RNC Opening Day

Just a quick update from St. Paul and the Republican National Convention. As has been reported by the news media, President Bush and VP Cheney will not be making an appearance at the convention center, but may do a video presentation.

Security operations continue to build, and we have had flights of both military and Coast Guard helicopters overhead. No sign of the Customs air assets yet, and no idea if there will be a combat air patrol overhead.

Since this event is designated as a National Security Special Event, all sorts of agencies are involved with the convention security, from the Secret Service to the FBI, US Marshals, Postal Inspectors and the military.

I'll have more as the convention continues.

RNC Build Up

Now that the dust has settled in Denver, the focus shifts towards the eastern half of the Twin Cites, St. Paul, Minnesota.

The radio spectrum has started to get busier and more new and unusual frequencies are being seen and heard here. This morning the Coast Guard flew 2 HH-65 Dolphin helicopters around downtown St. Paul and the Xcel Energy Center and the site of the Republican National Convention. No sign of any Customs air assets yet. Secret Service and other federal frequencies are starting to come alive with radio tests and encryption.

There are rumors flying about that if Hurricane Gustav makes a beeline for New Orleans, the RNC may be delayed by a few days or perhaps a week. The situation is being monitored and we'll find out if anything changes soon.

Denver DNC Ramps Up

The radio spectrum in the Denver area is becoming increasingly filled with communications related to the Democratic National Convention, which starts tomorrow at the Pepsi Center.

As we reported in an earlier blog post, the Multi Agency Communications Center started operations on Saturday, and reports of all sorts of federal activity in the VHF and UHF bands continue to pour in. Much of the activity is reported as using APCO P-25 digital with encryption, especially the US Secret Service channels, which is the lead agency for this event.

Also, reports are coming in that more new talk groups are being spotted on the Colorado State P-25 800 MHz system as well as the federal "Front Range" UHF trunked system. Most of these new talk group users are using the encryption feature, so identifying the channels will be difficult at best. Some conventional UHF federal activity is being heard in the downtown Denver area as well, some even in analog.

There are some web sites hosting live feeds of the Denver area public safety communications, including this one: http://co.scanamerica.us:80/index.php?county=Denver

Tom Kneitel, 1933-2008

I received word this morning that Tom Kneitel, author of many scanning and monitoring related books and writer for Popular Communications magazine, has passed away at the age of 75.

As many long time "Fed Heads" will remember, Tom was the author of the CRB books series "Top Secret Registry of US Government Frequencies". The last edition was the 8th edition, printed in 1993. These books were the bibles of the federal scanning hobby and provided much of the basis of all federal scanning & monitoring well before the Internet age.

Denver MACC Opens For DNC

The Multi Agency Communication Center for the Democratic National Convention has begun operations in Lakewood, CO this morning. The MACC is set up in the Denver Federal Center to support all the federal agencies involved in the DNC. The lead agency for this National Security Special Event is the US Secret Service, a division of the Department of Homeland Security.

http://www.9news.com/news/elections/dnc/article.aspx?storyid=98166&catid=348

A similar communication center will be established in St. Paul, MN for next month's Republican National Convention.

Federal Protective Service Frequency Shift

The process of re-farming the federal UHF channels continues with the shuffling of radio frequencies used by the Federal Protective Service (FPS). The FPS is a division of ICE (Immigrations & Customs Enforcement) under the Department of Homeland Security.

In most areas, 415.2000 MHz, 417.2000 MHz and 419.1750 MHz serve as the primary radio frequencies used by the FPS. However, some areas have begun moving towards repeater output frequencies in the 407 - 410 MHz area. This is due in part to the federal requirement of a standard 9 MHz repeater offset, so input frequencies are +9 MHz.

I have noted changes in the FPS radio system in some eastern US cities over the last year or so, but changes recently came to the Pacific Northwest, where I make my home. In the last week the FPS has moved to repeaters on 407.0000 MHz, 408.2000 MHz and 410.8000 MHz in the Portland, OR area. Reports are that the Seattle / Tacoma area has or will follow soon. Keep the 415.2000 MHz and 417.2000 MHz channels in, as they may be used as simplex talk-around channels. And all these repeaters are APCO P-25 digital mode.

