Spectrum Occupancy

[gsargent]

I am in Kabul, Afghanistan. There is a lot of uncertainty here about spectrum usage. Consequently I have a task of scanning the spectrum in approximatley 300 locations around Afghanistan to determine whether particular slices of the spectrum are in use. We need to look at 150 to 175 MHz, and at the 25 KHz channels in this band.

Can anyone recommend a scanner that can record hits in a flash drive in the scanner, that could then be put in Excel and examined in detail? The strategy would be to scan 150 to 175, 5 KHz steps, whenever activity is detected mark it as a hit, and continue. After X hours then the scanner would have a record of activity in the band being scanned.

Also a recommendation for a portable omni antenna that could be put on a tripod so the scanner could be set up in a remote location and left to operate for several hours.

[FLRAILMAN]

First of all, a very warm welcome to the site, now to cases. That's a tall order, however I'll just throw this out there until the milcom experts like Radioreference member "bmt" read this & have some valid recommendations for you. There are a number of scanners & DC to Daylight recievers that would meet some if not most of your requirements, the Icom R9500 & the WinRadio receivers come to mind except as far as I know, they are not DOD mil-spec. certified, you didn't mention if they must have stand alone power sources or electric service would be available to power these units up, not to mention if these radios would be exposed to the harsh environment that Afghanistan is well known for. Hang tight as it's 2:40 AM here now so in a few hours the very people that you are putting your life on the line for, will awaken with some good news for you. Good luck & stay safe.

WiNRADiO Communications - The future of radio.

Home - Icom America

FLRAILMAN

[FLRAILMAN]

Hello again, I think this would be more suitable for you & meet your needs.

Radio Surveillance Receivers

FLRAILMAN

[BMT]

gsargent, You need to do alittle homework first. Get a copy of the Goverment Master File for A-Stan and look at frequency assignment's.
Local Area Frequency Manger's to iron out any conflict's with frequency assignment's.

The WIN Radio should be up to the task,but remember the best coax cable and antenna. The best receiver mean's nothing without good coax and antenna.

BMT

[MPSCS]

You should be able to accomplish that with either the new GRE, or Uniden scanners.

[BMT]

True either scanner might do the job.

His task is REAL WORLD and not a hobby.
Men and women's live's are at stake!

I say go with a high dollar receiver,coax and antenna.

BMT

[MPSCS]

Originally Posted by BMT

True either scanner might do the job.

His task is REAL WORLD and not a hobby.
Men and women's live's are at stake!

I say go with a high dollar receiver,coax and antenna.

BMT

Then the military should be supplying the necessary and proper equipment, as well as the expertise to do the job. No offense intended.

[N_Jay]

Originally Posted by gsargent

I am in Kabul, Afghanistan. There is a lot of uncertainty here about spectrum usage. Consequently I have a task of scanning the spectrum in approximatley 300 locations around Afghanistan to determine whether particular slices of the spectrum are in use. We need to look at 150 to 175 MHz, and at the 25 KHz channels in this band.

Can anyone recommend a scanner that can record hits in a flash drive in the scanner, that could then be put in Excel and examined in detail? The strategy would be to scan 150 to 175, 5 KHz steps, whenever activity is detected mark it as a hit, and continue. After X hours then the scanner would have a record of activity in the band being scanned.

Also a recommendation for a portable omni antenna that could be put on a tripod so the scanner could be set up in a remote location and left to operate for several hours.

Whoever gave you the job should be able to get you the equipment.

I would look at something like this.
Bird Technologies Group - Radio Magazine Recognizes Bird Technologies Group with a Pick Hit Award!
and some custom software.

[BMT]

I didn't take your comment as being offensive! ;-)))

You can never plan for ever problem you might encounter.
DOD has finnally woken up and given unit's fund's to purchase item's not found in the normal supply channel's.
I have a friend who ship's communication's item's to Iraq and A-Stan almost weekly.

BMT

[gsargent]

Thanks to everyone's replies regarding my task of spectrum scanning in Afghanistan to determine spectrum occupancy. Each reply provides some insight into my task. I would like to clarify the requirements and would welcome additional comments.

The equipment does not have to be mil-spec, but does have to be robust and weather proof. I expect it will be handled slightly worse than how a cellular phone or mobile would be operated. The areas of operation will not have electricity so the unit must be totally battery powered, with plug for external battery if needed.

Recording channel hits or instances of spectrum activity on a flash drive is critical, because the scanner will be in place for an extended time. Having a flash drive allows downloading the hits to a worksheet for processing. So far I have not found any scanners with a flash drive for this type of recording. I am not a scanner enthusiast so probably have just not looked in the right places.

I am aware of the US Military and ISAF frequency groups and people doing frequency planning in Afghanistan. But my task is to scan and determine ACTUAL spectrum occupancy, not to validate paper licensing. There are many unknown users around the country.

Thanks again.

[MPSCS]

Originally Posted by BMT

I didn't take your comment as being offensive! ;-)))

You can never plan for ever problem you might encounter.
DOD has finnally woken up and given unit's fund's to purchase item's not found in the normal supply channel's.
I have a friend who ship's communication's item's to Iraq and A-Stan almost weekly.

BMT

I thought maybe this was something he was doing on his own, in addition to normal military intelligence. Can't say as I would blame him. I know if I was there I'm be doing what ever I could to stay alive!

[FLRAILMAN]

His dilemma is believable, do any of you remember the infamous news debacle a few yeas ago when "King Rumsfeld" was caught with his pants down when a news reporter put that soldier up to asking about why they had to rummage through military garbage dumps seeking ballistic glass to reinforce the windows on their humvees? Read the story in the below listed sites. Shame on anyone who sends these men off to kill and/or die without the best possible supplies, equipment & training known to man to enable them to succesfully complete their tasked missions & return home alive. God bless you soldier & may your mission be succesful.

Open Letter to Congress | AfterDowningStreet.org

Minstrel Boy: 2005-04-17

FLRAILMAN

[BMT]

gsargent, Send me an e-mail. I'm retired Army and still have some good contact's.

jnesmith2@cfl.rr.com

[studgeman]

The actual industry term for what you are trying to accomplish is spectrum fingerprinting. Bird Corporation is the company in the US that does most of it for various integrators and users, including Motorola. I believe there was a link earlier. They would be the people to talk to, but at least now that you know what it is called you may have some sucess tracking down the right software. Best of luck

[gsargent]

Thanks for your reply regarding contacting Bird and the general terminology used, Spectrum Fingerprinting.

[gcgrotz]

gsargent:

Well, you've come to the right place and BMT should be a big help. My only comment is that most scanners I'm aware of need a program running on a PC to record hits. That is pretty common. The data could be put on a flash drive. I'm just not sure any common radios will do it directly. The AOR One seems to be a quality intelligence gathering unit but I'm not really familiar with it.

Good luck and thanks for all you do.

P.S. Any of you guys hams and able to get on the air?