Where Has Treasury Gone?

A lot of folks are wondering what has happened to radio traffic from the various bureaus of the Treasury Department, and particularly the IRS. In the March, 2007 Monitoring Times, I tried to answer that question.

Sometime in the late 1990’s many of the radio frequencies used by the IRS seemed to go silent. Looking back, this seemed to occur about the same time that various reforms in the IRS organization were signed in to law. The IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998 may have changed what the various divisions of the IRS were responsible for and may have changed their radio communications needs. Shortly after these frequencies seemed to go silent, the Treasury Department also entered in to a plan to consolidate and restructure their radio communications system. They had originally started a pilot project to develop their own integrated wireless network, however they have since joined forces with the Justice Department’s IWN project.

But where are the Treasury and IRS communications today? The only thing I have actually confirmed as being active with the IRS lately is the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration or TIGTA, http://www.treas.gov/tigta/. TIGTA was created when the 1998 IRS Restructuring and Reform act was passed. TIGTA has two frequencies that they have been heard using. One is a repeater on 164.5375 MHz with 172.6375 MHz input and the other is also a repeater, but on 165.9500 MHz with 167.0000 MHz as the input. I have also received information, but not confirmed, that TIGTA may be using 165.3375 MHz as a tactical frequency. However, since the IWN trunked system has become active in the Portland, OR region, these frequences have been rarely heard.

I recently came across this report from the Treasury Department's Wireless Program Office. You can read the brief report here:
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/osmhome/spectrumreform/Spectrum_Progress_Reports_FY2008/Treasury_FY08_Progress_Report_Policy_Initiative.pdf. In this report, there is a clear indication that some agencies of the Treasury have moved to commercial cellular and mobile data communications systems rather than continue using federal land-mobile systems.

Treasury Department communications are out there, but they may have begun to shift frequencies, perhaps in anticipation of the future Integrated Wireless Network. So keep in mind that the Treasury and IRS communications could have moved. But here is a list of previously known Treasury frequencies, so check these out and see if anything is active in your area:

163.1250
164.1000
164.2500
164.5375
165.9125
165.9500
166.2000
166.4625 - TREASURY COMMON
166.5375
166.5875
166.9750
167.0000 - NATIONWIDE ASSIGNMENT
167.1000
167.1500
167.9750
172.6375
173.0250
173.8625
411.5250
411.5500
412.2250
414.3250
414.7000
414.9000 - NATIONWIDE ASSIGNMENT
415.0000 - NATIONWIDE ASSIGNMENT
415.1000 - NATIONWIDE ASSIGNMENT
415.4250
415.5500
415.7250 - NATIONWIDE ASSIGNMENT
415.8000
415.8750
416.8000 - NATIONWIDE ASSIGNMENT
417.6500
418.1000
418.1750 - NATIONWIDE ASSIGNMENT
418.2000 - NATIONWIDE ASSIGNMENT
418.2250 - NATIONWIDE ASSIGNMENT
418.2500 - NATIONWIDE ASSIGNMENT

New GAO Report on IWN

The latest GOA report on the current progress of the federal Integrated Wireless Network (IWN) has been released, and you can find a copy here:

http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09133.pdf

In a nutshell, the latest report says that the cooperation between the Justice Department, Treasury and Homeland Security has collapsed. The original vision of a shared, nationwide radio communications network for federal agencies has turned out to be not exactly what everyone wants and probably can't be deployed as hoped.

A few more key points:

The original pilot project in the Pacific Northwest continues to operate and is growing, but users still report that some of their requirements have not been met. These agencies continue to utilize their legacy radio systems outside of the IWN.

The pilot project appears to be too costly to be expanded nationwide and still fulfill the needs of Justice, Treasury and DHS. While the Treasury Department has been signed on as a participant of the project, they appear mostly as observers and seem to be waiting to see what happens, while Justice and DHS have moved off on their own.

The Justice Department has begun upgrading it's land mobile communications system on it's own, outside of the IWN project. They are calling it the Law Enforcement Wireless Communications Solution. This appears to include recent upgrades to the FBI, US Marshals and other radio systems that listeners have reported over the last year or so. I cover some of this activity in the January issue of Monitoring Times.

Customs and Border Protection has been upgrading their own radio network since 2005. Listeners along both the Northern and Southern US have reported these changes to APCO P-25 over the last two years or so.

Immigrations and Customs Enforcement has also been upgrading their radio communications network, referred to as the Tactical Communications Modernization Project. This project is not geared towards building their own communications network. Instead, ICE is looking to partner up with other federal agencies and utilized existing infrastructure to accomplish what they need. Again, this is what we have been hearing over the last few years on the radios.

