Friday, December 30, 2011

Weekend Events

It's a fairly busy New Year's weekend:
  • The Capitals play Friday at 7 PM at Verizon Center.
  • Georgetown plays Saturday at 2 PM at Verizon Center.
  • There are many events for New Year's Eve. Two of the largest are First Night Alexandria, and Big Night DC at the Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center.
  • The Wizards play Sunday at 6 PM at Verizon Center.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Military Bowl Today

This afternoon at 4:30, the Air Force Academy plays the University of Toledo in the Military Bowl at RFK Stadium. In 2008, when it was known as the EagleBank Bowl, organizers used 464.7500 [ d156]. Here are some RFK frequencies that may be active:

461.1375 [ d152] CSC Event Staff (S)
461.3875 [ d152] CSC Event Staff (S)
461.4375 [ d152] CSC Event Staff (S)
461.5125 [ d152] CSC Event Staff (S)
461.8125 [ d311] Guest Services (active 4/10)
463.5375 [ d311] Parking (active 4/10)
463.5750 [ d664] Centerplate (S)
464.3750 [110.9] Engineering/Maintenance (R)
464.7250 [ d114] Centerplate? (S)

Friday, December 23, 2011

Weekend Events

Just one notable event this Christmas weekend:
  • The Redskins play Saturday at 1 PM at FedEx Field.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Hillwood Museum FCC App

The Hillwood Museum has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for repeaters on 461.5875 and 464.7875. The frequencies are coded for both analog and MOTOTRBO operation.

Friday, December 16, 2011

Weekend Events

Quiet weekend:
  • The Wizards play a preseason game on Friday at 7 at Verizon Center.
  • Georgetown plays Saturday at noon at Verizon Center.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Trip to Baltimore

I took a day trip to Baltimore on Sunday, mostly to monitor M&T Bank Stadium. I wanted to see if there were changes to their frequencies, specifically if the stadium had switched to MOTOTRBO (their license indicates the change). Well, even though the license was changed last year, they continue to operate on analog frequencies, as does the Maryland Stadium Authority, which uses frequencies in the 453 MHz range (license). I did see at least one employee with a MOTOTRBO handheld, but he was using it in analog mode. This may indicate they are going to switch to TRBO next year.

I found the talkgroups on the Baltimore P25 trunked system that the police and fire units assigned to the stadium were using. Police were on talkgroup 9111 for inside units, and 9134 for outside units. Fire was on talkgroup 9019.

In other Baltimore scanning news, the National Aquarium has changed some of their subaudible tones from CTCSS to DCS. Here are the updated listings:

461.1000 [ d134] National Aquarium - Visitor Services/Admission (R)
464.4750 [173.8] National Aquarium - Engineering/Housekeeping/Gift Shop/Education (R)
464.8250 [ d245] National Aquarium - Security (R)
464.9750 [  77.0] National Aquarium - Biological Programs (R)

The Aquarium's license also indicates that they may be switching to MOTOTRBO in the future.

For all the latest finds, see my Baltimore page.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center FCC App

The Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for five simplex frequencies: 451.3625, 451.4375, 452.1625, 452.2875, and 456.3625.

MWAA Rebanded

A user on Scan-DC reports that the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority trunked system has already rebanded. All previous frequencies shift down 15 MHz. The new control channel is 853.2125.

Friday, December 9, 2011

MWAA Rebanding Early Next Week?

According to this RadioReference post, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority will be rebanding their system between Monday and Wednesday.

Weekend Events

Once again, it's a big sports weekend:
  • The Capitals play Friday at 7 at Verizon Center.
  • Georgetown plays Saturday at noon at Verizon Center.
  • The Army-Navy Game is Saturday at 2:30 at FedEx Field.
  • HBO Boxing is Saturday at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The first fight is at 6:30, and the main event begins at 9:45.
  • The Redskins play Sunday at 1 at FedEx Field.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Orange Sheriff Ch. 2 Using MOTOTRBO

Orange (VA) Sheriff Channel 2 (155.6850), which is normally used by the Town of Orange Police and the Town of Gordonsville Police, has switched to MOTOTRBO. Orange Sheriff Channel 1 (155.3700) has been using MOTOTRBO for several months. These two frequencies are under license WNWA437.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Tysons Corner Center Major Update

I spent the day at Tysons Corner Center yesterday, and logged many updates/additions for the mall. Here's the latest list:

461.9875 [ d054] Security (R)
464.3750 [ d047] Housekeeping (Channel 2) (R)

151.6250 [103.5] Sony
154.5400 [  74.4] Gap?
154.6000 [ d331] Old Navy
158.4000 [  74.4] Banana Republic
461.0375 [ d371] Macy's Staff
461.1125 [ d606] Auntie Anne's
461.1875 [ d712] Apple
461.2125 [114.8] AMC Theater Techs?
462.3375 [ d503] American Girl - Security/Management?
462.4125 [ d423] American Girl - Managers?
462.6125 [  67.0] Gordon Biersch Brewery
462.6750 [  67.0] Puma?
462.7875 [151.4] AMC Theater
463.5625 [ d506] Nordstrom
463.8375 [146.2] Nordstrom Security (R)
464.5000 [ d174] "pet"; "grooming"
464.5000 [ d503] La Sandia
464.5000 [ d612] Macy's Security (S)
464.5000 [100.0] Williams-Sonoma
464.5500 [ d612] Macy's Security (S)
464.5500 [  67.0] Wasabi
464.5500 [  91.5] Garage
464.5625 [  94.8] Ann Taylor/Ann Taylor Petites
464.5625 [203.5] Aeropostale
466.0375 [  94.8] LOFT
466.1125 [ d606] Armani Exchange
466.1875 [ d516] Unknown clothing store (strong near Banana Republic and Restoration Hardware)
466.2875 [ d155] H&M Staff
466.2875 [146.2] Foot Locker/Kids Foot Locker
467.1375 [173.8] Lord & Taylor Security
467.2125 [ d072] American Girl - Stock Checks
467.3125 [ d116] American Girl - Housekeeping?
467.4125 [ d251] American Girl
467.7625 [  74.4] LL Bean
467.7625 [179.9] Pottery Barn
467.8125 [  67.0] New York & Company
467.8500 [ d546] Abercrombie & Fitch
467.8500 [173.8] Charlotte Russe
467.8750 [ d156] American Eagle
467.8750 [ d351] Pottery Barn Kids
467.8750 [ d364] "women's flannel-lined jeans"; "car coat" (strong near restaurants)
467.8750 [ d712] Disney Store
467.8750 [ d723] Guess
467.8750 [  67.0] Brio Tuscan Grill
467.8750 [  67.0] Espirit
467.8750 [  74.4] Champs Sports
467.8750 [110.9] The Limited
467.8750 [233.6] Restoration Hardware
467.9000 [ d365] West Elm
467.9000 [ d632] Bath & Body Works
467.9000 [107.2] "secret sale"; "40% off"; "jewelry"; "scarves" (strong near center of mall)
467.9000 [118.8] Express
467.9250 [ d412] Sephora
467.9250 [ d732] Pink
467.9250 [ d743] Victoria's Secret
467.9250 [  67.0] TGI Friday
467.9250 [  67.0] "navy blue jacket" "reference number 012564" (strong near center of mall)
467.9250 [  88.5] "skinny jeans"; "robo sweater" (strong near center of mall)
467.9250 [110.9] Coastal Flats
467.9250 [218.1] Urban Outfitters
468.0250 [  77.0] Nordstrom Housekeeping
468.2625 [192.8] Chico's
468.8375 [ d155] H&M Staff
469.7625 [ d155] H&M Security

Tysons security (contracted to AlliedBarton) continues to operate on an unlicensed repeater on 461.9875. I was unable to locate a frequency for Bloomingdale's loss prevention.

Friday, December 2, 2011

Weekend Events

Sports this weekend:
  • Georgetown plays at 1 PM Saturday at Verizon Center.
  • The Capitals play at 7 PM Saturday at Verizon Center.
  • The Redskins play at 1 PM Sunday at FedEx Field.
  • The BB&T Classic is at 2:15 PM Sunday at the Verizon Center.

Cardinal Forest Condominium FCC License

Cardinal Forest Condominium, located in Springfield, was recently licensed for a repeater on 463.6500.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

1722 Eye St. FCC App

1722 Eye St., an office building, has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for simplex MOTOTRBO on 456.5375, 457.2875, 457.3125, and 457.4875.

One Franklin Square FCC App

One Franklin Square, an office building at 1301 K St. NW, has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for simplex NEXEDGE on 457.0375, 457.0625, 457.4875, and 457.6875.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Hotel Sofitel FCC App

The Hotel Sofitel, at 806 15th St. NW in DC, has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for four simplex NXDN frequencies (456.4125, 456.41875, 456.6625, and 457.0375). No scanner can monitor this digital format.

The hotel is licensed for several UHF low-power repeaters, although they haven't been noted in recent use.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Arlington County ECC Talkgroups

On Sunday, "new" Arlington County Emergency Communications Center talkgroups were monitored. They were talkgroups 154 and 156 on the Arlington P25 system. Arlington was conducting a fire training exercise on them.

CNN Using MOTOTRBO

CNN is using MOTOTRBO on several frequencies (450.1875, 450.6750, 450.7750, and 450.8875). These frequencies have been in use by CNN for years (in analog mode).

Fashion Centre at Pentagon City Update

Spent some time at the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City yesterday. Here are updates to store frequencies:

467.7625 [  67.0] Sony Style
467.8500 [ d047] Williams-Sonoma
467.8500 [ d506] Hollister
467.8750 [ d031] Unknown (frequency counter hit outside Banana Republic - may be Abercrombie & Fitch, which is directly above)
467.8750 [241.8] Unknown athletic shoe store

See the Arlington County page for the full list.

