Georgetown Business Improvement District FCC App

The Georgetown Business Improvement District (BID) has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for simplex on 461.0250, 461.9500, 463.3250, 464.1750, and 464.3875. The frequencies are coded for analog and MOTOTRBO.

461.0250 [ d132] has been in use previously by the BID, but was not licensed.

NoMa Business Improvement District FCC App

The NoMa Business Improvement District (BID) has an application to its license pending before the FCC to add the MOTOTRBO emission designator to its repeater on 461.5875.

Mall in Columbia Updates Frequencies

The Mall in Columbia recently modified its license. Repeaters on 461.4500 and 464.1250 were added to the previously licensed repeater on 464.8750.

The mall has been monitored using an unlicensed repeater on 461.1125; this has probably been replaced by these newer frequencies.

Verizon Center Moves to Capacity Plus, Enables Privacy

The Verizon Center is now using a three-frequency MOTOTRBO Capacity Plus system. The groups monitored (102, 109, 111) were using Privacy. The system also appears to have Restricted Access to System (RAS) turned on. This means that only authorized radios can transmit or receive on the system. (This does not affect the operation of DMRDecode or DSD, but there is nothing to monitor with DSD anyway because Privacy is enabled.)

The other 461 MHz frequencies previously in use are being used as MOTOTRBO conventional repeaters. All groups on these frequencies are also using Privacy:

461.0750 [         ] (MOTOTRBO - Color Code 4, Slot 1, Group 101) (privacy)
461.0750 [         ] (MOTOTRBO - Color Code 4, Slot 2, Group 105) (privacy)
461.1000 [         ] (MOTOTRBO - Color Code 11)
461.1750 [         ] (MOTOTRBO - Color Code 10)
461.5250 [         ] (MOTOTRBO - Color Code 8, Slot 1, Group 103) (privacy)
461.5250 [         ] (MOTOTRBO - Color Code 8, Slot 2, Group 104) (privacy)
461.6000 [         ] (MOTOTRBO - Color Code 9, Slot 2, Group 108) (privacy)

(461.1000 and 461.1750 did not have voice transmissions on them when I monitored, but I was able to obtain color codes from brief data transmissions.)

Security personnel appeared to be using XPR7550 radios.

The Verizon Center has an application pending for the Capacity Plus system; the rest of the frequencies are covered under an older license (which doesn't have emission designators for MOTOTRBO).

Jefferson Hotel Using Capacity Plus System

The Jefferson Hotel is using a MOTOTRBO Capacity Plus trunked system. During the time I monitored, only two groups were found, but there may be more. (Only one group is listed on RadioReference, because I was unable to confirm a definite use for the other.)

No activity was monitored on the hotel's two previously-confirmed MOTOTRBO simplex frequencies (456.4625 and 462.3500), but they may still be in use.

Miscellaneous Downtown DC Finds

Here are a few frequencies found yesterday in downtown DC:

451.6625 [ d212] St. Regis
462.6875 [ d212] Wooly Mammoth Theatre
467.5625 [ CSQ] Wooly Mammoth Theatre
467.8750 [100.0] Marshalls
461.2375 [100.0] T.J. Maxx

Security Walls FCC App

Security Walls, which provides contract security services for two IRS facilities in the area, has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for simplex on 457.8375, 452.5125, and 457.6375 at IRS Headquarters at 1111 Constitution Ave. NW in DC, and for simplex on 457.4125, 452.1125, and 456.6875 at the New Carrollton Federal Center at 5000 Ellin Rd. in Lanham in Prince George's County.

DSD+ Program Released

A "new" version of the Digital Speech Decoder (DSD) program has been released in the last few days. DSD+, which is separate from DSD, provides much better audio decoding. The program also allows for selecting input/output. There is a RadioReference thread about DSD+ here.

DSD and DSD+ allow one to decode Project 25, DMR/MOTOTRBO, and NXDN audio. The latter two formats cannot be decoded by scanners.

Weekend Events

• The Capitals play Friday at 7 PM at Verizon Center.
• Georgetown plays Saturday at noon at Verizon Center.
• The Wizards play Saturday at 7 PM at Verizon Center.

National Press Building Frequency Found

The National Press Building is using 463.5250 [ d331], probably for security.

Willard Intercontinental Hotel Additional Frequencies

Found a couple of new frequencies for the Willard Intercontinental Hotel yesterday. Here's the current line-up:

451.2375 [         ] Banquets (MOTOTRBO - Color Code 8, All Call) (S)
451.2875 [         ] (MOTOTRBO - Color Code 9, All Call) (S)
463.2125 [         ] Security (Ch. 1) (MOTOTRBO - Color Code 7, Slot 1, All Call) (R)
463.2125 [         ] Engineering/Housekeeping/Private Dining (MOTOTRBO - Color Code 7, Slot 2, All Call) (R)
463.2500 [         ] (MOTOTRBO - Color Code 12, Slot 1, All Call) (R)
463.2500 [         ] Restaurant Seating (MOTOTRBO - Color Code 12, Slot 2, All Call) (R)

Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center Finds

I recently spent some time at Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center, in Woodbridge. I arrived shortly before closing, so didn't find much, but here are a couple of items:

464.5000 [ d465] Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill?
467.8500 [ d047] Old Navy

National Harbor Finds

Found a few new things at National Harbor yesterday:

467.9250 [  67.0] Cadillac Ranch?
451.4375 [         ] Wyndham - Engineering (MOTOTRBO - Color Code 1, Group 2) (S)
451.5875 [         ] Wyndham - Security (MOTOTRBO - Color Code 1, Group 2) (S)
451.7375 [         ] Wyndham (MOTOTRBO - Color Code 1, Group 2) (S)
452.4875 [         ] Wyndham - Housekeeping (MOTOTRBO - Color Code 1, Group 2) (S)

Personnel working at the ICE! event at the Gaylord National were using group 104 on the hotel's MOTOTRBO Capacity Plus system.

