Cruise Ship & Gulf of Mexico Monitoring

[ecps92]

800 cruises

Maybe it was a Construction company ? many of them do rely on US Labor, amazing tho.

The only Cruise Line known to be using 800 Trunking on-board is the Disney Line.

Too bad there was no SysID captured.

Was on the Carnival Holiday last week. Before pulling out of Cozumel I picked up a 800 band trunked system; I was at the front of the ship above the bridge, outside. Plain, good ol' Americans talking on it Saved the freq and made it a system on my 396T.

Later that night checked it, no CC detected and and nothing found in the trunked 800 band.

I doubt something that much "American" would be in Cozumel (mean this in the matter of the American voices on it). And if it is part of the ship, heh, very weak system.

Now, I don't know much about if maybe the ship shuts down some secondary comm systems when not docked (personally, I doubt it) or if maybe the repeater is a low power one that has its antenna mounted in way for use in only one part of the ship.

If anyone wants to look into this if they take the Carnival Holiday for a cruise or go to Cozumel (or both ), here is what I got.

856.9125 (control channel)
TGs found: 208, 336, 16, 176, 240

can not recall the system id though.

 

[bassmkenk2508]

I saw a system ID on my 396T, but was too dumb (or I should say, distracted by the evening dinner soon to come LOL) to write it down.

I regret not doing so, but hopefully a fellow scanner hobbyist reading this going on a similar cruise can assist us in this.

PS: I do recall hearing someone talk about one of the decks. Info on that piece of traffic is vague unfortunately.

Also, in case Holiday was not involved, we have a past post in this thread in regards to Cozumel that day. Holiday departed from the dock around 5:30 - 6pm.

Yes, this is mighty technical info, but it is very exciting to me (first time cruise) & harder to gain evidence on due to a fractional portion of the scanning community doing cruises, presumably.

 

[ecps92]

Thats OK, this is why it' called a Hobby and not a Job.

I saw a system ID on my 396T, but was too dumb (or I should say, distracted by the evening dinner soon to come LOL) to write it down.

I regret not doing so, but hopefully a fellow scanner hobbyist reading this going on a similar cruise can assist us in this.

PS: I do recall hearing someone talk about one of the decks. Info on that piece of traffic is vague unfortunately.

Also, in case Holiday was not involved, we have a past post in this thread in regards to Cozumel that day. Holiday departed from the dock around 5:30 - 6pm.

Yes, this is mighty technical info, but it is very exciting to me (first time cruise) & harder to gain evidence on due to a fractional portion of the scanning community doing cruises, presumably.

 

[ericcarlson]

Was on the Carnival Holiday last week. Before pulling out of Cozumel I picked up a 800 band trunked system; I was at the front of the ship above the bridge, outside. Plain, good ol' Americans talking on it Saved the freq and made it a system on my 396T.

Later that night checked it, no CC detected and and nothing found in the trunked 800 band.

I doubt something that much "American" would be in Cozumel (mean this in the matter of the American voices on it). And if it is part of the ship, heh, very weak system.

Now, I don't know much about if maybe the ship shuts down some secondary comm systems when not docked (personally, I doubt it) or if maybe the repeater is a low power one that has its antenna mounted in way for use in only one part of the ship.

If anyone wants to look into this if they take the Carnival Holiday for a cruise or go to Cozumel (or both ), here is what I got.

856.9125 (control channel)
TGs found: 208, 336, 16, 176, 240

can not recall the system id though.

The control channel and talkgroups that you listed are consistent with the Disney Magic ship's trunked system:
http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=RR&sid=2715

A little Googling tells me that the Disney Magic was in Cozumel on November 21. I was in Cozumel in February and didn't note any 800 MHz Motorola trunked systems at the time.

-Eric

 

[ecps92]

Thanks Eric, I wasn't even thinking that route.... never kept track of the Disney Ships [ports etc] as Way to many Kids. !

Makes Sense.

The control channel and talkgroups that you listed are consistent with the Disney Magic ship's trunked system:
http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=RR&sid=2715

A little Googling tells me that the Disney Magic was in Cozumel on November 21. I was in Cozumel in February and didn't note any 800 MHz Motorola trunked systems at the time.

-Eric

 

[bassmkenk2508]

Thanks! I should have did the first correct thing which is to search the db.

 

[neonhomer]

To anyone: I didn't pick up ANYTHING with my scanner. I tried in my stateroom and up on the pool deck (11), but got nothing except a hassle from the crew telling me I couldn't have the scanner onboard....

 

[ecps92]

Which Line and Ship?