The GAO report asks Congress to try and get these agencies working together again. To pursue their individual projects risks a lot of wasted time and money by duplication, according to the GAO audit.

Interesting to see what becomes of the IWN project in the coming months.

Treasury Update - Los Angeles

A few weeks ago I asked about anyone hearing any traffic on some of the known Treasury channels. I've been working in Los Angeles for the last week or so, and found some significant activity on a common Treasury Department frequency.

165.9500 MHz, N009 was busy for several days this past week with some sort of surveillance operation. I got the feeling that there is another P-25 repeater on this frequency that I was not picking up well enough to decode. The repeater I was hearing well appears to be covering the downtown LA area. I was not able to confirm the input of 167.0000 MHz yet.

In addition to this frequency, I've found several VHF P-25 repeaters that may or may not be related, and will be posting those soon.

IRS - Heard Them Lately?

At one time, the IRS division of the Treasury Department was fairly active on their federal frequencies. Lately they seemed to have gotten harder to hear. Not much activity has been heard on their frequencies, but I don't think they've changed to different ones. It's just hat unless they have a major surveillance or warrant service going on, they just don't use the radios that often.

But keep an hear on their frequencies anyway, as you never know when they might get busy!

Here are the frequencies that have been identified as being allocated to and used by the Treasury Department, and specifically the IRS:

163.1000

163.1250

164.1000

164.2500

164.5375

165.1000

165.3375

165.4125

165.4625

165.9125

165.9500

166.0000

166.2000

166.4625

166.5375

166.5875

166.9750

167.0000

167.1000

167.1500

167.9750

168.3500

172.6375

173.0250

173.8625

406.4250

406.5500

406.7250

406.8000

406.8750

407.8000

408.4000

408.6500

409.1000

409.1750

409.2000

409.2250

409.2500

409.7750

409.8750

411.1250

411.5250

411.5500

412.2250

414.3250

414.7000

414.7500

414.9000

415.0000

415.1000

415.4250

415.5500

415.6000

415.7250

415.8000

415.8750

416.0500

416.2000

416.3250

416.8000

417.0250

417.6500

417.7250

417.7500

418.0500

418.0750

418.1000

418.1750

418.2000

418.2250

418.2500

418.5750

Most IRS VHF P25 channels appear to be using a Network Access Code (NAC) of N100. There is evidence that the TIGTA (formerly IOG) operations are using a NAC of N1F1. And the primary repeaters for IRS operations may have adopted the system used by other federal agencies of using different NACs to access different repeaters on the same frequency. Here are some confirmed loggings of IRS channels around the country:

163.2125, N100 – IRS TAC 1, most likely a nationwide assignment

163.6375, N100 – IRS TAC 2, also nationwide

164.5375, N1F1 – IRS TIGTA

165.1000, N1F1 – IRS TIGTA

165.3375, N1F1 – Possible IRS TIGTA TAC channel

165.9500, N001 thru N010 – IRS NET 1, using various NACs

165.9500, N100 – Some areas used as a simplex TAC, or NET 1 repeater out

167.0000, N001 thru N010 – Input to the 165.9500 repeater using various NACs

172.6375, N1F1 – Input to the 164.5375 MHz repeater

166.4625 MHz Las Vegas TSA?

I've been hearing numerous transmissions in the area of McCarren Airport in Las Vegas on 166.4625 MHz, P-25 with a NAC of 001. It appears to be the Transportation Security Administration operators working with the full body scanners at the security checkpoints. The operators are apparently in a different area from the scanners themselves, and are calling out when the subject being scanned is clear and if there are any anomalies detected by the scanner. The transmissions are all simplex and low-powered.

The frequency is assigned as Treasury Common as well as DHS Common in many federal agency radios. This frequency and P-25 NAC is known to be Channel 13 in the standard TSA channel plan. I have heard similar traffic in other locations, specifically at the Tampa airport during the Super Bowl last year.

MYSTERY FREQUENCY - 406.2875 MHz

I have had reports over several years of activity noted on 406.2875 MHz. My records did not have this assigned to any specific federal agency, but monitoring notes from various locations do record some activity on this frequency.  

Treasury/IRS Philadelphia, PA DMR

Federal Bureau of Prisons, Butner NC - part of the prison trunked system

Florida - Unknown location using DMR, heard in Orlando

Texas - Unknown location using DMR, heard in San Antonio 

Houston, TX - Heard over several years in analog using DCS 205, possible National Guard 

Kansas City, MO - Unknown agency using P25 with a NAC of N293 

Anyone else hearing activity on this frequency? 

