Up-Coming NATO Communications - Where To Listen?

[ToneBurst]

CFD Digital and CPD Zones / Citywides make obvious sense, but where else to listen for NATO related communications? Any idea how many analog vs. digital systems will be in use? How much is planned to be encrypted?

[Awesomeman92]

Like you said, the CFD and CPD regular channels will be busy, also the Chicago trunked system might be worth a listen, at the very least for the executive protection channel, which I'm assuming they'll be using. Secret Service will be around too on their usual channels, probably 100% encrypted. I'd imagine they'll put up a restricted airspace, meaning there could be some activity on the NORAD channels. Also, the ISP zone-wide event channels on StarCom will probably be active.

I'm sure someone else has some inside information, just my guess at what they'll be using.

[N9INO]

NATO Monitoring:

The CARMA Board recommends that you monitor the festivities from the comfort of your home. While you probably won't hear the simplex activity, there will probably be plenty to listen to.

If you work or live in the area, you may have a rare opportunity to hear some unique communications. Although much of the comms are expected to be encrypted, not everything will be. You might also get the chance to hear security ops from foreign delegates.

Security Restrictions and Transportation Plan for the 2012 NATO Summit in Chicago May 20-21:

http://securechicago.com/wp-content/...tationPlan.pdf

"What should I program into my radio for NATO?"

Here are some suggestions from several members on what to listen to 18-21 MAY. Customize this list to concentrate on your area(s) of interest:

• One of our members noted that when searching for new channels, even those broadcasting in a digital mode, he has better luck finding them searching with a non-digital scanner. Once he locates a locates a signal, he programs it into his digital radio. He believes that the digital radio tries to decode the digital information and if it can't, ignores the signal. An analog radio makes no attempt to decode the digital signal and either picks it up or doesn't.

• Searching-Unlike broadcast communications, two-way transmissions tend to be rather short. That means that if you search too big a frequency range, your chances of capturing a signal are quite poor. Experienced scannists recommend searching no more than 1 MHz at a time. While this can be time-consuming, your odds of finding that previously-unknown frequency go way up. So search, search, search!

• Search the military bands: 137-144 & 148-150.8 MHz. DoD radios have been loaned to local agencies for events such as this in the past. They've even set up local repeaters.

• Search 30-88 MHz. National Guard reported to be providing some motorcade security. "...we're getting 500 State Troopers and 600 National Guardsmen along with assorted hardware to combat a worst-case scenario."

• Search 403-430 MHz. It's the fed UHF band. Also search 163-174MHz.

• Secret Service. "The security perimeter and overall event plan are under the auspices of the United States Secret Service, with support from a variety of federal, state and local partners, including the Chicago Police Department".
MT Fed Files: Secret Service Frequency List

• United States Coast Guard. They'll be enforcing the security zone on US Navigable Waterways.
United States Coast Guard - The RadioReference Wiki

• Marine VHF Channels. Pay particular attention to 156.8 and 157.1MHz.
Marine VHF Channels - The RadioReference Wiki

• Aviation "Guard" channels; 121.5 & 243.0, plus 123.025 & 123.45.

• Federal Agencies. Department of State. "Federal Protective Services is in charge of securing their buildings, some of which are on or nearby the anticipated routes of permitted events such as parades and protests that will take place during the summit."
Federal Agencies Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

• StarCom21
http://www.carmachicago.com/profiles/StarCom21.pdf

• CPD Tactical Trunked Radio System
http://www.carmachicago.com/profiles/CPDTRS.pdf

• CITY OF CHICAGO. Pay particular attnetion to CPD Zones 4 & 5, Citywide channels, CTA supervisors & Rail control, CFD EMS (both old and new) and CFD VHF.
http://www.carmachicago.com/profiles/chgofreq2.pdf
Cook County, Illinois (IL) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

• Chicago O’Hare Airport. AM aviation & trunked systems.
http://www.carmachicago.com/profiles/OHareAirport.pdf

• MilAir. Listen for a possible CAP.
http://www.carmachicago.com/profiles/Milair.pdf

• Mutual Aid. ISPERN, IFERN, I-Tac, V-Tac & U-Tac, as well as Homeland Defense, Federal Aid and Terrorism Response.
http://www.carmachicago.com/profiles/MutualAid.pdf

