Federal Frequency Help

N2ZGE · #1 (**permalink**) 09-06-2007, 09:35 AM

Yesterday, I had some free time so I decided to do some scanning for new frequencies. There are two frequencies in the federal band that I recently came across using analog mode in which I didn't recognize. I searched for both frequencies using the RR search engine and on the web, but came up with nothing. Any help would be appreciated. The frequencies are 167.8875 and 168.850 (unknown PL). Both were monitored with a fairly strong signal in the eastern Union County area.

SkipSanders · #2 (**permalink**) 09-06-2007, 04:51 PM

Won't usually do you any good to just give frequencies, as the feds these days are pretty much all over, and have changed agencies around between departments so much in the great Homeland Stupidity farce that anyone might be on anything, now.

What you want, first, is to determine what CTCSS (subaudible tone) they're using, if any. The agencies always did have pretty 'standard' tones each agency used. For instance, if they're using 100.0 tone, they're probably US Customs.

Otherwise, you just have to listen, and see what they're doing, and make your guesses, like the rest of us. Consider yourself lucky they aren't encrypted (yet). In my area, unencrypted federal coms are VERY few and far between, and mostly accidental.

jerseymilair · #3 (**permalink**) 09-06-2007, 06:31 PM

I actually monitored 167.8875 way back in December, 1982 from Essex County, NJ. At that time it was the F.B.I. in Newark, NJ, station KEC271. That frequency was known as "Blue 2". I know a lot has changed since then. Most of the comms back then were always in the clear. They would sometimes however use encryption. The code work to scramble back then was "go papa". At times you would here them say "in the green". Green comms were in the clear. Just my 2 cents.
Steve

ecps92 · #4 (**permalink**) 09-06-2007, 06:37 PM

Get a CTCSS tone next time, if you can.

168.8500 was back in the 1990's an Input to Repeaters in NJ.

Quote:

Originally Posted by N2ZGE

Yesterday, I had some free time so I decided to do some scanning for new frequencies. There are two frequencies in the federal band that I recently came across using analog mode in which I didn't recognize. I searched for both frequencies using the RR search engine and on the web, but came up with nothing. Any help would be appreciated. The frequencies are 167.8875 and 168.850 (unknown PL). Both were monitored with a fairly strong signal in the eastern Union County area.

N2ZGE · #5 (**permalink**) 09-07-2007, 09:26 AM

Thanks for your help guys. Unfortunately, I my scanner does not have PL capability so I cannot determine their tones. I'll just continue listening and see if I can pick anything else out. It's very possible that they are still being used by the FBI base in Newark. I know much of their transmissions are still in the clear, from monitoring 169.975 MHz. I noticed that traffic on that frequency has been significantly less lately, therefore they may be using additional frequencies to communicate. Most of the transmissions so far have been brief and they speak mostly using codes, so can't make anything out yet. However, it's going to be fun playing detective.

Joseph11 · #6 (**permalink**) 09-07-2007, 01:15 PM

Hmm, I didn't know so many people listened to the feds in NJ. Does anyone have any federal frequency lists for NY and NJ? I have some on my message board, but I did most of it by myself and probably missed some. Thanks.

jaymatt1978 · #7 (**permalink**) 09-07-2007, 02:08 PM

I'm curious now...what percent of the feds are digital and encrypted vs the ones that are truly "in the clear". Yes I know "in the clear" usually means unencrypted, but some of us still have non-digital scanners......

N2ZGE · #8 (**permalink**) 09-14-2007, 12:37 PM

Well, after several days of hearing nothing, yesterday on 167.8875 I heard one unit calling another unit "Mobile one". After that, it just went silent again. It's not very active. I live about 10 miles away from the Westfield Armory National Guard Base. Perhaps I'm hearing them?? I know the National Guard in NJ mostly uses the State Police TRUNKED frequencies, but I'm wondering if they use frequencies in the federal band for communication within the base. Does anyone have any frequencies for the Westfield Armory?

Audiodave1 · #9 (**permalink**) 09-15-2007, 02:54 AM

I would say 90% of fedcoms (enforcement related) are digital. Of that, some channels have always been encrypted (or un-monitorable) but the ones that can be switched between ENC and Clear (Like DEA) about 1/3 of comms are un-monitorable.

There just isn't much LE related analog traffic anymore.

Dave

ecps92 · #10 (**permalink**) 09-17-2007, 12:56 PM

Clear vs Coded to me would be Analog Signals
P-25 vs P-25 Encrypted would be Digital.

Still plenty of CLEAR traffic in the Boston/New England Region
altho some are moving to P-25 and P-25 Encrypted.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaymatt1978

I'm curious now...what percent of the feds are digital and encrypted vs the ones that are truly "in the clear". Yes I know "in the clear" usually means unencrypted, but some of us still have non-digital scanners......

N2ZGE · #11 (**permalink**) 09-24-2007, 11:16 AM

This definitely sounds like security for a federal institution in my opinion. They have mentioned "keep an eye on the elevator, or watch the elevator" several times. However, they also have mobile units. Of course, they mostly use codes to communicate so I can't really make much sense out of it. If anyone else is monitoring this frequency, keep us posted on what you may hear or what it sounds like to you.