Friday, November 25, 2011

Weekend Events

Just one notable event this weekend:
  • The Capitals play Friday at 4 PM at the Verizon Center.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Shopping Mall Frequencies

Here's the annual rundown of shopping mall frequencies. To keep this list manageable, I'm only including the security frequencies; complete lists of frequencies can be found on my website. As always, additions/corrections appreciated.

District of Columbia
452.9250 [141.3] DC USA (S)
461.3250 [ d411] Gallery Place (S)
463.9500 [ d612] Georgetown Park (R)
468.5625 [ d606] Mazza Gallerie (S)
464.5750 [ d346] Shops at Union Station (R)

Maryland
464.2750 [ d606] Chevy Chase Pavilion (R)
464.7750 [ d411] Downtown Silver Spring (R)
464.7000 [ d423] Lake Forest (R)
452.0000 [156.7] Washingtonian Center (R)
463.7625 [203.5] Westfield Shoppingtown Montgomery (R)
461.7250 [ d031] Westfield Shoppingtown Wheaton (R)
464.8250 [151.4] White Flint (R)
461.9750 [ CSQ] Boulevard at Capital Centre (S)
152.9225 [ d074] Bowie Town Center (R)
464.3750 [ d032] Mall at Prince George's (R)
451.3625 [ d156] Arundel Mills (R)
464.8750 [ d315] Marley Station (R)
464.0125 [ d664] Westfield Shoppingtown Annapolis (R)
461.1125 [162.2] Mall in Columbia (R)
936.6625 [ d023] St. Charles Towne Center (R)

Virginia
461.8875 [203.5] Ballston Common (R)
464.9250 [ d612] Pentagon Center (R)
464.4375 [ d074] Fashion Centre at Pentagon City (R)
464.9250 [100.0] Landmark (R)
464.1250 [         ] Fair Oaks (MOTOTRBO) (R)
462.2500 [  94.8] Galleria at Tysons II (R)
464.5000 [         ] Reston Town Center (MOTOTRBO) (S)
464.3250 [  77.0] Springfield (R)
461.9875 [ d054] Tysons Corner (R)
451.5250 [ d411] Dulles Town Center (R)
462.4000 [110.9] Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets (R)
461.0125 [100.0] Manassas (R)
463.6000 [ d723] Potomac Mills (R)

Friday, November 18, 2011

Weekend Events

A few events this weekend:
  • Cirque du Soleil's Quidam runs through this weekend at the Verizon Center. Cirque has licensed several frequencies for nationwide use.
  • The Help the Homeless Walkathon is Saturday at 9 AM on the National Mall between 9th and 12th Streets. In previous years, organizers have used UHF rental frequencies. Also keep an ear on Park Police on 166.7250 [127.3].
  • The Redskins play Sunday at 1 PM at FedEx Field. See this post about recent changes to FedEx Field radio usage.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Rebanding in DC Area

Since Alexandria recently rebanded its trunked system, I thought I'd review whether or not other systems in the DC area have rebanded:
  • Arlington: No
  • Charles: No
  • Fairfax: No
  • Fauquier/Culpeper/Rappahannock: Yes
  • Loudoun: No
  • Manassas/Manassas Park: Yes
  • Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority: No
  • Montgomery: No
  • Prince William: No
  • Spotsylvania: Yes
  • University of Maryland - College Park: Unknown
  • Washington, DC: No

DC Trunked System Talkgroup 2400

Alan Henney on Scan-DC advises that talkgroup 2400 on the DC trunked system is used by the Children's National Medical Center facility at United Medical Center. (See previous post.)

Prince George's Fire Switched to 700 MHz

As noted in this RadioReference thread, Prince George's County Fire did switch to the 700 MHz system yesterday. The 490 MHz frequencies are no longer in use.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

FedEx Field Major Update (Again)

FedEx Field has revamped their frequencies again. They've added six frequencies to the LTR system, bringing the total to ten. They've dramatically increased the number of IDs on the system as well.

FedEx has also started using four repeaters that they have an FCC application for (the app is still pending):

452.2750 [ d664]
461.5375 [ d664]
463.5250 [ d664] Parking
464.4750 [ d664] Security

The Prince George's 700 MHz trunked system was active at yesterday's Notre Dame-Maryland game. PGPD used talkgroup 2001 for outside units, and 2003 for inside units. PGFD used 2005 for first aid, and 2007 had hazmat units on it. I would imagine these talkgroups are used in a similar manner for Redskins games.

New Hospital Using DC Trunked System?

Talkgroup 2400 on the DC trunked system was monitored yesterday. This falls in the range of the hospitals talkgroups, but I didn't catch which hospital was using it. The talkgroup is listed as "0H9 Spare" in RadioReference.

New Talkgroup on Alexandria System

A new talkgroup (1168) was monitored yesterday on the Alexandria trunked system. This talkgroup was being used for the JROTC competition at T.C. Williams High School. It's unknown if this is a talkgroup for the school itself, or a special events talkgroup for all the schools.

Exercise in Alexandria Yesterday

Alexandria Fire was conducting some kind of exercise yesterday morning. Talkgroups 2J, 2K, and 2L from the trunked system were in use.

PG System Broadcast in Metro

Yesterday, I confirmed that the Prince George's 700 MHz system is broadcast in the underground portions of the Metro system in the county. See this post about other systems that broadcast in Metro.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Another Event Tomorrow

I neglected to mention a big event tomorrow at FedEx Field. Notre Dame plays Maryland at 7:30 PM. Expect the usual FedEx Field frequencies to be active (including the new LTR system), as well as the "FedEx Field" talkgroups on the Prince George's County system.

Weekend Events

The colder months shift the focus to the Verizon Center and other indoor venues:
  • Georgetown plays Saturday at noon at the Verizon Center.
  • The Capitals play Saturday at 7 PM at the Verizon Center.

Security Services Unlimited FCC App

Security Services Unlimited has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for a repeater on 452.4500. The frequency is coded for both analog and MOTOTRBO.

The transmitter will be located at 9727 Mount Pisgah Rd. in Silver Spring, which is the location of The Chateau (apartment building). Mobile units will operate in Montgomery and Prince George's.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

The Hamilton FCC App

The Hamilton, a music/dining venue opening later this year at 600 14th St. NW in DC, has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for three simplex frequencies: 456.3125, 456.6125, and 457.1375.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Alexandria Trunked System Rebanded

Alexandria has rebanded their Project 16 trunked system. The 866 MHz frequencies have shifted 15 MHz lower. 860.8375 has been replaced by 853.0125. (Interestingly, 853.0125 is supposed to be one of the NPSPAC tac channels.)

Alexandria will eventually transition to a Project 25 trunked system.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Metro Radio System Problems

This article, published yesterday in The Examiner, contends that there are problems with the Metro radio system.

In general, I've found reception of the Metro system to be good in most underground stations and in tunnels between stations, although the signal strength varies dramatically.

At least several months ago, the analog simulcast of Metro Transit Police dispatch on talkgroup 2224 was discontinued. Dispatch is only heard on digital talkgroup 49168 now.

Analog talkgroup 1968 on the Metro system is used by radio techs.

Several cities/counties broadcast their systems underground in those station which fall in their jurisdiction. Arlington does this for their digital 800 MHz system (they used to only simulcast police and fire dispatch on analog 800 MHz conventional frequencies). DC broadcasts their 800 MHz system, although not the 460 MHz system used by Metropolitan Police. Montgomery broadcasts their 800 MHz system. I am unsure about Alexandria and Prince George's.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

PG Fire/EMS Switching to 700 MHz on Nov. 14?

Prince George's County Fire/EMS is reportedly switching to the 700 MHz system on November 14, according to this post on RadioReference. (They were originally scheduled to switch tomorrow.)

When they do switch, the 490 MHz frequencies will be turned off. Dispatch will continue to be simulcast on 155.6850 [156.7].

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Montgomery County Schools FCC App

Montgomery County Schools has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for five simplex frequencies: 464.3750, 457.7625, 452.7625, 457.3125, and 452.3125. These frequencies are to be used at schools all over the county; the app calls for 5000 mobile units.

Georgetown University FCC App

Georgetown University has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for a repeater on 464.7000. The frequency is coded for both analog and MOTOTRBO.

Based on the application, it appears this frequency is for Classroom Educational Technology Services (CETS). This will probably replace 462.7250 [ d606] (R), a GMRS frequency that was never licensed.

Friday, November 4, 2011

Weekend Events

It's quiet this weekend:
  • The Redskins play Sunday at 1 at FedEx Field.

Tourmobile Ceases Operations

On Monday, Tourmobile ceased operations on the National Mall. I removed the frequency (495.8125 [156.7]) from the Arlington County page.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Marine Corps Marathon Finds

Here's what I found on Sunday at the Marine Corps Marathon:

Marine Corps Trunked System Talkgroups (Site 403):
63033 Route
63034 "Division 5" "Division 4" "U-Haul"
63035 Straggler Buses
63036 Water Points
63037 Medical
63038 Medical Alternate?
63040 VIP escorts
63041 "Swing Gate" "8th and I"
63045 Shuttle Buses
63046 Information Technology
63049 Start Line/Finish Line

Arlington Trunked System Talkgroups:
3 Police - Traffic Control
4 Police - Traffic Control
6 Police - Parking
7 Police - "Traffic Command" "Division 4"
8 Police - Rosslyn units
9 Police - Rosslyn units?
11 Police - Motors
17 Police - SWAT units
20 Police - Surveillance/Plainclothes
21 Police - K9 sweeps
32 Fire - Unknown (brief traffic)
33 Fire - Division 1
34 Fire - Division 2
35 Fire - Division 6
36 Fire - Transports
39 Fire - Unknown (brief traffic)
43 Fire - Logistics
44 Fire - Command
47 National Medical Response Team - Command
135 Coordination 1 - "bus in place"

DC Trunked System Talkgroups:
2096 DCFD Special Events 1
2112 DCFD Special Events 2
2128 DCFD Special Events 3
2592 DCFD-MPD Interop

Fairfax Trunked System Talkgroup:
18048 Hospital Roll Call

STARS Trunked System Talkgroups:
32 VSP Tac Team 2
80 VSP Tac Team 7
6149 Interop LE 7 (traffic control)

Metro Trunked System Talkgroups:
50224 MTPD Tac 7 (crowd control)
50256 MTPD Tac 8 (crowd control)

123.0250 [ CSQ] Helicopters
162.2500 [173.8] Capitol Police
166.7250 [127.3] Park Police
169.7750 [NAC 4C5] George Washington Parkway
451.7750 [ d205] Crystal City Security
453.4750 [146.2] Red Cross - DC
462.4000 [ d226] Red Cross - Arlington

New Encrypted Talkgroup on Arlington System

Talkgroup 212 is a new encrypted talkgroup on the Arlington Project 25 trunked system. It was monitored during the Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday, but it's unknown if it was used for the race.

