MARINE TRACKING 162 MHz DX

Most boats use transponders which send all their position and navagation data, plus cargo and type of vessel information. The max TX power is 12 Watts with omni directional vertical antennas. Obviously ship transmissions originate from just above sea level. This just goes to show that height is not might when it comes to tropo. Marine tracking can also be used for high MUF Sporadic E detection, esp useful across water paths.
162 MHz Marine Tracking can be an excellent indicator for paths across water. They are just like floating beacons. 
Im using a Shine Micro SM161R-2 receiver and 4 x 11 ele yagis made by DUAL ANTENNAS at around 55 ft. The pre-amp is also made by DUAL ANTENNAS specifically for the 162 MHz band.
Max reception here so far is 2938 km, my aim is to break the 3000 km tropo barrier.

 

TABLE OF AIS OPENINGS TO MY LOCATION: No longer logging openings

OPENING DATE LOCATION/S MAX - MIN DISTANCE NUMBER OF VESSELS  NUMBER OF SIGNALS COMMENTS
25.01.14 G.A. Bight 2165 km - 959 km 14 355 Sporadic E opening :)
25.01.14 Bight Path 1296 km 6 10 Start high cell
19.01.14  Dunsborough WA. 2938 km 40 2000 Start high cell
12.01.14 middle Bight 1567 km 35 1100 Start high cell.
31.12.13 Bight Path 2116 km 9 897  
29.12.13 Adelaide, Spencer Gulf 901 km 14 118 Cold front swept through
03.11.13 Bight Path 1231 km 16 282 Very start of high cell
31.10.13 Bight Path 1447 km 9 106 Slow high cell
04.10.13 Bight Path 1580 km 4 30 First summer type High
25.07.13 Adelaide 1067 km 66 3196 Blocked by cold front
22.01.13 Adelaide area 902 km 14 247 West side of low trough
19.01.13 Adelaide area 900 km 10 233 New high cell
14.01.13 Adelaide 1356 km 4 11 High cell
02.01.13 East of Esperance 1985 km 89 19,020 Tail end of a Duct
29.12.12 Esperance 2298 km 52 10,015 New high cell
10.09.12 Kangaroo Is area 994 km 45 4564 High cell moving through
09.09.12 Bight Paths & Adelaide 2627 km 11 181 Bight path to Albany
Day E skip  3.1.12 Bight & sth of Tas 1861 - 904 km 5 53  

Above : 03.01.12 received 5 ships via Sporadic E propagation. Max 1861 Km & minimum 904 Km. Antenna fixed SSW.

Above Photo : New 162 MHz Marine yagi array as at Nov 2017. Yagis by Dual Antennas.

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