El Paso, Texas Federal Scanning

A few months ago I spent a few days in El Paso, Texas. As expected, the frequencies for CBP Border Patrol and Field Operations were hopping with activity. Here's what I was able to log over my stay there:

162.7250         N931   DHS CBP International Bridge, input to 169.5500

163.6250         151.4   DHS CBP Border Patrol

163.7000         D223   DHS CBP Border Patrol

163.7250                     DHS CBP

163.7750         D223   DHS CBP Border Patrol

164.6000         100.0   DHS CBP Field Operations

165.2875         N650   BATFE

165.6875         100.0   DHC CBP Field Operations

165.8250         D223   DHS CBP Border Patrol

166.2875         N002   TSA @ ELP - Backscatter X-RAY Operators

167.2375         N167   FBI

168.9500         151.4   DHS CBP Border Patrol

169.5500         N930   DHS CBP International Bridge, Field Operations repeater

170.6250         151.4   DHS CBP Border Patrol

170.6750         151.4   DHS CBP Border Patrol

170.7500         N293   US Marshals, Federal Courthouse

170.8625         N167   FBI

171.2250         N653   Unkown - P25 NAC used on Federal Interoperability systems

172.1500         N001   TSA @ ELP

406.8125                     Motorola Control Channel, SYS A516 - BOP 

407.1375         N482   US Postal Inspectors

407.8125         N164   Voice channel, SYS A516

408.2250         D226   CBP Link

408.2270         D226   CBP Link

409.3000         N2D0  P25 Control Channel, SYS 2D2, WACN BEE00 - Ft. Bliss

409.4750         N2D0  Voice channel, SYS 2D2 - Ft. Bliss

409.5125         N2D0  Voice channel, SYS 2D2 - Ft. Bliss

409.8250         N156   DEA Surveillance

409.8875         N2D0  Voice channel, SYS 2D2 - Ft. Bliss

409.9500         N156   DEA

410.1750         N2D0  Voice channel, SYS 2D2 - Ft. Bliss

410.3250         N2D0  Voice channel, SYS 2D2 - Ft. Bliss

410.8000         N709   Federal Protective Service

410.8125         N156   DEA

413.7250         151.4   CBP Link

418.8500         100.0   CBP Link

Pacific Northwest IWN System

In the July 2012 Fed Files column, I published the most recent compilation of the Integrated Wireless Network (IWN), the federal VHF P-25 trunked radio system.

