Federal Freqs. Database

mike_s104 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-24-2009, 05:23 PM

I know I asked this a while back, but thought I would ask again.

Can we have something added to the DB to include all federal frequencies? I know they might vary per region or area, but something only for federal info would be a great resource. I know the wiki is there but there are some people, like me, that find it kinda a pain to use to program a scanner with data from there.

AlabamaRS · #2 (**permalink**) 08-24-2009, 05:38 PM

I will 2nd that motion

milf · #3 (**permalink**) 08-24-2009, 10:11 PM

Issues with that- 1 Federal information is classified,.. what we get, we get by luck... From folks who find it on their own and submit it... 2 This is a huge amount of information your talking about when you get down to it, not complaining, just stating facts. 3 We already list as much info as we get on both the database for each state, as well as the wiki.

The easiest to find of course is the National Park Service, United States Forest Service, CAP and VA.... From there on it gets trickier. Add to that the fact that they are changing frequencies and modes pretty fast as the deadlines for federal narrowbanding and digital capability get nearer. Its a lot harder to get this data, but we do our best and so far, I think we are doing pretty good. With your help out there we get the infoand get it set up accurately and understandable. Thanks guys.
MCW

mike_s104 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-25-2009, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milf

Issues with that- 1 Federal information is classified,.. what we get, we get by luck... From folks who find it on their own and submit it... 2 This is a huge amount of information your talking about when you get down to it, not complaining, just stating facts. 3 We already list as much info as we get on both the database for each state, as well as the wiki.

The easiest to find of course is the National Park Service, United States Forest Service, CAP and VA.... From there on it gets trickier. Add to that the fact that they are changing frequencies and modes pretty fast as the deadlines for federal narrowbanding and digital capability get nearer. Its a lot harder to get this data, but we do our best and so far, I think we are doing pretty good. With your help out there we get the infoand get it set up accurately and understandable. Thanks guys.
MCW

Don't get me wrong, I wasn't complaining; I think the RR DB is great and so is the info that is submitted by all of us (including myself). I know it's hard to track down exactly what something is. What about this...have a link per state or for all known national freqs that lists ALL federal known freqs already in the database? That wouldn't be too much work would it?

Example: Maryland lists under "Federal" Customs on 165.23750MHz with a PL of 100Hz. Beside it is says "Customs (Nationwide)". OK, great if you happen to look there or live there, but if it's known to be national, then have some kind of listing for known national freqs. One would think that since it's a known national freq, it would be in use somewhere else like say, I don’t know...WV. (Yes, I submitted that one.) So, if I were in a state somewhere that 165.23750MHz with a PL of 100Hz is in use, but I'm new to scanning and RR (and RR DB) and I didn't know that should look at MD for some known national freq for something I'm interested in, I'd miss out. Then, when I posted on a forum, people would tell me to look at the DB or to search old forums.

The above is what I had to do. I wasn't new to scanning, but I was out of the hobby for years and used to live somewhere that had little federal traffic to listen to (probably none but I can’t say that for sure, I just never heard any). So, I was new to listening to federal freqs. It took me years to get a good working list that actually has produced some good results over the years in a variety of states and locations. I know the list I have isn't complete or even 100% correct, but it's more than I had and more than was easily available from the RR DB (in one spot).

I just think it would be good to be able to choose from whatever software you use to program your scanner, to connect to the RR DB, select Federal National, and then the agency you'd like to program. Rather that that typing in from a hand written list or an Excel list of what you'd like to program.

I'm not saying it would be a perfect solution but it would give a lot of people a place to start with. I'm not saying list some top secret FBI bodymic list on the RR DB (you can PM me that if you have one

), just KNOWN good freqs like the Customs one I mentioned above.

You mentioned National Park Service. Those are listed so many times on so many states, I would think that would be harder to keep track of than one location.

bee · #5 (**permalink**) 08-25-2009, 10:31 AM

The Natchez Trace--A two lane highway from Nashville Tn. to Natchez Ms-- is a part of the National Park Service and they are "encrypted" and have been for about 3 years, but yes, the frequencies are in the database.

milf · #6 (**permalink**) 08-25-2009, 10:42 AM

On the NTNP, only the LE side is encrypted, the rangers. Also look at the BRP (Blue Ridge Parkway), another two lane highway that covers at least two states... There are known to be 5 or 6 different freqs in use, only 1 of which is analog as far as we know at this point... The rest are all P-25 with encryption capability if needed. I used to listen to the NTNP on a daily basis from about sixth grade up to the point when I moved to NC, at which time they went P-25 and went to a 4 chan system with LE encrypted except for when they interop with MHP, THP, and local SO's in MS and TN.

