CBP UAS/Drones

[KG5HHS]

Hello All,
I had a thread titled CBP San Angelo that I was going to post in, but it is no longer open for replies. As stated in that thread, I live In San Angelo, TX where we happen to have a CBP Air and Marine Operations station. I know that they operate the General Atomics Predator . I have a FlightAware flightfeeder that I'm able to see aircraft with. I have seen a screenshot of the "OMHA13" being tracked, but I've never seen it. My question is, is it possible to monitor these and if so, how can I? Do they communicate with ATC? Do they operate on civil aviation or military aviation frequencies?

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

I would expect the drone would have a transponder. If you can determine is code you should be able to find it with an appropriate software and SDR.

General Atomics: UK Protector Advances Civil Certification Effort


b. Transponder
.
(1) The UA must operate with a transponder that meets the performance and
environmental requirements of any class of Technical Standard Order (TSO)-C74d or TSO
-C112, to include altitude reporting, during all flight operations. If the transponder is Mode S
capable, it must have an appropriately assigned International Civil Aviation Organization
(ICAO) 24-bit address based on the UA’s assigned registration number.


https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/8130.34C.pdf

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Notice/N_8900.227.pdf

there might be a voice relay to civilian ATC channels.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Notice/N_JO_7110.724_5-2-9_UAS_Lost_Link_2.pdf

 

[KG5HHS]

I would expect the drone would have a transponder. If you can determine is code you should be able to find it with an appropriate software and SDR.

General Atomics: UK Protector Advances Civil Certification Effort


b. Transponder
.
(1) The UA must operate with a transponder that meets the performance and
environmental requirements of any class of Technical Standard Order (TSO)-C74d or TSO
-C112, to include altitude reporting, during all flight operations. If the transponder is Mode S
capable, it must have an appropriately assigned International Civil Aviation Organization
(ICAO) 24-bit address based on the UA’s assigned registration number.


https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/8130.34C.pdf

Call it a coincidence, but I think I just picked it up. It's Ident was "CBP213" and the ICAO was "AE4DDE" flying at 22,000ft at 123knots about 80miles SW of my location.

 

[prcguy]

That sounds like a fairly low speed for that altitude, what else could it be but a UAV?

Call it a coincidence, but I think I just picked it up. It's Ident was "CBP213" and the ICAO was "AE4DDE" flying at 22,000ft at 123knots about 80miles SW of my location.

 

[MtnBiker2005]

Just saw it on OpenADSB iOS app.
http://openadsbapp.com

And on FlightAware:
CBP213 Live Flight Tracking and History (Owner: Unknown Owner) ✈ FlightAware

 

[alcahuete]

Do they communicate with ATC? Do they operate on civil aviation or military aviation frequencies?

Yes, they communicate with ATC, either on the normal VHF, UHF, or tactical frequency.

 

[spacellamaman]

a scanner with Spectrum Sweeper or Signal Stalker is what you are going to want to use if you can manage to get yourself within 10miles or less straight line distance. IF and its a big IF, they are using a freq that is in typical scanner coverage range you should be in good shape with some patience. but it could even then be a bummer. there was a CN-235 doing, well, something, i'm not really sure what, in my area a few months ago for hours making perfect circles at 15000 ft. easily snagged the freq(s) (or center freqs or whatever it was) but it was all some sort of data transmission between 401-403mhz. never heard a peep otherwise. killed a lot of time for that little experience.

one of these days i'll learn my lesson

 

[MtnBiker2005]

CBP-213 up flying today.

CBP213 Flight Tracking and History - FlightAware

Track CBP213 flight from San Angelo Rgnl to San Angelo Rgnl

flightaware.com

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1214234693987639299