I will update this list as further information comes in.
 ----
-->

Integrated Wireless Network, US Justice Department

System ID – 715

WACN – BEE0A

SITE 1 (101, 01) – Lookout Mtn., Bellingham, WA

167.0000

167.2375

167.6375

168.8375

172.8000

SITE 2 (102, 02) – Blaine, WA

167.3125

167.4625

167.7625

170.9375

SITE 3 (103, 03) – Bahokas Peak, Neah Bay, WA

167.7375

SITE 4 (104, 04) – Octopus Mtn., Forks, WA

171.6125

172.4125

SITE 5 (105, 05) – Striped Peak, Port Angeles, WA

170.7875

170.8875

171.6125

SITE 6 (106, 06) – Bank of America Building, Seattle, WA

167.2875

167.3875

167.4625

167.7125

SITE 7 (107, 07) – Gold Mtn., Bremerton, WA

167.3375

167.6875

170.9375

172.0625

SITE 8 (108, 08) – Grass Mtn., Enumclaw, WA

167.2625

167.3625

167.6125

168.8500

169.4125

SITE 9 (109, 09) – Marysville SR-9, WA

168.9125

170.6375

172.4125

SITE 10 (110, 0a) – Tacoma Fire Training Center, WA

167.2125

168.8875

167.3125

167.4875

SITE 11 (111, 0b) – Capitol Peak, Olympia, WA

167.5875

168.8750

170.6625

167.4875

SITE 12 (112, 0c) – Boisfort/Baw Faw Peak, WA

167.4375

167.7375

169.9125

171.6875

SITE 13 (113, 0d) – Naselle Ridge, WA

167.4125

167.7625

SITE 14 (114, 0e) – Green Mtn., Kalama, WA

168.8875

170.6750

171.9875

SITE 15 (115, 0f) – Portland International Airport, OR

167.4625

168.8250

169.4125

SITE 16 (116, 11) – Unknown (Never heard on air), WA

167.7375

SITE 17 (117, 12) – Keelers Corner, WA

171.1875

171.4375

SITE 18 (118, 13) – Cougar Mtn, WA

170.6250

170.9125

172.2125

172.6375

SITE 19 (119, 14) – Mt. Scott, Portland, OR

170.7250

170.8375

170.9125

172.0625

172.2125

172.4125

SITE 20 (120, 15) – Germantown Road, Portland, OR

168.5875

168.9125

169.2375

171.9625

SITE 21 (121, 16) – Metro Portland, OR

169.9375

170.6625

171.6625

SITE 22 (122, 17) – Lookout Mtn., Gresham, OR

170.6250

170.8625

171.6125

172.1875

SITE 23 (123, 18) – KGW-TV, Portland, OR

167.6125

168.8500

170.7875

170.9875

171.3125

171.4375

SITE 25 (125, 19) – Seattle Tacoma International Airport, WA

170.3375

170.4875

172.2375        

SITE 26 (126, 1a) – Eugene, OR

168.7625

168.9250

171.1875

SITE 27 (127, 1b) – Reedsport, OR

167.5125

167.6625

168.5875

SITE 28 (128, 1c) – Coos Bay, OR

167.6125

168.8250

169.4125

SITE 29 (129, 1d) – Oregon Coast, OR

172.2375

SITE 30 (130, 1e) – Mt. Spokane, WA

172.0125

172.1875

172.6375

SITE 31 (131, 1f) – Mica Peak, Spokane, WA

168.5875

168.8750

SITE 32 (132, 20) – Sprague Lake

171.1875

SITE 33 (133, 21) – 5 Mile, Spokane, WA

168.8250

168.9250

171.6125

SITE 34 (134, 22) – Stampede Pass, WA

167.5125

168.9875

171.9625

SITE 35 (135, 23) – Sky Meadows, Elum, WA

172.2625

SITE 36 (136, 24) – Whiskey Dick Mtn., George WA

172.6375

SITE 37 (137, 25) – Terrace Heights, Yakima, WA

167.5875

170.6750

SITE 38 (138, 26) – Sunnyside Slope, Yakima, WA

170.8375

172.2375

172.4125

SITE 39 (139, 27) – Jump Off Joe Butte, Richland, WA

168.9750

171.3250

172.0625

SITE 40 (140, 28) – Salem, OR

168.8750

170.3375

171.2500

SITE 41 (141, 29) – Eagle Point, Cottage Grove, OR

170.6625

172.2375

SITE 42 (142, 2a) – Roseburg, OR

167.5875

168.8500

169.2375

SITE 43 (143, 2b) – King Lake, Monroe, WA

167.0000

167.4125

167.6625

168.7625

SITE 44 (144, 2c) – Burlington Hill, WA

171.4625

SITE 45 (145, 2d) – Sumas Mtn., WA

169.6375

167.3375

168.0000

168.9625

170.1625

171.6125

SITE 46 (146, 2e) – Burch Mtn., Wenatchee, WA

171.6625

SITE 47 (147, 2f) – Goat Mtn., Pateros, WA

167.6625

170.9875

SITE 48 (148, 31) – Waitsburg, Walla Walla, WA

171.3000

SITE 49 (149, 32) – Monument Hill, Ephrata, WA

168.7625
170.6375

SITE 50 (150, 33) – Monumental Mtn., Colville, WA

170.8125

171.5875

SITE 51 (151, 34) – Mt. Defiance, OR

170.9625

172.2875

SITE 52 (152, 35) – Rattlesnake Mtn., North Bend, WA

168.5875

170.5375

172.6625

SITE 53 (153, 36) – Roosevelt Mtn., WA

168.8250

170.3375

SITE 54 (154, 37) – Schrag, Warden, WA

172.2875

SITE 55 (155, 38) – Skamania Mtn., WA

170.6375

172.0125

172.6625

SITE 56 (156, 39) – Haystack Mtn., The Dalles, OR

170.4375

172.5625

SITE 57 (157, 3a) – Steptoe Butte, WA

169.4125

SITE 58 (158, 3b) – Mt. Hebo, OR

168.7625

171.1875

SITE 59 (159, 3c) – I-5, Southern Oregon, OR

167.5875

SITE 61 (161, 3d) – Ashland, OR

167.6125

170.3375

SITE 62 (162, 3e) – Medford, OR

167.5125

171.6625

SITE 63 (163, 3f) – Grants Pass, OR

168.8875

172.6375

SITE 64 (164, 40) – ValleyCom, Kent, WA

170.7875

170.9625

171.6125

SITE 65 (165, 41) – Unknown location, north central Oregon

168.8250

SITE 66 (166, 42) – Possibly Emigrant Hill, WA

171.4375

171.6125

SITE 67 (167, 43) - Warm Springs, OR
171.4375

SITE 68 (168, 44) - Unknown location, north central Oregon
170.8125

Happy Independence Day!

Happy 4th of July to all from The Fed Files!

Sandy Hook NPS Frequency Change

Reports on Radio Reference indicate a change of radio frequencies used by the Sandy Hook unit of the Gateway National Recreation Area in new Jersey. The new frequencies are reported as:

169.7500 MHz, N225 - Law Enforcement/Park Wide Communications
166.7750 MHz, N225 - Lifeguards
168.4750 MHz, N225 - Maintenance?
164.9500 MHz, N225 - Input to 169.7500 MHz repeater

State VHF TRS Using NTIA Frequencies

On a recent trip to Northwest Arkansas, I was noticing many weak hits on 171.4375 MHz, N1CC. After a while I figured out this was a P-25 trunked control channel. I then monitored the control channel data and discovered that this was a trunked site that was part of the Missouri statewide radio system called MOSWIN. The site I was hearing was Site 12, using the frequencies of 161.8375 & 171.4375 MHz. It is reportedly located in St. Claire County, Missouri (well north of my location at the time). The system data can be found here:
http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=6847.

The system consists of both 800 MHz and VHF trunked sites to provide statewide coverage. What is interesting is that the state has taken not only FCC controlled spectrum, but has a number of channels from the federal spectrum as well. My guess is that since VHF public safety allocations are getting difficult to find, they were able to get some VHF federal channels as a cooperative effort with the feds.

There were indications that the next deployment of the now unfunded, federal IWN trunked system would be in the Midwest. So it seems that giving the frequencies over the state of Missouri and letting them build the radio system (probably with federal grants), then getting federal agency access to the system is another method of getting what the Justice Department wanted in the first place.

Also, I have noticed a similar situation with the Nebraska state VHF trunked radio system, called the N-WIN: http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=6699 .

The WYOLINK system in Wyoming has only one site in Cheyenne that is using federal VHF channels, and I assumed that was for interoperability with the F.E. Warren AFB there:
http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=3939.

The Montana Statewide Interoperable Public Safety Radio System (MSIPSRS?), a VHF P-25 trunked system, features only 1 site (so far) that is using a single federal allocation - Site 44:
http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=3825

UPDATE 1 -
I was advised that the new State of Maine VHF P-25 trunked radio system is planned to utilized frequencies in the federal VHF band. The system is not yet built out, but planners are acquiring VHF frequencies from as many sources as they can.

Also, the State of Wisconsin is utilizing some VHF allocations in the 138 - 150 MHz bands that were given over in a cooperative agreement with the Department of Defense.

DEA New P25 UHF Updates

Just came up with some additional DEA UHF channels that had been previously unheard.

First, I received a report of DEA activity in the Boston area using 413.9750 MHz as an input to a 419.4250 MHz repeater. Both frequencies were using a NAC of N156. This would not only be reversed from other reports of a repeater on the 413 frequency with an input of 419, but it does not conform to the federal 9 MHz repeater offset.


Secondly, I was able to confirm that the DEA in El Paso, Texas is using 409.8250, 409.9500 and 410.8125 MHz, all with a NAC of N156. The 410.8125 MHz  frequency had not been reported before.