Keep an ear open in your area for FPS frequency changes!

FEMA Phone System Hacked

According to new reports, FEMA had someone hack access to the federal agency's internal phone network and placed calls to the Middle East and Asia.

The story can be found HERE.

Customs AMD At Selfridge

The Air Marine Division of CBP Customs is now operating out of Selfridge ARB in Michigan. This makes a total of 5 AMD air bases along the northern US border. The others are Bellingham, WA, Great Falls, MT, Grand Forks, ND and Plattsburg, NY.

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080805/METRO03/808050353/1412/METRO03


http://www.cbp.gov:80/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/08042008_5.xml

Listeners should keep an ear out for activity on the known UHF air band frequencies set aside for use by the AMD, http://mt-fedfiles.blogspot.com/2006/07/customs-and-border-protection-amid.html.

Northwest CBP Gone P25

Listeners along the Washington / British Columbia border have reported that the US Border Patrol, part of the DHS Customs & Border Protection division, have recently switched to APCO P25 digital.

The Border Patrol channels in the far northwest Washington area, 163.625 MHz and 163.675 MHz, also utilized by local law enforcement agencies, had been in the analog mode for many years now. The switch to P-25 digital in this area follows a similar story along the Arizona / Mexico border that occurred late last year.

I recently finished a trip to Laredo, Texas and found the Laredo Sector of the CBP is still utilizing analog with DES encryption.

It appears that the CBP is not waiting for the IWN project to update their communications gear. Although I am certain the new P-25 radios will be compatible with the VHF IWN trunking system when it arrives along the border areas. The IWN already has sites along the Washington / BC border, but they have not apparently been utilized by the CBP as of yet.

Big Apple Update

I got to spend a week in New York City for the MLB All Star Game and found a few interesting things...

First, while spending my days at Yankee Stadium, I did catch some near-field hits on some federal frequencies. The NYPD was obviously the primary agency for event security. Their primary on-site channel was NYPD TAC F, 485.4375 MHz and was a blast to listen to. Prior to the gates opening on Monday evening for the Home Run Derby, I spotted several law enforcement folks wearing FBI event credentials and carrying VHF Motorola XTS-5000 hand-held radios.

During the events on Monday and Tuesday evenings I caught some P-25 transmissions on 168.8250, 173.6625 and 165.9250 MHz. That last one is a new one to me, and it had traffic from the "Command Post" and various "Sierra" units doing radio checks. I believe it was coming from the stadium, as I was getting Close Calla & Signal Stalker hits on that frequency when it was active. And as a side note, I caught the NY Governor's security detail on 155.4600 MHz.

After the All Star events were finished and I was relaxing at our hotel, I started noticing some previously unheard P-25 frequencies popping up in my searches of the VHF federal band. Since the New York area listeners have been very helpful with my "unknowns" in the past, I thought I would post them and see if anyone else has identified them yet.

168.0750 - encrypted
168.2250 - clear, surveillance
168.3000 - encrypted
169.9250
170.7375
170.7875
171.6875
171.7250
172.3125
173.1125

All of these were APCO P-25 digital transmissions. Where I actually caught some traffic on these, I have noted. Some were just the transmitter being keyed up with no voice, so I couldn't tell if it was encrypted or not. At one point, many of these frequencies seemed to be transmitting around the same time, as if someone was testing various repeater sites. I also hear the same thing on some of the known FBI repeaters in the NYC area. Could these be related?

IWN Updates?

I haven't seen much information on the Internet about the current status of the Jutice Department's Integrated Wireless Network (IWN). The last update on the IWN web site was from over a year ago when the primary contract was awarded to General Dynamics:
http://www.usdoj.gov/jmd/iwn/index.html

I also found this document regarding the FY 2008 budget of the IWN:
http://www.justice.gov/jmd/2008justification/exhibit300/jmd_iwn.pdf

The above document does show references to a timetable of modules to be completed. Most of these are in Oregon and Washington State, but some refer to the Gulf Coast. Keep an ear open for developments in that area.

And finally, I came across this site:
http://www.noiwn.com/
The person who launched this site seems a bit mis-informed and paranoid.