Monitoring Strategy for Marine Corps Marathon

I spent most of the day Sunday monitoring the Marine Corps Marathon from Crystal City. I brought two scanners: the Uniden BCD396XT and the GRE PSR-800. Having the two scanners was a big help in monitoring the race, as there was a huge amount of radio traffic. I set the PSR-800 to monitor three systems: Arlington, DC, and Metro. The BCD396XT handled everything else: the 380 MHz Project 25 system the race organizers were using, STARS, low power/itinerants, and federal.

I'll post the complete list of frequencies/talkgroups monitored soon.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

FedEx Field FCC App

FedEx Field has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for four repeaters and nine simplex frequencies:

452.2750R, 461.5375R, 463.5250R, 464.4750R
451.8000S, 456.8000S, 462.7625S, 462.8375S, 462.9125S, 464.5000S, 464.5500S, 469.5000S, 469.5500S

(Note that the simplex frequencies are to be for nationwide use, but some of these have already been seen in use at FedEx Field.)

This app comes in the face of major changes to radio usage at FedEx Field. An LTR trunked system has been installed at the stadium, and several of the existing UHF repeaters have seen changes.

Monday, October 31, 2011

Pentagon City/Pentagon Center Updates

Here are updates to the Fashion Center at Pentagon City and Pentagon Center:

Fashion Center at Pentagon City:
461.0625 [  67.0] American Eagle
467.8500 [ d546] Abercrombie & Fitch
467.9250 [ d743] Victoria's Secret

Pentagon Center:
461.2375 [100.0] Marshalls
467.7625 [  67.0] Nordstrom Rack - Staff

Renaissance Arlington Additional Frequencies Found

Yesterday, I found a couple of simplex frequencies in use at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel:

456.6125 [ d712] Banquets?
456.6875 [ d031] Valet

The hotel is licensed for several other simplex frequencies.

See this post for information about previously-identified frequencies.

US Airways Switches to MOTOTRBO at DCA

US Airways has switched to MOTOTRBO at Reagan National Airport. Along with the switch, they have also abandoned 461.1375 and 464.5500, and now use 451.6000 and 452.3250. TRBO was heard yesterday on 460.7000, 460.8000, and 460.8750. The airline is probably using TRBO on 460.7750 as well.

The existing 460.xxxx and new frequencies are under license WPDS307.

For scanner listeners, the abandonment of 461.1375/464.5500 is good news. These frequencies were never licensed, and they were very strong, overpowering other nearby UHF frequencies in the area of the airport. And scanner listeners can now listen to these two frequencies and hear low-powered/itinerant operations, which is what these frequencies were meant for.

These TRBO frequencies join two others at DCA - 460.6500 (Air Canada?) and 460.7250 (United).

Friday, October 28, 2011

Weekend Events

Two big annual events take place this weekend:
  • The Washington International Horse Show runs through Sunday at the Verizon Center. Organizers typically use common UHF rental frequencies (464.5000, 464.5500, 464.6000, 464.6250, 464.6500, 464.7000, 464.7250, and 464.7500). Sometimes these frequencies are used as repeaters. Last year, organizers also used a few other UHF business frequencies. Verizon Center staff uses MOTOTRBO radios, which cannot be monitored with current scanners.
  • The Marine Corps Marathon is Sunday at 8 AM. See this post for full details.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Marine Corps Marathon

The Marine Corps Marathon is this Sunday. This is one of Washington's biggest annual events. The race begins at 8 AM in Arlington, winds its way through the District, and concludes back in Arlington. Events don't wrap up until late in the afternoon. Here are some of the trunked systems to monitor:
  • Primary operations for the Marathon will probably be on site 403 of the 14C Project 25 trunked system. Talkgroups are typically in the 63xxx range. For the past several years, most transmissions have been unencrypted. Only in one recent year (2007) were they almost entirely encrypted.
  • Arlington County typically uses numerous talkgroups on its Project 25 trunked system. Look for several police, fire, emergency management, and coordination talkgroups to be active.
  • DC also plays a large role in race operations, particularly with medical calls. Look for one or more of the DCFD Special Events talkgroups to be active on the District's trunked system. (MPD also uses talkgroups for traffic control - usually SOD and MPD 3 - but those are now encrypted.)
  • Virginia State Police handles traffic control on I-395 and the 14th Street Bridge. Last year, they were on talkgroup 6149 on the Arlington site of STARS.
  • The Metro system is obviously used very heavily on race day. Transit Police use one or more of the Tac channels for crowd control at various stations.
Here are conventional frequencies that were active last year:
  • 123.0250 [ CSQ] Helicopters Air-to-Air
  • 162.2500 [173.8] Capitol Police (Channel 4)
  • 166.7250 [127.3] Park Police (Channel 1)
  • 169.7750 [NAC 4C5] George Washington Parkway
  • 451.7750 [ d205] Crystal City Security

Friday, October 21, 2011

Weekend Events

Another weekend of sports:
  • Howard University has their homecoming this weekend. The football game is Saturday at 1 PM at Greene Stadium. Howard uses MOTOTRBO for most operations.
  • The Capitals play Saturday at 7 PM at Verizon Center.
  • DC United plays Saturday at 7:30 PM at RFK Stadium.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Arnold & Porter FCC App

Arnold & Porter, a law firm located at 555 12th St. NW in DC, has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for a repeater on 463.3625, and simplex on 463.6750, 464.0000, 464.7000, and 464.9750. The frequencies are coded for both analog and MOTOTRBO operation.

555 12th St. currently uses 451.3000 [ d263] under license WQGB997.

Colgan Air FCC App

Colgan Air, operating as United Express out of Dulles Airport, has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for repeaters on 451.1000 and 451.7000. The frequencies are coded for both analog and MOTOTRBO operation.

(Colgan had an application pending in late August for the same frequencies, but that app is marked inactive. This new app replaces it.)

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

National Public Radio FCC App

National Public Radio, located at 635 Massachusetts Ave. NW in DC, has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for four simplex frequencies: 464.5750, 464.7500, 464.9250, and 464.9750.

Martin Luther King Memorial Dedication Finds

Here's what I found at Sunday's dedication of the Martin Luther King Memorial:

DC Trunked System Talkgroups:
2096 DCFD Special Events 1
33584 Department of Health Tac (primary use)
33872 Emergency Management Agency (sometimes patched to analog 59216)
34448 Department of Health
35600 Traffic Management Center

Joint National Capital Region Talkgroups:
2146 Traffic/pedestrian control

166.7250 [127.3] Park Police (Ch. 1)
453.4750 [146.2] Red Cross

WMATA talkgroup 58032 was also active briefly; unknown if it was used for the event.

Monday, October 17, 2011

FedEx Field New LTR System

FedEx Field has moved some operations to a UHF LTR system. The system appears to have four frequencies, and about twenty talkgroups were noted in use during Sunday's game. The system draws on frequencies from two licenses (WQBM558 and WQBP606), which have always been coded for trunked operation, but were used conventionally. A RadioReference page for the system has been set up; I will add talkgroups to it shortly.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Stafford County Using COG Number 15?

Stafford County has apparently been assigned number 15 in the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments interoperability numbering scheme. Stafford Fire continues to use their legacy radio designators for routine calls; the county will probably only use the 15-series numbers for large-scale mutual aid incidents.

This recent RadioReference thread details the current numbering scheme.

Friday, October 14, 2011

Bureau of Engraving and Printing Police Switched to P25?

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing Police appear to have switched to Project 25 with encryption on 407.8250. The NAC is 1F2. This NAC is similar to another Treasury Department NAC (1F1) on this list of federal NACs.

Weekend Events

Busy weekend, with lots of sports and the Martin Luther King Memorial Dedication:
  • Maryland plays Saturday at 7 PM at Byrd Stadium.
  • The Capitals play Saturday at 7 PM at Verizon Center.
  • DC United plays Saturday at 7:30 PM at RFK Stadium.
  • The Martin Luther King Memorial Dedication begins Sunday at 8 AM. The organizers are using a MOTOTRBO Capacity Plus trunked system. Expect DCFD to be using one or more of their Special Events talkgroups (2096, 2112, 2128). Park Police may use 166.7250 and/or 166.8500.
  • The Redskins play Sunday at 1 PM at FedEx Field.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Parkfairfax Using 452.8750 [107.2]

Parkfairfax, a neighborhood of condo apartments in Alexandria, is confirmed using 452.8750 [107.2] (R). The frequency is unlicensed.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Communications Direct Temp Sys for MLK Memorial Dedication

Communications Direct has licensed several simplex frequencies for use at the dedication of the Martin Luther King Memorial (which is this Sunday). However, these frequencies appear to be used as repeaters as part of a MOTOTRBO Capacity Plus system. 461.7875 was already noted in use in August, when the dedication was originally scheduled. Yesterday, MOTOTRBO data was heard on 452.2875; this frequency is probably part of this Capacity Plus system.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Downtown DC Frequency Update

While at the Taste of DC yesterday, I was able to snag several new downtown business frequencies:
  • Metropolitan Square at 655 15th St. NW is using 462.5000 [ d632].
  • Department of Commerce Headquarters Security confirmed using 452.8750 [ d122] (R).
  • The Willard Intercontinental Hotel is now using 464.8750 [100.0] as a repeater for Security. Previously, the hotel used 464.8750 and 469.8750 as separate simplex channels.
  • The W Hotel has made some changes/additions to its frequencies. 461.3125 [233.6] is no longer used by Security/Engineering; it's now used by Valet/Bellmen. 465.7125 [167.9] is a new frequency used by Banquets. In addition to Housekeeping, Engineering is also on 466.1125 [107.2]. Nothing heard on 469.2625, which was previously in use. 469.3125 [241.8] is still used by the POV Bar hostesses. Nothing monitored on 463.9875, which is a repeater licensed to the hotel. And no indication as to a frequency for Security.
  • 461.1125 [ d032] is probably used by a theater downtown, possibly Ford's.