Here then is my current list of "new" P-25 digital DEA channels in use in some areas of the country:
409.6250 MHz, N156 - Repeater, Possible F1
409.6750 MHz, N156 - Repeater, Possible F6
409.8125 MHz, N156 - Repeater, Possible F7
409.8250 MHz, N156 - Repeater, Possible F8
409.9000 MHz, N156 - Repeater, Possible F9
409.9500 MHz, N156 - Repeater, Possible F10
410.4125 MHz, N156 - Repeater/simplex, Possible F11
410.8125 MHz, N156 - Repeater
411.1250 MHz, N156 - Simplex (SPLX 1)
411.1500 MHz, N156 - Repeater/simplex? 
412.2000 MHz, N156 - Simplex (SPLX 2?)
412.5250 MHz, N156 - Simplex
413.9750 MHz, N156 - Repeater/Simplex (SPLX 3)
414.2000 MHz, N156 - Simplex (SPLX 4)
414.4500 MHz, N156 - Simplex (SPLX 5)
418.3250 MHz, N156 - Simplex or possible input to 409.3250 repeater (not heard)
418.6250 MHz, N156 - Input to 409.6250 repeater
418.6750 MHz, N156 - Input to 409.6750 repeater
418.8125 MHz, N156 - Input to 409.8125 repeater
418.8250 MHz, N156 - Input to 409.8250 repeater
418.9000 MHz, N156 - Input to 409.9000 repeater
418.9500 MHz, N156 - Input to 409.9500 repeater
419.4250 MHz, N156 - Input to 413.9750 repeater
419.9750 MHz, N156 - Input to 413.9750 repeater?

New Radio Systems for RNC in Tampa

While not specifically federal, this article describes the new radio systems that will be installed to support the Republican National Convention in Tampa this summer;

http://mccmag.com/onlyonline.cfm?OnlyOnlineID=318

There was this line in the article;

"Additionally the subcommittee is adding components to support federal agencies in the VHF band."

Des Moines, IA Area Logs

While working in the Des Moines, IA area I logged a few active federal frequencies.

165.2875, N650 - BATFE NET 1
167.8625, CSQ - VAMC Paging (Nationwide assignment)
170.8000, N293
172.9000, N001 - TSA at Des Moines International Airport
407.8375, N293 - VA Medical Center Police
416.1375, N482 - US Postal Inspectors, input to 407.1375 (GREEN Repeater)
419.0375 - Sounded like TRBO digital mode

There also appears to be quite a few channels at a major Postal Service sorting & bulk mail center:
406.3750, D065
407.3375, 103.5 pl 
408.0000, 67.0 pl
409.7375, 114.8 pl
410.2000, D065
414.7250, D306

The busiest appear to the from the Iowa Air National Guard base at the Des Moines airport (KDSM). Since my last visit to the area, the frequencies have gone from analog to P25 with full time encryption! Here is what was found:
163.4625, N300 - Base Security
163.4875
163.5125, N200 - Base Fire & Crash Response
163.5375, N850
163.5875, N100 - Civil Engineering
165.0375, N450
165.1125, NA00 - POL Trucks
165.1375
165.1625
173.4125, N350
173.4375, N250 - Munitions
173.5375, N400 - Maintenance
173.5625

Federal Lands Fire Management Plans

After what seemed like a long drought, with virtually no federal fire information found on-line, many federal fire planning documents are starting to be posted publicly on various Internet sites. Some have been compiled and posted on the Radio reference Federal Monitoring forum.

Here are a few that you can check out and see if the documents are still there!

Big Cypress  National Preserve:
http://www.nps.gov/bicy/naturescience/upload/FMP_2010_BigCypressNationalPreserve.pdf

Grand Teton National Park:
http://gacc.nifc.gov/egbc/dispatch/wy-tdc/documents/local-operations/teton-area/2012_Orientation_Guide_Visiting_Resources.pdf


The Jefferson County, Colorado Airtanker Base Operations Plan:
http://gacc.nifc.gov/rmcc/dispatch_centers/r2ftc/documents/JeffcoOpsPlan2012.pdf


A notice of changes to some frequencies used by the US Forest Service Region 5 in California:
http://www.wildlandfire.com/docs/2012/safe/cwcg-safety-alert-frequencies.pdf


Information on the Klamath Falls, Oregon Airtanker Base:
http://scofmp.org/kfifc/airtank/OpsPlan.pdf

A very large map of Western US dispatching boundaries:
http://www.nifc.gov/nicc/logistics/references/Western_US_Federal_Dispatch_Boundaries/Dispatching_Boundaries_West.pdf

The South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership Channel Plan can be found here:
http://www.scofmp.org/channelplan.pdf

The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest frequency guide is here:
http://bmidc.org/files/wwradioguide.pdf 
http://bmidc.org/files/2012%20Wallowa-Whitman%20National%20Forest%20Radio%20Guide.pdf

Fire frequency information for Malheur National Forest:
http://bmidc.org/files/2012%20Malheur%20National%20Forest%20Radio%20Guide.pdf

And Umatilla National Forest:
http://bmidc.org/files/2012%20Umatilla%20National%20Forest%20Radio%20Guide.pdf

More as I find them...

New UHF Trunked System - Las Vegas

I'm spending a little time searching the airwaves in the Southern Nevada region. I seem to have stumbled upon yet another 400 MHz trunking system in or near the Las Vegas area.

Tonight I came across a P-25 control channel on 408.2375 MHz, showing a NAC of N490, a System ID of 49D, Site 001 and a WACN of BEE00. The two voice channels seen are 407.8375 MHz  and 409.5125 MHz. The system is currently showing that it is in "Site Trunking", so no other sites are displayed.

All communications so far have been clear. I did hear CONTROL do a roll call of units  NH-1, through NH-5. Lots of first names as call signs and mentions of new furniture going in the pharmacy. My first thought might be the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, (Nellis AFB and the Department of Energy maintain medical facilities as well).

The federal UHF band is pretty saturated with multiple trunked systems and conventional channels. There are already 3 wide-area UHF trunked systems covering Nellis Air Force Base and their associated ranges (P-25), the National Nuclear Security Administration and their associated ranges (Motorola Type II) and the Nevada Test & Training Range (EDACS). The frequencies associated with this new system have not been logged by myself in the past.

UPDATE: It appears that this is the new radio system for the new Las Vegas VA Hospital on Pecos Road, scheduled to open in August of 2012. I was able to confirm that the control channel for this new trunked system was emanating from here.

414.5625 Mhz Continued

Over the last few years I've seen reports of, and heard myself, some encrypted P-25 transmissions on 414.5625 MHz. Reports have come from Houston, Boston and Charlotte, NC of the same type traffic. The agency is unknown and traffic is, so far, entirely secure.

Initially the traffic reports had a P-25 NAC of N168 being heard, but lately the same frequency has been seen until N169 as well. Also have seen reports of what might be the same agency using 414.7500 MHz, also with a NAC of N169. 414.7500 MHz has traditionally been known as a US Postal Inspectors frequency and it is assigned to them nationwide. However, it is not an exclusive assignment. The various branches of the Department of Defense have some limited allocations of the same frequency, as well as the Bureau of Prisons.