Happy 4th of July!

Here's wishing a very Happy Independence Day Weekend 2008 to all the Fed Files and Monitoring Times readers!

2008 National Hurricane Operations Plan

The 2008 version of the National Hurricane operations Plan is available here:

http://www.ofcm.noaa.gov/nhop/08/pdf/Entire_NHOP_2008.pdf

Radio frequencies are mentioned on pages 5-20 and 5-30, along with lots of other interesting information.

DHS Lags in Preparations for Transition of Power, Study Says

Noting Timing of Terrorist Attacks, Report Urges Readiness
By Spencer S. Hsu
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, June 26, 2008; A17

http://www.washingtonpost.com/

The Department of Homeland Security is moving too slowly to prepare for the risks that will accompany the first presidential transition for U.S. counterterrorism agencies formed after the 2001 terrorist attacks, according to a study scheduled for release today.

The department's plan to train scores of key career officials, temporarily fill the posts of 26 departing political appointees and complete a transition plan are insufficient or should be accelerated, according to a 118-page report by the National Academy of Public Administration that was funded by Congress and DHS.

The report urged the presumptive presidential nominees, Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Barack Obama (D-Ill.), to move more quickly than previous candidates to submit the names of top aides for security clearances in order to ensure that they are ready to handle a national security crisis upon taking office.

Breaking with tradition by moving the deadline up two months -- to September from November -- would ensure that background checks are completed in time for officials to receive classified briefings the day after Election Day.

"For a first-ever presidential transition in an era of terrorism, we need to think and act nontraditionally," said the academy's president, Jennifer L. Dorn.

In a 9/11-style incident or other crisis after Inauguration Day, Jan. 20, an untested team of presidential advisers and unfamiliar career officials would have to make instant decisions, she said.

"The question is, will there be trust and confidence in the judgment of career personnel who come rushing in to the White House to say, 'Mr. President, we recommend shutting down the nation's air traffic control system'?" Dorn said.

The report marks the latest in a string of assessments by outsiders as well as actions taken by DHS leaders to make sure that critical security agencies remain effective as they undergo the first handoff from one president to another.

Terrorists may seek to exploit the transfer of power, the report said, noting the first World Trade Center attack in 1993, five weeks after President Bill Clinton took office; the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, eight months after President Bush took office; the Madrid train bombings in March 2004, three days before national elections; and failed car bomb attacks in London and Glasgow just days after British Prime Minister Gordon Brown assumed power.

Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor said the senator "agrees that the next president will need to expedite the transition process, and if elected, will take the steps necessary to ensure a safe, fast and orderly process." Randy Scheunemann, McCain's foreign policy and national security director, said that "Senator McCain is acutely aware of challenges associated with a wartime transition, and he will address these matters in the appropriate way at the appropriate time."

Elaine C. Duke, DHS acting undersecretary for management, said the report shows that DHS is on track and far ahead of other departments, but she added: "Do I agree we have more to do? Certainly. We will be working on this every day."

Under pressure from Congress, homeland security officials held exercises for top officials in February and May, increased the number of career executives, lengthened the chain of succession to the DHS secretary and identified top career officials to serve as interim leaders in about two dozen vital positions.

The DHS also is preparing transition handbooks and briefing materials and will finish a formal transition plan in October.

But the academy report said DHS should complete a comprehensive plan by the time both parties have finished their national conventions, Sept. 4.

The department is behind schedule in setting up training workshops planned for July 1 and has not identified career officials to fill all vacated political appointee slots.

EPA Frequencies

One of the more elusive federal agencies to monitor is the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA. They have a visible presence at many events, including many of the Homeland Security operational training simulations, but not many people have actually logged any EPA radio traffic.

I was once at a raid involving the local police and agents from the EPA, but it appeared that the EPA folks were carrying UHF radios on the police system.

