Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Aeronautical Radio (IAD) Capacity Plus

Aeronautical Radio has a MOTOTRBO Capacity Plus system running at Dulles Airport. I mapped out the system today, but it appears all the groups are using Privacy. That's unfortunate, as there are probably several airlines using the system.

STARS Dumfries Active

The STARS Dumfries site has been active with talkgroups for at least a couple of weeks. The most common talkgroups seen are the VSP Fairfax channels, but I've also seen a VSP Culpeper talkgroup and a Corrections talkgroup. Since this is a "filler" site, the range is limited, but it's certainly welcome for those in the immediate area.

Montgomery County Finds

Here are some recent Montgomery County finds:

463.5875 [         ] Norwood School (MOTOTRBO - Color Code 3, Slot 1, Group 1) (R)
463.5375 [         ] Suburban Hospital - Security (MOTOTRBO - Color Code 5, Slot 1, Group 201)
463.5375 [         ] Suburban Hospital - Shuttle (MOTOTRBO - Color Code 5, Slot 2, Group 202)
463.2125 [         ] Jewish Federation of Greater Washington - Security (MOTOTRBO - Color Code 12, Slot 1, Group 1000) (R)
453.0125 [203.5] Westfield Montgomery Mall - Security (R)

Fairfax County Finds

Here are some notable recent finds for Fairfax County:

463.3250 [ d351] Madeira School (R)
464.7375 [         ] Reston Town Center - Security (MOTOTRBO - Color Code 1, Slot 1, Group 1) (R)
464.7375 [         ] Reston Town Center - Engineering (MOTOTRBO - Color Code 1, Slot 2, Group 3) (R)
464.7375 [         ] Reston Town Center - Housekeeping (MOTOTRBO - Color Code 1, Slot 2, Group 4) (R)

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Citi Open Tennis Tournament

The Citi Open Tennis Tournament begins today (qualifying rounds) and continues through next Sunday at the Fitzgerald Tennis Center at 16th and Kennedy Sts. NW in DC. Here's what I found in 2011, the last year I monitored:

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)

Friday, July 26, 2013

Redskins Training Camp

Redskins Training Camp is in Richmond this year, but they are using many of the same frequencies that they used last year in Ashburn. Here's what I found today:

451.4125 [         ] Coach-to-quarterback (MOTOTRBO) (S)
451.8000 [ d031] General Operations
452.4500 [ d664] Media Relations
456.8000 [ d031] Video
461.0375 [  67.0] On-field assistants (water, towels, etc.)
461.2625 [ d023] Parking (off-site?)

Weekend Events

  • The Nationals play Saturday at 3:05 and Sunday at 1:35 at Nationals Park.
  • DC United plays Saturday at 7:00 at RFK Stadium.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

American University MOTOTRBO Capacity Plus System

American University's MOTOTRBO Capacity Plus system is active. At least two sites are on the air. I didn't do much monitoring of the groups in the system, but I noticed one (203) was using Privacy. It's unknown if the whole system is using Privacy, or if only select groups are.

The University has an application to its license to add another two-frequency site. There is also another license.

FleetTalk MOTOTRBO Connect Plus System

FleetTalk has moved to replace their LTR/PassPort systems with a MOTOTRBO Connect Plus system in the Washington area. From Tysons Corner, I was able to monitor three of the sites (Upper Marlboro, Silver Spring, and Falls Church). The users appear to be many of the same ones who previously used the LTR/PassPort systems, as well as users who needed a radio solution after the shutdown of the Nextel network. ID 30007 is a traffic reporting service, and some of its mobile units were commenting on the quality of the system as they drove around downtown DC yesterday. This ID may be Traffic.com, as they were a user on the Silver Spring LTR site.

Fairfax Schools Switch to MOTOTRBO

Many Fairfax County Schools have switched to MOTOTRBO on their internal VHF frequencies. These are the frequencies that are used for personnel inside the schools, not for schools buses and maintenance personnel.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Crowne Plaza Old Town Alexandria Using MOTOTRBO

The Crowne Plaza Old Town Alexandria Hotel is using MOTOTRBO on 463.9500 (Color Code 7, Slot 2, Group 1). The hotel still has an application for the frequency pending before the FCC.

