FBI Delta Zone

[mangomike]

A question regarding the channelization and a common nationwide zone for the FBI, the general consensus, 10 years ago was that the only FBI zone which was common to all FBI radios nationwide was the Delta zone, and of course 167.5625 which is part of the makeup of that zone for car to car communications.

Do most of you still feel this holds true?

I’ve been in Las Vegas for almost three years. Below is what I have intercepted, to date for the FBI Delta channels. I’m also curious if other members have FBI radio intercepts on some of the same frequencies.

CH. Designation RPTR-OUT/RPTR-IN MODE MODULATION

Delta ? 166.4625/166.4625 SMPLX FM/DES & P25/AES

Delta ? 167.5375/163.8625 RPTR P25/AES

Delta ? 165.925/TBD RPTR P25 & P25/AES

Delta-4 167.5625/167.5625 SMPLX FM/DES & P25/AES

Delta? 170.900/TBD RPTR/SMPLX P25& P25/AES

Delta-8 170.825/TBD RPTR/SMPLX P25 & P25/AES

Mike

 

[nd5y]

Recently I heard the Dallas office testing D1 164.550 which is the same thing that was listed about 20 years ago. In this area there are so many repeaters linked together that you never know what you are hearing.

 

[puzzleriddle]

Here is what I have as far CH designators etc.. have no idea if still active or where they came from tho( except where Noted:

0627 FBI A-2 Simulcst 167.437500 AU -
0633 FBI A7/USMS 167.787500 AU NAC 330
0630 FBI B5 167.737500 AU SRCH -
0651 FBI B5 167.700000 AU SRCH
0785 FBI d1 Input 168.862500 FM SRCH
0656 FBI D1 out 164.550000 AU SRCH
0657 FBI D2 SIMPLEX? 164.550000 AU SRCH
0649 FBI D3 M 166.462500 AU SRCH
0770 FBI D4 Mobile AL 167.562500 AU NAC 167
0628 FBI D4 SURv 167.562500 AU NAC 167
0658 FBI D5 rptr, sP 167.537500 AU NAC 167 -
0659 FBI D6 OUTPUT 167.537500 AU
0645 FBI D7 163.100000 AU SRCH
also many others if needed

 

[mangomike]

FBI Delta zone

Thanks for the rapid reply, Puzzle Riddle, and ND5Y.

The list below;

CH. R-Out R-In

D-1 164.550 168.8625
D-2 164.550 164.550
D-3 166.4625 166.4625
D-4 167.5625 167.5625
D-5 167.5375 167.5375
D-6 167.5375 163.8625
D-7 163.100 163.100
D-8 155.475 155.475

With the exception of D-3 has been floating around in all of the Federal Government Freq. Guides
and Internet web sites for almost two decades. When I made the D-8, intercept (170.825), in addition to hundreds of hours of monitoring and noticing when the agents go from repeater to car-car mode they are pressing a button, not switching channels, as was necessary with the older radios, it occurred to me their Delta-zone has probably changed, or been modified as well. Most of the newer radios used today, both HT's as well as mobiles have three or four user programmable buttons. My guess is one of those buttons is programmed for talk-around. Lets keep an eye out for 170.825, as well as 170.900 and maybe we can solve another possible mystery.

Once again, thanks for the feed-back,

Mike

 

[mangomike]

Whoops, almost forgot about 165.925.


Mike

 

[Squad10]

D8, 170.8250 and D? 170.9000 are interesting. The last time I heard 170.8250 (about a year ago) in Chicago it was called H8 and being used analog simplex. Chicago D group channels are P25, all other radio groups are analog. 170.9000 is typically used for SSG/SOG and is part of the Chicago B group.

What is the nature of radio traffic are you hearing on 170.8250 and 170.9000 ? Major case, joint ops,?