120% of them have no clue as to a Scanner, Walkman, MP3 Player or AM/FM Radio.

When did you get Hassled? Boarding or on Deck?

To anyone: I didn't pick up ANYTHING with my scanner. I tried in my stateroom and up on the pool deck (11), but got nothing except a hassle from the crew telling me I couldn't have the scanner onboard....

 

[bassmkenk2508]

That is pretty messed up. I had no problems from crew while using it. (sidenote, this was on Carnival Holiday)

I would have said I like to keep an eye on the Federali's

I got mostly FRS stuff on Close Call. Other than that just numerous Mexican communications, even on the Marine Radio service (I am sure their allocations are different in that situation). I must admit, I had bad luck catching the LTR system on the ship. I wish I had a family radio to play with and keep myself entertained as well. Just PL search on the scanner and I am set *evil grin* j/k

 

[ecps92]

Did you hear the tell-tale LTR Clicks? I've heard these rumors of LTR for sometime, but not able to confirm the info. Other Carnival ships reported to have LTR have been proven to be Conventional Repeaters in recent months.

That is pretty messed up. I had no problems from crew while using it. (sidenote, this was on Carnival Holiday)

I would have said I like to keep an eye on the Federali's

I got mostly FRS stuff on Close Call. Other than that just numerous Mexican communications, even on the Marine Radio service (I am sure their allocations are different in that situation). I must admit, I had bad luck catching the LTR system on the ship. I wish I had a family radio to play with and keep myself entertained as well. Just PL search on the scanner and I am set *evil grin* j/k

 

[neonhomer]

It was with Royal Caribbean... I had it sitting on my table, and a couple of the crew (not service people, but the people in the white shirts) told me I was not allowed to have "Ham radio" equipment on the ship. I tried to tell them is was only a scanner, but they would tell me and keep going....

I ran into the Executive Officer in the Windjammer cafe one day, and asked him, and he said as long as I was not transmitting anything, there was nothing wrong. This was backed up on Sunday when I met the Captain, who pretty much told me the same thing.

 

[bassmkenk2508]

Did you hear the tell-tale LTR Clicks? I've heard these rumors of LTR for sometime, but not able to confirm the info. Other Carnival ships reported to have LTR have been proven to be Conventional Repeaters in recent months.

nah. i didn't. o well lol

 

[aensr]

Star Princess

I just returned from a cruise on the Star Princess and during the cruise I monitored all they had and I am pleased to submit the following:

Output 457.525 CTCSS 173.8 Input 467.525 CTCSS 173.8 Ch 1 Deck Dept
Output 457.550 CTCSS 173.8 Input 467.550 CTCSS 173.8 Ch 2 Engnr Dept
Output 457.575 CTCSS 173.8 Input 467.575 CTCSS 173.8 Ch 3 Hotel Dept
Paging 459.225 Digital Format
Simplx 467.5375 CTCSS 173.8 Accomodations
Simplx 467.5625 CTCSS 173.8 Casino

Channel 1 is used by the bridge for internal communications and also it is the primary channel used when they dock.

Channel 2 is used by the engineers and a lot of times they speak there own language, such as on the Star it was Italian and mostly about the generators, engines, and other ship equipment.

Channel 3 is used by the Hotel Department and mostly the Pursers and for coordinating tours and etc

The 467.5375 is used by the Hotel people handing the handicap, the cabin maintenance, and setting up things around the ship.

The 467.5625 is used in the casino to call for the maintenance guys to various areas or for supervisors to talk to each other.

When in port, marine VHF channels are also used and I have the following to be common on most Princess Ships I have been on

Marine Channel 16-Calling Channel then usually switch to a Port channel such as 11 or 12

Marine Channel 15-Used by tenders and the shore party
Marine Channel 68-Used by tenders and the shore party
Marine Channel 69-Used by tenders and the shore party

While visiting some of the ports in the Med there were other ships present and I noted the following:

Costa Serena Output 457.525 CTCSS 186.2 467.750 Input CTCSS 186.2 Deck Dept
RC Voyager of the Seas Output 457.525 CTCSS 85.4
RC Voyager of the Seas Output 457.575 CTCSS 103.5

Celebrity Galaxy Output 457.525 CTCSS 88.5
Celebrity Galaxy Ouptus 457.550 CTCSS 88.5

It has been my observation that Princess Cruises pretty much uses the same type Motorola Portables on all of there ships and pretty much the same channel configuration except for CTCSS tones.

On this trip I discovered there inputs are 10 MHz higher than the outputs. That is different than the standard input/output combination that other cruise lines and ships have used.



Alan

 

[ecps92]

sounds like you not only had fun on your cruise, but with the Scanner.