DC Miscellaneous Finds

Here are some miscellaneous frequencies found in DC yesterday:

461.2750 [ d411] Brookings Institution (S)
469.3750 [ d624] Techworld - Engineering?
468.2625 [ d343] Nike (Georgetown)
467.9250 [218.1] Urban Outfitters (Georgetown)

DC Hotels Update

Spent the day in Washington yesterday, and was able to update the listings for many hotels. Here are/new updated frequencies:

464.5000 [ d125] Dupont Circle - Housekeeping (S)
467.7625 [  74.4] Embassy Row
451.5875 [ d073] Four Seasons - Bellmen (S)
463.6125 [ d073] Four Seasons - Security (R)
452.0875 [ d023] One Washington Circle - Bellmen (S)
467.3000 [151.4] Park Hyatt
463.3250 [         ] Renaissance Washington - Engineering? (MOTOTRBO - Color Code 1, Slot 2, Group 3) (R)
464.5250 [ d047] Renaissance Washington - Banquets (R)
467.7625 [162.2] St. Regis
451.2125 [  94.8] Westin Georgetown - Housekeeping (S)
464.5500 [  94.8] Westin Georgetown
467.8125 [  94.8] Westin Georgetown - Bellmen

Saturday, July 20, 2013

NOVEC FCC App

NOVEC, an electric cooperative located in Manassas, has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for a base/mobile configuration on 464.6375.

Alexandria Hospital FCC App

Alexandria Hospital has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for a repeater on 463.6250, and simplex on 451.6375, 451.7375, 452.0375, 452.3125, and 452.7875. The frequencies are coded for analog and MOTOTRBO.

The hospital recently renewed its license for 463.7500, so this frequency will probably continue to be used in addition to the frequencies requested in the application.

Friday, July 19, 2013

Weekend Event

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

Thursday, July 18, 2013

U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship

Here's what I found at the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship, which runs through Saturday at Laurel Hill Golf Club in Lorton:

451.5125 [         ] Primary (MOTOTRBO - Color Code 1, Slot 1, Group 1) (R)
452.7125 [         ] "Private" (MOTOTRBO - Color Code 1, Slot 1, Group 3) (R)
469.9250 [ d743] Unknown if for tournament or club

Interestingly, the license for the two MOTOTRBO channels does not indicate that they are digital, nor does it indicate that they are repeaters.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

United Food & Commercial Workers International Union FCC License

The United Food & Commercial Workers International Union, located at 1775 K St. NW in DC, was recently licensed for simplex on 451.5125, 452.8375, 456.5125, and 457.8375.

Friday, July 12, 2013

750 17th Street FCC App

750 17th Street NW, an office building in DC, has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for a MOTOTRBO repeater on 451.7875, and MOTOTRBO simplex on 452.1625, 452.6625, and 457.1625.

Weekend Events

  • Paul McCartney performs Friday at 8 PM at Nationals Park. At McCartney's August 1, 2009 concert at FedEx Field, several simplex frequencies were in use: 461.0375 [ d734], 461.0625 [ d703], 464.8875 [ d754], and 466.0375 [ d732].
  • DC United plays Friday at 8 PM at RFK Stadium.

Monday, July 8, 2013

Pentagon City/Crystal City Hotels

A few new frequencies for hotels in Pentagon City and Crystal City:

456.7125 [ d506] Crystal Gateway Marriott
151.8650 [107.2] Doubletree Crystal City - Security (S)
465.3125 [241.8] Sheraton Crystal City

Arlington Talkgroup 76

Last week, talkgroup 76 on the Arlington Country trunked system was monitored. References were made to "RM1" and a "fire marshal." It sounded like the people talking were coordinating response to a fire alarm.

This talkgroup hasn't been seen before, and falls slightly before the local government talkgroups.

452.1125 [ d131]

452.1125 [ d131] (R) was noted in use several times last week. It appeared to be a temporary frequency for coordinating transportation/shuttles for an event. The people using it made reference to a "production trailer," "talent," and "Mandarin Oriental." I thought it may have been used for the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, but I monitored communications on Tuesday of last week, a day the festival was closed.

This frequency/tone was in use at this year's Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, and at the Convention Center during the Inaugural Balls, so it seems likely that it's a repeater set up by a radio rental company.