 

[kennyblues]

Here in the Northeast the with the conversion to P-25, D-4 167.5625 has been heard being called NBD 4 (Narrow Band D-4 ?), Delta 5 has been heard with two different NAC tones for two different repeaters, though no channel designators heard. 170.8250 has been heard long ago being called the Juliet 7 channel by the SOG team. 165.9250 is a repeater input. Nothing ever logged on 170.9000

 

[mangomike]

Squad 10, Kenny Blues,

Thanks for the info. Based on the information you have both provided it would appear the Las Vegas FD may be one of the few who are using the 170.825, 170.900, 165.925 in their Delta zone. Time will tell as more reports come in.

Squad 10, to answer your question it was a joint agency operation, see;

Feds, police raid Las Vegas medical marijuana shops - Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2010 | 3:27 p.m. - Las Vegas Sun

Medical Marijuana clinic raids. In the above article they just say Federal agencies, along with Metro PD were involved. On the local Fox TV News channel, they said DEA, FBI and IRS were involved.

I've been in Las Vegas for almost three years, this was the first time I have heard the FBI mention their Delta channels. The FBI's SOG/SSG in LV operate on Alpha-9 (A-9)
RPTR-OUT/RPTR-IN MODE
170.625 162.7125 R/S (repeater & simplex)

It is interesting to note that the frequency 170.625 I have also monitored while in the North part of Nevada, while in Reno. All traffic was P25/AES encrypted. If it was not for the rare two occasions they operated in the clear, I probably would have never guessed that was an FBI frequency.

The vast majority of the time they are P25/AES encrypted, and are rarely heard in P25 clear, except for two times over the last three years. Unlike the other FBI squads, the SOG/SSG are very comsec discipline.

The LV FBI units identifiers are usually three and four digit numbers; 100, 200, 300 up to 1300.

During large multi-squad, multi-agency op's the identifiers; Victor and TOC are used. Victor=SAC (spcl agent in charge) TOC= Tactical Operations Center.

According to the LV FBI web site, in March of this year, before the web site was scrubbed, the LV FBI has eight squads, in addition to listing the Task Forces which are in operation. The numbered unit identifiers appear to correlate with the function they are assigned to; JTTF, Major Drug Organization TF, etc.

There is far too much information to discuss in any detail in this single post. But, my monitoring endeavors have provided a wealth of information, and monitoring pleasure.


Mike

 

[signal500]

Nationwide D

I have recently heard 164.550, 166.4625, 167.5375, and 167.5625 all with a NAC of 167 simplex being used for surveillance. The agents would change radio channels about every 12 hours during the operation. Nothing heard on 170.825 or on 170.900 during that time.

 

[mangomike]

I have recently heard 164.550, 166.4625, 167.5375, and 167.5625 all with a NAC of 167 simplex being used for surveillance. The agents would change radio channels about every 12 hours during the operation. Nothing heard on 170.825 or on 170.900 during that time.

Did you hear them mention any channel designations?


Mike

 

[signal500]

Did you hear them mention any channel designations?


Mike

No, everything was 100% encrypted.

 

[mike_s104]

D7 - 163.100 P25 does not follow the Detla channels in Northern VA/MD/WV area. It's used as maintenance for USGS at the Leetown Science Center in Jefferson Co. WV.

 

[nd5y]

163.1 is one of the common use frequencies available for use by any government agency.

 

[gewecke]

Are these common for the illinois areas south of chicago as well?
n9zas

 

[mike_s104]

Are these common for the illinois areas south of chicago as well?
n9zas

I'd say yeah. I compared the 100+ I had to the ones listed here and I had all but 2 listed here. I suspect there might be some different ones in addition to these and/or some labeled differently than here. All the D channels here were exactly what I had too.

From over the past 3-4 years of monitoring them, I would do a little digging through here, the RR Wiki and Monitoring Times and compile a list. Once you get that list, if you can, use a dedicated scanner to scan them in p25 and analog. I made a mistake by hearing them use analog with the PL of 167.9, so I programmed it as such. 1/2 way through the day, I didn't hear anything...they switched teams and went to P25. So, if you have them set to search for a PL tone, you might want to program them in twice to search for a NAC as well. If your scanner won't do NAC, just don't search for a PL and leave it open.

 

[puzzleriddle]

D7 - 163.100 P25 does not follow the Detla channels in Northern VA/MD/WV area. It's used as maintenance for USGS at the Leetown Science Center in Jefferson Co. WV.