World Series Game 2

Things settled down a bit in our part of the broadcasting compound for the second game of the 2010 World Series. so I had some time to listen to the scanner more. Here is what was busy during the game:

157.1750 MHz - Marine channel 83A with Coast Guard units patrolling the waters outside the ball park. Call signs heard were MARINE 1, MARINE 2, PIKE and PIKE 2
162.3500 MHz - Weak P-25 or analog with DES. No confirmation of what it was.
163.6125 MHz, 127.3 pl - Speaker Palosi Capitol Police security detail at the game again.
166.4625 MHz, 100.0 pl - Unknown agency operating outside the ballpark. Somewhat informal conversations. Frequency is known as DHS Common or Treasury Common, but is found in most federal law enforcement channel plans.
170.7500 MHz, N293 - Unknown agency, encrypted full time
170.9250 MHz, N167 - FBI units, probably on location at the game. During game 1, heard some units in the clear and confirmed they were in the stadium. Game 2 and everyone was secure, but signal strength seemed to indicate they were still on location and simplex.

Other frequencies were heard as well, but probably did not have anything to do with the World Series:
163.1375 MHz, N293
163.3750 MHz, 192.8 pl
163.4125 MHz, 131.8 pl
165.2375 MHz, 100.0 pl - DHS Customs Net 1
165.2875 MHz, N650 - BATFE Net 1
165.4375 MHz, N302 - Unknown security operations
166.0500 MHz
166.3000 MHz, N325
166.7375 MHz, N293 - US Mint security
167.2125 MHz, 167.9 pl
167.7875 MHz
168.4875 MHz, N293
168.9125 MHz, N510
169.2000 MHz, 114.8 pl
169.5500 MHz, 100.0 pl - DHS Customs with OTAR
172.7000 MHz, N293

Washington DC Logs

In the March issue of Monitoring Times, I have published my logs from the last trip I made to the Washington, DC area. I have a few entries that are unknown agencies, and like what I did with my New York City logs, I thought I would post them here and see if any DC listeners can help identify some of the unknowns. Any corrections or additions will be appreciated!

UPDATE: Check this post for updates, as I am adding information as I am able to find it.