My initial guess it might be one of the DoD Special Investigative agencies, or a DoD security detail of some sort. I have run into various DoD security details on various UHF channels over the years.

UPDATE:
 I have been told by reliable sources that the frequency of 414.5625 does show some allocations to the US Postal Service in the Government Master File, but nothing else. So this could be some new assignment or some sort of special use by the Postal Inspectors. More as we find it!

Chicago NATO Summit

The NATO Summit is getting cranked up this week in Chicago. The Summit occurs on May 20 & 21, but preparations are already underway. It should provide some interesting listening for those in the area. I have already started to receive some reports of testing on known Secret Service and other federal frequencies.

Here is a links to some information regarding the NATO Summit:

http://securechicago.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/NATOSecurityTransportationPlan.pdf 

And a thread on Radio Reference that contains some good information:

http://forums.radioreference.com/chicago-metro-area-discussion/239345-up-coming-nato-communications-where-listen.html 

UPDATE:

Just passing through Chicago today (5/15), changing planes @ ORD today and heard some testing on a couple of Secret Service channels in the clear. Person testing mentioned that it was a "Matrix test, 1, 2...".

5/17 - Hearing reports of "NATO" units on 166.7125 MHz. The frequency has been logged previously in Chicago as the North Chicago VAMC police.

DHS Annouces Multi-Billion $ Radio Contract

 Watch for continued changes in DHS radio systems in the near future:

http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20120413_8705.php?oref=rss

This contact may have been spurred on by the ending of the DHS involvement with the federal IWN radio system. The DHS is now free to develop and expand existing radio systems, including the continuing upgrade from analog to APCO P-25 digital.

National Guard "Operation Phalanx" Along Border

Here is an item regarding National Guard troops being used for border protection:

http://www.gsnmagazine.com/node/26129?c=border_security

The ongoing program called "Operation Phalanx" will be shifting from ground based National Guard troops to airborne border observation and support with CBP. National Guard personnel will include about 200 troops who will provide mobile aerial detection and monitoring across all four southwest border states, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California.

The article also mentions that the CBP Office of Air & Marine is attempting to upgrade their Blackhawk helicopters to newer UH-60L models.

North Carolina / South Carolina Logs

I recently made some driving trips in the Asheville and Raleigh, NC areas, as well as driving south to Augusta, GA though South Carolina. Here is what I logged while traveling:

166.2250, N085 - Savannah DoE TRS
162.6125, N085 - Savannah DoE TRS
164.3750, N085 - Savannah DoE TRS
164.7625, N085 - Savannah DoE TRS
165.2875, N650 - BATFE NET 1
166.0000, N085 - Savannah DoE TRS
166.8875, N085 - Savannah DoE TRS
167.8625, CSQ - VAMC paging in Asheville & Augusta
167.9250, CSQ - Paging from DoE Savannah
168.6750, 131.8 pl - USFS "COLUMBIA" Dispatch, Greenville, SC area
169.5500, N4C5 - GREAT SMOKEY MTN National Park "CLINGMANS DOME"
169.7375, D031 - Security patrols, ROMEO units, Raleigh - Durham area
169.9750, weak near Augusta area
170.5625, 71.9 pl - Security patrols, Raleigh - Durham area
170.9125, N130 - Near Columbia, SC on I-26
172.1875, N130
172.5000, N4C5 - GREAT SMOKEY MTN National Park "MT. STERLING"
172.7250, D051 - Blue Ridge Parkway "MT. MITCHELL", analog
172.7250, N120 - Blue Ridge Parkway "MT. MITCHELL", digital
172.7500, N130 - Blue Ridge Parkway "DOUGHTON MTN"
173.5875, N130 - US Army Corps of Engineers
173.6875, N130
173.7625, N130 - Blue Ridge Parkway "RICH MTN"
173.8125, 151.4 pl

406.1125, N010, P-25 TRS 01C
406.1375, Winston - Salem area
406.2750, N293
406.8125, N216 - Augusta area, Ft. Gordon TRS?
407.0125, N216 - Augusta area, Ft. Gordon TRS?
407.0500, Motorola Control Channel, TRS C514, Raleigh - Durham area
408.1250, N010
408.2500, Motorola Control Channel, TRS E721, Columbia, SC?
408.8125, N210 - Augusta area, Ft. Gordon TRS?
408.8125, N216 - Augusta area, Ft. Gordon TRS?
409.5625
409.7375, 107.2 pl - Winston - Salem area
410.0125
410.2125
410.3250, N352 - Raleigh - Durham area
410.5625, N010 - Augusta area, Ft. Gordon TRS?
410.8125, N142 - Raleigh - Durham area
410.8500, 127.3 pl
416.8750, 118.8 pl

166.5125 MHz Mysteries

For those who have been into federal monitoring for a while, the frequency of 166.5125 MHz should appear familiar. It has been long known as the White House Communications Agency SIERRA channel, (inside info seems to indicate this now may be known as ALPHA).  It always seemed to be used by the WHCA advance teams when they were in town getting ready for a visit from the VP or POTUS.

However, some reports have this channel active in areas and times when no VIP visits were planned or ever occurred. As I mentioned in my logs of Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis, local listeners heard encrypted traffic on this frequency several weeks prior to the Super Bowl. While I guessed that they have have been scouting locations for a possible Super Bowl visit from POTUS, I have heard a couple reports from the Dallas/Ft. Worth area of traffic on this frequency with more activity and longer operations that might be expected from the WHCA. One report heard some clear activity with what sounded like airborne surveillance operations, highly unlikely for the WHCA.

As far as I can tell, the frequency is an exclusive allocation to the WHCA and I've not logged any other agencies operations on this channel. But there might be a possibility that this frequency is in some Secret Service radios and they may just have decided to use it for some of their operations. There has long been an assumption that the Secret Service has some WHCA channels in their radios, as they two agencies often interact on many Executive Protection details.

Clearly, more information is needed. But keep an ear on 166.5125 MHz and see if it gets busy in your area.

Super Bowl XLVI Monitoring Logs

In the May issue of Monitoring Times, the Fed Files column contains my scanning logs from Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis this past February. I figured I'd post it here and see if anyone had anything to add or identify some of the unknowns I picked up while in Indy!

