[ecps92]

Best bet is to email them and ask. If they say yes and the guy at the gate says no, maybe the email would let you on with the scanner. Or if your bringing a laptop, bring sdr dongles also.

Yup - get it in Writing

 

[Ubbe]

the crew members were using Motorola EVX-S24 radios.

These are manufactured by Vertex, own by Motorola, hence the VX in its model name. I have found no mentioning of DMR in neither programming software, user manual or sales litterature. The only DMR I can find are from MagnumElectronics that say"can be programmed with analog and DMR digital mode" but that's the only reference to DMR I have found.

It uses AMBE+2 vocoder as DMR do and have two slots and color codes as well as talk groups and private calls and can do different types of encryption like Basic with 255 different keys and Enhanced Basic. But the lack of the word DMR makes it suspicious to not be compatible with DMR Tier I or II command protocols.

/Ubbe

 

[Computrguy]

Ok, I will give it a try....Sailing on MSC World America in October. Anyone familiar with MSC's carry on radio policy? Thought I saw somewhere on MSC's site they are prohibited.

I've been on MSC out of Miami, Lisbon, Funchal and Southampton. No problems bringing my scanners on board. As others have mentioned it MAY depend on your embarkation port.
Here's a couple threads on the topic:
MSC Preziosa
Any experiences bringing a scanner on MSC departing from Portugal?

 

[Fast1eddie]

Thank you! Booked on the World America, sailing out of Miami.