More TSA Updates Pouring In

The TSA continues to make changes across the country as it upgrades their radios. They are definitely changing the input frequencies to the repeaters and changing Network Access Codes, or NAC's.

The changes to the input frequencies are likely being done to bring the radio systems in compliance with NTIA guidelines for VHF repeater pairing. Repeater inputs will be mainly in the lower region of the VHF federal band and the repeater outputs and simplex channels will be in the mid and upper portions.

I am continuing to update the TSA frequency page as I get new information. Please check back often for updates - http://mt-fedfiles.blogspot.com/p/tsa-frequency-updates.html

Uniden Announces DMR & ProVoice for 325P2 and 996P2

Uniden has announced that they will begin to offer paid upgrades to provide ProVoice and DMR digital modes to the 325P2 and 996P2 scanners.

http://info.uniden.com/twiki/bin/view/UnidenMan4/DigitalMobileRadioUpgradeforBCDxxxP2

The Uniden 435HP and 535HP radios have already been updated to receive ProVoice mode and DMR digital trunking modes with the paid updates. The release date for the upgrades for the 325P2 and 996P2 radios has not been announced. With the DMR upgrades for the 436 and 536 radios, you were allowed to pre-order the upgrade before it was released.

The big question now is when Uniden will began offering the NXDN upgrade following the release of a NXDN mode for the competing Whistler TRX series of radio scanners.

CBP DNET LIstings Updated

In the August 2016 edition of The Spectrum Monitor, I offered the latest version of the CBP DNET repeater channel list:

Channel           Repeater Out                          Repeater In
 

DNET 001      165.2375         N301               166.4375         N325

DNET 002      169.4500         N301               171.0750         N325

DNET 003      165.2375         N301               166.5875         N325

DNET 004      165.6875         N301               166.2250         N325

DNET 005      164.6000         N301               166.4875         N325

DNET 006      165.2375         N301               166.4875         N325

DNET 007      165.4625         N301               166.5875         N325

DNET 008      165.4875         N301               166.5625         N325

DNET 009      165.6875         N301               166.4375         N325

DNET 010      163.1250         N301               164.3250         N325

DNET 011      165.7625         N301               166.5875         N325

DNET 012      166.5875         N301               169.5500         N325

DNET 013      165.4125         N301               166.2250         N325

DNET 014      165.4375         N301               166.3000         N325

DNET 015      162.0500         N301               164.5750         N325

DNET 016      164.7750         N301               165.9750         N325

DNET 017      165.2375         N301               166.5375         N325

DNET 018      163.6250         N301               162.8250         N323

DNET 019      163.6750         N301               162.9250         N325

DNET 020      163.6250         N301               162.8250         N324

DNET 021      163.6250         N301               162.8250         N325

DNET 022      163.6750         N301               162.9250         N324

DNET 023      163.6750         N301               162.9250         N323

DNET 024      165.6875         N302               166.4375         N325

DNET 025      165.4875         N301               166.9750         N325

DNET 026      166.3000         N301               165.4125         N325

DNET 027      166.2000         N301               168.0000         N325

DNET 028      163.1750         N301               166.4875         Unconfirmed

DNET 029      169.5500         N301               166.1250         N325

DNET 030      163.2250         N301               164.1000         N325

DNET 031      170.1000         N301               166.4875         N325

DNET 032      165.4125         N301               166.5875         N325

DNET 033      169.5500         N301               170.1000         N325

DNET 034      162.3000         N301               164.1000         N325

DNET 035      163.1250         N301               166.5875         N323

DNET 036      170.7250         N301               173.5000         N325

DNET 037      165.6875         N301               170.1000         N325

DNET 038      166.1250         N301               169.5500         N324

DNET 039      165.2375         N301               166.4375         N323

DNET 040      165.2375         N301               164.2500         N324

DNET 041      165.6875         N301               170.1000         N324

DNET 042      165.5125         N301               168.8000         N325

DNET 043      165.2375         N302               166.4375         N325

DNET 044      162.6625         N301               164.1000         N325

DNET 045      165.4375         N302               166.3000         N325

DNET 046      164.1000         N301               169.5500         N324

DNET 047      165.2375         N301               172.3500         N325

DNET 048      169.4125         N301               165.4125         N325

DNET 049      165.6875         N301               166.5875         N325

DNET 050      162.2500         N301               166.2000         N325

DNET 051      163.3000         N301               169.4125         N325

DNET 052      165.2375         N301               166.8750         N325

DNET 053      168.0000         N001               170.0750         N001

DNET 054      164.6250         N001               170.0250         N001

DNET 055      165.2375         N301               166.4375         N324

DNET 056      163.4500         N301               166.4375         N325

DNET 057      165.2375         N001               166.4375         N001

DNET 058      165.2375         N001               166.4375         N002

DNET 059      165.2375         N001               166.4375         N003

DNET 060      165.2375         N001               166.4375         N004

DNET 061      165.2375         N001               166.4375         N005

DNET 062      165.2375         N001               166.4375         N006

DNET 063      165.2375         N001               166.4375         N007

DNET 064      165.2375         N001               166.4375         N009

DNET 065      165.2375         N001               166.4375         N008

DNET 066      166.2000         N301               173.5000         N325

DNET 067      166.4375         N001               162.8875         N001

DNET 068      172.7625         N301               165.6875         N325

DNET 069      165.2375         N301               167.1000         N325

DNET 167      173.7000         N004               165.7375         N004

DNET 169      171.9750         N001               164.4375         N001

DNET 171      173.8625         N003               166.4375         N001

DNET 175      173.7000         N304               166.4375         N324

DNET 200      170.1000         N301               166.2875         N325

DNET 201      170.4625         N301               166.4875         N325

DNET 202      172.8625         N301               165.2375         N325

DNET 203      170.1250         N301               166.4375         N324

DNET 204      172.2625         N301               165.6875         N325

DNET 205      172.8625         N301               166.4375         N325

DNET 206      172.7625         N301               166.2250         N325

DNET 207      171.6625         N301               162.7250         N325

DNET 208      171.6625         N301               166.4375         N323

DNET 209      171.3500         N301               166.1875         N325

DNET 210      169.5500         N302               166.2250         N324

DNET 211      172.2625         N303               166.4375         N322

You can always check the tab at the top of the Fed Files Blog page for updates:
http://mt-fedfiles.blogspot.com/p/cbp-frequency-updates.html

RNC Security Information

The Secret Service has posted an interesting PDF file regarding all the security surrounding the RNC Convention in Cleveland. You can find that file here:

http://www.secretservice.gov/data/events/2016-CONV/GPA-09-16-RNC-Cleveland.pdf

GAO Report on The Secret Service

I wrote about this report back in the April 2016 edition of The Spectrum Monitor:
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https://www.oig.dhs.gov/assets/Mgmt/2016/OIG-16-20-Jan16.pdf

The report talks about various problems that have been noted with keeping US Secret Service communications and computer network systems up to date. Although there are several passages and items that are redacted in this copy of the report, there are some interesting items of note. For instance, OIG audits found that much of the Secret Service radio communications inventory is in need of replacement and soon. While radio operations are generally good, there have been instances of radio failures that could have led to serious problems. The report noted that Secret Service logs indicate about a 3% failure rate of radio transmissions. Much of the radio equipment is near or past it’s intended end-of-life and should be replaced. The report indicates that there are plans for radio system equipment to be replaced through 2019.

   An item that was redacted was mention of something that allows “voice communications within the Secret Service and for interoperability with law enforcement partners.” This could possibly be a radio system “bridge” that can link disparate radio systems and allows seamless communications without modifying the agency radios. It also might also refer to encryption keys or key management systems.

Changes in San Antonio Military Systems

Over the past few weeks I've been seeing reports on the Radio Reference forums of some changes occuring in the UHF trunked systems used by the various military bases and facilites in the San Antonio, Texas area. These facilities include Fort Sam Houston, Kelly, Randolph and Lackland Air Force Base and Camp Bullis, northwest of San Antonio.

Previously, the various military facilities had been sharing a Motorola Type II trunking system. The various bases are now migrating towards a new APCO P-25 Phase II digital system. The new system is showing a System ID of 3D6 and is showing it is capable of Phase II TDMA operation, but I've not confirmed that Phase II operation is actually taking place. A number of new military UHF trunked systems are advertising that they are TDMA capable, but the users are not necessarily using that feature yet.

