Problem Scanning Great Lakes Maritime Traffic

[AB9NN]

I use DSD+ FastLane to do my scanning with an RTLSDR radio dongle. In prior years I was able to hear ships comming into marinas, etc. This year - nothing! Not sure what I am missing... Not sure if I have the bandwidth set correctly as I've gotten different answers for multiple searches on the topic. Here is my scanlist file that I use. I do receive a lot of public safety traffic, etc. so I know that dongle and antenna are working. Thoughts? Thanks!

156.8000 FM BW=16.0 DELAY=10 Ch 16 MARINE SECURITY CALLS
156.6500 FM BW=16.0 DELAY=10 Ch 13 Bridge-to-bridge/Inter
157.1000 FM BW=16.0 DELAY=10 Ch 22 US Coast Guard Liaison

156.3000 FM BW=16.0 DELAY=10 Ch 6 Intership safety / SAR
156.4500 FM BW=16.0 DELAY=10 Ch 9 Boater Calling (Commer
156.8000 FM BW=16.0 DELAY=10 Ch 16 MARINE SECURITY CALLS
156.6500 FM BW=16.0 DELAY=10 Ch 13 Bridge-to-bridge/Inter
157.1000 FM BW=16.0 DELAY=10 Ch 22 US Coast Guard Liaison

156.4250 FM BW=16.0 DELAY=10 Ch 68 Non-commercial (chat)
156.4750 FM BW=16.0 DELAY=10 Ch 69 Non-commercial
156.5750 FM BW=16.0 DELAY=10 Ch 71 Non-commercial
156.6250 FM BW=16.0 DELAY=10 Ch 72 Non-commercial (ship-to-ship)
156.9250 FM BW=16.0 DELAY=10 Ch 78A Non-commercial
156.9750 FM BW=16.0 DELAY=10 Ch 79A Great Lakes recreational
157.0250 FM BW=16.0 DELAY=10 Ch 80A Great Lakes recreational
156.5500 FM BW=16.0 DELAY=10 Ch 11 Vessel Traffic Service (VTS)
156.6000 FM BW=16.0 DELAY=10 Ch 12 Port operations
156.7000 FM BW=16.0 DELAY=10 Ch 14 Port operations
156.5000 FM BW=16.0 DELAY=10 Ch 10 Commercial
157.2250 FM BW=16.0 DELAY=10 Ch 84 Phone Patch
157.2750 FM BW=16.0 DELAY=10 Ch 85 Phone Patch
157.3250 FM BW=16.0 DELAY=10 Ch 86 Phone Patch
157.3750 FM BW=16.0 DELAY=10 Ch 87 Phone Patch
157.4250 FM BW=16.0 DELAY=10 Ch 88 Phone Patch

 

[bearcatrp]

Have you tried scanning between lo/high frequencies with a smaller step? That would be my next step. I’ll be up in boundary waters (northern Minnesota) in a couple weeks. May give it a try with my SDS150.

 

[AB9NN]

Have you tried scanning between lo/high frequencies with a smaller step? That would be my next step. I’ll be up in boundary waters (northern Minnesota) in a couple weeks. May give it a try with my SDS150.

The software scans lists of discreet frequencies, not by steps.

 

[bearcatrp]

Surprised you cannot adjust step size. When I tried a SDR stick, was able to change it.

 

[AB9NN]

Surprised you cannot adjust step size. When I tried a SDR stick, was able to change it.

It just scans the list of channels in the scanlist file. There are no steps...

 

[RichM]

I would try parking on Ch 16 for a day as this is the hailing channel as you know. Also try parking on Ch 22 during the marine information broadcasts that happens twice daily I believe around 8am and again around 8pm. This broadcast usually lasts 10-20 minutes and would be your best opportunity to experiment with bandwidth and also your gain, LNA and mix settings. Another great way to test your settings is to tune into your local NOAA weather broadcast. It is on 24/7, is FM analog and is a great source for testing your set up.

I use DSD+ to monitor an NXDN system with a good outdoor antenna and have found too much gain will seriously degrade reception.

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

 

[bearcatrp]

I’ll be up in voyager nation park next week on my camping trip. Plan on bringing my 150 and R30. Will see if I can pick anything up.