Talladega NF 169.900 keyed since Tues. night

RICHat22 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 09:13 AM

I am picking up in the Talladega and Clay county area what sounds like a mobile radio keyed up continously. Slight music in background.

Is this a repeater? Anyone know if there's an input freq.? I can't find it anywhere. It's strong (s-9) all the way on my 25 miles drive. Started last night and was still there when I got back in the truck this morning.

scanrfan · #2 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 09:23 AM

I show that 169.900 is the Talladega National Forest Fire Net frequency. I think it is a repeater but don't have the input frequency.

RICHat22 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 09:51 AM

Just checked and it's off now. Apparently they are driving to and from work also. I'll listen tonight and sweep for an input, if there is one. The Ranger station is about a mile up the road. Maybe I'll catch it and be able to find the vehicle.

trace1 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 11:24 AM

I have heard simplex on 169.900 before but I did not hear the frequency "keyed-up" during the time you indicated but I'm in the Anniston/Oxford area. Now 168.725 does appear to be used for repeater use though.

RICHat22 · #5 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 12:41 PM

Thanks Trace,

I will try and post again when I hear it on. I stopped by the Ranger Station and let them know. She said they will get in touch with the dispatcher and verify simplex or repeater and let them know to monitor it this evening. It was all but full scale from Ashland to Talladega this morning with no static. That's why I wondered if they had a repeater. Maybe the mobile is following my same path? I'm going to swing by there on my way out and see if I can track it down.

It's messing with my radio and I don't like locking out channels. I forget to turn them back on

scanrfan · #6 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 02:09 PM

Apparently 169.900 is a Simplex frequency used like a Tactical Channel during fire ops. The 168.725 frequency is for all the National Forests in Alabama, Talladega, Bankhead, Conecuh and Tuskgegee. I live in Birmingham and I sometimes here the 168 frequency on my mobile Ham radio. I use a BC396T and don't normally hear that frequency on it.

RICHat22 · #7 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 06:59 PM

Yeah, I checked everywhere I could think of and never found an input or offset. I guess he travels the same path I do to keep such a strong steady signal. BUT, I listened this afternoon and tonight and never heard it again. Maybe he knew and was going to get it repaired or whatever. Either way it's gone and I am going to check the NatForest freqs and see if we are updated. Alabama needs some more verified submissions.

This has gotten me back on my direction finding kick. Gotta go.

Cya around guys.

RICHat22 · #8 (**permalink**) 11-06-2009, 09:08 AM

This freq is going again. Started at 7:35am. Slight radio or background noise that I had to go full volume to hear. I stopped by the Talladega Station and talked with them. Signal barely hitting s9 in the parking lot. Obviously not from there. Maybe the Heflin Station if anyone is in that area to verify. I just hate for them to get in a situation they need it and can't use it. We did verify that's it's a car-to-car simplex freq and it's called "channel 3" in their system.

AlabamaRS · #9 (**permalink**) 11-13-2009, 06:48 PM

I have A? ? any 1 have a NAC to go with these frequencies? or are they analog with a PL tone?