Monday, October 27, 2008

Horse Show Wrap-Up

The Washington International Horse Show concluded yesterday, but here's what I found:

464.5000 [ d114] Scheduling/Show Order? (S)
464.6000 [ d116] Scheduling/Show Order? (S)
464.6000 [206.5] Interior Operations (R)
464.6500 [218.1] (very little use) (R)
469.5000 [ d115] (S)
469.6250 [ d503] Results/Scheduling (S)
Radio rentals from BearCom.

151.8350 [ 94.8] Unknown specific competitor
151.9850 [141.3] Unknown specific competitor
464.5000 [ d627] Unknown specific competitor

Sarah Palin Campaign Rally Today in Fredericksburg

Sarah Palin will be campaigning today in Fredericksburg at noon. So far, the only relevant radio traffic I've monitored is Fredericksburg Police on their Tac channel (155.9250 [131.8]). They're coordinating street closures and traffic. Fredericksburg Fire may be using their Channel 2 (158.8350 [203.5]). I'll post updates to this entry as things develop...

EDIT: Fredericksburg Fire confirmed using Channel 2 (158.8350 [203.5]).

Friday, October 24, 2008

Marine Corps Marathon

The Marine Corps Marathon, which takes place this Sunday in Arlington and DC, is one of the Washington area's largest events of the year. Here are ideas for things to monitor:
  • Marine Corps Trunked System This trunked system is used by the race organizers. Site 403 has seen use for the past several years. Talkgroups are in the 63xxx range. For the 2006 and 2007 race, almost all of the transmissions have been encrypted.
  • Marine Corps Trunked System (Temporary/Mobile?) This trunked system was first noted in use at the Marine Corps Historic Half Marathon in Fredericksburg earlier this year. All transmissions were encrypted. It's unknown if this system will be used for the Marathon.
  • Arlington County Project 25 Trunked System Police will probably use numerous talkgroups. Fire will probably use special events talkgroups (43, 44).
  • Arlington County Motorola Trunked System The Virginia Hospital Center talkgroup will likely be active with patient reports. Several Police/Fire talkgroups are simulcast from the Project 25 system, but they will likely not see use for the race.
  • Washington, DC Trunked System Metropolitan Police may use talkgroups 16656, 18288, and/or 21232 for traffic control. DC Fire will probably use their special event talkgroups (2096, 2112, 2128).
  • Park Police (probably Channel 1--166.7250 [127.3])
  • Capitol Police (probably Channel 3--170.1750 [156.7])
  • Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Trunked System Metro Transit Police may use their Tac channels for crowd control at some of the busier Metro stations.
  • Crystal City Security (451.7750 [ d205])

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Golden Triangle BID New Frequency

The Golden Triangle Business Improvement District, which provides security and maintenance for Washington's central business district, has an FCC application for an additional repeater on 461.4375. (The current repeater operates on 463.4750.)

Washington Int'l Horse Show

The Washington International Horse Show is taking place at the Verizon Center through Sunday. For the past several years, the organizers have used several UHF business-band repeaters and simplex frequencies. BearCom Rentals has provided the radios. Here's what was used last year:

464.5000 [ d346]
464.6000 [206.5] (R)
464.6250 [210.7] Inside Operations (R)
464.6500 [218.1] Exterior Security (R)
469.5000 [ d351] Scoring?
469.6000 [ d343]

Verizon Center staff use MOTOTRBO radios, which cannot be monitored with any current scanner.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Mesa Airlines FCC App

Mesa Airlines (probably known as United Express at Dulles Airport) has an application before the FCC for a UHF repeater. The frequency is 452.2625, and there will be 25 mobile units.

Friday, October 10, 2008

Georgetown University FCC App

Georgetown University has an application pending before the FCC. The UHF repeater on 463.5625 will be used for "maintenance crews."