Red Cross Using 462.4000 [ d226]

The Red Cross was using 462.4000 [ d226] as a repeater at the Taste of DC this weekend. This is a frequency not seen in use by the Red Cross in DC previously. The frequency was used one year at the now-defunct Alexandria Red Cross Waterfront Festival.

Taste of DC Finds

Here's what I found at the Taste of DC, which concludes Monday:

461.2750 [ d516] Electrical
461.5250 [ d546] Unknown
462.3250 [ d252] Finance
463.7250 [ d306] Primary?
464.9250 [ d632] Unknown
466.5250 [ d331] Runners?

461.0375 [ CSQ] Audio/Visual
467.9000 [ d114] Massive Entertainment Event Staff

DCFD probably used talkgroup 2112. EMA used talkgroup 33872 (sometimes with analog simulcast on 59216).

Friday, October 7, 2011

Weekend Events

Moderately busy Columbus Day weekend:
  • The Taste of DC returns after a multi-year hiatus. It runs Saturday, Sunday, and Monday on Pennsylvania Ave. between 9th and 14th Sts.
  • The Capitals open their season on Saturday at 7 PM at the Verizon Center.
  • The Army Ten-Miler is Sunday at 8 AM. It begins in Arlington, winds its way through DC, and ends back in Arlington.

Steptoe & Johnson FCC App

Steptoe & Johnson, a law firm located at 1330 Connecticut Ave. NW, has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for a repeater on 452.1250.

AES FCC App

AES, a global power company headquartered at 4300 Wilson Blvd. in Arlington, has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for four simplex frequencies:

461.7125
463.3750
466.7125
468.3750

LivingSocial FCC App

LivingSocial, a daily deals company based at 1445 New York Ave. NW, has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for five MOTOTRBO simplex frequencies:

451.4375
451.5625
451.5875
456.4375
456.5875

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Another Prince William Schools FCC App

Continuing with the recent slew of FCC applications, Prince William County Schools has another one pending.

Friday, September 30, 2011

Weekend Events

Relatively quiet this weekend:
  • The Capitals play Friday at 7 and Sunday at 5 at the Verizon Center.
  • The Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half Marathon is Sunday beginning at 7:30 AM. It runs from Alexandria to National Harbor.

JNCR System Consolidated

With the recent RadioReference site update, it's now possible to consolidate multiple Project 25 system IDs with the same WACNs into one RadioReference "system." The Joint National Capital Region system has been consolidated in this manner.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

More Prince William Schools FCC Apps

Prince William County Schools has several more applications pending before the FCC. See the apps for frequency information.

0004890761

It appears the county wants to put a UHF repeater in every single school.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Best Buy Using New Frequency

Best Buy in Fredericksburg (Central Park) is now using 461.0375 [ d445], which replaces 467.9250 [ d506]. This is the first time this frequency has ever been seen for Best Buy.

Borders Frequencies Deleted

With the closure of all Borders stores, I have deleted all Borders frequencies from my website.

Prince William Schools FCC Apps

Prince William County Schools have several applications pending before the FCC. The apps call for repeaters on 461.4125 and 463.3875. These frequencies will be used at multiple school locations.

0004887908 0004888017

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Phillips Collection FCC App

The Phillips Collection, an art gallery near Dupont Circle in DC, has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for a repeater on 463.4250. The app lists emission codes for analog and MOTOTRBO.

Monday, September 26, 2011

MPD Using Encryption on MPD 3, Harbor Patrol

MPD was confirmed yesterday using encryption on the MPD 3 talkgroup (21232) and the Harbor Patrol talkgroup (20800). So far, the Citywide talkgroup (16624) is the only MPD talkgroup found to be unencrypted.

National Book Festival Frequencies Found

Here are frequencies found at the National Book Festival:

462.8125 [ d445] Golf Carts
463.4125 [ d331] Book-signing Lines/Volunteers?
463.5750 [ d664] Security/Medical
464.1750 [ d431] Materials
464.2125 [ d205] Tents
464.7250 [ d114] Base Command
466.7125 [ d162] Car/Van Transportation
469.3250 [ d346] Scheduling?

166.8500 [127.3] Park Police (Ch. 4) (S)
410.3375 [ d411] Library of Congress Security
DCFD used talkgroup 2112.

Komen 3-Day for the Cure Frequencies Found

Here are some frequencies used by the Komen 3-Day for the Cure yesterday:

461.1125 [ 71.9]
461.1875 [118.8]
462.2375 [ 88.5]
464.2375 [110.9]
Park Police used 166.7250 [127.3].

JW Marriott Using 463.3750 Again

After seemingly abandoning their frequencies for a few years, security at the JW Marriott at 14th and Pennsylvania Ave. is using 463.3750 [ d343] (R) again. The hotel recently relicensed their frequencies.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Major Update to Fairfax County Services Trunked System

I'm working a major update to the Fairfax County Services trunked system. The system has over 300 talkgroups, many previously unidentified. There have been significant additions to the Fairfax Connector, Fairfax Water, FASTRAN, Health Department, Parks Authority, Public Works, and Schools groups. And there are still many more to add.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Weekend Events

Rain may impact these events:
  • The Nationals play their final homestand of the season on Friday at 7:05, Saturday at 1:05, and Sunday at 1:35 at Nationals Park.
  • Clarendon Day is Saturday from 11 to 5.
  • The National Book Festival is Saturday from 10 to 5:30, and Sunday from 1 to 5:30 on the National Mall.
  • The University of Maryland plays Saturday at 12:30 at Byrd Stadium.
  • DC United plays Saturday at 7:30 at RFK Stadium.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

MPD Encryption Update

Yesterday, I did some monitoring of the Metropolitan Police (MPD) trunked system. In addition to the encryption on the district dispatch talkgroups, the district Tac channels and the SOD talkgroup are encrypted. I wasn't able to confirm some of the other common talkgroups (MPD 1, MPD 2, MPD 3, Harbor Patrol, etc.), but it seems likely they are encrypted as well.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Weekend Events

Sports this weekend:
  • The Nationals play at 7:05 on Friday, 7:05 on Saturday, and 1:35 on Sunday at Nationals Park.
  • The University of Maryland plays at noon on Saturday at Byrd Field.
  • The Redskins play at 1:00 on Sunday at FedEx Field.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

RadioReference Rolls Out Update

RadioReference rolled out a major update early this morning. The update includes everything from style changes for better readability to amateur radio and nationwide frequencies to the elimination of most ads for premium subscribers.

MPD Encrypts Dispatch Talkgroups

Metropolitan Police (MPD) encrypted all seven of the district dispatch talkgroups early this morning. The supposed plan is to encrypt almost all the MPD talkgroups, with the exception of the Citywide ones.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Center for Public Administration Services FCC App

The Center for Public Administration Services, located at 777 N. Capitol St. in DC, has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for a MOTOTRBO repeater on 463.4625.

Yale Village Apartments FCC App

Yale Village Apartments in Rockville has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for three MOTOTRBO simplex frequencies:

452.0375
452.6875
457.6875

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Updates to DC Frequencies

A couple of updates to DC frequencies:
  • The American Red Cross is still using 462.3750 [ 88.5] (R). As of a couple of months ago, it looked like they had abandoned that frequency for 453.4750 [146.2] (R).
  • 452.8750 [ d122] (R) appears to be private security at the Department of Commerce. Mention has been made of an "acting secretary" and the "Wilson Building," which is next to the Commerce Building.

Fairfax County Finds

Here are some frequency updates for Fairfax County:
  • The security frequency for the Galleria at Tysons II has changed to 462.2500 [ 94.8] (R).
  • George Mason University's Johnson Center is using 451.9000 [203.5] (R).
  • The Avant Apartments are using 464.7250 [ d132].

Sunday, September 11, 2011

2020 K FCC App

2020 K St. has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for five MOTOTRBO simplex frequencies:

451.3875
451.6625
452.7875
456.3875
456.6625

Friday, September 9, 2011

Weekend Events

Several sporting events this weekend:
  • The Nationals play Friday at 7:05, Saturday at 7:05, and Sunday at 1:35 at Nationals Park.
  • The Nation's Football Classic, featuring Howard and Morehouse, is Saturday at 3:30 at RFK Stadium.
  • The Redskins open their season on Sunday at 4:15 at FedEx Field.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

The Fillmore Silver Spring FCC App

The Fillmore Silver Spring, a new music/entertainment venue, has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for five simplex frequencies:

462.1875
457.3125
457.4125
467.1875
456.7375

Friday, September 2, 2011

Weekend Events

A relatively quiet Labor Day weekend:
  • The Nationals play Friday at 7:05, Saturday at 7:05, Sunday at 1:35, and Monday at 1:05.
  • Maryland plays Miami on Monday at 8:00 at Byrd Stadium.
  • Baltimore is hosting a big event this weekend - the Baltimore Grand Prix. It runs Friday through Sunday downtown.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Springfield Updates

Spent some time in Springfield yesterday, and was able to snag a few new frequencies:

151.5950 [  77.0] Edison High (R)
151.5950 [103.5] Hayfield Secondary (R)

467.9250 [  67.0] Bed, Bath & Beyond
467.9000 [ d465] Kmart
467.8500 [ d532] Michael's
461.0875 [131.8] Total Wine & More
467.7500 [ d115] Target (Channel 1)
467.9250 [ d155] Target (Channel 3)
467.8500 [ d306] Target

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Colgan Air FCC App

Colgan Air, a regional airline operating as United Express at Dulles Airport, has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for repeaters on 451.1000 and 451.7000. The frequencies are coded for both analog and MOTOTRBO operation.