123.0250    AM    Area helicopter multicom channel
123.0500    AM    Area helicopter multicom channel
136.3750    AM    CBF OAM VHF "COMPANY"

148.0000    CSQ     Unknown agency

162.3250        Unknown
162.5875        Unknown
162.7625    N293    Unknown agency
162.8750    N023    DHS Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE), input to 170.1
162.8750    N293    Unknown agency
162.9125    N069    DHS ICE, input to 171.2500
162.9750    N293    Unknown agency
163.1000    N167    FBI
163.1125    N496    Unknown agency, input to 170.7875
163.1250    N301    CBP
163.1875    N167    FBI
163.2000    N023    Unknown agency
163.2375        Unknown
163.7000    N169    ICE TAC 1
163.7250    N169    ICE tactical channel
163.8625    N167    FBI, input to 167.5375
163.9000    N167    FBI, input to 170.9375
163.9375    N167    FBI A6 input
164.1000    N301    CBP VACIS Operations
164.3500    NE03    Possible Department of Energy
164.4500        Possible EPA using DES encryption?
164.6500    N001    USSS TANGO
164.7875    N169    ICE TAC 4
165.2375    100.0    CBP NET 1 analog
165.2375    N301    CBP VACIS Operations
165.2875    N650    BATFE NET 1
165.3750    N001    USSS CHARLIE
165.5125    N301    CBP
165.6875    N301    CBP VACIS Operations
165.7250    N293    Unknown agency
165.8000    CSQ    Unknown agency
166.4375    N325    CBP DNET 1 input
166.4625    103.5    Possible TSA use at stadium, analog
166.5125    P-25    WHCA ALPHA, reported weeks prior but nothing heard during.
166.5875    100.0    Unknown
166.5875    N301    CBP DNET 12
166.6750    141.3    Unknown
167.0000    N100    Unknown agency
167.0250    N169    Possible ICE tactical channel
167.2125    N167    FBI
167.2125    N167    FBI A1
167.2875    167.9    FBI
167.3125    167.9    FBI
167.3875    N167    FBI
167.4125    167.9    FBI
167.5375    N167    FBI D6
167.5625    N167    FBI
167.7625    N167    FBI
167.7625    N167    FBI A6   
168.0000    141.3    Related to the 166.675 MHz?
168.1125    N68F    Federal Interoperability LE-4
168.5875    N169    ICE TAC 2
168.8375    N293    CBP AIR 1
168.9625    N293    Unknown agency
169.2625    N293    Unknown agency
169.5500    N325    CBP DNET 12 input
169.5625        Unknown
169.7250    N167    FBI
170.1000    N023    DHS ICE
170.4375    N167    FBI
170.4875    N167    FBI
170.7500    N293    US Marshals Service, Indianapolis Federal Courthouse
170.7875    N496    Unknown agency
170.9125    N167    FBI
170.9375    N167    FBI, A5
171.2000    NE03    Possible Department of Energy use
171.2000    N293    Unknown agency
171.2500    N069    ICE NET 1, repeater
171.3875    CSQ    USPS Bulk Mail Center, Truck Operations
171.6875    N293    Unknown agency
171.7750    N167    FBI
171.9500    N293    Unknown agency
172.1750        Unknown, possible data bursts
172.9000    N001    TSA at Indianapolis International Airport (IND)

228.9000    AM    Combat Air Patrol
238.2000    AM    Combat Air Patrol, TAC channel
260.9000    AM    Combat Air Patrol
350.0250    AM    CBP OAM UHF "3"
380.7875    NFM    Possible DoD land mobile use
383.4750    NFM    Possible DoD land mobile use

406.1375    127.3    Possible US Postal Service
406.2000    N201    Federal Protective Service, Region V
407.7250    N482    USPS Postal Inspection Service
407.7750    N482    USPS Postal Inspection Service
407.8375    N174    VAMC Maintenance
408.0375    N263    VAMC Police
408.9375    D162    Unknown
409.0750    D364    Unknown
409.2750    127.3    Possible US Postal Service
410.2000    127.3    USPS Bulk Mail Center, downtown Indianapolis
410.3000    156.7    Unknown
410.8750    146.2    Unknown
411.5250    127.3    Probably USPS operations
411.5500    127.3    Probably USPS operations
414.7250        Unknown
414.7375    D074    Unknown
415.0750    91.5    Unknown
416.7250    N482    USPS Postal Inspection Service, input to 407.7250
416.8375    N174    VAMC, input to 407.8375
417.0375    N263    VAMC, input to 408.0375
418.5250        Unknown
418.6000    136.5    Unknown
418.7750    100.0    Unknown

DEA on VHF?

While I continue to receive reports of the DEA transitioning to new P-25 frequencies in various parts of the country, I have seen two reports of what they believe to be new P-25 DEA channels in the VHF hi-band.

Both 173.6000 MHz, N156 and 173.7250 MHz, N156 have been reported with encrypted traffic in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. The P-25 NAC appears to be what is steering listeners to believe it is the DEA. Although I have seen other federal agencies utilizing the same analog CTCSS tone of 156.7 Hz that the DEA used,  I have not seen other agencies using a P-25 NAC of N156 yet.

There have been subtle indications of a possible move from UHF to VHF by the DEA. I'm also wondering if they have some new multi-band radios and have set up some VHF operations for interoperability with other Justice Department agencies.

The frequencies themselves are previously unassigned or had unknown assignments. 173.6000 MHz, N653 is being used as part of the Federal Interoperability project in Southern California.

UPDATE:
 Add another unknown to this network - 173.8625 MHz, N156 has been heard in use in the same region. 

CBP "Integrated Towers" Project

The US Customs & Border Protection (CBP) has begun soliciting bids on what it is calling "integrated fixed towers":

https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=9e350553fcd23dae89edc56dca8510e1&tab=core&_cview=0

These manned towers will be placed at strategic locations along the Arizona/Mexico border and will house various radar. communications and surveillance electronics that will help CBP with tracking illegal border crossings. The first of the towers is scheduled to be installed near the Nogalas, AZ CBP area of responsibility.

This may be the next version of the so-called "virtual fence" project that Boeing failed to deliver to CBP a few years ago. More information on this latest project can be found here:

http://www.gsnmagazine.com/article/25958/q_a_cbp’s_“integrated_fixed_towers”_program

http://www.gsnmagazine.com/node/26063?c=communications

US Marshals Service

For several years now, the US Marshals Service, part of the Department of Justice, has been utilizing the FBI radio communications network for US Marshals operations. Initially, it seemed that the Marshals were just utilizing the same frequencies as the FBI operations. However, there now appears to be evidence that the US Marshals, or some other FBI units are starting to use some of the same frequencies, but are using a different P-25 Network Access Code (NAC).

