Boatnerd Discussion Forum

Sorry, I made a mistake there. Black River Harbor MI, not WI.

Both VTS Soo and Sarnia Traffic use repeaters, as do the Canadian Marine Raio Stations.

ed mertz wrote:While fishing on lake Erie, just off Monroe Michigan, we ofter hear Sarnia on our marine radio. I've often wondered if this is the same Sarnia - across the river from Port Huron ? Seems like a very long distance - from Sarnia to Monroe via marine radio !

That's 90 miles the way the crow flies. I have picked up CG Group Sault Ste. Marie while I was in Black River Harbor, WI. That is 280 miles the way the crow flies.They must use repeaters, or have a mega watt transmitter!

While fishing on lake Erie, just off Monroe Michigan, we ofter hear Sarnia on our marine radio. I've often wondered if this is the same Sarnia - across the river from Port Huron ? Seems like a very long distance - from Sarnia to Monroe via marine radio !

I was hoping someone would zero-in to the issue of possibly
realizing there is traffic this year than last year,
or if amount of Sarnia CG/Seaway Traffic has actually increased this year.

I need to subscribe to some decent Freighter periodicals too!
They might have articles about level of new activity.

I am hearing names that are new to me this year, and there's
dozens of new vessels already.

Thanks all for the great replies.
RadSurfer

One other thing- I'm surprised that the scanner you have now has less interferance than the marine radio. Usually it's the other way around - must be that the antenna is the differance.

You have the ideal conditions. The hi rise, the closeness to the lakefront & the good antenna are a perfect set up. When I lived in Lackawanna (right by the lake) I used to get Great reception with an antenna in the attic. Now I'm in the suburbs & get half the radio traffic even with the antenna on the roof. One good point is that I don't have to listen to all the pleasure boat chatter clogging up the airwaves from all the local marinas around here or when the Coast Guard has to bail them out of trouble. I will say this though - radio is a funny thing. Some days it comes in loud & clear from far away & some days you couldn't hear a boat if it was across the street. That all has to do with weather & atmosphere conditions.

Hello everybody!

I've been happily monitoring VHF Marine radio traffic since April 2010 and have immensely enjoyed it.
Erie Coast Guard, pleasure craft, fishing boats, and of course,
everyones absolute favorite:

Lately, it seems to me at least, I have been hearing a great deal
more Freighters/Tankers, Tugs/Barges than this time last year
and I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on what
may be happening

I live in a highrise apartment building facing North, I have
Presque Isle State Park directly out my living room & bed room
window!
I was using an actual Uniden Marine VHF radio to monitor,
presently I'm using a "public service band scanner" specifically
programmed for US/Canadian Marine VHF channels
I am also using, of all things, a 5' VHF Marine Boat Antenna in my bedroom. yes! thats what I said :-)

I am hearing plenty with this arrangement
Last year when I started, I hada tri-band whip antenna on my
Uniden Voyager receiver while it scanned. Perhaps this simple
change in equipment enhanced my reception more than I realized.
Cellular-phone-paging and other issues seemed to have reduced
themselves because of many changes going on by a near-by hospital and their complaints to the FCC about interference to their security communications and valet parking!

In any event, I am beyond delighted being able to hear so much traffic on Lake Erie, and the occasional Canadian Aircraft checking in with vessels, dozens of SAR helo's, and so-on!

But is this normal traffic, or has there been a sudden introduction of many new vessels now transversing Lake Erie,
and crossing Long Point Check-in Point ?

Thanks!
I can also be emailed at RadSurfer at yahoo dot com.
RadSurfer