In my preparation to visit the EPA's research vessel BOLD, I pulled up all the EPA frequency allocations I could muster:

40.9700
41.6300
49.8600
163.4375 - Nationwide allocation (shared)
164.1000
164.4500 - Nationwide allocation (shared)
165.2375 - DHS CBP Customs (EPA contracted dispatch)
165.4125 - Nationwide allocation (shared)
166.1250
166.4375 - DHS CBP Customs (EPA contracted dispatch)
167.0750
167.1500
168.5000
168.5250
168.6500
168.8500
169.0000
169.1750
169.5750
169.9750
170.1250
170.3750
170.4000
172.5500 - Nationwide allocation (shared)
172.7000 - Nationwide allocation (shared)
173.0250
173.9125
406.1500
406.2250
408.0000
409.2000
416.1000
419.6500

Besides these frequencies, be sure and try the nationwide federal interoperability channels and federal itinerant channels. And I'm sure the VHF marine band channels would be in use on any operations on or near the water. I have no area specific allocations, so try all these and let me know if you hear anything.

EPA OSV BOLD Visits Pacific Northwest

Among the ocean-going visitors to this years Portland Rose Festival is the Ocean Survey Vessel Bold. The Bold is the only OSV in the marine fleet of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This was also the first visit of the ship to the Pacifc Northwest. I had a chance to tour the Bold at the waterfront in Portland.

Lots of interesting research programs take place on board this ship. Side-scanning sonar and remotely operated vehicles for underwater observations were shown during the tour.

While on the tour I noticed quite a bit of VHF marine communications and HF communications gear on the bridge. The ship also appears to carry a satellite base phone aboard. The folks working on board were using FRS radios, so I was unable to locate any agency-specific radio gear on board.

For more information on the Bold, here is a link to the EPA web page:

http://www.epa.gov/bold/

And the operations of the ship are managed by a federal contractor, Seaward Services of Dania Beach, FL:

http://www.seawardservices.com/

St. Paul MN Scanning Update

I was recently in St. Paul, Minnesota for some preliminary meetings regarding broadcast coverage of the Republican National Convention in September. While there I found some activity in the downtown area.

164.3375 MHz, 167.9 - US Postal Service operations
165.2375 MHz, 100.0 - DHS Customs & Border Protection NET1
167.2625 MHz, P-25 - Clear testing of what might be some new radio system. probably FBI
167.4375 MHz, P-25
167.6375 MHz, P-25
167.8875 MHz - VA Paging
170.6250 MHz - P-25
170.7375 MHz - P-25
170.7625 MHz, D271 - Unknown agency
171.6875 MHz, P-25
173.8125 MHz, P-25
407.0000 MHz, P-25 - DHS Federal Protective Service

Most of the VHF P-25 was encrypted or too short to confirm it's use. The clear traffic was a lot of testing. I don't know if these are new to the St. Paul area or not.

McCain Campaign Update

As I posted a couple of weeks ago, Sen. John McCain has recently been confirmed as having Secret Service protection as he campaigns across the US. He had previously dismissed the security detail from the Secret Service, but apparently reconsidered as the conventions draw closer.

Now, I have received word of Sen. McCain's Secret Service call sign. It is reported as "PHOENIX", which is appropriate in several ways. This now joins the list of other candidate call signs listed below.

Hillary Clinton - EVERGREEN
Bill Clinton - EAGLE

John McCain - PHOENIX
Cindy McCain - ?

Barack Obama - RENEGADE
Michelle Obama - RENAISSANCE

And even though they are not running for office, there may be convention or campaign apperiances:

President Bush - TRAILBLAZER
Vice President Cheney - ANGLER

Thanks to all the blog readers and listeners in the field for this information!

When Federal Frequencies Get Hijacked?

I was recently working near the location of a Championship Off Road Racing event in Nevada. I discovered that someone at this event was using 169.1125 MHz, simplex, for what sounded like race officials. I don't know exactly who this group was, but they used this frequency for quite a long time before, during and after the racing events. I wonder how they picked this channel and why...

You never know who might show up on some frequencies!

McCain Now With USSS

I was able to confirm today that Sen. John McCain is now accompanied by a security detail from the US Secret Service. There had been some speculation earlier in the campaign as to who was providing security for Sen. McCain, as he had previously refused Secret Service protection.

Sen. McCain was in Portland, Oregon on a campaign stop, and the Secret Service detail was using 165.3750 MHz (CHARLIE), P-25 mode. I was unable to snag the call sign for Sen. McCain.