Village at Leesburg FCC App

The Village at Leesburg, a mixed-use development, has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for a repeater on 462.0750.

Monday, August 29, 2011

Irene Monitoring

Here are some notable talkgroups monitored Saturday afternoon/evening:

Sunday, August 28, 2011

New Talkgroups Found on Charles, Prince William, and Stafford Systems

Hurricane Irene provided a chance to catch a bunch of new talkgroups on the various public safety trunked systems:
  • Talkgroup 18880 on the Charles County trunked system appears to be used by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration. "MVA" units were heard here, discussing the status of the Nice Bridge.
  • Talkgroup 48016 on the Prince William County trunked system was used for the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
  • Talkgroups 4611 and 4620 on the Stafford County trunked system are encrypted fire talkgroups, probably for Command staff. 4707 is for the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). 4726 appears to be Utilities/Water. Several other 47xx-series talkgroups were observed; some of these were encrypted.

Friday, August 26, 2011

Weekend Event

One event still scheduled to go on, despite the approach of Hurricane Irene:
  • Women of Faith is today and tomorrow at the Verizon Center. The organization holds a license for fifteen UHF simplex frequencies; expect these to be in use.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences FCC App

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, located in Bethesda, has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for a repeater on 152.3525.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Monday Properties (1000 Wilson Blvd.) FCC App

Monday Properties, which manages the office building at 1000 Wilson Blvd. (as well as several other buildings in Rosslyn), has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for a repeater on 464.2625.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Turnberry Tower FCC App

Turnberry Tower, a luxury condo in Rosslyn, has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for a repeater on 451.9250.

MOTOTRBO Capacity Plus System In Use for MLK Memorial Dedication Set-Up

The people setting up for this Sunday's Martin Luther King Memorial dedication are using a MOTOTRBO Capacity Plus system. The system appears to have only one frequency (461.7875).

Friday, August 19, 2011

Chevy Chase Pavilion Switching to MOTOTRBO?

The Chevy Chase Pavilion has an application pending before the FCC to modify its existing license. The emission code for MOTOTRBO is on the modification.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Weekend Event

  • The Nationals play Friday at 7:05, Saturday at 7:05, and Sunday at 1:35 at Nationals Park.

Sheraton National Using New Frequency

The Sheraton National Hotel in Arlington is using 463.9375 (MOTOTRBO), even though their application for this frequency has not been approved by the FCC.

Montgomery College Using MOTOTRBO on 464.7500?

Montgomery College (Takoma Park/Silver Spring campus) may be using MOTOTRBO on 464.7500. The college previously used this frequency in analog mode, with a tone of [ d047]. But that appears to be gone, and MOTOTRBO is now heard on this frequency. Even though this frequency is not coded for MOTOTRBO on the license, the other frequency on the license (461.9750) is coded for MOTOTRBO and has been confirmed using MOTOTRBO.

Pentagon City Finds

A couple of new Pentagon City frequencies:

464.0000 [ d612] Pentagon Center - Parking Attendants
463.8375 [173.8] Pentagon Center - Nordstrom Rack - Security (S)

Dulles-Area Finds

Here are some frequencies found in the Dulles/Chantilly/Herndon area:

460.7875 [ d132] Aeronautical Radio (IAD)
452.3500 [ d054] Booz Allen Hamilton (Herndon)
464.3000 [ d734] Dulles Discovery
154.5700 [ 67.0] Costco (Chantilly)
467.7500 [ d115] Target (Channel 1) (Chantilly)
467.7750 [ d072] Target (Channel 2) (Chantilly)
467.9250 [ d155] Target (Channel 3) (Chantilly)

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Montgomery County Agricultural Fair

A subscriber to Scan-DC reports that two talkgroups are in use for the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair, which runs through August 20. Police are using talkgroup 1744 (Special Events 1), and Fire is using talkgroup 1776 (Special Events 2) on the county trunked system.

Friday, August 12, 2011

Another Weekend Event

One other weekend event:
  • DC United plays Saturday night at 7:30 at RFK Stadium.

US Airways Licenses New Frequencies at DCA

US Airways recently licensed two MOTOTRBO repeaters (451.6000 and 452.3250) at Reagan National Airport. These frequencies may replace 461.1375 and 464.5500, which were never licensed.

Frontier Airlines Licenses Repeater at DCA

Frontier Airlines has recently licensed a repeater (464.9625) at Reagan National Airport. The airline had previously been licensed for ten simplex frequencies. This repeater has been confirmed active using a tone of 131.8.

United States Institute of Peace New Frequencies

The United States Institute of Peace, located at 2301 Constitution Ave. NW, licensed a repeater and four simplex frequencies in May.

463.9750R
456.4875S
456.5625S
456.6125S
456.7625S

Kaiser Capitol Hill Medical Center New Frequencies

The Kaiser Capitol Hill Medical Center, located at 700 2nd St. NE, licensed two MOTOTRBO frequencies (452.3375 and 462.1625) in March.

Providence Hospital Frequency Additions

Providence Hospital has a modification to their license pending before the FCC. The application calls for analog/MOTOTRBO repeaters on 462.0750, 462.3500, and 463.8625. Note that 462.0750 and 462.3500 have already been in use by Providence.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Weekend Event

Just one notable event this weekend:
  • The Redskins play a preseason game at FedEx Field on Friday at 7:30. Look for the usual FedEx Field frequencies to be active, as well as the FedEx Field talkgroups on the Prince George's County trunked system.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Catholic University Using Capacity Plus System?

As a follow-up to a previous post, I'm getting more confident that Catholic University is using 462.1000 and 463.5500 as a MOTOTRBO Capacity Plus system. The signal strengths of the two frequencies are the same, and also seem to be about equal to the signal strength of 464.5750, which Catholic is using as a conventional TRBO repeater. Also, 462.1000 and 463.5500 were both licensed recently, and the chances that two recently-licensed frequencies are for different systems seem nil. Finally, the Capacity Plus data burst is present on both of these frequencies, but at different times. (It will be on 462.1000 for a few minutes, then switch to 463.5500.) That seems to be a strong indication that the frequencies are part of the same system. I'm guessing that the Capacity Plus system is used for engineering/housekeeping. If my theory about Catholic using a TRBO conventional system and a TRBO Capacity Plus system is correct, it's interesting that the University didn't simply build a three-channel Capacity Plus system.

Additional Frequency for Marriott Inn & Conference Center, UMUC

The Marriott Inn & Conference Center, University of Maryland University College appears to be using an additional frequency (461.2250 [ d311]) in addition to the two (461.7500 [ d311], 464.2250 [ d311]) previously found. The Marriott is licensed for a total of four frequencies.

Sidwell Friends School Frequency Confirmed

Sidwell Friends School has been confirmed on 461.3875 [100.0]. The frequency is licensed as mobiles-only, but is used as a repeater. It sounded like security was using the frequency.

Fannie Mae LTR Passport System

Fannie Mae's multisite LTR Passport system has been confirmed in use at another site: 3900 Wisconsin Ave. in DC. This brings to four the number of confirmed sites. According to its licenses, Fannie Mae has another site in DC, and one in Urbana, Maryland.

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Legg Mason Tennis Classic Frequencies Found

Here's what I found at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic yesterday:

Tournament Radios:
464.5000 [ d346]
464.5500 [ d365] Tournament Staff (Channel 1)
464.6000 [ d331] Ball Kids
464.6500 [ d364] Audio in Stadium
464.7000 [ d311] Park Police/Security
464.7250 [ d423] "blower"; "rollers"
464.7500 [ d371] Media?
469.5000 [ d351] Suites?
469.5500 [ d306] Operations (Channel 2)
469.6000 [ d343] Scorekeeping
469.6500 [ d365]
469.7000 [ d315] "vouchers"
469.7250 [ d431] "took back to hotel"
469.7500 [ d411] Parking

Other frequencies:
166.8500 [127.3] Park Police (S)
461.0375 [ d125] Housekeeping/Trash (S)
461.4000 [ d125] "bar" (S)
461.5500 [ 88.5] CES Security (S)
464.2750 [ d445] Parking (S)
464.3250 [ d532] Design Cuisine (S)
464.5500 [123.0] TV? (S)
464.5750 [ d532] Design Cuisine (S)

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Friday, August 5, 2011

Weekend Events

Sporting events this weekend:
  • The Legg Mason Tennis Classic continues through Sunday at the Fitzgerald Tennis Center in Rock Creek Park.
  • The Redskins hold Fan Appreciation Day on Saturday at Redskins Park in Ashburn.
  • DC United plays Saturday at 7:30 at RFK Stadium.

SAIC - Vienna FCC App

SAIC has an application pending before the FCC for their Vienna office. The app calls for two MOTOTRBO simplex frequencies: 456.4125 and 457.0375.

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Tysons Corner Area Property Management

Two new frequencies active for buildings in the Tysons Corner area:

462.5000 [ d465] Greensboro Center (R)
452.4625 [ d351] Pinnacle Towers (R)

Tysons Corner Center - American Girl

Here are four frequencies found at the recently-opened American Girl store in Tysons Corner Center:

462.3375 [ d503]
462.4125 [ d423]
467.2125 [ d072]
467.4125 [ d251]

The store is actually licensed for ten frequencies.

