I hope all the Fed Files fans and The Spectrum Monitor readers have a safe and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Thursday, December 24, 2015
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
I hope all the Fed Files fans and The Spectrum Monitor readers have a safe and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Thursday, November 19, 2015
406.9375 MHz in Las Vegas Identified
For some time I have been hearing Moto TRBO (DMR) on 406.9375 MHz. I assumed for some time that it was related to the VA Medical Center in Las Vegas.
But now I am field testing a DMR capable radio and I can actually hear what is being said on the frequency, it appears to be the US Postal Service, probably a bulk mail center or main mail processing center. There were plenty of references to loading docks and trucks & trailers. But the big clue was references to "Reno Mail" being loaded.
So far, 406.9375 MHz is the only federal frequency in the area that I have found DMR digital traffic on, so I don't believe this is a trunked system.
But now I am field testing a DMR capable radio and I can actually hear what is being said on the frequency, it appears to be the US Postal Service, probably a bulk mail center or main mail processing center. There were plenty of references to loading docks and trucks & trailers. But the big clue was references to "Reno Mail" being loaded.
So far, 406.9375 MHz is the only federal frequency in the area that I have found DMR digital traffic on, so I don't believe this is a trunked system.
Monday, October 19, 2015
More Federal Prison System Updates
It appears that the Federal Bureau of Prisons, part of the Justice Department, is continuing to upgrade their existing Motorola Type II trunked systems to APCO P-25 digital systems.
The Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Englewood, Colorado has recently moved to a P25 system, and here is the PRO96COM analysis of that system:
FileVersion:7
-TowerInfo
#This section is here for information only. With the exception
#of the Call Sign(s), This data is not Read back into the program at all.
System ID : 85D
System Name :
WACN : BEE00
Tower Number (Decimal): 1-1
Tower Number (Hex) : T0101
Tower Description :
Control Capabilities : Voice,Registration
Call Sign(s) :
Timestamp : Mon Oct 19 08:49:50 2015
-Tables
#Format: Table ID,Base Freq,Spacing,Input Offset,Assumed/Confirmed,BandWidth,Slots
04,380.00000,0.00625,10.00000,"Confirmed",0.01250,1
05,405.40000,0.00625,9.00000,"Confirmed",0.01250,1
-Frequencies
#Format: Channel,Usage,Frequency(/Slot),Input Channel,Input Frequency(/Slot),Input Explicit(1/0),Hit Count
"05-0322","c",407.41250,"05-0322",416.41250,0,0
"05-0620","vp",409.27500,"15-4095",0.00000,1,442
"05-0652","v",409.47500,"05-0652",418.47500,0,3
"05-0716","avp",409.87500,"05-0716",418.87500,1,46
"05-0824","av",410.55000,"05-0824",419.55000,0,43
The Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Englewood, Colorado has recently moved to a P25 system, and here is the PRO96COM analysis of that system:
FileVersion:7
-TowerInfo
#This section is here for information only. With the exception
#of the Call Sign(s), This data is not Read back into the program at all.
System ID : 85D
System Name :
WACN : BEE00
Tower Number (Decimal): 1-1
Tower Number (Hex) : T0101
Tower Description :
Control Capabilities : Voice,Registration
Call Sign(s) :
Timestamp : Mon Oct 19 08:49:50 2015
-Tables
#Format: Table ID,Base Freq,Spacing,Input Offset,Assumed/Confirmed,BandWidth,Slots
04,380.00000,0.00625,10.00000,"Confirmed",0.01250,1
05,405.40000,0.00625,9.00000,"Confirmed",0.01250,1
-Frequencies
#Format: Channel,Usage,Frequency(/Slot),Input Channel,Input Frequency(/Slot),Input Explicit(1/0),Hit Count
"05-0322","c",407.41250,"05-0322",416.41250,0,0
"05-0620","vp",409.27500,"15-4095",0.00000,1,442
"05-0652","v",409.47500,"05-0652",418.47500,0,3
"05-0716","avp",409.87500,"05-0716",418.87500,1,46
"05-0824","av",410.55000,"05-0824",419.55000,0,43
Tuesday, October 06, 2015
CBP OAM changes to AMO
As of October 1, the Customs and Border Protection Office of Air and Marine has changed their name to CBP Air and Marine Operations (AMO).