mike_s104 · #7 (**permalink**) 08-26-2009, 04:49 PM

Does this mean no to adding this somehow?

milf · #8 (**permalink**) 08-26-2009, 05:09 PM

WIll have to see what Lindsay says for final word on this.

mike_s104 · #9 (**permalink**) 08-26-2009, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milf

WIll have to see what Lindsay says for final word on this.

fair enough :-)

zerg901 · #10 (**permalink**) 08-26-2009, 10:29 PM

Some federal freqs are nationwide in usage. Some are district wide. Some are probably statewide. Some are limited to one specific location / site / complex / office / park / refuge / etc.

Maybe all that is needed is a section for the "nationwide" freqs. Or maybe regional freqs can always be listed under the city where the "HQ" or "dispatch point" is located for the particular agency / operation that is in question.

Another complication is the "interagency dispatch centers" used by the wildfire agencies. They can span states / agencies / counties etc.

Peter Sz

mikepdx · #11 (**permalink**) 08-26-2009, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_s104

Can we have something added to the DB to include all federal frequencies?

Great idea!

Since Fed freqs are one of the biggest puzzles for monitoring fans,
anything that would be of more help would be welcome.

I find it a little difficult to use/search the Federal forum.
I'm on the west coast, and naturally due to population,
the great majority of the postings are about Fed freqs on the east coast.
I usually bypass the Federal forum and make Fed posts and inquiries
in the geographically relevant State forums for my area.

I'd welcome a splitting of the Federal forum - perhaps
two Federal forums: Federal - East and Federal-West
with the line being either the Rockies or the Mississippi.

Of course you could even get more specific, like
regionally: NW, SW, Central, NE, SE

With closer knit groups sharing and comparing data & logs,
I'd think that this might increase interest, participation and
most importantly, result in a much greater success in finding the elusive.

Some food for thought...

MtnBiker2005 · #12 (**permalink**) 08-26-2009, 11:45 PM

I think something needs to be done for Federal freqs.

Like bring the federal stuff out of the "County" page to a "State Areawide Frequencies" page like Federal.
So users don't have to look in each county when they travel.

If you look at the database. The "Civil Air Patrol" is hidden in few counties in some states.
like "South Dakota" has cap stuff listed in 3 county pages.
http://www.radioreference.com/apps/d...f&freq=148.150

It be easy to keep track of 50 state "Federal Pages". and not keep track of over 200+ counties pages with federal stuff in them.
Then all Veterans Affairs offices in a state can be listed on one page for that state federal page.

mike_s104 · #13 (**permalink**) 08-26-2009, 11:47 PM

Thanks for everyone supporting my idea! :-)

ecps92 · #14 (**permalink**) 08-27-2009, 07:49 AM

I agree, Federal should not be under a County, but StateWide

Quote:

Originally Posted by MtnBiker2005

I think something needs to be done for Federal freqs.

Like bring the federal stuff out of the "County" page to a "State Areawide Frequencies" page like Federal.
So users don't have to look in each county when they travel.

If you look at the database. The "Civil Air Patrol" is hidden in few counties in some states.
like "South Dakota" has cap stuff listed in 3 county pages.
RadioReference.com - Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference Database

It be easy to keep track of 50 state "Federal Pages". and not keep track of over 200+ counties pages with federal stuff in them.
Then all Veterans Affairs offices in a state can be listed on one page for that state federal page.

mike_s104 · #15 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 07:22 PM

Any word on this? I feel like last time, it was mentioned, "addressed" and forgotten.

AlabamaRS · #16 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 07:24 PM

Is like most suggestions, will be ignored

mike_s104 · #17 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlabamaRS

Is like most suggestions, will be ignored

I kept on and on about the Fed Forum and it happened. I'll keep on top of this since I truely believe it is useful.

eorange · #18 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 08:42 PM

Great suggestion - I've felt the DB could use a boost in this area for some time, but never bothered to voice an opinion until now...

mike_s104 · #19 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eorange

Great suggestion - I've felt the DB could use a boost in this area for some time, but never bothered to voice an opinion until now...

the more people we can get to voice in agreement, the more a possibility it might be.

mancow · #20 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 10:53 PM

I agree that it would be a neat addition and is something that has been needed for quite a while. My only concern is that the letters of "secrecy" will start flying once it starts to become somewhat comprehensive. But, then again what's the difference? We would only be back to where we are now if that happened so I say go for it.