453.85 [77.0]

[n4jri]

I'm hearing this freq in Richmond at night. Base ID's as "Command Post" I don't know if it's local to Richmond or ducted here from elsewhere. The only assignment for this particulary freq and tone that I can find are for handhelds on the Jamestown Ferry.

Any help appreciated.

73/Allen (N4JRI)

 

[LEH]

Not sure what 453.850 would be in the Richmond area, but in the Hampton Roads area, it is the common frequency for all the VDOT bridges and tunnels (except the Bay Bridge). Though most of the radios are low power. I've never heard the HRBT when near the M&M. Even hear the Coleman Bridge on occasion, though I live about 8 miles from the there.

 

[Mick]

Here are the licensees on 453.85 in VA:
KA2696
VIRGINIA, COMMONWEALTH OF
Mobile

KNGQ446
DANVILLE, CITY OF
DANVILLE

KRS401
HERNDON, TOWN OF
HERNDON

KZI296
VIRGINIA, COMMONWEALTH OF
HAMPTON

WNAP482
Town of Blacksburg; Transit Department
CHRISTIANSBURG

WNNB245
VIRGINIA, COMMONWEALTH OF
NORFOLK

WNRX215
WAYNESBORO, CITY OF
WAYNESBORO

WPAE583
VIRGINIA, COMMONWEALTH OF
NEWPORT NEWS

WPCK917
SHENANDOAH COUNTY OF
MAURERTOWN

WPEK975
DINWIDDIE COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY
DINWIDDIE

WPFK477
NORTHERN NECK REGIONAL JAIL
WARSAW

WXF907
VIRGINIA, COMMONWEALTH OF
NORFOLK

WXF908
VIRGINIA, COMMONWEALTH OF
NORFOLK

WXF909
VIRGINIA, COMMONWEALTH OF
NORFOLK

 

[kc4jgc]

in the Hampton Roads area, it is the common frequency for all the VDOT bridges and tunnels (except the Bay Bridge).

Note that this is a repeater output frequency, input 5 MHz up. At my location in Norfolk, I often hear the HRBT, M-MBT as well as the Downtown & Midtown tunnels.Sometimes I hear more than one tunnel on the air at the same time (obviously, they don't check the air before transmitting). Apparently doesn't bother anyone as the conversations continue as if no one else is there. Each facility uses a different pl tone. [/quote]

 

[n4jri]

I'm now sure that this is a simplex operation located in downtown Richmond.

It all seems a bit much for VDOT, but then Game and Inland Fisheries has both a SWAT team (they call it SLAP) and executive protection for commission members.

So, when a guy in black pajamas comes crashing through your bedroom window to check your fishing license, expect an armored orange pickup truck to be lurking nearby.

73/Allen (N4JRI)

 

[RagnarD]

Hi Allen,

I like the black pajamas and orange truck nearby. I laughed so hard my stomach hurt when I read that.

Just remember that three guys in black pajamas will be leaning on their swords while the fourth one is jumping through the window to check your fishing license. (No flames needed from any courageous highway workers lurking here).


Thanks for the laugh this morning I hope I did not wake up the XYL and my harmonic.

73
de
chris
kq4z

 

[kg4rgn]

453.85

my guess this is Security at Jametown F2. I hear them every day and they talk to the ferry boat about every 30 min and give a all clear.

Add the other freq to your scanner, there is more traffic on F1. They are using simplex with 5 watts with the 77.0 tone and the water will give then more travel distance.

 

[n4jri]

Not a likely possibility for the following reasons:

1 - 5 watts from Jamestown to Richmond would be pretty remote.
2 - There are not checks each half-hour here. Recording has shown that hours can go by with no transmission at all.
3 - I'm beginning to localize the transmissions. I hear base only when East or West of VDOT HQ by a few miles. When near VDOT HQ, I can often pick up two sides.

Will have to just wait and see. It's only a matter of time, now.

73/Allen (N4JRI)

 

[MOTORHEAD3902]

my input

Hey there,

I think N4JRI is on to something about it being VDOT HQ. I seem to remember, now that you all mention it, seeing an in-house radio system for VDOT HQ when I had occassions to visit there several years ago (I worked for another agency at the time). Mostly GE-MPA portables were in use by the contract security company working there, and I seem to remember them being "dispatched", as it were, by a central security desk ("Command Post" comes to mind as their callsign, but my memory is foggy) on the first floor of the main VDOT bldg. This bldg is situated fronting Broad St on its' South side between Old Memorial Hospital (aka Old South Hospital) and the larger, more modern VDOT Annex bldg at 14th and Broad.
As a sidenote, the contract security folks were provided oversight in their duties at VDOT HQ by sworn members of the State Capitol Police (my olde alma mater).
Hope this can shed a little light on the 453.850R question.


Good to hear there is still conventional activity in Richmond Downtown.


Ta
/BA/

 

[n4jri]

We can confirm this one as VDOT HQ, but the op is simplex and there is little substantial traffic.

This reminds me of a security post that I used to have in a large bank. Guards were relatively stationary with plenty of phone access, and little radio traffic would occur other than just radio checks.

Other than the thrill of the hunt, there's probably not much excitement with this one.

73/Allen (N4JRI)