The CBP operates one of the largest non-military air and naval forces in the world. More information can be found here:
http://www.cbp.gov/border-security/air-sea
The CBP operates one of the largest non-military air and naval forces in the world. More information can be found here:
http://www.cbp.gov/border-security/air-sea
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Top 100 Military Frequency List
In the October issue of The Spectrum Monitor (http://www.thespectrummonitor.com/index.aspx), I posted my attempt at an updated version of the Top 100 Nationwide Military frequency list. I started this years ago, and have updated it with some new frequencies that might be heard anywhere in the US. If you have any additions, corrections or suggestions, please let me know!
I will be updating the list as things change, and you can find the most updated version on the front page of the Fed Files Blog - http://mt-fedfiles.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html
-->
I will be updating the list as things change, and you can find the most updated version on the front page of the Fed Files Blog - http://mt-fedfiles.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html
-->
Top 100 Military list:
40.5000 FM FM Guard – All Agencies & Services
41.5000 FM Army – FM Common
121.5 AM VHF Guard – All Agencies & Services
123.025 AM Helicopter Multicom
123.05 AM Multicom
123.075 AM Helicopter Multicom
123.1 AM VHF Search & Rescue (SAR) Common
123.4 AM Informal Air-To-Air
123.45 AM Informal Air-To-Air
126.2 AM Military Control Towers VHF Common
129.525 AM Air Force - Special Air Missions VHF Common
130.65 AM Air Force - Air Mobility Command VHF
136.375 AM Customs and Border Protection VHF Air
“Company”
138.3 AM Air Force - VHF Common
148.125 AM Air Force - NORAD VHF
148.125 FM Civil Air Patrol
148.150 FM Civil Air Patrol
156.800 FM Coast Guard - Marine Channel 16
157.050 FM Coast Guard - Marine Channel 21A
157.075 FM Coast Guard - Marine Channel 81A
157.100 FM Coast Guard - Marine Channel 22A
157.125 FM Coast Guard - Marine Channel 82A
157.150 FM Coast Guard - Marine Channel 23A
157.175 FM Coast Guard - Marine Channel 83A
165.2375 FM Customs and Border Protection
166.4625 FM Federal Government Common
226.1 AM USAF - AIR-TO-AIR
226.2 AM Informal Air-To-Air [SIERRA ONE]
226.4 AM Informal Air-To-Air [SIERRA TWO]
228.8 AM Air Force - NORAD Common
234.5 AM Informal Air-To-Air
234.55 AM Informal Air-To-Air
236.6 AM Military Control Towers UHF
237.9 AM Coast Guard - Air Operations Secondary
238.9 AM Aerial Refueling
239.8 AM Air Force - Weather
241.0 AM Army - Air Common
242.4 AM Army & Army Guard - UHF Common
243.0 AM UHF Guard - All Agencies and Services
251.9 AM Search
and Rescue (SAR)
252.1 AM Air Force Reserve - Command Posts
252.8 AM Air Force - Air Mobility Command
255.4 AM FAA Flight Service Stations - UHF
271.5 AM Air Force - Air Combat Command Air-To-Air
277.8 AM Navy Fleet Tactical Common
282.0 AM Coast Guard - Air Operations Common
282.425 AM Customs and Border Protection Office of Air
and Marine
282.7 AM Aerial Refueling
282.8 AM Search and Rescue (SAR) Common
300.6 AM Informal Air-To-Air [REMINGTON]
303.0 AM Informal Air-To-Air [WINCHESTER /
THIRTY-THIRTY]
308.35 AM Customs and Border Protection Office of Air
and Marine
311.0 AM US Air Force Air - Combat Command (ACC)
Command Posts
319.4 AM US Air Force Air Mobility Command (AMC)
321.0 AM US Air Force Air Combat Command (ACC)
Command Posts
326.15 AM Coast Guard Air to Ground Primary
324.6 AM Aerial Refueling
333.3 AM Informal Air-To-Air [QUAD THREE]
333.35 AM Informal Air-To-Air [QUAD THREE-FIVE]
333.55 AM Informal Air-To-Air (FULL HOUSE]
340.2 AM Navy Control Towers UHF
342.5 AM Air Force - Weather
345.0 AM Coast Guard - Air Operations Primary
349.4 AM Air Force - Air Mobility Command Common
350.025 AM Customs and Border Protection Office of Air
and Marine
351.2 AM Air Force Reserve - Command Posts
352.6 AM Aerial Refueling
360.2 AM Navy Control Towers UHF
364.2 AM Air Force - NORAD Air Intercept Command and
Control
372.2 AM Air Force - Dispatch Common
375.2 AM Air Force - Weather
376.025 AM Air Force - Air Mobility Command Common
376.075 AM Customs and Border Protection Office of Air
and Marine
379.05 AM Coast Guard - Air to Ground Secondary
381.3 AM Air Force Air Combat Command (ACC) Command
Posts
384.1 AM Air Force - NORAD Air Intercept Command
Secondary
384.55 AM Informal Air-To-Air Common [PISTOL FIVE]
385.0 AM Navy - Port Control Common
385.9 AM Air Force Air Combat Command - Logistics
390.15 AM Aerial
Refueling - Boom Common
Sunday, August 16, 2015
USAF Trunked System Expands in Colorado
It appears that the US Air Force is expanding their regional trunked radio system and will have Buckley Air Force Base moving off of the federally managed Front Range system.
