BWI TSA Freqs

[TinEar]

I have the 172.9 freq programmed and hear it regularly. I didn't know about the 172.6 freq so thank you for that one. 172.9 is very strong from my location and is on the verge of overmodulating most of the time. They use an APCO25 digital transmission type. Most of their traffic is very routine with chat about calling each other on the phone and going to one gate or another. They usually call each other by first names rather than callsigns. Little of substance.

 

[FPO703]

They use an APCO25 digital transmission type.

It's APCO-25 Digital Modulation in Conventional mode. 172.900 is becoming more common at the larger airports across the country. Mostly, I've heard talks about 'call me at ext xxxx' or 'we have one in custody for having a leatherman on his belt'

I know it's zero-tolerance. But, c'mon, now. Get real.

 

[Audiodave1]

Hello everyone,
I've been thru 30 or so airports in the past year and the same TSA freq's keep popping up on my radio so it is a nationwide freq plan.

Here in Philly I can pick up the 172.9 channel with a car mag mount about 10 miles away.

Dave

 

[Spleen]

Bear in mind, the TSA, Customs, Immigration, FEMA, etc. frequencies are sorta/kinda under the DHS umbrella now.

Anyone know if they plan to go to UHF anytime soon or are they sticking with what they have now?

 

[im800mhz]

They may be going to IWN soon

http://www.usdoj.gov/jmd/iwn/

 

[RDCat]

frt lauderdale tsa

any word what tsa uses in the frt lauderdale intnl airport????

 

[Audiodave1]

Hello,

See 3rd message. Likely this is correct.

Dave

 

[TinEar]

There is an interesting article in today's Washington Post about the trials and tribulations of the TSA screeners at BWI. It is written by Ron Moore who is a screener there and president of the local union. We don't often hear the other side of the story. Here is the link:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A41820-2004Dec6.html?sub=AR

I'm still getting excellent reception on the 172.9 freq that seems to be their primary (and maybe only) freq in use. Most of the people on the net seem to have now learned that because of the APCO25 digital nature of the transmitter, they must wait a second or so after keying the mic to start talking. Most of the traffic is very routine stuff and I'm about ready to drop them off my freq list. Even last night during the emergency situation at gate B-9, with a ton of equipment from AA and Baltimore Counties and the BWI fire equipment, there was nothing on the TSA freq.

Alan

 

[Admin0140434]

Even last night during the emergency situation at gate B-9

did i miss something? what happened (figures, i was a work AGAIN)

seems like everything happens when im pulling in my 40 - 50 hours a week in hell.

 

[TinEar]

It turned out to not be much at all. After landing, a Southwest pilot reported that he thought the auxiliary power unit in the tail might be ready to catch fire. He was getting an indication of a heat buildup. It caused a bit of panic since he had a lot of S.O.B.s*. But he quickly finished his taxiing to the gate and got all the passengers off. As mentioned, fire equipment and medic units from the two counties and the BWI crews responded. They completely filled the alleyway between B and C gates and just generally screwed up the ability of many flights to get to their gates. This was during the real busy time of around 6:30pm. About the time that all the responders got there, it was decided that the power unit on the aircraft had overheated but had since cooled down once engine shutoff was done. End of emergency. Everyone went home. Planes taxied to their gates. I pressed my "Resume" scan button.

* SOB- An Air Force term, Souls On Board.