This system is showing that it is networked with other US Air Force bases around the country. Here is a link to the new sites and frequencies in use:
http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=7769

You can follow the threads here:
http://forums.radioreference.com/texas-radio-discussion-forum/335208-bexar-county-new-military-systems-3d6-sid.html

DEA in NYC

I've been working in New York City this week and noted hearing some Over-The-Air-Rekeying (OTAR) data on the DEA frequencies. I heard it on both 418.6250 and 418.9500 MHz repeaters, but no other traffic has been heard on those two frequencies, encrypted or not.

TSA at IAH Changes

I just saw a posting that indicates the TSA at Houston's Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is now using a repeater on 172.9000 MHz, N046. Not an unusual frequency for the TSA repeater to use, but definitely a new NAC for them.

Whistler Steps Up to DMR

After the announcement by Uniden that they would be offering an update to listen to DMR digital on the 436/536 line of scanners, the Whistler Group announced they, too, would be offering some new models that will receive DMR digital modes, and had NXDN digital soon to me available.

https://www.whistlergroup.com/usa/news/cat/Press-Room/post/DMR/

In addition to the new scanner models, Whistler announced a forthcoming update to their current digital scanner line that would include DMR. The new model scanners, called the TRX-1 and TRX-2, will probably ship later this summer.

Uniden Announces DMR Upgrade

In a thread on Radio Reference, the Uniden product manager (UPMan) for scanners announced that they were preparing to offer a paid upgrade that would allow owners of the Uniden HP436 and HP536 digital scanners to receive the Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) format, also known by the Motorola trade name of TRBO.

http://forums.radioreference.com/uniden-forums/333326-digital-mobile-radio-coming.html

http://forums.radioreference.com/uniden-prospective-owners/333329-discuss-dmr-upgrade-here.html

While there is some federal use of DMR radios, the format has come into massive use by business, security and some public safety users. Until now, you were locked out of monitoring these users, or purchasing an actual DMR radio and having it programmed, or using a SDR stick receiver and computer software.

New NIFOG Available

A necessary tool for any serious federal scanner listener is the National Interoperability Field Operations Guide, or NIFOG. The latest version is 1.6.1 and is available now. There are several sources for downloading this document. Here are a few:

 https://www.dhs.gov/publication/nifog-documents

http://publicsafetytools.info/nifog_info/nifog_info.php

https://casmnextgen.com/pslib/index.php/webview?docid=1

Super Bowl 50 Monitoring

Here's a short list of what I was able to monitor during my stay in the Santa Clara area for Super Bowl 50:

136.3750    AM        CBP Air and Marine "COMPANY" VHF
142.6125    67.0        Blue Angels Ground Coordination
162.0750    N300        Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
162.3125    N300        CBP
162.6250    N820   
162.6500    N304        CBP
162.7125    N293   
163.0750            VA Medical Center Paging
163.1125    N496        Multiple Agencies (RID 1340xxx, 4050xxx, 6804xxx)
163.1875    N303        Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
163.2000    N303        ICE
163.7000    N164        ICE
163.9125    N167        Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
163.9625    N167        FBI, input to 167.6125
164.3500    146.2        Analog repeater
164.4000    N001        Secret Service, PAPA
164.5375    N1F1       
164.7375    N302        CBP
164.8875    N001        Secret Service, OSCAR
165.0625    CSQ        Military Police units at Levi’s Stadium
165.1125       
165.3750    N001        Secret Service CHARLIE
166.1875    N293        Coast Guard NET 124 - STATION MONTERREY
166.4625    N001        Federal Common, FBI radio ID’s
166.5125    N001        White House Communication Agency, ALPHA/SIERRA
166.7375    N314        CBP
167.2375    N167        FBI
167.3625    N460        FBI
167.4125    N167        FBI
167.5375    N167        FBI, radio ID 1
167.5625    N167        FBI
167.5625    167.9        FBI -Yes, analog!
167.6125    N167        FBI
167.7875    N167        FBI
168.4875    N293        US Marshals Service
168.8875    N776        FBI radio ID’s
168.9125    N510        FBI radio ID’s
168.9875    N511        FBI radio ID’s
169.4125    N293        CBP Air operations @ Levi’s Stadium
169.6500    N167        FBI
170.3375    N300        ICE
170.3625    N167        FBI
170.3750    N167        FBI
170.6750       
170.7500    N293        Federal Courthouse San Jose
170.7875    N718
170.8875    N167        FBI
170.9875    N304        Both CBP and ICE units
171.3500    N293        Coast Guard NET 133
171.4375    N293
171.9875    N7CE   
171.9875    N304        ICE
171.9875    N167        FBI
172.1500    N001        Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at stadium
172.1875    N510        FBI
172.2125    N167        FBI
172.2125    N730   
172.2375    N302        Main Federal Ops Channel @ Levi’s Stadium?
172.3875    N167        FBI
172.7125    N167        FBI
172.9000    N001        TSA @ SJC
172.9000    N013   
173.1750    N293        ICE radio ID’s
173.3875    N293        US Marshals Service
173.8375    N293        FBI and other agency radio ID’s.
173.8625    N167        FBI
173.8750    N1D3       
237.8000    AM        Blue Angels Flyover
271.0000    AM        NORAD Combat Air Patrol
282.6000    AM        Aerial Refueling
284.2500    AM        Blue Angels Flyover
285.4000    AM        Oakland Center ARTCC
298.3000    AM        CA ANG Fresno
301.6250    AM        RED 1 – SCOUT/SHADOW helicopters
406.1500       
408.2375    N293        VA Medical Center, Palo Alto
409.0250    N293   
412.9750    N293        Coast Guard NET 409
415.2000    127.3        Federal Protective Service
 