The discussion of the recent changes can be found here:
http://forums.radioreference.com/colorado-radio-discussion-forum/317446-new-air-force-trunked-site-south-denver-metro.html
Indications from local listeners show that Buckley AFB will join Peterson AFB, Cheyenne Mountain and the Air Force Academy as part of a VHF/UHF, multi-state P-25 trunked radio system. You can see the system details here:
http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=3593
For many years Buckley AFB was a subscriber to a UHF trunking system managed by the Federal Protective Service and shared with federal and military users. It appears that the military is consolidating their activity on their own radio system.
We will have to see what becomes of the UHF trunked sites that served Buckley to see if they are re-purposed for federal use or retired.
The discussion of the recent changes can be found here:
http://forums.radioreference.com/colorado-radio-discussion-forum/317446-new-air-force-trunked-site-south-denver-metro.html
Indications from local listeners show that Buckley AFB will join Peterson AFB, Cheyenne Mountain and the Air Force Academy as part of a VHF/UHF, multi-state P-25 trunked radio system. You can see the system details here:
http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=3593
For many years Buckley AFB was a subscriber to a UHF trunking system managed by the Federal Protective Service and shared with federal and military users. It appears that the military is consolidating their activity on their own radio system.
We will have to see what becomes of the UHF trunked sites that served Buckley to see if they are re-purposed for federal use or retired.
Monday, June 29, 2015
"New" trunked system in Southern California
On a recent trip the Los Angeles area, I stumbled upon a P-25 trunking control channel on 411.4500 MHz. I was located just south of the LAX airport in the Manhattan Beach area.
Using PRO96COM, I discovered that this trunked system was showing three frequencies, 411.4500, 412.4500 and 413.4500 MHz. The system showed a System ID of 001, Site 101 and WACN of 00001. The site status showed that it was in site trunking, and not networked to any other sites.
All of these seem to point to a site or system that was under test. While I monitored this control channel, there were no radio affiliations or other activity.
I have not seen activity on these frequencies in my past visits, but hopefully some of the folks living in the area can keep an ear on this and see what develops.
Using PRO96COM, I discovered that this trunked system was showing three frequencies, 411.4500, 412.4500 and 413.4500 MHz. The system showed a System ID of 001, Site 101 and WACN of 00001. The site status showed that it was in site trunking, and not networked to any other sites.
All of these seem to point to a site or system that was under test. While I monitored this control channel, there were no radio affiliations or other activity.
I have not seen activity on these frequencies in my past visits, but hopefully some of the folks living in the area can keep an ear on this and see what develops.
Monday, June 08, 2015
Portland Rose Festival Fleet Week 2015
I'm usually out of town for most of the annual Rose Festival Fleet Week, but I just made it back to get a chance to watch some of the US Navy ships that were docked in Portland depart the area this morning.
When heading across the river on Sunday evening, I was searching the 390-400 MHz band for any possible shipboard trunking systems, I came across an EDACS control channel on 397.6 MHz. This was coming from the USS Chosin, CG-65. I decided to try and come back to the area for the ships departure on Monday morning and see if I could figure out the trunked system setup.
Came back early on Monday morning before the bridge lifts to let the ships head out to the Columbia River screwed up traffic too much, I found a good parking spot where I could see and hear the ships. I noticed right away that these shipboard trunked systems are not designed to carry very far, so even with the ship in sight, the signal strength from theses systems was pretty weak, but readable. I also discovered a second EDACS control channel belonging to the USS Cape St. George, CG-71.
