Robert11 wrote:
Hi,

I have a Uniden 996 scanner and would really like to pick up some marine
traffic from Boston Harbor.
Live about 20 miles due west of the harbor.

Have a Scantenna antenna which I think is "pretty good". It's up in my
attic.

It's omni directional, and broadband over the typical scanner ranges
(supposedly).

I can often pick up coast guard conversations, but very rarely (but
ooccassionally) ship traffic.

Increasing your antenna height would
probably improve reception more than
increasing antenna gain at that distance.

Theoretically, ships will switch to low
power (~5 watts) when they enter the
harbor, but you should still hear them.

I think pilot-to-tug communication is
done with portable, hand-held radios.
Very low power is needed for distances
on the order of a few hundred feet and
antenna height is quite close to the
water. So you may not be able to hear
these communications from your distance.

If you look he

http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache...lnk&cd=2&gl=us
Chapter 11 â–* Coast Pilot 1

you will find some info on which VHF
channels ships would normally use (#13)
in their approach to Boston Harbor.
Also, you can see that transmissions are
brief and occur at specific points.

Unlike the USCG, which recites a 1,000
word, mostly unintelligible, preamble to
every announcement, ship traffic in a
crowded harbor is likely to be terse and
easy to miss.

A call to the Harbormaster or a posting
to a marine newsgroup
(rec.boat.electronics) could get a more
definitive answer.

Chuck

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