The Westin previously used 464.8250 [254.1] for housekeeping, but I heard someone calling for engineering on the frequency yesterday.

452.5250 [ 82.5] (S) was monitored, and sounds like it may be a hotel.

Tanger Outlets National Harbor Finds

Here's what I found yesterday at Tanger Outlets National Harbor:

464.4125 [         ] Security (MOTOTRBO - Color Code 8, Slot 1, Group 1001) (R)
464.4125 [         ] Housekeeping (MOTOTRBO - Color Code 8, Slot 2, Group 1002) (R)
151.8350 [  74.4] Banana Republic
154.5700 [  74.4] Gap
457.5250 [ d071] New Balance
461.0625 [141.3] Aeropostale
461.1875 [ d712] Famous Footwear
462.9375 [ d703] Coach
464.5500 [  67.0] American Eagle
467.8500 [ d032] Converse
467.8500 [ d116] Nautica
467.8500 [ d712] Children's Place
467.9000 [ d503] Tommy Hilfiger
467.9000 [ d624] Polo Ralph Lauren
467.9000 [ d731] New York & Company
467.9000 [118.8] Express
467.9250 [  88.5] J. Crew
467.9250 [  94.8] Calvin Klein
468.2625 [ d343] Nike
468.5125 [162.2] Charlotte Russe
469.0000 [103.5] H&M

National Harbor Applies for Additional Frequency

National Harbor has an application pending to its license for an additional frequency. 451.9250 will be used in a base/mobile configuration. Interestingly, the frequency is coded for analog (the existing frequencies on the license are MOTOTRBO.)

Report on STARS System

An October report on the Virginia STARS system by the Virginia State Police provides some interesting reading, particularly regarding new and soon-to-be-constructed sites.

White House Historical Museum FCC App

The White House Historical Museum, located at 740 Jackson Place NW in DC, has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for simplex on 456.7750, 456.8250, 457.4000, 457.7250, and 466.5000.

Weekend Events

• The Capitals play Saturday at 7 PM at Verizon Center.
• The Redskins play Sunday at 1 PM at FedEx Field.

Georgetown Prep FCC App

Georgetown Preparatory School, located at 10900 Rockville Pike in North Bethesda, has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for 461.5625 to be used in a base/mobile configuration.

French International School Modifies License

The French International School, located at 9600 Forest Rd. in Bethesda, recently modified its license. MOTOTRBO repeaters were added on 151.8500 and 152.3900. The school retains 152.9300 in a base/mobile configuration.

National Public Radio Modifies License

National Public Radio, located at 1111 N. Capitol St. NE, recently modified its license. Repeaters were added on 462.0250 and 463.3750.

Georgetown University Hospital Modifies License

Georgetown University Hospital recently modified its license. MOTOTRBO emission designators were added to the repeaters on 463.2000, 464.4750, and 464.8250, an analog/MOTOTRBO repeater was added on 452.1500, and a MOTOTRBO simplex frequency was added on 457.1000.

Weekend Events

• The Wizards play Saturday at 7 PM at Verizon Center.
• The Capitals play Sunday at 3 PM at Verizon Center.

1812 North Moore Street FCC App

1812 North Moore Street, an office building in the Rosslyn area of Arlington, has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for a repeater on 463.7125. The frequency is coded for analog and MOTOTRBO.

Parsons Government Services FCC App

Parsons Government Services, the primary tenant in 100 M St. SE, has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for simplex on 151.9850, 159.6150, 159.8550, 159.9150, and 173.2750.

Air Rights Center/Bethesda Crossing FCC App

The Air Rights Center/Bethesda Crossing, an office building located at 7315 Wisconsin Ave. in Bethesda, has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for a MOTOTRBO repeater on 464.6250.

Weekend Events

• The Wizards play Friday at 7 PM at Verizon Center.
• Georgetown plays Saturday at noon at Verizon Center.
• The Capitals play Saturday at 7 PM at Verizon Center.
• The Redskins play Sunday at 1 PM at FedEx Field.
• The BB&T Classic is Sunday at 1 PM at Verizon Center.

750 First Street FCC App

750 First Street NE, an office building used by the American Psychological Association, has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for a repeater on 464.8250. This repeater has previously been active with a tone of DCS 023. The frequency is also used by personnel at the other APA building at 10 G Street NE.

NSWC Dahlgren Changes LTR System

The LTR system used by the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division has changed frequencies. All talkgroups still appear to use voice inversion.

Interestingly, a guard was observed at the main gate yesterday, and he appeared to have a UHF handheld radio, possibly manufactured by Harris. This radio would probably operate on the Joint National Capital Region system, but Dahlgren's site on the system continues to only broadcast traffic for other installations in the region, such as NSWC Indian Head and Patuxent Naval Air Station.