What Radio Systems Should I Expect On The Carnival Celebration?

[Computrguy]

I am recording. I got a hit on 457.575 color code code 10 but no voices and just searched after that.
And just now TG 142 came up but I don’t know what freq. I have some much junk programmed in here maybe at some point I’ll clean it up a bit.
Thanks for your help

 

[JASII]

You are welcome, but I am not sure how much help I am.

I still find it interesting that you get out there a ways from land and there is very little other radio traffic to hear.

Granted, the SDS100 isn't the most sensitive, but even Broadcast wide-band FM vanishes.

Sometimes we can here civil aviation on 118-136/7.

Sometimes a bit of military aviation on 225-400.

Occasionally, even that stray 2 meter or 440 repeater.

But when we were well out to seas, there really wasn't much else to hear.

Even searching weather 162.400-162.550 didn't result in much, unless, of course you are close to Saint Thomas or Puerto Rico, if I recall correctly.

Maybe we can pick up a little onboard MURS/FRS/GMRS, but they generally getting very annoying very quickly to me, especially is if is kids and they have the Beetlie Boop noises enabled!

 

[ecps92]

You are welcome, but I am not sure how much help I am.

I still find it interesting that you get out there a ways from land and there is very little other radio traffic to hear.

Granted, the SDS100 isn't the most sensitive, but even Broadcast wide-band FM vanishes.

Sometimes we can here civil aviation on 118-136/7.

Sometimes a bit of military aviation on 225-400.

Occasionally, even that stray 2 meter or 440 repeater.

But when we were well out to seas, there really wasn't much else to hear.

Even searching weather 162.400-162.550 didn't result in much, unless, of course you are close to Saint Thomas or Puerto Rico, if I recall correctly.

Maybe we can pick up a little onboard MURS/FRS/GMRS, but they generally getting very annoying very quickly to me, especially is if is kids and they have the Beetlie Boop noises enabled!

Being away from the other ships and land based RF helps in narrowing down which info was actually your ship, vs the one docked next to you.

FRS/GMRS was always crazy till ships began adding the Wifi Tablets/trackers - now not as bad with the Pre-key Chirps

 

[Computrguy]

Getting hits. Disappointing most it seems in Italian. Attached is what I noted so far. I’ll keep at it. I have until Sun morning to try and decipher.
I do note different frequencies for the same TG. I think someone noted previously they did not see it

 

[ecps92]

Getting hits. Disappointing most it seems in Italian. Attached is what I noted so far. I’ll keep at it. I have until Sun morning to try and decipher.
I do note different frequencies for the same TG. I think someone noted previously they did not see it

467.5375 is likely the input for the 457.5375

 

[JASII]

Merging your hits with my hits and, assuming a 10 mHz input split, it might look like this.

It will be interesting to see if 457.600 shows activity.

Could it be for simplex?

Do you get the sense that TGID 142 is the most active?

Also, a six channel Motorola Capacity Plus system would be able to handle a LOT of radio traffic!


457.5250 (467.5250) Color Code 8

457.5375 (467.5375) Color Code 7

457.5500 (467.5500) Color Code 8

457.5625 (467.5625) Color Code 9

457.5750 (467.5750) Color Code 10

457.5875 (467.5875) Color Code 7

 

[JASII]

...I do note different frequencies for the same TG...

That is consistent with a Motorola Capacity Plus system, which is a type of trunking.

It is very different from a P25 system that has a control channel.

If you perform a Custom Search you will notice that one of the frequencies will usually show full signal strength.

That is the so-called rest channel of that Motorola Capacity Plus system.

 

[Computrguy]

467.5375 CC 10 is a different ship. Looks like 457.5375 TG 288 is the same. The Virgin Valiant Lady is in port next to us. They are getting ready to leave. All is in English.

 

[JASII]

I believe that you may be in Saint Thomas today.

Hopefully, the Celebration and the island are treating you well!

 

[Computrguy]

Correct and yes it is an incredible ship.

 

[Computrguy]

These were the radios in use
I really think they have more frequencies in use. There was just not enough chatter. The Conquest I was on had a lot more to listen to especially pulling in/out of port. But the Celebration had some in Italian. If I get a chance I’ll listen to the recordings again and post what freqs and TGs I did hear on.