163.100 is a Federal commons channel , most any Federal agency may use it.

 

[mangomike]

I'd say yeah. I compared the 100+ I had to the ones listed here and I had all but 2 listed here. I suspect there might be some different ones in addition to these and/or some labeled differently than here. All the D channels here were exactly what I had too.

From over the past 3-4 years of monitoring them, I would do a little digging through here, the RR Wiki and Monitoring Times and compile a list. Once you get that list, if you can, use a dedicated scanner to scan them in p25 and analog. I made a mistake by hearing them use analog with the PL of 167.9, so I programmed it as such. 1/2 way through the day, I didn't hear anything...they switched teams and went to P25. So, if you have them set to search for a PL tone, you might want to program them in twice to search for a NAC as well. If your scanner won't do NAC, just don't search for a PL and leave it open.

Good advise, because from what I have heard they can go either FM or P25 on their radios, although I suspect in the future for most of the Federal Government P25 will become the standard. On 167.5625, and 166.4625, especially when working with airborne surveillance units they have been heard in Las Vegas on FM. On the rest of their channels its 100% P25 and P25/AES encryption.

Mike

 

[mike_s104]

Good advise, because from what I have heard they can go either FM or P25 on their radios, although I suspect in the future for most of the Federal Government P25 will become the standard. On 167.5625, and 166.4625, especially when working with airborne surveillance units they have been heard in Las Vegas on FM. On the rest of their channels its 100% P25 and P25/AES encryption.

Mike

I've heard aircraft in P25 and as they gain distance from the ground units, switch to analog. I've also heard them setting up and unable to receive someone running encryption and have everyone go to in the clear. I've also heard all encrypted but one unit and being the good agent, they repeated everything to make sure they had it right...very helpful. also, I've heard one team (either AM or PM shift) be 100% encrypted and the next shift not.

One thing I don't do is post what I'm hearing as I hear it. I'm not going to have someone killed on my conscience. I do tell the wife especially if they are in an area where she is.

 

[gewecke]

I'd say yeah. I compared the 100+ I had to the ones listed here and I had all but 2 listed here. I suspect there might be some different ones in addition to these and/or some labeled differently than here. All the D channels here were exactly what I had too.

From over the past 3-4 years of monitoring them, I would do a little digging through here, the RR Wiki and Monitoring Times and compile a list. Once you get that list, if you can, use a dedicated scanner to scan them in p25 and analog. I made a mistake by hearing them use analog with the PL of 167.9, so I programmed it as such. 1/2 way through the day, I didn't hear anything...they switched teams and went to P25. So, if you have them set to search for a PL tone, you might want to program them in twice to search for a NAC as well. If your scanner won't do NAC, just don't search for a PL and leave it open.

Good idea mike.
n9zas

 

[mangomike]

I've heard aircraft in P25 and as they gain distance from the ground units, switch to analog. I've also heard them setting up and unable to receive someone running encryption and have everyone go to in the clear. I've also heard all encrypted but one unit and being the good agent, they repeated everything to make sure they had it right...very helpful. also, I've heard one team (either AM or PM shift) be 100% encrypted and the next shift not.

One thing I don't do is post what I'm hearing as I hear it. I'm not going to have someone killed on my conscience. I do tell the wife especially if they are in an area where she is.

Mike S, very interesting. In Las Vegas, the FBI run a lot of joint operations with other agencies. In addition on a few occasions units from Southern California were involved with the LV FBI units. This would explain why the D-4 (16t.5625) was conducted in FM. In many of the joint ops with IRS, SS, etc. would explain the usage of D-3 (166.4625). One case involved the FBI/Safe Streets Gang Task Force operating on the local Tac-2, Metro Police frequency. You never know where these guys will pop up.

Discretion is important in this hobby. I believe as you do, no real time reporting of operations. As far as frequencies go, I suppose it is all fair game, with one exception. That exception is Body Audio Transmitters, body taps, wires and the frequencies they use. That is the line I will not cross, because releasing those frequencies can seriously compromise a federal operation.

Mike