• State of Illinois. Pay particular attention to IDOT channels. They're going to want to keep those roads clear for motorcades, etc.
http://www.carmachicago.com/profiles/ILStateRadio.pdf

• Gary/Chicago International Airport
AirNav: KGYY - Gary/Chicago International Airport

• Cook County. Cook County InterOp System.
http://www.carmachicago.com/profiles/CookCountyOps.pdf

• RadioMan911. Live Fire/Emergency Radio From Chicago & 36 Neighboring Counties.
Radioman911 on Justin.tv
Hancockfeed on Justin.tv (John Hancock Center Remote Fire Radio Feed)

• Chicago Area Media Frequencies
Chicago Area Media Frequencies

• MCCORMICK PLACE HOTEL: 451.4000, 451.6000, 452.2000, 452.4500, 452.9750, 456.4000, 462.9250 (reported, not confirmed)

• McCormick Place Security & Fire Safety 453.8500 (114.8). Security - Convention Center 464.9500 (D 261)
Attractions Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

• FEMA/OPERATION SECURE (State Emergency Capability Using Radio Effectively) NATIONWIDE HF NETS
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA) FREQUENCIES
Mutual Aid/Common Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

• SHared RESources High Frequency Radio Program (SHARES)
NCS | SHared RESources High Frequency Radio Program (SHARES)

[W8RMH]

I am curious if the statements in this thread will still apply or if all this was BS.

[weezey2]

Was wondering if anyone has put together or discovered interesting frequencies to monitor during the NATO Summit in Chicago.

[werinshades]

Their isn't one "specific Zone/City-Wide" to listen to AT THIS TIME. One of the dispatchers was asked over the air and his reply was , "We don't have one place for the protests as each Zone is handling it themselves". That may change by the weekend.

This evening (May 15th) 1830 hrs. their is a scheduled protest march on Halsted, from 51st to 31st.. This is to protest Police brutality, so expect some arrests. Zone 13 is the home zone there, but due to the distance and magnitude of the protest, a city-wide is not out of the question....5 or 6 would be a good guess, 4 would not be out of the question. Just keep listening, you'll catch it.

[N9JCQ]

USCG Cutter Hollyhock patrolling off of Monroe Harbor this morning at 9:45 AM Local
http://ais.boatnerd.com/

[MtnBiker2005]

CG-HOLLYHOCK - MMSI:369932000
http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/shi...mmsi=369932000

[jobes]

That's neat it shows the vessels path and everything.

[N9JCQ]

Looks like the powers that be turned off the Hollyhock :-)

[MtnBiker2005]

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Hollyhock has been stationed off Burnham Harbor for the NATO summit in Chicago, Illinois, to enforce the security zone near McCormick Place. The cutter has been placing buoys to mark off the restricted zone around Burnham Harbor.
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/05/...r-nato-summit/

[ToneBurst]

Complete NATO 2012 Command and Communications update, including photos. Enjoy!

Shortwave America: Chicago NATO Command and Communications Operations Update

[MtnBiker2005]

Security Restrictions and Transportation Plan for the 2012 - PDF File
Road Closures Streets / Maps
http://www.secretservice.gov/press/N...tationPlan.pdf

[werinshades]

Just announced on Fire-Main Digital...radio check in at 0930 Hrs. today. also keep Joint-OPS and Metro channels in...

[N9JCQ]

CG Fast response boats off of Burnham Harbor for the exercise. Also, One of those boast cruiesed down the river complete with Manned Machine gun at 9:00 AM. Pretty neat. I have my 396T at teh office today and it's going nuts with stuff.

[ToneBurst]

The CPD and Homeland Security ability to respond is falling apart. Not enough manpower. Bike teams just switched to B9 on the portables. Anyone know what freq that is?

[ToneBurst]

HEHEHE!!! Mailboxes are appearing out of nowhere all over the place. Each time they find a new mailbox on the street, they have to send all the manpower that way AND they have to wait for the bomb squad as well as the postal service to clear it.

[ToneBurst]

Zone 4: "Does anyone know the address to the Korean Embassy"? "Yeah, squad, North Korea!" I'm ROFLMAO!!

[N9JCQ]

Lolol

[Monaco]

Radioman911.com is now in NATO mode - From Friday morning through Monday night we will be using 8 of the radios for Radioman911.com to monitor the NATO related radio traffic.