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Weekend Events

Sporting events on this hot weekend:
  • The Legg Mason Tennis Classic begins tomorrow and continues through next Sunday. In the past, organizers have used rented UHF radios. Look for Park Police on 166.8500 [127.3] simplex.
  • Manchester United plays Barcelona on Saturday at 7 PM at FedEx Field. Look for most of FedEx Field's frequencies to be active, as well as the FedEx Field talkgroups on the Prince George's County trunked system.
  • The Nationals play Saturday at 7:05 and Sunday at 1:35 at Nationals Park.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Two Fountain Square (Reston) FCC App

Two Fountain Square, an office building located at 11921 Freedom Dr. in Reston, has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for a repeater on 464.7375. The frequency is coded for both analog and MOTOTRBO.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Sheraton National Hotel FCC App

The Sheraton National, a hotel in Arlington, has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for a a MOTOTRBO repeater and five MOTOTRBO simplex frequencies.

463.9375R
461.6375S
462.3250S
463.4125S
464.8625S
464.9750S

The hotel is licensed for several VHF frequencies, but these have never been noted in use.

Woodner Apartments FCC App

The Woodner Apartments, located at 3636 16th St. NW, has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for a repeater on 152.3600.

Mitre FCC App

Mitre, a company located in McLean, has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for a MOTOTRBO repeater on 464.8750. This replaces 464.8750 [ d723], and was heard on the air on Monday.

Monday, July 25, 2011

EDACS Narrow System Near Reston?

While at Reston Town Center this evening, I monitored what I believe is an EDACS Narrow control channel on 452.6125. I could not find any plausible licenses for this in Virginia or Maryland.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

AquaPalooza

There was a musical event called AquaPalooza yesterday in the Dumfries area. Here are three talkgroups from the Prince William trunked system that I believe were active for this event:

16432 PWPD Special Events 1
32240 PWFD 5H
32272 PWFD 5I

Reenactment of the Battle of First Manassas/Bull Run

The second staging of the reenactment of the Battle of First Manassas/Bull Run is Sunday morning. Here are talkgroups from the Prince William trunked system found from Saturday's reenactment:

16464 PWPD Special Events 2 (traffic control)
16496 PWPD Special Events 3 (inside)
32304 PWFD 5J (first aid/medical)
32336 PWFD 5K (first aid/medical)
48048 Coordinating/shifting medic units
48080 First Aid/Medical (patched to PWFD 5J)
48112 First Aid/Medical
48208 "Manassas FE" (checking on number of patients at various locations)
48304 Logistics
48560 Loudoun/Stafford units marking up (sometimes patched to 48048)

Friday, July 22, 2011

Weekend Event

This weekend, the focus will be on the Civil War reenactment events around Manassas. Expect the Manassas/Manassas Park and Prince William trunked systems to be busy. Manassas National Battlefield Park uses a digital repeater on 172.7250 [NAC 47C]. Look for organizers to probably use rented UHF business band radios. Parking for some of the events will be at Jiffy Lube Live, which uses these frequencies:

151.6550 [ d071] Jiffy Lube Live - General Operations (R)
151.7150 [ 67.0] Jiffy Lube Live - Security (Channel 2)
151.7450 [ 67.0] Jiffy Lube Live - First Aid
151.7750 [ 67.0] Jiffy Lube Live - Production?
154.5150 [ 67.0] Jiffy Lube Live - Parking
154.5400 [ 67.0] Jiffy Lube Live - Technical?

Jiffy Lube Live is licensed for one additional frequency, 157.6800 (although this may be the repeater input to 151.6550).

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Palantir Technologies FCC License

Palantir Technologies, a software manufacturer in McLean, was recently licensed for a MOTOTRBO repeater on 462.0375.

International Relief & Development FCC License

International Relief & Development, a non-profit located in Rosslyn, was recently licensed for a MOTOTRBO repeater on 152.3675.

Monumental Concrete FCC License

Monumental Concrete, a concrete delivery company in Arlington, was recently licensed for a MOTOTRBO repeater on 463.3375.

Friday, July 15, 2011

Rosslyn Update

I did some monitoring in Rosslyn on Thursday, and picked up a few unidentified frequencies.
  • 451.8625 [ d165] "card reading" (R)
  • 461.1125 [ d523] "walk down to statue"; "scaffolding"
  • 463.5125 [ d754] "hotel lobby"
  • 464.9875 [ d654] "trash"; "west" (R) (also monitored in Pentagon City)

MOTOTRBO Capacity Plus Systems in DC Area

There are a few MOTOTRBO Capacity Plus systems coming online in the DC area. One is on 461.5500. The signal is medium-strength from Rosslyn, but seems stronger farther south, like in the Landmark area of Alexandria. 462.1000 is probably part of a different system, as its signal is stronger in Rosslyn. 463.5500 is also strong in Rosslyn; it may be part of the same system as 462.1000. These latter two frequencies were recently licensed to Catholic University (but as analog channels). But that didn't stop Catholic from using 464.5750 as a MOTOTRBO conventional channel, so maybe these two are for Catholic as well.

Rappahannock Regional Jail Using MOTOTRBO Capacity Plus

The Rappahannock Regional Jail, located in Stafford County, is now using a MOTOTRBO Capacity Plus system. This is a single site trunked system. Previously, they were using their MOTOTRBO channels in conventional mode. The system has at least three frequencies: 453.8125, 453.9000, and 460.3875.

New Encrypted Talkgroup on DC Trunked System

24640 was noted yesterday as a new encrypted talkgroup on the DC trunked system.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Suburban Hospital Adds Frequency, Switches to MOTOTRBO?

Suburban Hospital has recently modified their license. They've added a MOTOTRBO frequency (463.5375), and also changed the emission designator for 464.7750 to MOTOTRBO. (Security has been monitored previously on 464.7750 [ d065].)

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Brookfield Properties Frequency Confirmed

Brookfield Properties is confirmed using 464.5875 [127.3] (R) for their building at 701 S. 12th St. in Pentagon City.

Marriott Wardman Park Using MOTOTRBO

Marriott Wardman Park security has switched from analog on 464.5750 [ d565] to MOTOTRBO on 452.3500.

Catholic University Police Switch to MOTOTRBO

Catholic University Police have switched from analog on 464.5750 [100.0] to MOTOTRBO (same frequency).

Washington Kastles/World Team Tennis Frequencies Found

The Washington Kastles are playing tennis at their "stadium" on the Southwest Waterfront this month. Organizers are using 469.5500 [ d712] and CSC Event Staff is using 461.5125 [ d152] (S).

Renaissance Arlington Capital View Frequencies Found

The Renaissance Arlington Capital View, a new hotel in Crystal City, is using 452.0500 [ d263] (R) and 452.3875 [ d466] (R).

Saturday, July 9, 2011

July 4 Frequencies/Talkgroups Found

Here's what I found during a day of monitoring on July 4:

162.2500 [173.8] Capitol Police (Ch. 4)
166.7250 [127.3] Park Police - Special Events (Ch. 1)
169.7750 [NAC 4C5] Park Service - George Washington Parkway
170.5125 [NAC 4C5] Park Service
172.4750 [NAC 4C5] Park Service - National Mall & Memorial Parks
173.5250 [167.9] Capitol Police - Specialized Teams
409.0000 [NAC 293] Disaster Medical Assistance Team (encrypted/unencrypted)
452.3125 [ d365] Personnel coordinating concert at Capitol?
452.3875 [ d073] Personnel coordinating concert at Capitol?
453.4750 [146.2] Red Cross - DC (R)
464.7500 [146.2] Red Cross - Arlington (R)

DC Trunked System talkgroups:
1952 DCFD NCR units
2080 DCFD Inspectors
2160 DCFD 0B12 Patch 1
2176 DCFD 0B13 Patch 2
2192 DCFD 0B14 Stage B "transport group"
2640 DCFD Fireboat
16656 MPD Special Operations Division 1 Events
18288 MPD Special Operations Division 3 Ops
20800 MPD Harbor Patrol
33584 Department of Health Tac (Strike Teams)
33872 Emergency Management Agency Tac 1
34448 Department of Health
37488 Unified Communications Center 4
59216 Analog (patched to talkgroup 33872)
59968 MA2 (patched to 159.1500 [NAC 653] and Arlington talkgroup 26)

Arlington Trunked System talkgroups:
14 ACPD 1N Emergency Response Unit 1
36 ACFD 1J Command 2
37 ACFD 1K Incident 3
39 ACFD 1M Command 3
135 Coordination 1
136 Coordination 2
137 Coordination 3
138 Coordination 4

STARS talkgroup:
104 VSP Fairfax 3

Metro Trunked System talkgroups:
50032 MTPD Tac 1
50096 MTPD Tac 3
50160 MTPD Tac 5
50256 MTPD Tac 8

Pentagon Trunked System talkgroups:
310 Ft. Myer MP Alternate?
315 Ft. McNair MP Alternate
2160 Guardian units

Friday, July 8, 2011

More Bolling AFB Talkgroups Found

While monitoring on Monday, a couple more Bolling AFB talkgroups were found on the base trunked system. 10301 was used for security, and 10307 was some kind of security alternate channel.

Weekend Events

A quiet weekend:
  • The Smithsonian Folklife Festival continues through Monday on the National Mall.
  • The Kalachakra for World Peace continues through Saturday, July 16 at the Verizon Center.
  • The Nationals play Friday at 7:05, Saturday at 7:05, and Sunday at 1:35 at Nationals Park.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Southwest Waterfront Marine Frequencies

I spent some time at the Southwest Waterfront on Monday, and monitored several marine frequencies in use for various boats/ships:

156.0500 [ CSQ] Spirit of Washington
156.1500 [ CSQ] Spirit of Mount Vernon
156.6250 [ CSQ] American River Taxi?
157.1250 [ CSQ] Odyssey?

The Odyssey is licensed for three UHF simplex frequencies, but nothing was heard on them. The Spirit of Mount Vernon has been monitored on 154.5700 [ 77.0] when it was docked in Alexandria. The Spirit of Washington/Spirit of Mount Vernon may also use 154.4900 (unknown tone).