 

[AM909]

Looks like a Motorola EVX-S24.

 

[kevino]

That is consistent with a Motorola Capacity Plus system, which is a type of trunking.

It is very different from a P25 system that has a control channel.

If you perform a Custom Search you will notice that one of the frequencies will usually show full signal strength.

That is the so-called rest channel of that Motorola Capacity Plus system.

The rest channel typically moves from one system frequency to another with the Cap+ system.

Did anyone try the LCN finder feature to establish system LCNs?

On the last Carnival cruise I took, there were also simplex analog freqs in use in the casino and possibly at the pools and at other on-deck activities.

 

[Computrguy]

The rest channel typically moves from one system frequency to another with the Cap+ system.

Did anyone try the LCN finder feature to establish system LCNs?

On the last Carnival cruise I took, there were also simplex analog freqs in use in the casino and possibly at the pools and at other on-deck activities.

Not I. I was struggling enough just to run regular searches. I can say I've learned a lot through the folks in the Uniden tech forum on RR.

 

[Computrguy]

These are the combinations I came up with. Not sure why TG 0 is in there but it definitely is not typo. That's why I through the CC in.

457.5250 TG 146
457.5250 TG 145
457.5375 TG 142
457.5375 TG 145
457.5375 TG 146
457.5500 TG 142
457.5500 TG 145
457.5500 TG 146
457.5875 TG 0 CC 7
457.5875 TG 142
457.5875 TG 145
457.5875 TG 146
457.5875 TG 148
467.5500 TG 143

 

[INDaviation]

Looks like a Motorola EVX-S24.

The other one is a Motorola XPR7550.

 

[Ubbe]

These are the combinations I came up with. Not sure why TG 0 is in there but it definitely is not typo. That's why I through the CC in.

457.5875 TG 0 CC 7

When it detects a call it creates a file and insert the data it knows in the file header. Then it fills the file with the recording audio and when the user stops transmitting it closes the file and waits for a new a transmit and to create a new file.

If the scanner hasn't been able to get the TG info it needs when it creates the file start it inserts a dummy TG of 0 to keep the data structure intact. You'll never see a TG 0 on the scanners display as it will update the display info "live" after a brief moment, but by then the file header are already created and cannot be edited.

It's probably related to Unidens less reliable DMR decoding process, that you'll sometimes need to have a longer hold time on the data channel to be able to get valid data, and it sometimes works against the scanner as it could interpret it as receiving RAS and/or encrypted data and then ignores the hold time and will then leave the data channel and continuous to scan other sites or systems. It would probably help if Uniden would let the user select if it should be a manual or automatic selection of RAS and encryption modes, as long as it is this unreliable in its DMR decoding and there isn't enough error traps in the firmware code to handle it.

/Ubbe

 

[Computrguy]

For the life of me, with all the things there are to do on these "floating cities," why would anyone be concerned about whether a scanner is allowed. Perhaps I'm not as fanatical as others but I just don't see it.

I just went thru the Panama Canal and listening to the transmissions were interesting to say the least. The other day while docking I listened to the captain discuss what the crew were doing wrong and why it took 20 minutes to get docked. In another port I listened as we left 6 people behind who weren’t on cruise excursions and hadn’t returned. Some aren’t interested in this stuff but I enjoyed it.

 

[JASII]

...Some aren’t interested in this stuff but I enjoyed it.

I agree.

What I didn't do this trip, but probably will on a future cruise, is also listen to the marine band, particulalry during docking operations.

Often times the cruise ship arrives at port before I wake up, but I could record it and listen later.

On one of our previous cruises, the United States Coast Guard helicopters responded and airlifted a crew member back to Florida for a medical condition.

I assume that they might establish contact on Marine 16 and switch to 22A, but they might use other channels instead.

 

[Computrguy]

I have been monitoring and recording the USA Marine from the db. I guess I should have done the intl one but I realized only the other day and didn’t want to boot up the pc to do it on Sentinel. I do everything there then transfer it. Its much easier. Anyway I have had traffic on 11 and 12 with the port pilots and 69 with the pilot in the Panama Canal.