Augusta County SWAT

[1hank1]

Something going on in Augusta County. The police were stalking a guy in a gold Toyota truck, but then switched to "the SWAT channel". I tried scanning for this freq, but it must be scrambled or something... I was getting some random scrambled traffic on 851.5625, but my scanner could not decode anything.

[mike_s104]

Originally Posted by 1hank1

Something going on in Augusta County. The police were stalking a guy in a gold Toyota truck, but then switched to "the SWAT channel". I tried scanning for this freq, but it must be scrambled or something... I was getting some random scrambled traffic on 851.5625, but my scanner could not decode anything.

Did they actually call it that? I lived there for 20+ years and never heard them mention a "SWAT Channel". Was what you heard analog or digital? If analog, was it voice inversion? I remember they used 39.72 as things like that years ago.


EDIT: I just looked and 851.5625 is Rockingham Co.'s trunked ProVoice system, so that may have been what you were hearing.


EDIT#2: I found this:

http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?cs=WQAY879

I looked here and nothing major stood out
http://www.radioreference.com/apps/d...%20COUNTY%20OF

Another thought is they might be using one of the freqs in simplex. I remember that Staunton PD used 460.1375 and 465.1375 as separate channels especially during July 4th when the Stink, ahh, Statler Bothers would perform in the Gypsy Hill Park. Also try some of the Fire/EMS channels in simplex. This isn't to say they might have something that is not listed in the FCC database. If they are getting assistance from VSP, monitor their TAC and surveillance freqs.

[1hank1]

Yes, they specifically said "change to the SWAT channel".

Just a few minutes ago I heard an officer call in to dispatch asking the operating freq. as he could not raise anyone on "channel 1" or "SWAT". Dispatch responded as said, "I assume SWAT. I have not heard any traffic since operations were changed to the SWAT channel". This leads me to believe that even dispatch does not monitor the SWAT channel.

I'm still poking around, but I'm not finding much.

[mike_s104]

Originally Posted by 1hank1

Yes, they specifically said "change to the SWAT channel".

Just a few minutes ago I heard an officer call in to dispatch asking the operating freq. as he could not raise anyone on "channel 1" or "SWAT". Dispatch responded as said, "I assume SWAT. I have not heard any traffic since operations were changed to the SWAT channel". This leads me to believe that even dispatch does not monitor the SWAT channel.

I'm still poking around, but I'm not finding much.

try a search in the 453-461 and 458-466 ranges. If they are using the same radios for dispatch as well, it might be in those ranges. also, if they are simplex, the range will not be a lot. do you know if you're close geographically to where they are? I take it dispatch was on 460.4? is it sad that I still know the freqs even though I have not lived there in about 6 years?

[1hank1]

I heard not long ago that officer "318" had the subject in custody. That was on the 460.4000 freq you're referring to.

I searched darn near the everything from 39,000 to 851.xxxx. Nothing. I'm not real sure where the team was, so they very well could have been on simplex....

I'm still not sure what the problem was.

[n4jri]

Originally Posted by mike_s104

Another thought is they might be using one of the freqs in simplex. I remember that Staunton PD used 460.1375 and 465.1375 as separate channels especially during July 4th when the Stink, ahh, Statler Bothers would perform in the Gypsy Hill Park. Also try some of the Fire/EMS channels in simplex. This isn't to say they might have something that is not listed in the FCC database. If they are getting assistance from VSP, monitor their TAC and surveillance freqs.

Do you know if they still used the 065 DCS code on those freqs?

I agree with the possibility of something unlicensed--particularly for something like a SWAT team. If I recall right, FCC regs allow law enforcement agencies to use ANY public safety freq above 40 MHz at 2 watts or less. (on a non-interference basis, of course ;-) )

Several localities in Virginia share tac channels between police and fire with different squelch coding. Rare is the chance to find out firsthand.

73/Allen (N4JRI)

[mike_s104]

Originally Posted by n4jri

Do you know if they still used the 065 DCS code on those freqs?

I agree with the possibility of something unlicensed--particularly for something like a SWAT team. If I recall right, FCC regs allow law enforcement agencies to use ANY public safety freq above 40 MHz at 2 watts or less. (on a non-interference basis, of course ;-) )

Several localities in Virginia share tac channels between police and fire with different squelch coding. Rare is the chance to find out firsthand.

73/Allen (N4JRI)

I haven't lived there in years but when I was there in May to get married, I believe they were using that DCS.

[tglendye]

I just saw this thread. 065 DCS is what they use on Ch. 1 & 3. I'm not sure of the SWAT channel either, but my guess would be a low power UHF simplex frequency.

Hank, I think what you were hearing was definitely Rockingham County's Pro-voice. I heard the call as well, but was too far away to search anything that was simplex.

Todd