Metro Trunked System Update

A couple of updates to talkgroups on the Metro trunked system:
  • 50160 was in use on July 4, and is Metro Transit Police Tac 5.
  • 50992 appears to be Metro Headquarters security.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

National Independence Day Parade

Organizers of the National Independence Day Parade were using 464.2750 [ d445] (S).

DC MOTOTRBO Update

On Monday, MOTOTRBO transmissions were monitored in downtown DC on 464.8750 and 452.3500. I'm unable to find a MOTOTRBO license for 464.8750. 452.3500 is probably the Marriott Wardman Park (see this license).

National FreedomFest Frequencies Found

I found two frequencies in use for the National FreedomFest, which took place on Sunday and Monday:

461.5125 [ d152] CSC Event Staff (S)
464.5000 [ d132] Organizers (S)

Smithsonian Folklife Festival

The Folklife Festival is using the DC Area Fed SMR this year. This is an LTR Passport system that cannot be tracked with current scanners. In recent years, the Folklife Festival has used rented UHF radios.

Arena Stage

Arena Stage has been confirmed on 464.4375 [ d032] (S). This frequency is also used as a repeater by the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City and by the Marvin Center at George Washington University.

Arlington County EM Talkgroup

On Monday, Arlington County was using talkgroup 117 (Emergency Management 1) to deal with downed trees from the recent storm.

Friday, July 1, 2011

Weekend Events

A slew of events for the July 4 weekend:
  • The Nationals play Friday at 7:05, Saturday at 3:35 (with second game to follow), Sunday at 1:35, and Monday at 1:05 at Nationals Park.
  • The Folklife Festival runs all weekend. See previous post for information.
  • DC United plays Saturday at 7:00 at RFK Stadium.
  • The National FreedomFest, a musical event, is Sunday and Monday at The Yards Park (near Nationals Park).
  • On Monday, there are numerous events in DC, including the National Independence Day Parade on Constitution Avenue, A Capitol Fourth concert on the West Lawn of the Capitol, and the fireworks. The usual MPD/DCFD special events talkgroups will see heavy use. Also monitor Park Police and Capitol Police. Finally, many Arlington County talkgroups have been busy in recent years.

Smithsonian Folklife Festival

The annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival began yesterday, continues through July 4, and then returns from July 7-11. In recent years, organizers have used a variety of UHF frequencies. They will most likely use frequencies in the 461-470 and 451-453 MHz range again this year. There is also a possibility they may use MOTOTRBO, as TRBO radios were seen one year (but they were using analog frequencies). Look for Park Police on 166.7250/166.8500.

Presidential Building FCC App

The Presidential Building, an office building located at 1111 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for MOTOTRBO simplex on 461.5125 and 464.3125.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Weekend Events

A weekend of festivals:
  • The Caribbean Carnival and parade are tomorrow along Georgia Ave. The parade begins at 11 AM, and the festival continues until 8 PM. Look for the usual MPD 3/SOD and DCFD Special Events talkgroups to be active. Department of Health and Emergency Management talkgroups have also seen use for this festival.
  • The National Barbecue Battle is Saturday from 11 AM to 9 PM and Sunday from 11 AM to 7:30 PM. It takes place on Pennsylvania Ave. between 9th and 14th Sts. Check MPD 3/SOD, DCFD Special Events, and Department of Health talkgroups. Organizers have used rented UHF radios in the past.
  • DC United plays at 6PM Saturday at RFK Stadium.

Monday, June 20, 2011

New Talkgroup on Montgomery Trunked System

While monitoring the Montgomery County trunked system on Saturday, I found a new talkgroup. 18064 only had a brief transmission, but the person talking did mention a "kids area."

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Another U.S. Open Update

I spent several hours monitoring the U.S. Open on Saturday. Frequencies and talkgroups have been updated. See the Special Events section of the Montgomery County page.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Major U.S. Open Update

Thanks to a source on the scene at Congressional, I've updated the Montgomery County page with numerous frequencies in use at the U.S. Open. Scroll down to the Special Events section, and then look for "U.S. Open (2011)."

Weekend Events

It's a very busy sports weekend:
  • The U.S. Open continues at Congressional Country Club through Sunday. See previous posts for information on frequencies and talkgroups. I'll update this blog and my website throughout the weekend with more information.
  • The Nationals play the Orioles at Nationals Park on Friday at 7:05, Saturday at 1:05, and Sunday at 1:35.
  • The D.C. Triathlon is Sunday morning.
  • The CONCACAF Gold Cup Soccer Quarterfinal is Sunday at 3:00 at RFK Stadium.

U.S. Open Update

Thanks to posts in the Maryland forum of RadioReference and on Scan-DC, I've been able to compile a list of talkgroups in use on the Montgomery County trunked system. Here is a list of what has been active yesterday and today:

1744 Special Events 1
1808 Special Events 3
7056 Traffic Management Center 1
15696 Special Events 5
17200 Special Events 6
32336 Regional Police Interoperability

Also, it's been confirmed that some of the tournament organizers are using MOTOTRBO on at least a couple of frequencies (452.3375 and 452.4125).

I'll continue to update this blog as well as my Montgomery County page throughout the weekend.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

CapitalSource Finance FCC App

CapitalSource Finance, a financial company located at 5404 Wisconsin Ave. in Chevy Chase, has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for a repeater on 461.8625.

Prince William County Juvenile Detention Center FCC App

The Prince William County Juvenile Detention Center in Manassas has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for four simplex frequencies: 159.5475, 159.6000, 160.2075, and 173.2750.

National Conference Center FCC App

The National Conference Center in Lansdowne, VA has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for a repeater on 461.2750 and simplex on 463.2500 and 463.2750. The Center was previously licensed under Aramark Corporation for the same frequencies.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Stafford Sheriff Unencrypted Talkgroup

Yesterday I monitored talkgroup 4533 in the clear on the Stafford County trunked system. This talkgroup falls in the range of the Sheriff talkgroups, of which the vast majority are encrypted. The transmission on the talkgroup was brief, and I was unable to identify a specific user.

U.S. Open Golf Tournament

The U.S. Open Golf Tournament begins tomorrow at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda. This is a major sporting event in the DC area, and should provide some excellent monitoring. Most of the radio traffic will likely fall into three areas: Congressional itself, tournament organizers, and the Montgomery County trunked system.

Congressional uses several VHF repeaters and simplex frequencies. Here is a channel line-up:

152.4050 [ d115] Security
151.8650 [ d115] Grounds (R)
151.5200 [ d115] Clubhouse/Food & Beverage
151.5200 [ d311] Golf
154.5150 [ d115] Athletics
151.9550 [ d311] Spare 1
151.7750 [ d311] Spare 2
152.4050 [ d311] Management

Tournament organizers will probably use numerous UHF repeaters and simplex frequencies, particularly in the 451-453 MHz band. Thanks to someone already at Congressional, they've been confirmed using 451.2125 [ d664] and 451.2875 [ d526]. MOTOTRBO radios have been observed, but it's unknown whether they are being used in that mode, or simply used for analog transmissions.

Look for the Special Events talkgroups to be active on the County trunked system with police and first aid/medical traffic. (Montgomery recently added three more Special Events talkgroups.) There are also four Coordination talkgroups on the system, but these are reportedly encrypted (and may not see use anyway).

Georgetown Day School FCC App

Georgetown Day School, located in Northwest Washington, has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for five simplex frequencies. These frequencies may be used at both the high school and the lower/middle school.

461.5000
461.7000
463.8875
468.8875
469.5875

Westlake High School (Charles County) FCC App

Westlake High School in Waldorf (Charles County) has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for a repeater on 152.4350.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Montgomery County Schools New License

Montgomery County Public Schools was recently issued a license for the Shady Grove Bus Depot. The license is for a MOTOTRBO repeater on 151.9100.

Celebrate Fairfax Talkgroups Found

Thanks to excellent tropospheric ducting last night, I was able to monitor both the Fairfax County Public Safety and Public Services trunked systems from Fredericksburg. Here are talkgroups that were in use for Celebrate Fairfax, which continues until 7 PM tonight:

Fairfax Public Safety Trunked System talkgroups:
16032 FCPD Motors
21200 Parking/Traffic
21232 Inside Security/Patrol
21264 Medical/First Aid
21328 Fireworks Safety

Fairfax Public Services Trunked System talkgroups:
24272 Organizers (Channel 1)
24304 Organizers (Channel 2)
36592 Fairfax Connector Shuttles (also may have used 36560)

Friday, June 10, 2011

Weekend Events

Relatively quiet for a summer weekend:
  • Celebrate Fairfax begins Friday night and runs through Sunday at the Fairfax County Government Center. Look for some of the Coordination talkgroups on both the Public Safety and Services trunked systems to be active. Also check 159.1050, which may be used by the Government Center.
  • DC United plays Saturday night at 7:30 at RFK Stadium.

Loudoun County Sanitation Authority

The Loudoun County Sanitation Authority was recently found on 452.1250 [151.4].

Thursday, June 9, 2011

425 I Street FCC App

The Paramount Group, owner of 425 I St. NW, has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for a MOTOTRBO repeater on 452.3625.

Monday, June 6, 2011

Race for the Cure Frequencies Found

Here's what I found at Saturday's Race for the Cure:

461.1125 [ 71.9] Materials/Logistics
461.2375 [ 67.0] Command
461.3625 [ 85.4]
461.4875 [ ] (probably uses [ 79.7])
462.1125 [ 94.8]
462.2375 [ 88.5]
462.3375 [ 97.4] Medical
462.3625 [110.9] Finish Line?
462.5625 [100.0]

166.7250 [127.3] Park Police (Channel 1)
464.8125 [ d023] Audio/Visual

DC Trunked System Talkgroups:
2096 DCFD Special Events 1
16656 MPD Special Operations Division

Note that the frequencies used by the organizers appear to be the same ones as those used at the 2009 race.

