Smith Mountain Like Marine Channels

[Listen365]

I will start here, new to this so be gentle, please. I was monitoring the marine frequencies while visiting at Smith Mountain Lake, picked up a lot of static but no voice traffic.
can anyone share what marine frequencies are used there.
Thank you in advance.

 

[kainixon2187]

What radio are you using and are you receiving this on all channels?

 

[Listen365]

Using Uniden BC125AT. Not all marine channels programmed just ones I found recommended.

 

[kainixon2187]

Check your squelch. Press the function button and the down on the channel knob, change it to 15.

 

[nd5y]

It's probably P25 digital transmissions (which would sound like static if you don't know any better) from

Virginia Statewide Agencies Radio System (STARS) Trunking System, Statewide, Virginia

Virginia Statewide Agencies Radio System (STARS) Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

Some of the sites are using VHF Public Coast channels.

 

[ecps92]

What specific Frequency, would help

Many marine channels [as ND5Y] points out have been re-allocated for other uses in some areas.

I will start here, new to this so be gentle, please. I was monitoring the marine frequencies while visiting at Smith Mountain Lake, picked up a lot of static but no voice traffic.
can anyone share what marine frequencies are used there.
Thank you in advance.

 

[jkahn]

I will start here, new to this so be gentle, please. I was monitoring the marine frequencies while visiting at Smith Mountain Lake, picked up a lot of static but no voice traffic.
can anyone share what marine frequencies are used there.
Thank you in advance.

Where is Smith Mountain???????

 

[Listen365]

First Smith Mountain Lake is between the counties of Bedford, Franklin, and Pittsylvania in Virginia. Man made to produce electricity.
The marine channels I was hoping to discover are the ones used for ship to shore and recreational use. I checked for P25 systems in the STARs system and no marine channels there.

 

[kainixon2187]

I checked that out too and there didnt seem to be any marine channels in those counties used for stars.

 

[dlwtrunked]

I checked that out too and there didnt seem to be any marine channels in those counties used for stars.

Lakes of this size never have commercial marine channels. As far as ship-shore goes, it is cellphones.

 

[Listen365]

Thank you to everyone for your help. I will continue to monitor just in case.

 

[jeepsandradios]

Other than marine channel 16 I have never heard any chatter. Sometimes you will hear something on 68. As said not any commercial traffic so only personal use. When I was at the state park I only heard 2 transmissions all weekend on my mobile radio in the motorhome.

 

[ecps92]

VHF Marine activity on many interior lakes is slim to none, varies vastly and if there is really a need as Cellphones generally still work

As to static, it would be nice to hear what FREQ you heard that on to put this topic to bed

I will start here, new to this so be gentle, please. I was monitoring the marine frequencies while visiting at Smith Mountain Lake, picked up a lot of static but no voice traffic.
can anyone share what marine frequencies are used there.
Thank you in advance.

 

[Listen365]

Okay thank you for your assistance. I heard there is the Coast Guard Auxiliary monitoring some of the channels. Unfortunately I can’t verify the information.

 

[Listen365]

VHF Marine activity on many interior lakes is slim to none, varies vastly and if there is really a need as Cellphones generally still work

As to static, it would be nice to hear what FREQ you heard that on to put this topic to bed

Channel 28, the only noise I heard.

 

[kd4mlt]

There is very little marine radio activity at the lake. The best time to listen would be around holidays and special events. The coast guard aux. is not as active as they once were, although I did hear a weather broadcast this summer during "pirate days" on ch. 16 (156.800). I would monitor that freq. and the non-commercial freqs. The "static" that you were hearing is the Virginia STARS system as they were allocated some marine freqs. The fire-boats use the Bedford Co. system. As was said earlier, most people use their cell phones.

 

[N4ANJ]

Let's WAKE this up! "Listen 365" Welcome to RR. Smith Mtn Lake marine traffic is sporadic. It takes spells of being active. I monitor all the marine frequencies at my location about 12 miles South West of the lake with an outside antenna. Fisherman make up most of the activity. Some Coast Guard Auxillary ("Aux Ardet") traffic occasionally, usually weekends. If there is an accident or incident, Ch 16, the Emergency channel, usually becomes active. It makes a difference as to where you were on the lake too, upper end or lower end? I wonder if you might have tried any NWS ( weather) frequencies and that would have given you an indication if your reception for the location was good or bad. Those frequencies are very close to the marine frequencies. Cell coverage is good on the lake and most communications will be there (un-monitorable). Try 156.8, 157.1, 157.05, 156.6, 156.425, 156.7, 156.625, 156.45, and 156.3 mhz.

 

[Listen365]

Thank you very much! This is what I am looking for. I deeply appreciate your information and will program these. I am usually between Bedford and Franklin Counties during the weekend. Again thank you very much.

 

[N4ANJ]

The fireboats on the lake also use the Franklin County system exclusively as "Company 11" usually Fireboat 11-4, 11-5, 11-6, and 11-8. Chief 11 and Utility 11 may also be heard. Va Dept of Wildlife Resources (DWR) officers (game wardens) are pretty much solely responsible for boat and fishing law enforcement. DWR can be heard on STARS sometimes encrypted and sometimes in the clear, sometimes only one side will be encrypted, and sometimes they run total encryption. They are dispatched from Richmond.

 

[Listen365]

Looked into building a FL for the STARS talkgroups y’all recommended. Thanks for the info and update.