Most FBI operational channels using P25 digital mode are using a NAC of N167. Some known FBI channels are now starting to show users with another NAC, in some cases N864. Since most of this traffic is encrypted, positive identification of the users is not possible, but reports from the New York City area have perhaps identified the N864 operations as "possibly" being US Marshals. This same NAC is being reported in other cites as well, and additional P-25 NACs have been seen on known FBI radio channels.

If these different NACs are exclusive to US Marshals units or perhaps a joint USMS/FBI task force is also unknown. In addition, there have been reports of some VHF simplex channels historically used by the US Marshals, such as 162.7875 MHz and 163.2000 MHz, being used with a NAC of N839.

So if you have the ability, keep an eye out for any unusual P-25 NACs on known DoJ channels in your area. We shall see if there is any pattern to the NACs used or any information on the users.

South Central Oregon Fire Channel Plan

Here's a nice listing of frequencies used by the South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership. It contains both statewide and federal agency frequencies:

http://www.scofmp.org/channelplan.pdf

Monitoring Times on Kindle

For those of us with Kindle e-readers, some good news. Monitoring Times magazine is available for the Kindle through the Kindle store. Although MT is available electronically as a PDF file, it is difficult to read on the original Kindle e-readers. (I haven't seen how the PDFs look on the Kindle Fire.)

The first issue available is the March 2012 issue and is a test to see how popular it will be. The Kindle version is formatted as text-only at this point, which works better me than trying to read the PDF version on a Kindle.

Give it a try and let the folks at Monitoring Times know what you think!

GOP Campaign Update

As noted in previous postings, both of the current front-running Republican presidential candidates are now receiving protective details from the US Secret Service.

Some initial reports have started trickling in about hearing some Secret Service communications frequencies active at recent campaign stops. Frequencies heard were 165.3750 MHz (CHARLIE), 165.7875 MHz (BAKER) and possibly 165.6875 MHz.

It's important to note that these protective details will generally be smaller and will not use multiple radio channels as with the details of those in elected office. Also, there should not be any White House Communications Agency (WHCA) activity at these events, as they have no responsibility for political candidates.

Finally, news media reports have reveled what are reported to be the "code names" that are assigned to the principles of the protection details. Here is what is being reported:

JAVELIN: Romney

PETRUS: Santorum

However, these have not been officially confirmed by the US Secret Service at this time.

G8 Summit Moved

There were folks planning on being in the Chicago area for the upcoming G8 Summit, May 18 & 19, to monitor the action. News is that the summit meeting have now been moved to Camp David:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/obama-shifts-location-of-g-8-summit-from-hometown-of-chicago-to-camp-david/2012/03/05/gIQAsm9CtR_story.html

Apparently the NATO Summit, scheduled for May 20-21, is still on schedule to being in Chicago.

Additional Secret Service Detail for GOP

In addition to providing protective details for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, the US Secret Service will now be providing details for candidate Rick Santorum as well:

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/02/26/santorum-to-receive-secret-service-detail/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/26/rick-santorum-secret-service_n_1303063.html

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/story/2012-02-27/santorum-secret-service/53265660/1

No reports yet from monitors if they have been able to catch any radio traffic from the already operating Romney detail concerning possible code names.

No word on any possible Secret Service protection for candidate Ron Paul or Newt Gingrich.

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

USCG NET Updates

For a while now I've been tracking the new APCO P-25 digital radio NET channels being deployed by the US Coast Guard. I've posted what I've found so far, but recently received some additional channels and thought I would post the updates along with the known channels.

So here are all the VHF P-25 channels that we have identified so far:

NET 01 139.9750
NET 02 140.4750
NET 03 140.7250
NET 04 141.6125
NET 05 150.7250
NET 06 141.5500
NET 07 150.3000
NET 08 162.0500
NET 09 162.1250
NET 10 162.2500
NET 11 162.3250
NET 12 163.0500
NET 13 163.1375
NET 14 164.3000
NET 15 164.3125
NET 16 164.5500
NET 17 164.5625
NET 18 164.9000
NET 19 164.9125
NET 20 165.2625
NET 21 165.3125
NET 22 165.3250
NET 23 165.3375
NET 24 166.1875
NET 25 167.9000
NET 26 168.8625
NET 27 171.2375
NET 28 172.3125
NET 29 165.2750
NET 30 171.2125
NET 31 171.3125
NET 32 171.3375
NET 33 171.3500
NET 34 171.3625
NET 50 172.0375
NET 51 165.4625

Here are all the UHF Coast Guard allocations with the identified P-25 NET names:

406.5000
406.5625
406.5750
406.6000
406.8000
406.8125
406.9750
407.6250
407.9250
407.9750
408.4000
409.0000
409.1875
409.2000
409.3500
409.8250
410.0250
410.3750
411.3750
411.7875 - NET 402
412.9750 - NET-409
413.0000 - NET-410
413.0250 - NET-411
413.0375
414.7625
415.6250
415.7750
415.8250
415.9250
416.2250
416.3875
416.4750
416.5500 - NET-4xx
416.5750
416.5875
416.6000
416.6375
416.7000
416.7125
416.8500
416.9250
416.9375
417.0000
418.3500
418.4375
418.4500
419.1250
419.6000
419.6500
419.8000
419.8250
419.8500
419.9750 

The Coast Guard P-25 channels tend to us a NAC of N293. Encryption is used, some areas use it consistently, others not so much.

If you find any additional P-25 channels in use by the Coast Guard, please let me know!

IWN Project Gets Zero Funding

Confirming what was alluded to in previous postings, the Justice Department has allocated no additional funding to the Integrated Wireless Network (IWN) project:

http://fcw.com/articles/2012/02/15/doj-wireless-network-information-sharing-cutbacks.aspx

It remains to be see what will be done with the existing IWN components. There was some funding allocated for the operation of the IWN through 2012. The 2013 budget has some funding for improvements of the FBI, DEA and US Marshals legacy communications systems.