Union Station Railroad Frequencies Update

Spent some time at Union Station on Saturday, and was able to update the rail frequencies in use. Here's the latest list:

160.2900 [114.8] Yardmaster (input 161.3700)
160.3500 [114.8] Train Maintenance (input 161.1450)
160.4400 [114.8] Station Services (input 161.4450)
160.9200 [ CSQ] Amtrak - Northeast Corridor Road (also uses [146.2])
160.9950 [ d023] Amtrak - Engineering (R)
161.2050 [146.2] Amtrak Police - Car-to-Car
161.2950 [192.8] Amtrak Police - Dispatch (input 160.6650)

The four input frequencies were previously unknown. CSQ seems to be used more on 160.9200 than the listed tone. I was unable to find an input for 160.9950.

Kenny Chesney Concert Frequencies/Talkgroups Found

Here's what I found at Saturday's Kenny Chesney concert at FedEx Field:

Prince George's Trunked System Talkgroups:
2001 PGPD Parking/Traffic
2003 PGPD Inside Security
2005 PGFD Medical/First Aid

461.1375 [ d152] CSC Event Staff
461.3875 [ d152] CSC Event Staff
461.5125 [ d152] CSC Event Staff

In addition, most of the FedEx Field UHF repeater frequencies were active.

The PSR-800 scanner, which was necessary to monitor the Prince George's TDMA talkgroups, had problems with simulcast digital distortion in the area of the stadium. Many of the transmissions were difficult to understand.

Herndon Festival Talkgroups Found

The Herndon Festival, which was this past weekend, was using two of the analog "Coordination" talkgroups on the Fairfax County Services trunked system. 24464 was used for organizers, and 24496 was used for stage managers.

Catholic University FCC App

Catholic University has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for two new repeaters (462.1000 and 463.5500) to be added to the license for the current repeater on 464.5750.

New MOTOTRBO in DC

While in downtown DC on Saturday, I heard MOTOTRBO transmissions on two new frequencies: 463.7250 and 464.5750. A check of the FCC database for the former did not turn up any TRBO licenses. The latter may be the Marriott Wardman Park, which has had the frequency licensed for TRBO for some time, but has continued to operate in analog mode.

Friday, June 3, 2011

Other Weekend Events

In addition to the two events on Saturday already mentioned, there are three other notable events this weekend:
  • The Capital Jazz Fest is Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD.
  • Vintage Virginia is Saturday and Sunday at the Bull Run Park Special Events Center in Centreville, VA.
  • The Washington Folk Festival is Saturday and Sunday at Glen Echo Park in Glen Echo, MD.

Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel FCC App

The Renaissance Arlington Capital View, a recently-opened hotel in Crystal City, has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for two repeaters and ten simplex frequencies.

Weekend Events

A couple of major events:
  • The National Race for the Cure is Saturday at 8:00 AM. Events are centered on the National Mall between 3rd and 7th Sts. In 2009 (last year I attended), organizers used 16-channel UHF radios. Most of the frequencies were in the 461 and 462 MHz range. Also look for Park Police on 166.7250 [127.3], DCFD on one or more of their Special Events talkgroups, and MPD on talkgroup 16656 or 21232.
  • Kenny Chesney performs at FedEx Field on Saturday beginning at 4:30. The Prince George's Project 25 TDMA system should see heavy use, particularly the FedEx Field and Special Events talkgroups. Also look for FedEx Field's UHF repeater frequencies to be busy; see my Prince George's page for these.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Major Update - Montgomery County Fire/Rescue

I've been working a major update to the Montgomery County Fire/Rescue talkgroups on RadioReference. Many of the county's shared talkgroups have been updated as well. These changes won't be implemented until June 5. Note that the encryption status of some of the talkgroups has changed.

Expect to see many of these (particularly the Special Events talkgroups) in use for the upcoming U.S. Open Golf Tournament at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda from June 13-19.

Weekend Events

Lots of events this Memorial Day weekend:
  • The Nationals play Saturday at 1:05, Sunday at 1:35, and Monday at 1:05 at Nationals Park.
  • Stars & Stripes & Spokes runs through Monday at RFK Stadium.
  • Rolling Thunder is Sunday at noon. The event runs from the Pentagon to the District.
  • The National Memorial Day Parade is Monday at 2:00 on Constitution Ave. from 7th to 17th Sts.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Hertz (Dulles Airport) FCC App

Hertz, a rental car company at Dulles Airport, has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for a MOTOTRBO repeater on 462.4500.

Alexandria Union Taxicab Cooperative FCC App

Alexandria Union Taxicab Cooperative has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for a base-mobile configuration on 451.8500.

PSR-800 Update Available

The PSR-800 firmware and PC application have been updated.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Potomac Yard Update

I spent a little time at Potomac Yard in Alexandria yesterday. Here's an updated list of frequencies:

467.9000 [ d743] Best Buy
467.9000 [ d731] New York & Company
467.8500 [ d047] Old Navy
464.8250 [100.0] Regal Potomac Yard 16 Theater
464.8750 [ ] Regal Potomac Yard 16 Theater (probably uses [100.0])
466.1875 [131.8] T.J. Maxx
467.7500 [ d115] Target (Channel 1)

I also heard what sounded like a hotel on 464.5000 [ d174], but since there are no hotels in the immediate area, it may have been an apartment.

Chili Cook-Off Finds

Here's what I monitored yesterday during the DC101 Chili Cook-Off:

DC Trunked System Talkgroups:
2112 DCFD Special Event 2
2128 DCFD Special Event 3
21232 MPD 3
MPD may also have used 21136 (MPD 1).

JSOH Findings

Here's what I monitored at the JSOH today. The show concludes tomorrow.

Joint Base Andrews Trunked System Talkgroups:
157 Security
259 "utilities"; "electrical"; "toilets"
261 EOC
501 Show Control
503 "Director"; "Chairman"
509 Joint Information Bureau (Media/Public Affairs)
513 Airboss
529 Audio/Visual, Comms
531 Medical
703 "bus"; "hanger 9"
705 Golf Carts/Deliveries

Prince George's County Trunked System Talkgroups:
1055 PGFD First Aid/Medical
2001 PGPD Parking/Traffic at FedEx Field
2005 "respond to command post" (brief use)
2015 PGPD Traffic Control around Andrews

464.5500 [ d023] Shuttle Bus Coordination at Andrews (S)

Friday, May 20, 2011

Weekend Events

It's going to be one of the busiest weekends of the year:
  • The Joint Services Open House is Saturday and Sunday at Joint Base Andrews. See the previous post for monitoring suggestions.
  • The Chili Cook-Off is Saturday at RFK Stadium. Look for the DCFD Special Events talkgroups to be active, as well as MPD 3 and/or SOD. Organizers will probably use rented UHF business radios.
  • The Preakness is Saturday at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. Look for the new Baltimore Project 25 system to be very active.
  • DC United plays Sunday at 5 PM at RFK.

Joint Services Open House

The Joint Services Open House at Joint Base Andrews is this weekend. Here are some monitoring suggestions:
  • Joint Base Andrews trunked system. As in previous years, this system will handle security, medical/first aid, and show organizers.
  • Prince George's trunked system. PGPD coordinate traffic around the base and at FedEx Field. PGFD provides first aid services at the show. Note that most of the traffic on this system is TDMA, which means the only scanner that will work is the PSR-800.
  • For frequencies for the aerial performers, see the Monitoring Times Air Show Guide (PDF).
  • A post on the Scan-DC mailing list provides some frequencies that were in use earlier today, and should be active on Saturday and Sunday. The air boss is using 125.3500, the Thunderbirds are using 141.0750 (AM) and 235.2500, and the Golden Knights are using 123.1500.
For frequencies and talkgroups in use for the 2008-2010 shows, see my Prince George's County page. Scroll down to the "Special Events" section.

See the RadioReference Wiki for (mostly air) frequencies for the 2006-2011 shows.

Scanners at JSOH

This weekend is the Joint Services Open House (JSOH) at Joint Base Andrews. Here's an update on the permissibility of scanners at the show. I just sent this to the Scan-DC mailing list:

For the past couple of years, I've been in e-mail contact with Capt. Anna Carpenter in Public Affairs at Andrews. She has said both years that scanners were permissible at the Open House. This year, when trying to e-mail her, I got an automated reply that her tour was over or something to that effect. So, I tried to e-mail the Public Affairs Office at Andrews. No response. Today I called Public Affairs. Couldn't get anybody on the phone, so asked the base operator to transfer me to the Visitor Center number. The woman there said scanners are not allowed at the show. I told her about Capt. Carpenter's e-mails, and she decided to transfer me to security/law enforcement. Spoke to a gentleman there, and he said they weren't allowed at first either. I told him about Capt. Carpenter's e-mails and how they were not on the prohibited items list, and he said if I wanted to bring them and possibly be hassled, then fine. Or I could
not bring them.

So that's the story for this year - I don't really have a definitive answer. I have had good success in previous years getting through security at the Branch Avenue Metro, so I think I'll probably give it a go again. If anyone wants a copy of the e-mails from previous years, I'd be happy to send them.

Dave

Thursday, May 19, 2011

PSR-800

I've recently acquired the PSR-800 scanner, and after using it for a few hours, am generally pleased with it. The scanner seems to handle simulcast digital trunked systems slightly better than the BCD396XT. Stafford County's new 700 MHz trunked system in particular sounds better most of the time. On some analog frequencies, the 800 seems to have more background noise than the 396XT, but it's not too dramatic. The 800 has the capability to track the new Project 25 Motorola X2-TDMA systems in use in Prince George's and Loudoun. This feature is not found on any other scanner on the market today. And it has the discriminator audio output through the headphone jack, and the ability to record audio on the included SD card.

As for limitations, two obvious ones: the inability to directly enter a frequency and the inability to do any custom programming without the included PC software.