I monitored and searched the bands for a couple of hours as both the Chosin and the St. George departed and think I figured out the two Hydra systems. I was unable to fully confirm the system for the Chosin, so this is a best guess, but was able to scan and track the system for the St. George before she left port.
When heading across the river on Sunday evening, I was searching the 390-400 MHz band for any possible shipboard trunking systems, I came across an EDACS control channel on 397.6 MHz. This was coming from the USS Chosin, CG-65. I decided to try and come back to the area for the ships departure on Monday morning and see if I could figure out the trunked system setup.
Came back early on Monday morning before the bridge lifts to let the ships head out to the Columbia River screwed up traffic too much, I found a good parking spot where I could see and hear the ships. I noticed right away that these shipboard trunked systems are not designed to carry very far, so even with the ship in sight, the signal strength from theses systems was pretty weak, but readable. I also discovered a second EDACS control channel belonging to the USS Cape St. George, CG-71.
I monitored and searched the bands for a couple of hours as both the Chosin and the St. George departed and think I figured out the two Hydra systems. I was unable to fully confirm the system for the Chosin, so this is a best guess, but was able to scan and track the system for the St. George before she left port.
USS CHOSIN CG-65
LCN 1 – 397.6000
LCN 2 – 397.7500
LCN 3 – 399.1500
LCN 6 – 399.3000
LCN 7 – 399.5500
LCN 8 – 399.7500
USS CAPE ST. GEORGE CG-71
LCN 1 – 397.5500
LCN 3 – 397.9500
LCN 5 – 399.2500
LCN 6 – 399.4000
LCN 7 – 399.6500
LCN 8 – 399.8500
Other frequencies in use:
143.4750, 156.7 PL – Coast Guard Auxiliary - repeater out
156.5500 – Marine Channel 11
156.6000 – Marine Channel 12
156.6500 – Marine Channel 13
156.8000 – Marine Channel 16
157.0500 – Marine Channel 21A
157.1000 – Marine Channel 22A
163.0500, N293 – USCG NET 112
Tuesday, May 05, 2015
Federal Acitvity at Mayweather Pacquiao Fight
On Saturday, May 2nd, what was touted as the Fight of the Century between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao took place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Due to the intense attention this event was bringing, there were some extra security measure taken, involving local law enforcement and even some federal agencies.
The TSA at McCarren Airport in Las Vegas was prepared for the onslaught of visitors to Las Vegas for the weekend of the event, as well as the flood of travelers leaving on the Sunday after the fight.
And it appeared that the FBI was maintaining some presence at the fight. On Friday, May 1, I heard several radio checks that seemed to come from near the fight location at the MGM Grand. I heard some references to downlink video being set up and heard one station ID as "Command Post". On fight day, I also hear some additional radio checks but nothing more. Fredquencies heard were 163.8875 MHz, N167 and 167.7375 MHz, N167.
I also heard some TSA units that were possibly on location at the fight venue, possibly members of the Behavioral Detection Unit (BDU). They were on 169.3000 MHz, N013.
The TSA at McCarren Airport in Las Vegas was prepared for the onslaught of visitors to Las Vegas for the weekend of the event, as well as the flood of travelers leaving on the Sunday after the fight.
And it appeared that the FBI was maintaining some presence at the fight. On Friday, May 1, I heard several radio checks that seemed to come from near the fight location at the MGM Grand. I heard some references to downlink video being set up and heard one station ID as "Command Post". On fight day, I also hear some additional radio checks but nothing more. Fredquencies heard were 163.8875 MHz, N167 and 167.7375 MHz, N167.
I also heard some TSA units that were possibly on location at the fight venue, possibly members of the Behavioral Detection Unit (BDU). They were on 169.3000 MHz, N013.
Collecting Federal Radio ID's
In the May 2015 issue of The Spectrum Monitor, the Federal Wavelengths column featured my first attempts at collecting federal radio identification numbers or RID's. I've started a page here on the Fed Files Blog to collect and catalog the RIDs that have been collected. You can see a link to this page in the top bar of the blog home page, or follow this link:
http://mt-fedfiles.blogspot.com/p/federal-p-25-radio-identifications.html
I've just recently acquired a new Whistler WS-1080 scanner that displays RID's effortlessly, so hopefully I can add to this list more in the near future.