Yes, as you will find some of the Cruise Lines use the {Burger King Pairs] for an Off-Set will others use the straight 10 Mhz, which puts them right into the USA GMRS Bands.

Also, altho it would be nice to see them all use 457 as the output of the Repeater, many have been observed with the 467 as the output.

Nice find for the Costa, not many reports have been made on that Cruise Line.

I just returned from a cruise on the Star Princess and during the cruise I monitored all they had and I am pleased to submit the following:

Output 457.525 CTCSS 173.8 Input 467.525 CTCSS 173.8 Ch 1 Deck Dept
Output 457.550 CTCSS 173.8 Input 467.550 CTCSS 173.8 Ch 2 Engnr Dept
Output 457.575 CTCSS 173.8 Input 467.575 CTCSS 173.8 Ch 3 Hotel Dept
Paging 459.225 Digital Format
Simplx 467.5375 CTCSS 173.8 Accomodations
Simplx 467.5625 CTCSS 173.8 Casino

Channel 1 is used by the bridge for internal communications and also it is the primary channel used when they dock.

Channel 2 is used by the engineers and a lot of times they speak there own language, such as on the Star it was Italian and mostly about the generators, engines, and other ship equipment.

Channel 3 is used by the Hotel Department and mostly the Pursers and for coordinating tours and etc

The 467.5375 is used by the Hotel people handing the handicap, the cabin maintenance, and setting up things around the ship.

The 467.5625 is used in the casino to call for the maintenance guys to various areas or for supervisors to talk to each other.

When in port, marine VHF channels are also used and I have the following to be common on most Princess Ships I have been on

Marine Channel 16-Calling Channel then usually switch to a Port channel such as 11 or 12

Marine Channel 15-Used by tenders and the shore party
Marine Channel 68-Used by tenders and the shore party
Marine Channel 69-Used by tenders and the shore party

While visiting some of the ports in the Med there were other ships present and I noted the following:

Costa Serena Output 457.525 CTCSS 186.2 467.750 Input CTCSS 186.2 Deck Dept
RC Voyager of the Seas Output 457.525 CTCSS 85.4
RC Voyager of the Seas Output 457.575 CTCSS 103.5

Celebrity Galaxy Output 457.525 CTCSS 88.5
Celebrity Galaxy Ouptus 457.550 CTCSS 88.5

It has been my observation that Princess Cruises pretty much uses the same type Motorola Portables on all of there ships and pretty much the same channel configuration except for CTCSS tones.

On this trip I discovered there inputs are 10 MHz higher than the outputs. That is different than the standard input/output combination that other cruise lines and ships have used.



Alan

 

[TPKeller2]

I just discovered this great thread!

Anyone have any experience with scanning Grandeur of the Seas as she departs Baltimore? Once in a while during the summer, I will drive up and camp out at Fort Armistead State Park, which is a very good place to watch her sail by, but sadly, is out of view of Locust Point.

I would be very interested in knowing which channels to scan so I could find out when she finally casts off and gets underway. Would I be able to pick this up 4 or 5 miles away?

Here's a map which shows the area, both the cruise terminal and the park.

Theron

 

[ecps92]

Most of the Frequencies to SCAN have been posted many times, so I won't waste the bandwidth on them, but they are UHF. Don't forget the VHF Marine, Ch.16, Ch.20 and poss Ch.06 when they call USCG to request permission to Transit. You'll have a heads up there.

The Ship's UHF Repeater do cover a good distance [Height of the Ship]

Confirmed in Boston for the Grandeur are:

457.5250 R 85.4 Hz Ch.01
457.5500 R 94.8 Hz Ch.02
457.5750 R 103.5 Hz Ch.03
457.6000 S No PL Paging System
467.7500 S 114.8 Hz Housekeeping

Reported altho Not Confirmed in the past have been:

457.0250, 462.6125, 467.0125, 467.7125, 467.8250

You never know where a Cruise Ship might pop up on for frequencies.

What other Ships Depart or Visit Baltimore? Check out my link for a good
work in progress on many of the Cruise Ships.

As always, Updates appreciated.

I just discovered this great thread!

Anyone have any experience with scanning Grandeur of the Seas as she departs Baltimore? Once in a while during the summer, I will drive up and camp out at Fort Armistead State Park, which is a very good place to watch her sail by, but sadly, is out of view of Locust Point.

I would be very interested in knowing which channels to scan so I could find out when she finally casts off and gets underway. Would I be able to pick this up 4 or 5 miles away?

Here's a map which shows the area, both the cruise terminal and the park.

Theron