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Independence Day Finds

Here's what I monitored on July 4:

159.1500 [ $653] DC Interop 1
162.2500 [173.8] Capitol Police (Ch. 4)
166.7250 [127.3] Park Police (Ch. 1)
169.2250 [110.9] Capitol Police (Ch. 1)
169.7750 [ $4C5] Park Service - George Washington Parkway
172.4750 [ $4C5] Park Service - Mall
409.0000 [ $447] Disaster Medical Assistance Team (encrypted)
409.0500 [ $447] Disaster Medical Assistance Team (encrypted)
410.8000 [ $201] Federal Protective Service (Ch. 2)
462.4000 [ d226] Red Cross (R)
462.7000 [  97.4] Medical Aid Stations (R)

DC Project 16 Trunked System talkgroups:
1952 National Capital Region
2080 Fire Inspectors
2160 Fire Ops
2176 Medical
2192 Medical Transports
2640 Fireboat
2656 Unified Comm Center 1 (patched with 159.1500)
33584 Department of Health Tac
34576 Department of Transportation
34608 Department of Transportation - Tow Trucks
35536 Emergency Management Agency

DC Project 25 Trunked System talkgroups:
166 Unified Comm Center 1 (patched with 159.1500)
1317 Unknown

Arlington Trunked System talkgroups:
7 Police - North?
8 Police - South?
11 Police - Special Operations Section
26 Police - Patch to 159.1500
39 Fire - "checking hot spots"
40 Fire - Unknown
43 Fire - South Division
44 Fire - North Division
48 Fire - Marshals South Division?
49 Fire - Marshals North Division
57 Police - "suspicious person"
107 Parks - Long Bridge?
109 Parks - Long Bridge?
110 Parks - Long Bridge?
235 Fire - Unknown

Metro Trunked System talkgroups:
50128 Police Tac 4
50192 Police Tac 6
50224 Police Tac 7
57440 Media/Public Relations
58032 Emergency Management?

Joint National Capital Region Trunked System talkgroups:
272 Fire (RDT units)
314 Ft. Myer/Ft. McNair MP
2150 Military Support Units?
2152 Military Support Units? ("Stingray")
22752 NDW Fire Tac 1

STARS Trunked System talkgroup:
6149 Interop Law Enforcement 7

Friday, July 5, 2013

Mosaic District

I visited the Mosaic District shopping area in Merrifield today, and here's what I found:

464.5500 [ d371] Hyatt House
467.9250 [  67.0] Angelika Film Center
467.7500 [ d115] Target (Ch. 1)
467.7750 [ d072] Target (Ch. 2)
467.9250 [ d155] Target (Ch. 3)
467.9000 [ d205] Target (Ch. 4)
467.8500 [ d306] Target (Loss Prevention)

Security for the Mosaic District carried UHF (MOTOTRBO?) portables, but I was unable to determine the frequency. 462.0125 [ d346] was strong in the area, but I'm not sure if it was related to the Mosaic District.

Weekend Events

  • The Smithsonian Folklife Festival continues through Sunday on the National Mall.
  • The Nationals play Friday at 7:05, Saturday at 4:05, and Sunday at 1:35 at Nationals Park.

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Independence Day Scanning

There will be lots to monitor in the DC area tomorrow. Just in DC, there is Nationals baseball at 11:05 AM, the National Independence Day Parade at 11:45 AM, the Folklife Festival, Red, White & Boom! at Kastles Stadium, and fireworks at around 9:15 PM.

Here are some systems to monitor:

Arlington
DC (Project 16)
DC (Project 25)
Joint National Capital Region
Metro

Also monitor Park Police on 166.7250 [127.3] and Park Service on 172.4750 [$4C5], 170.5125 [$4C5], and 169.7750 [$4C5].

STARS Dumfries Tower Progress

The STARS tower at the Dumfries truck weigh station appears to be nearing completion. The tower number and frequencies have been added to the RadioReference STARS page. When this tower comes online, it should improve communication greatly in Prince William and Stafford, where there have been issues with reception of STARS.

Convention Center Update

I monitored the Walter E. Washington Convention Center MOTOTRBO Capacity Plus system during an event yesterday, and identified some of the groups. I believe I also saw groups 8 and 11 in use, but I could not identify them. It appears that various contractors for the Convention Center have their own groups on the system.

St. Regis Hotel FCC App

The St. Regis Hotel, located at 923 16th St. NW in DC, has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for simplex on 451.5125, 451.6625, 452.0375, 456.5125, and 456.6625. The hotel was last monitored using 467.8125 [162.2]. The hotel holds a license for several frequencies, but these have not been noted in use. The hotel also has another license for the same frequencies.

Construction at 9th and I in DC

Construction workers working on a building at 9th and I Sts. in DC were observed using radios. The frequency and tone were captured with Close Call: 461.0750 [ d654].

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Martin Luther King Jr. Library Using DMR Radios

Staff outside the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in downtown DC were observed carrying Vertex Standard DMR radios. These radios are similar to Motorola MOTOTRBO radios.

2300 N St. FCC App

2300 N St., an office building in DC, has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for a repeater on 464.8625, and simplex on 451.5375, 452.0625, and 452.4875. The frequencies are coded for analog and MOTOTRBO.