Mitt Romney To Get USSS Protection

After winning the Florida GOP primary, Mitt Romney will now start getting a protective detail from the US Secret Service. More here:

http://news.yahoo.com/exclusive-mitt-romney-receive-secret-protection-025939494--abc-news.html

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/01/31/source-romney-to-get-secret-service-protection/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/campaigns/ap-sources-romney-sought-secret-service-protection-getting-it-wednesday/2012/01/31/gIQAQqiagQ_story.html

Super Bowl XLVI Monitoring Post

Here's a look at my hotel room monitoring command post near Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. I'm also monitoring from inside the secured areas of the stadium where I am working.

Radios include the GRE PSR-500 and PSR-600, PRO-96, Uniden 396XT and the Optocom black-box receiver. And additional PSR-600 and 396XT are working over in the office at the stadium. The PSR-600 and Optocom are set up to log frequencies while I am away from the hotel.

CBP To Fly ROV's Along Southwest US Border

The CBP is looking for vendors to help operate airborne remotely operated vehicles along the southwestern US border area:

http://www.gsnmagazine.com/article/25519/cbp_vendor_assess_operations_unmanned_aircraft_sys

The CBP Office of Air and Marine (OAM) currently operates such airborne platforms along the nation’s land borders and maritime approaches.

Here is a link to the CBP posted information on what they are calling the Wide Area Aerial Surveillance System (WAASS):


https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=fdb77d01ebbdeb5a5821d56bb535a27a&tab=core&_cview=1

Super Bowl XLVI Indianapolis

Things are starting to come together in Indy for the Super Bowl on February 5th. All indications are that this event will have much of the same federal law enforcement activity as past Super Bowl events.

Several news articles concerning the security for the event have been published, including this one:

http://www.wibc.com/news/story.aspx?ID=1627838

Not much new information, but there are references to more hand-held devices being used for this Super Bowl than in past events. This might indicate some decrease in routine radio traffic for this event, but we shall see.

http://www.disaster-resource.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1596&Itemid=128

http://www.indystar.com/article/20111217/NEWS11/312170004/Super-public-safety-effort-planned-Super-Bowl?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|IndyStar.com|p

And it appears that S.A.F.E. will be handling crowd management this year:

http://www.safemanagement.net/

UPDATE:

Wednesday, January 25th, the Regional Operations Center opens:
Indianapolis officials on Wednesday opened a regional operations center for the coordination of law enforcement response to world-class events, including the Super Bowl.
The purpose of the center is to facilitate regional coordination and increase efficiency across all levels of law enforcement agencies in the event of emergencies.
The facility is at 200 N. Shadeland Ave., inside what once was Eastgate Mall. Marion County's emergency operations center will move to the new facility, with the existing EOC at 47 S. State St. serving as a backup facility.
Mayor Greg Ballard and Public Safety Director Frank Straub touted the facility as a good example of partnership between federal, state and local authorities.
Authorities plan to monitor a series of cameras at all hours, giving law enforcement agencies real-time information so they can shift crews as needed more easily.
The FBI will also house an intelligence operations center in the facility in the event of terrorism or other large-scale incidents

IWN Project Stopped? UPDATE

I recently came across what appears to be evidence of a halt in the Integrated Wireless network (IWN) project. A statement made by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa is posted on the US Senate web site here:

http://www.judiciary.senate.gov/hearings/testimony.cfm?id=e655f9e2809e5476862f735da16b59e3&wit_id=e655f9e2809e5476862f735da16b59e3-0-1

In this statement of May 4th, 2011, Senator Grassley mentions a "stop work" order being issued for the IWN program, and officially "suspended" by the Department of Justice Wireless Management Office. The statement portion pertaining to the IWN appears below.

The statement also indicates that the project "will end without completing it's original goal". So does this mean the IWN project is officially stopped and finished? I'm still searching for confirmation on this question. We will have to see what the future brings. Stay tuned...

Oversight Hearing of the Department of Justice

Prepared Statement of Ranking Member Chuck Grassley

U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary

 Hearing on Oversight of the Department of Justice

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Integrated Wireless Network (IWN):

I would also like to discuss what appears to be a new failed IT procurement at the department.  The integrated wireless network program (IWN) was recently suspended by the Department of Justice and it appears that the project will end without completing its original goal to integrate the wireless radios for all federal law enforcement agencies.  The IWN program was designed to implement a key recommendation of the 9/11 Commission and create a single interoperable communication system between federal law enforcement agencies.  However, the Inspector General, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), and the Office of Management and Budget have all expressed concerns with the program and labeled it as high risk.  To date, hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent, and there is no part of the country where all federal law enforcement radios are interoperable.  The contractors have argued, as expected, that they just need more money and time and there are rumors that the department now wants to issue sole source contracts to companies just to buy equipment.  I want to know more about this stop work order and whether the stop work order will simply be used to sole source a contract for radios to vendors outside the original IWN program.  I am concerned that this program is starting to look a lot like other failed IT programs at the department—hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars spent with nothing to show for it. 

UPDATE:

A source found this article on line from the Washington Post that indicates any further expansion of the IWN project is currently on hold:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/apr/17/justice-department-shelves-upgrade-communications/?page=1&sms_ss=email&at_xt=4dab9ca93cb4f76a%2C0

According to the article sources, “given future funding uncertainty” the Justice Department was ceasing design work on the next stage, in Maryland and Virginia, and would not begin planning for the third stage deployment in the Midwest, which had been slated for 2012. Apparently there is enough funding to continue with the current IWN operation in the Washington DC National Capitol Region and the Pacific Northwest.

UPDATE II:
An article has appeared on-line that summerizes what I found earlier:
http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/232500144
This article links to a new report by the DpJ Office of the Inspector General. That report can be found here:
http://www.justice.gov/oig/reports/2012/a1210.pdf
Unfortunately, this report has much of the technical information that appeared in an earlier OIG report redacted for public release.

And more industry reporting on the subject:
http://mccmag.com/newsArticle.cfm?news_id=7868

WDW Federal Frequencies?

A source recently sent me some frequencies in use at Walt Disney World, near Orlando, FL. I was surprised to find out there was a federal facility, of sorts, on the grounds of WDW! The facility is the Shades of Green Armed Forces Recreation Center (AFRC), operated by the the US Army's Family & Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command (FMWRC). Here are some links with more information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armed_Forces_Recreation_Center
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shades_of_Green_(resort)

Here are the frequencies that have been identified as being in use at the Shades of Green:

406.1625 / 415.1625, D125  Security
407.2250 / 416.2250, D754  Maintenance
407.2750 / 416.2750, D703  Housekeeping
406.1750 / 415.1750, D365  Unknown


407.2375 MHz may also be in use, but no DPL tone value has been recorded.

So next time you are near Orlando, give these a listen...