162.0500, N201 - US Secret Service Uniformed Division, WH1
162.0500, N00F
162.0625, N201 - US Secret Service Uniformed Division
162.0625, N00F
162.0750, N201 – US Secret Service Uniformed Division, F1
162.2125, D023
162.2500, 173.8 – US Capitol Police F4
162.3125, N211 - US Secret Service Uniformed Division, Foreign Missions
162.6000, N012
162.6125, 127.3 – US Capitol Police F5
162.8250, N076 - DHS ICE
162.9500, N095 - DHS ICE
162.9875, N010 – Possible IWN NCR input
163.0000, N010 – Possible IWN NCR input
163.0000, N013
163.3125. N202 - US Secret Service Uniformed Division, WH2
163.3500, 146.2 – Department of the Treasury
163.7250, N073 – DHS ICE
163.9000, N010 – Possible IWN NCR input
164.1750, N011
164.4000, N001 – USSS PAPA
164.4375, N212 - US Secret Service Uniformed Division, Foreign Missions 2
164.6250, 173.8 – US Capitol Police
164.6500, N001 – USSS TANGO
164.8875, N001 – USSS OSCAR
164.9375, 203.5
165.1875, 156.7 - Arlington National Cemetary
165.2125, N001 – USSS MIKE
165.2375, N100 – CBP NET 1
165.2875, N650 – BATFE NET 1
165.3750, N001 – USSS CHARLIE
165.4125, 210.7 - National Gallery
165.5375, 146.2 – US Capitol Police F2
165.6000, N010 – Possible IWN NCR input
165.6875, N001 – USSS WDC Field Office
165.7875, N001 – USSS BAKER
165.9250, 127.3 - US Capitol Police
166.2000, N212 - Possibly US Secret Service Uniformed Divsion
166.3250, N518
166.3250, N546 – Department of the Interior
166.4500, 167.9 - US Capitol Police
166.4625, N001 – DHS Common
166.5125, N001 – WHCA ALPHA
166.7000, N001 – WHCA
166.7250, 127.3 – Park Police F1
166.8500, 127.3 – Park Police F4
166.9250, 127.3 – Park Police F2
167.0125, N001 – USSS Executive Protection
167.0375, N001 – USSS Executive Protection
167.0750, 127.3 – Park Police F3
167.2125, N167 – FBI
167.4125, N167 – FBI
168.4875, 167.9
167.5125, N167 – FBI
167.5500, N010 – IWN NCR Trunked System
167.9500, 167.9 – Possible US Department of Agriculture
168.1250, N167 – FBI
168.1750, N293
168.2250, 151.4
168.2625, N71F – IWN (System 715) Trunked System, Site 160
168.2875, N010 – IWN NCR Trunked System, Site 801
168.4250, N293 – National Parks Service, National Capitol Parks East
168.4250, 162.2
168.4875, N010 – IWN NCR Trunked System, Site 801
168.5875, N100
168.6875, N010 – IWN NCR Trunked System, Site 801
168.8500, N010 – IWN NCR Trunked System, Site 801
168.8875, N293
168.9250, N167 – FBI
168.9375, N078 - DHS ICE
168.9750, N010 – IWN NCR Trunked System, Site 1001
169.1875, N010 – IWN NCR Trunked System, Site 401
169.2250, 110.9 – US Capitol Police F1
169.7750, N4C5 – National Parks Service, George Washington Parkway
169.9375, N201
170.0000, N001
170.0000, N003
170.0000, N004
170.1000, 103.5 - National Parks Service
170.1750, 156.7 – US Capitol Police F3
170.4375, N202
170.7500, N293 - US Marshals Service, Federal Courts Security
171.2375, 254.1
171.3625, N293 – Department of Transportation
171.4000, N012
171.4375, N010 – IWN NCR Trunked System, Site 1001
171.7625, N211
171.7750, N010 – IWN NCR Trunked System, Site 401
171.9875, N010 – IWN NCR Trunked System, Site 1101
172.0250, 165.5
172.1125, N010 – IWN NCR Trunked System
172.2625, N069
172.4125, N001
172.4375, N4C5 – National Parks Service
172.4750, N4C5 – National Parks Service, National Mall and Memorial Parks
172.5875, N077 – DHS ICE
172.6125, N010 – IWN NCR Trunked System, Site 1101
172.6375, N010 – IWN NCR Trunked System
172.9000, N001 – TSA @ Reagan National Airport
172.9000, N013 – TSA @ Reagan National Airport
173.0000, N293 – Unknown agency
173.5250, 167.9 – US Capitol Police
173.5500, N71F – IWN Trunked System, Site 160
173.6375, N293 – US Supreme Court
173.6500, N293
173.7375, N293
173.7375, N864
173.8750, 94.8 pl – US Capitol Police
173.9000, N011
406.3875, D723 – US Capitol, public tours
406.4250, N12C – US Department of Agriculture, Headquarters Security
407.1375, N482 - US Postal Inspectors
407.4625, N421 - Unknown Agency
407.6000, N0F0 – US State Department, Bureau of Diplomatic Security
407.6000, NC0C
407.6625, N421 - Unknown Agency
407.7750, N482 – US Postal Inspection Service
407.8250, N1F2
407.8625, N0F0 - US State Department, Bureau of Diplomatic Security
407.8625, NC0C -
408.2000, N201 – Federal Protective Service
408.2750, N167
408.3500, N167
408.6000, N0F0 - US State Department, Bureau of Diplomatic Security
409.0375, N0F0 - US State Department, Bureau of Diplomatic Security
409.0625, N421 - Unknown Agency
409.5125, D073 – Government Printing Office
409.7125, N0F0 - US State Department, Bureau of Diplomatic Security
409.8500, D226
410.8250, D631
413.7125, N167 – FBI Uniformed Security
415.9000, 123.0
417.2000, N201 – Federal Protective Service
417.8875, N295 – US Mint Police
418.6750, N156 – DEA F4
418.7500, N156 – DEA F3
419.1500, 167.9 – US Information Agency
419.4875, D624 - Possible Federal Reserve

Pittsburgh Scanning Scene - Updated!

Just got home and had a great time at the Wings over Pittsburgh Air Show last Saturday. I even got to meet up with some of the local scanning group - it was great!
I caught part of the preparations for the All Star Game before I left, but the locals really helped and caught the activities during the events. Here's a quick update:

162.2250 MHz - Coast Guard patrols outside of PNC Park
163.1000 MHz - Federal Wide Area Itinerant - FBI D7
164.5500 MHz - OCDETF / FBI D1/D2
165.2875 MHz - ATF NET 1
166.4625 MHz - DHS Common / Treasury Common / FBI D3
167.5375 MHz - FBI D6
169.8000 MHz - Unknown, but likely FBI
409.3375 MHz - Federal Itinerant UHF repeater with OSCAR and LION callsigns, unknown agency
412.8375 MHz - Federal Itinerant UHF with the same units as on 409.3375, but simplex

A special thanks to members of the Three Rivers Area Monitoring Association group for their help!