BWI TSA Freqs

[bear105]

I have a couple of freqs for the TSA Screeners at BWI. Anymore noted?

172.150Mhz
172.900Mhz

Also, its seems I have to be quite close to the airport to pick these up...

 

[TinEar]

I'll take a listen this evening. I haven't ever scanned that freq range and never thought to look for TSA there. I'm close enough to the airport to be able to hear just about everything they do.

 

[bear105]

I have the following clipped out, and I'm embarassed to say I don't remember from where. So credit where due...

TSA radio bandplan (From the Fedcom list)
1-172.1500 S1 simplex (digital)
2-172.1500 S1 simplex (digital)
3-172.1500 S1 simplex (digital)
4-172.1500 S1 simplex (digital)
5-172.9000 S2 simplex (digital)
6-169.3000 S3 simplex (digital)
7-169.3000 tx 172.9000 rx R1 (digital) repeater
8-169.3000 tx 172.9000 rx R1 (digital) repeater
9-169.3000 tx 172.9000 rx R1 (digital) repeater
10-172.9000 S2 simplex (digital)
11-172.9000 S2 simplex (digital)
12-166.4625 F1 simplex 103.5 ctcss (Analog)
13-166.4625 F1 simplex (digital)

 

[dennyc716]

I am a newbie so what kind of antenna would you need? A 800mhz one wouldnt work, correct?

 

[TinEar]

Often, the best antenna choice is the whip that comes with the scanner. If you're within reasonable range (a few miles), you might just hear any repeater freqs.

 

[TinEar]

I've spent a little time monitoring these TSA freqs and the only one I've heard so far is 172.90. It is so loud that I have to reach for the volume knob every time they transmit since I'm only a couple of miles from them and their modulation level is turned sky high. Hope to hear some of the others soon.

 

[bear105]

Hmmm...I only can get that freq when I'm mobile and close. They must not be on a repeater, as I can get the ARINC stuff and we know how weak that is...Thanks for checking.

 

[ka3jjz]

Hmm, that 166.4625 freq is interesting; that's a Treasury common freq, often associated with Customs - although I can well understand why TSA might want it in their bandplan.

73s Mike

 

[TinEar]

Sounds logical to me too since TSA works in the International area of the airport as do the customs people. It's easy to envision situations that would require comms between the two.

 

[kikito]

Hmm, that 166.4625 freq is interesting; that's a Treasury common freq, often associated with Customs - although I can well understand why TSA might want it in their bandplan.

And a couple of others they have, used to be part of our FAA frequencies back when we had the 12 ch. MX360 radios.

 

[TinEar]

Bear, I don't listen to ARINC but do listen to the many, many freqs in the 461-464 mHz range from the airport. I think everyone BUT USAir works those freqs instead. All the baggage handlers, counter agents, aircraft maintenance and assorted workers can be heard loud and clear. It makes you appreciate how hard they work out there - it's constant - and evening rush hour is a real circus. However, during slow airrival/departure periods they are generally having a bit of fun and the listening gets interesting.

 

[ka3jjz]

TinEar, what do you listen to in the 460 range for BWI stuff? I know Continental, Delta, United, Northwest are all there, and I think America West as well as the cops, operations (453.8), AirTran, the BWI garage and a couple of other things. I'd be interested in what you have.

My email is ka3jjz@erols.com 73s Mike

 

[bear105]

This is all I had programmed in my scanner for that range, besides the United Trunk.

460.775000,BWI American,107.2,FM-N
460.750000,BWI Continental,71.9,FM-N
460.850000,BWI Delta,103.5,FM-N
460.650000,BWI Northwest,192.8,FM-N
460.675000,BWI TWA,192.8,FM-N

I think the TWA is a little old though... :lol:

 

[ka3jjz]

Yeah, since you got that from me! 8)

I think TWA folded up shop; I've been getting some very weak comms there, but not enough to get a solid ID yet. Anyway, Dave Schoenberger's BWI page has a few more, and they've proved pretty accurate but that only scratches the surface of what's there.

73s and enjoy the holiday...Mike

 

[bear105]

Yeah, since you got that from me! 8)

Excellent...thanks alot! I love the Northwest folks too! Always a crisis...

 

[TinEar]

Mike, sorry I missed the post from you when it was put up. I don't catalog all those frequencies - I just listen. I guess I've just never been motivated to try to identify them individually. My interest is just casual and it's to hear all the fooling around they do during non-busy times. I don't even set individual freqs in the scanner but listen with the search feature set between 461 and 465.

 

[PanJurekMrJerry]

I have a couple of freqs for the TSA Screeners at BWI. Anymore noted?

172.150Mhz
172.900Mhz

Also, its seems I have to be quite close to the airport to pick these up...

By close how close to you mean? 1 mile, 2 miles, etc.?

 

[bear105]

By close how close to you mean? 1 mile, 2 miles, etc.?

I guess its about 5 miles that I start losing them.

BTW...I like your signature file...bang on!!

 

[freqhopping]

I came across 172.9 and 172.15 yesterday and can hear them perfectly in Loudoun County. I was at least 10 miles from Dulles.

 

[bear105]

Was stuck up at Arundel Mills today while the wife spent all my money...Anyhow, I got in the BWI TSA freqs pretty good. (Usually just outta range from my home...) 172.6Mhz was the most active with lots of passenger-related stuff.

Was wondering if anybody listens to the TSA regularly?? Also, was anybody listening Wednesday?