What are State Patrol pilots talking about--FIVE THOUSAND ?

[W5NNV]

I hold an Extra Class ham license so I can (and do) continuously monitor the ARMER system when in my car. Of course, I have all of the State Patrol-related talk groups loaded in my trunking scanner, including all of the many TAC TGIDs.

Being a private pilot also, I pay attention to communications to or from our helicopters (Trooper 7, 8). I have noticed something distinctive about their radio conduct and no other troopers do it -- the State Patrol pilots repeatedly use the term "Five Thousand" as part of an apparent call sign or designator when communicating with either West or East dispatch here in the metro area. It is very common and it happens only with the Flight Section officersr.

What is the "Five Thousand" referencing in radio traffic involving State Patrol helicopters?

Thanks !

 

[ChrisABQ]

I would imagine it's just their flight division call sign in general. Here in Albuquerque, we have Air 1 and Metro 1. The Border Patrol helicopters are all designated "Omaha". It's the easiest way to identify that it's an areal unit.

 

[johnmoe1]

As a practical matter, I think mostly it just refers to talkgroup 96. The website ( https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/msp/contact/Pages/district-index.aspx ) says the Flight Section is in District 2000, but listening I would have guessed 5000.

 

[W5NNV]

State patrol helicopter pilots and "Five Thousand"

Nope, that can't be it Chris, because every helicopter transmission on the ARMER system entails the pilot saying identifying as "Trooper Eight" or "Trooper Seven". As well, when dispatchers call the helicopters, the dispatchers NEVER say "five thousand". They say "Trooper Eight" or "Trooper Seven".

Yes, the pilots themselves have call numbers that I presume are badge numbers (?). Those numbers start with 9. For example, 925, 928, etc. are pilots.

There has to be some other explanation for the "five thousand" verbiage. The Flight Section of the Minnesota State Patrol is in District 2000 on their organizational chart. Nothing on that chart says anything about "five thousand".

 

[johnmoe1]

the dispatchers NEVER say "five thousand".

Not true. 01:36:55 this morning: "Rochester state patrol to flight on 5000"

 

[W5NNV]

Five Thousand etc

Not true. 01:36:55 this morning: "Rochester state patrol to flight on 5000"

Thanks for that observation John. I can now say that I know of someone who HAS heard a dispatcher use the verbiage "five thousand" when communicating with a State Patrol chopper.

Now, back to the main issue:

I looked back at pre-ARMER VHF assignments for use by MN State Patrol and noticed that our cars and aircraft "back in those days" had a dedicated frequency used for "radar and speed enforcement" -- that was 160.95000 MHz and I wonder if the modern use of the terminology "five thousand" in radio communications with the State Patrol planes is some kind of TRADITIONAL CARRYOVER from the "old VHF days" ? In other words, maybe a prior poster on this forum was unwittingly onto this when he/she said that perhaps "five thousand" is just some kind of shorthand way of addressing talk group 96 (Flight Section)?

Bingo: The alpha tag for talk group 96 is "MSP 5000 AIR".

Case Closed.

 

[blue5011]

So is this "etched" in stone somewhere that: "The alpha tag for talk group 96 is "MSP 5000 AIR"?

 

[W5NNV]

Well, that alpha tag is listed in the database provided by RadioReference.

The most compelling conclusion would appear to be that there must have been some historical precedent arising from Minnesota State Patrol radio lingo used during the "old VHF days" and that drove the choice of terminology for an alpha tag when folks here in Minnesota got together to create the ARMER system.

 

[ofd8001]

The state patrol has districts that range from 2000 to 4700 (which is commercial vehicle inspectors). See MnDPS State Patrol - The RadioReference Wiki

I suspect, though not shown in any easily found references, "Distrct 5000" is the MSP Aviation District Headquarters. For lack of something better, whenever units need to contact that district headquarters, they call "Distrct 5000", shortened to "5000".

 

[W5NNV]

Flight Section MN State Patrol

Nope. The Flight Section of MN State Patrol is in District 2600

See this page that shows all their Districts:

https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/msp/contact/Pages/district-index.aspx

 

[n0vza]

MSP Flight falls under District 2000 (Central Office).

District 2000 - Flight Section
District Office: 515 Eaton St., St. Paul, MN 55107
District Phone: (651) 539-1300
District Fax: (651) 296-1010
Staff Contacts: Lt. Craig Benz (651) 539-1301

District 2600 covers the Saint Cloud area.

District 2600
Serving the counties of: Benton, Big Stone, Kandiyohi, Meeker, Pope, Sherburne, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wright
District Office: 3725 12th Street North, St. Cloud, MN 56303
District Phone: (320) 223-6666
District Fax: (320) 654-5395
District Radio Center: Regional Comm Center: (651) 582-1292
Radio Center Fax: (651) 582-1523
Road Troopers: Captain (1)
Lieutenants (4)
Troopers (45)
Support Staff (4)
Station Offices: Buffalo, Elk River, Morris, Sauk Centre, Wilmar, St. Cloud
Staff Contacts: Capt. Jeff Westrum (320) 223-6660
Lt. Brad Ouart (320) 223-6664
Lt. Tim Salto (320) 223-6661
Lt. Tom Schmitz (320) 223-6662
Lt. Paul VanVoorhis (320) 223-6663
Sgt. Dave Stadther - District Investigator (320) 223-6671
Sgt. Aaron Dix - District Investigator (320) 223-6672
Sgt Jesse Grabow - Media Inquiries - (218) 846-8247 (office), (218) 639-3168 (cell) or email at jesse.grabow@state.mn.us


You could try sending an email to PatrolQuestions@state.mn.us or calling (651) 201-7100 and asking for some information.

 

[N0FPY]

District 2000 - Flight Section

Located at the St. Paul Downtown Air Port

 

[n0vza]

After posting my last reply, I spoke to a retired trooper and his response was:

"It is simply the name of the talk group that only the pilots and dispatch have"

Hope this helps.

 

[blue5011]

I am glad we all put our heads together and figured this out.

Thanks to all contributors!