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

Federal Use of DMR

In the January 2016 issue of The Spectrum Monitor, I listed a few confirmed frequencies that seem to be carrying a digital mode called DMR (the Digital Mobile Radio standard), or what Motorola sells as MotoTRBO digital mode. This was considered unusual for a while, as most federal agencies were required to use the chosen standard digital mode, which is APCO P-25. But some federal agencies are exempt from the requirement and buy whatever types of radios they can afford.

Here is that list and I ask that anyone who has stumbled across federal frequencies using DMR to pass them along ot keep the list up to date!

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165.4125         Narraganset, RI - Environmental Protection Agency

165.5375         Bedford MA - VA Medical Center Maintenance

171.3875         Mt. Hopkins, AZ - Smithsonian, F.L. Whipple Observatory

173.9875         Providence, RI - VA Medical Center Maintenance

406.1375         Philadelphia, PA

406.1375         Portland, OR

406.2875         Philadelphia, PA

406.3875         Washington, DC - U.S. Capitol

406.5000         Boston, MA

406.5375         New York City, NY

406.5375         New Orleans, LA

406.5375         St. Louis, MO

406.5500         Seattle, WA - U.S. Postal Service Operations

406.6625         Chicago, IL - Federal Reserve Bank

406.9375         Las Vegas, NV - U.S. Postal Service Operations

407.2500         Boston, MA

407.2500         Philadelphia, PA

407.2500         Seattle, WA - U.S. Postal Service Operations

407.3375         Los Angeles, CA

407.5375         Chicago, IL

407.5500         Chicago, IL

407.5500         Seattle, WA - U.S. Postal Service Operations

407.9375         Las Vegas, NV

407.9375         New Orleans, LA

407.9375         Federal Way, WA - U.S. Postal Service Operations

408.0000         Portland, OR

408.1000         Los Angeles, CA

408.5125         Washington, DC - U.S. Capitol

409.1375         Federal Way, WA - U.S. Postal Service Operations

409.4375         Vancouver, WA - VA Medical Center

409.7375         Los Angeles, CA

409.7750         Philadelphia, PA - IRS Facility

409.8375         Washington, DC - U.S. Capitol

413.5250         San Diego, CA

415.2500         Baltimore, MD

416.8375         New Hampshire, unknown location - U.S. Postal Service

Not on this list was some DMR activity heard in South Florida a while back on some known TSA frequencies. I had received information that the TSA was demoing the DMR radios as they were looking to purchase new equipment. The testing lasted for a short time and has not been heard since.

2016 - Where Are The Blog Posts?!?

Sorry to all of the Fed Files blog fans out there. I've been neglecting my blog postings for too long now, and will try and catch up with more information from the Fed Files and the Federal Wavelengths column.