Merry Christmas from The Fed Files

Thanks for all the great emails and reports from the loyal readers out there. Looking forward to more new and interesting federal intercepts in 2012!

Fed Files - January 2012 NYC Logs

In the January 2012 Fed Files column, I published a list of frequencies I logged during a recent trip to New York City for work. I included it in the column as a representation of the "raw" data I get from logs collected during my trips, but I started to identify some of the obvious frequencies and who they are used by.

Unfortunately, I included the list without finishing my identification tasks, and several sharp MT readers offered some suggestions. So here is the New York City list that was in the column, but with as many of the frequencies identified as I can. Keep in mind that these are simply what computer logged, and some of the P-25 NAC values may be incorrect. However, I usually disregard any NACs that appear only once. The NAC values listed appeared multiple times in the logs.

If you have any additional information on the unknown frequencies, please pass it along!

163.3750, D065 - Input to USPS on 166.3750 MHz

164.1000, N001 – US Secret Service

164.3375, D251 – Postal Service Brooklyn

164.4000, N001 – US Secret Service PAPA

164.6500, N001 – US Secret Service TANGO

165.2125, N001 - US Secret Service MIKE

165.2375, N301 – DHS CBP NET 1

166.3750, D065 – US Postal Service Manhattan

166.5625, N301 – DHS CBP (B16)

166.8875, 103.5  - UN Security Base

167.1250, 114.8 – US Postal Service, New Jersey

167.4625, N207 – DHS ICE Regional Network

167.5125, N167 - FBI Newark B3/B4

167.7875, N653 – NYC FIO Federal Interoperability repeater

167.8875, 127.3 – Input to 164.1875 MHz, UN Security

168.3000, N167 – FBI H3/H4

168.8250, N167 – FBI H1/H2

168.8250, N730 -

168.8875, N167 – FBI B7/B8

168.9125, N935 - DHS ICE, New York City

169.4500, 100.0 – DHS, CBP Customs NET 2

169.6250, N167 – FBI (not previously logged)

169.7000, N864 – DoJ, US Marshals Service

169.7250, N864 – DoJ, US Marshals Service

169.9750, N167 – FBI Newark A1/A2

169.9875, N4F9 - Department of the Interior, Liberty Island/Ellis Island

170.3750, N167 – FBI G5/G6

170.4250, N167 – FBI G3/G4

170.4250, N730-

170.5500, N167 - FBI G7/G8

170.5500, N730 -

170.6250, N167 – FBI C7/C8

170.6250, N730 -

171.1750, N653 – NYC Federal Interoperability FIO 2

171.4625, N24F - Unknown agency

171.5500, N167 - FBI C3/C4

171.5500, N673

171.6875, N173

171.6875, N9C5 – DHS ICE Regional Network, New Jersey NJ-1

171.7250, N159 - DHS ICE Regional Network, New Jersey NJ-2

172.1875, N167 - FBI B3/B4

172.5250, N167 – FBI B1/B2

172.6625, N615 - Reported as US Marshals NY-2

173.6625, N167 – FBI A1

173.6625, N673

173.6625, N730

406.1125, 82.5 - UN Maintenance

406.1500, N293 – VAMC Brooklyn

406.3375, N482 – US Postal Inspectors RED Net

406.4250, 67.0 - VA Maintenance

406.5000, N020 - BoP Metropolitan Detention Center, Brooklyn (*seemed to show this NAC on some transmissions)

406.5000, N2E1 - BoP Metropolitan Detention Center, Brooklyn

406.9250, N020*

406.9250, N2E1 - BoP Metropolitan Detention Center, Brooklyn

407.1375, N482 – US Postal Inspectors GREEN Net

407.2000, N293 – State Department Bureau of Diplomatic Security

407.4125, N1A3 - BoP Metropolitan Correctional Center, Manhattan

407.5000, 107.2 – VA NJ Maintenance

407.7250, N482 – US Postal Inspectors WHITE Net

407.7750, N482 – US Postal Inspectors BLUE Net

407.9500, N020*

407.9500, N2E1 – BoP Metropolitan Detention Center, Brooklyn

408.1000, N0F0 – State Department Bureau of Diplomatic Security

408.1250, N293 – VAMC Manhattan

408.2000, N270 - Federal Protective Service

408.2125, N020*

408.2125, N2E1 - BoP Metropolitan Detention Center, Brooklyn

408.3000, 74.4

408.4250, 67.0 - VA Manhattan, maintenance

408.5750, N020*

408.5750, N2E1 - BoP Metropolitan Detention Center, Brooklyn

408.8125, N1A3 - BoP Metropolitan Correctional Center, Manhattan

409.0250, 110.9 – Postal Service Flushing/Nassau

409.3250, 67.0 - VA maintenance

409.6250, N293 – State Department Bureau of Diplomatic Security

409.7500, N020*

409.9000, N1A3 - BoP Metropolitan Correctional Center, Manhattan

409.9375, N482 – US Postal Inspectors BLACK Net

410.4125, N1A3 - BoP Metropolitan Correctional Center, Manhattan

411.7375, 67.0

412.9750, N293

413.4125, N293 – VA Medical Center, New Jersey

413.8625, CSQ – VA Medical Center - Paging

413.8750, 67.0

413.9750, D271

414.6875, D503

414.8750, 173.8

414.9000, 156.7  - DEA

415.9000, 74.4

416.1375, N482 – US Postal Inspectors, input to 407.1375 MHz

416.7250, N482 – US Postal Inspectors, input to 407.7250 MHz

417.2000, N270 – Federal Protective Service

417.6000, N293 – State Department Bureau of Diplomatic Security

417.6500, 103.5

417.9125, 192.8

418.3500, 141.3

418.6250, 156.7 – DEA

418.6750, 156.7 – DEA F4

418.7500, 156.7 – DEA F3

418.7875, D125

418.9250, D731

418.9375, N482 – US Postal Inspectors, input to 409.9375 MHz

418.9500, 156.7 – DEA

419.7875, 67.0

Some have asked about the N730 NACs appearing on some of the FBI repeaters. I have noted these NACs for several years now, especially when I have been monitoring the New Years Eve happenings in Times Square. I suspect some sort of Special Operation or Task Force may be using a different NAC on these repeaters, but nothing has been confirmed - just a guess...