CBP Operations in South Texas on 406-420 MHz - Links?

[blantonl]

Today, with a significant band opening in South Texas, I've noticed a tremendous amount of frequencies between 406-420 MHz that have continuous pilot tones on them, but seem to be rebroadcasting border patrol operations.

I'm assuming these are links between repeaters for operations in the 162-174 Fed band?

Anyone have any details on these setups and how they work?

[ecps92]

Would you post the channels you heard?? and any CTCSS tones.

The FBI used that method [in New England] for years, but phased them out in the late late 90's for LandLine or Microwave

Originally Posted by blantonl

Today, with a significant band opening in South Texas, I've noticed a tremendous amount of frequencies between 406-420 MHz that have continuous pilot tones on them, but seem to be rebroadcasting border patrol operations.

I'm assuming these are links between repeaters for operations in the 162-174 Fed band?

Anyone have any details on these setups and how they work?

[al95]

Originally Posted by blantonl

Today, with a significant band opening in South Texas, I've noticed a tremendous amount of frequencies between 406-420 MHz that have continuous pilot tones on them, but seem to be rebroadcasting border patrol operations.

I'm assuming these are links between repeaters for operations in the 162-174 Fed band?

Anyone have any details on these setups and how they work?

Originally Posted by ecps92

Would you post the channels you heard?? and any CTCSS tones.

The FBI used that method [in New England] for years, but phased them out in the late late 90's for LandLine or Microwave

I'm hearing 163.6750 with a tone of dc 031 on my BCD396T. On my PRO-106 i'm hearing the same info being transmitted on my BCD396T on frequency 416.4875 with a tone of ct 173.8. This CBP operations talking. Is this what you are talking about?

[gewecke]

We don't get squat here in central ill. between 406-420mhz.
N9ZAS

[ChrisP]

Originally Posted by blantonl

Today, with a significant band opening in South Texas, I've noticed a tremendous amount of frequencies between 406-420 MHz that have continuous pilot tones on them, but seem to be rebroadcasting border patrol operations.

I'm assuming these are links between repeaters for operations in the 162-174 Fed band?

Anyone have any details on these setups and how they work?

This is just for historical reference, but when I lived down in the Rio Grande Valley ('78-'83) there were a number of UHF links that were used by the Border Patrol to link some of their VHF systems. Most of the links seemed to emanate from the Border Patrol headquarters in McAllen, just north of the airport. Back in those days the links seemed to be related to repeaters further west from McAllen up towards Del Rio.

I can't vouch for what's in use today, but I would not be surprised if they are still utilizing some UHF links for remote repeater control.

- Chris

[nd5y]

Back in the late 70's when I lived in El Paso, the Border Patrol had and extensive UHF link system.
They may have had several systems for linking VHF repeaters and for point-to-point links.
I remember a few times hearing Tucson sector HQ talking to Marfa sector HQ on UHF and not hearing anything on VHF (at least not coming out on VHF in El Paso).
They also used to have HF dipole antennas at the El Paso sector HQ.
I don't know what they have nowdays.

[al95]

Originally Posted by blantonl

Today, with a significant band opening in South Texas, I've noticed a tremendous amount of frequencies between 406-420 MHz that have continuous pilot tones on them, but seem to be rebroadcasting border patrol operations.

I'm assuming these are links between repeaters for operations in the 162-174 Fed band?

Anyone have any details on these setups and how they work?

Can you post some of those frequencies that you have been hearing? Thank You