American Airlines 800 MHZ DMR System at PHL

[Septa3371CSX1]

This past Sunday I came across 856.2875 and 856.8625 on signal stalker at the Philadelphia Int'l Airport. Looked up the frequencies in the FCC database here and came up with this license for American Airlines. WNMO866 (American Airlines Group Inc) FCC Callsign Details

Both frequencies I got were definitely DMR/TRBO. Any idea what this system is for? I know American has a UHF TRBO system at PHL. The license effective date is October 2014 so this 800 system seems fairly new.

 

[DASFlies]

I know American has switched all ground ops at PHL to a new DMR system and issued new portables to their employees. I found a lost one at work, and before returning it to its owner posted the channel rundown in the database a couple months ago. From my search of the FCC database it looked like the new American is rolling out these systems at all of their hubs and major stations. I will try to confirm whether its UHF or 800, not sure why there would be two separate systems in use, unless one is for mainline and one for Express ops.

 

[HM1529]

I know American has switched all ground ops at PHL to a new DMR system and issued new portables to their employees. I found a lost one at work, and before returning it to its owner posted the channel rundown in the database a couple months ago. From my search of the FCC database it looked like the new American is rolling out these systems at all of their hubs and major stations. I will try to confirm whether its UHF or 800, not sure why there would be two separate systems in use, unless one is for mainline and one for Express ops.

I flew from Philly to Charlotte to hop another flight last week and the American/US Airways people in Charlotte all had new digital equipment, as well.

 

[Septa3371CSX1]

Earlier this month I went to Governor Printz Park and ran DSD+ on this system. Turns out this is quite a busy system - even a little busier than the UHF Capacity Plus system American is also using at PHL.

Below is the channel and talkgroup info I was able to gather. Seeing as this is a Connect Plus system that listed neighbouring sites 2 and 3 I'm wondering if this same system is in use at other airports.

Con+ System 425 CC=1 NL: 2, 3
Site 1 (PHL) * = Control Channel
1/2 = 856.2875
3/4 = 856.8625
5*/6 = 857.2875
7/8 = 858.2875
9/10 = 859.2875
11/12 = 860.2875
13/14 = 860.8625

TG=10001
TG=10002
TG=10003 (Baggage Handlers?)
TG=10004 (Gate Agents?)
TG=10005
TG=10007
TG=10010
TG=10011
TG=10020
TG=12059

As mentioned this system is very active. From the sounds of it seems it is in use at Terminal A. If anyone has further info on this system it would be greatly appreciated. I'll submit this system to the database when I get a chance as well.

From a monitoring standpoint this system is not as powerful (signal/distance wise) as the UHF Capacity Plus system.

 

[Muffin]

800 MHZ DMR Airport Systems

Hello fellow scanner enthusiasts!

I came across your posts tonight when searching out additional information on the recently implemented Vancouver International Airport (B.C. Canada) system.

System Name: CYVR Vancouver International Airport Connect Plus 800 MHZ DMR Trunk (CYVR Vancouver International Airport Connect Plus Trunking System, Richmond, BC, British Columbia - Scanner Frequencies).

You'll note it has recently replaced the Motorola Type 2 Hybrid system (CYVR Vancouver International Airport (OLD SYSTEM) Trunking System, Vancouver, British Columbia - Scanner Frequencies) that was in place and included most of the "major players" from emergency responders to federal customs agencies to security services and airport operations.

This new system now includes the airport's Emergency Services Responders and YVR Operations teams. In the event of any major "incident" at the airport, all emergency responders can go about their business utilizing relatively new (not many people with 800 MHz DMR scanners yet) technology without the fear of being monitored like we could before!

After a recent trip to Calgary, Alberta Canada (New Years 2016) I notice that they may very well be implementing a similar system at the International airport there too.

Just thinking out loud but perhaps this is the newest "federal" security type protocol for all major airports in North American Airspace...Hmmm

As an aside: The R.C.M.P and the Canada Border Services Agency have recently moved all their communications over to P25 Digital Encrypted comms. These are Canada's top two federal agencies much the same as the U.S.A.'s version of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs (who are also encrypted locally on the B.C. / Washington border.


Your thoughts?

 

[DASFlies]

Thankfully, radio systems are unique to each airport, not (yet) something dictated by any federal security standard. Airport Ops/PD/Fire tend to piggyback on whoever's system the overriding airport owner/authority uses, many of which are still in the clear, at least in the US.

Unfortunately, this seems to be changing for the worse as far as scanner users are concerned.

 

[redbeard]

I noticed at PIT the old US Air Motorola type ii system was modified and at least two frequencies dropped from the system. I have seen rest channel bursts on one of them and DSD+ says it's a Cap+ system. There is still traffic on the old trunked system and very little on the new DMR. I am watching closely to add to the database as things develop.

 

[Mark]

Here come the Columbus Blue Jackets for Saturday night Flyers game..
Late night partiers.. Got a slightly late start.LOL

http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/2/2/9/1326922.jpg

N697BJ