If you have any federal radio ID's that you would be willing to add to this catalog, just email me at the address on the blog front page.
http://mt-fedfiles.blogspot.com/p/federal-p-25-radio-identifications.html
I've just recently acquired a new Whistler WS-1080 scanner that displays RID's effortlessly, so hopefully I can add to this list more in the near future.
If you have any federal radio ID's that you would be willing to add to this catalog, just email me at the address on the blog front page.
Saturday, February 28, 2015
March 2015 TSM Update/Correction
The March 2015 issue of The Spectrum Monitor is now available for publication. You can get a copy here: http://www.thespectrummonitor.com/index.aspx
In this issue I have some information on federal use of aviation resources and the frequencies that might be used. Unfortunately, one frequency got mangled in the publication process. The list of CBP AIR frequencies should have AIR 9 as 163.4750 MHz, N293.
You can check out the entire list in the CBP Updates tab on the blog home page: http://mt-fedfiles.blogspot.com/p/cbp-frequency-updates.html
In this issue I have some information on federal use of aviation resources and the frequencies that might be used. Unfortunately, one frequency got mangled in the publication process. The list of CBP AIR frequencies should have AIR 9 as 163.4750 MHz, N293.
You can check out the entire list in the CBP Updates tab on the blog home page: http://mt-fedfiles.blogspot.com/p/cbp-frequency-updates.html
Friday, January 16, 2015
FPS Atlanta Mystery
I am seeing reports on Radio Reference that the multi-site UHF trunked system managed by the Federal Protective Service (FPS) is not longer on the are in the metro Atlanta, GA area. Folks are asking what happened and where did the FPS operations go.
I haven't been down in the Atlanta area in a few years, but when I was there last, the Federal Protective Service appeared to be running a 4 site UHF Motorola Type II trunked system with both analog and digital voice. One of the subscriber agencies appeared to be Dobbins Air Force Base.
Here are the system specs as I had them:
FPS Atlanta
Motorola Type II
System ID - 750d
Voice NAC - N0d0
Site 1 - Atlanta
406.4125, 407.2125, 408.5375, 410.1250
Site 2
406.5625, 407.1625, 408.5625, 410.3625, 410.5625
Site 3
407.3625, 408.3625, 408.7625, 409.3625, 410.7625
Site 4 - Dobbins AFB
406.7625, 406.9625, 407.5625, 407.8625, 408.9625
Since my last time monitoring the system, it appears that Dobbins AFB has built out their own 380 MHz P25 trunked radio system, so they were no longer using the FPAS managed system.
Reports on Radio Reference include some VHF channels (173.7125, 173.9125 and 173.9875 MHz) that claim to be "TRS control channels", but are very weak in downtown Atlanta.
I suspect that if the FPS decided to dismantle the trunked system, they have probably returned to conventional UHF channels, most likely APCO P25.
Can anyone in the Atlanta area offer any further information?
UPDATE:
A listener in the area reports that the FPS is using 410.8000 MHz, N201 for their operations and has been for some time now. I checked my logs from my last trip to the area in 2012 and I did not get any hits on that frequency.
I haven't been down in the Atlanta area in a few years, but when I was there last, the Federal Protective Service appeared to be running a 4 site UHF Motorola Type II trunked system with both analog and digital voice. One of the subscriber agencies appeared to be Dobbins Air Force Base.
Here are the system specs as I had them:
FPS Atlanta
Motorola Type II
System ID - 750d
Voice NAC - N0d0
Site 1 - Atlanta
406.4125, 407.2125, 408.5375, 410.1250
Site 2
406.5625, 407.1625, 408.5625, 410.3625, 410.5625
Site 3
407.3625, 408.3625, 408.7625, 409.3625, 410.7625
Site 4 - Dobbins AFB
406.7625, 406.9625, 407.5625, 407.8625, 408.9625
Since my last time monitoring the system, it appears that Dobbins AFB has built out their own 380 MHz P25 trunked radio system, so they were no longer using the FPAS managed system.
Reports on Radio Reference include some VHF channels (173.7125, 173.9125 and 173.9875 MHz) that claim to be "TRS control channels", but are very weak in downtown Atlanta.
I suspect that if the FPS decided to dismantle the trunked system, they have probably returned to conventional UHF channels, most likely APCO P25.
Can anyone in the Atlanta area offer any further information?
UPDATE:
A listener in the area reports that the FPS is using 410.8000 MHz, N201 for their operations and has been for some time now. I checked my logs from my last trip to the area in 2012 and I did not get any hits on that frequency.
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