FCC Lookup

[som]

Noob here. How exactly is this possible?

 

[bravo14]

Noob here. How exactly is this possible?

If you don't see a freq listed that means either no one has not submitted it or they are working on who uses it. If you click the CallSign shows FRN Number and location(s) of freqs. If you click on the area on the map you need and look for FCC Licenses and 3 things come up. 1 Display all Licenses 2 Display Unidentified FCC Licenses 3 Display Last 100 FCC Grants

 

[som]

If you don't see a freq listed that means either no one has not submitted it or they are working on who uses it. If you click the CallSign shows FRN Number and location(s) of freqs. If you click on the area on the map you need and look for FCC Licenses and 3 things come up. 1 Display all Licenses 2 Display Unidentified FCC Licenses 3 Display Last 100 FCC Grants

But I mean, how are all these different people using the same frequency? I'm monitoring it and trying to determine where it's coming from. I'm hearing things mentioned that make me think it's either the Superdome or the Fairgrounds. Apparently it's both??

 

[tekheavy]

I think he may be asking how all those licenses on the same frequency are located in the same area.

 

[tekheavy]

But I mean, how are all these different people using the same frequency?

Different PL's, I assume.

 

[troymail]

Couple o'things....

It isn't uncommon for business frequencies to be licensed by multiple entities within the same general area. It many times comes down to the actual location, output power, repeater or mobile use and emission type among other things.

In my area, there is a TON of frequency reuse - for example, Southwest Airlines has a frequency on their trunk system that is also used conventionally by a retirement home that is twice as far from me. I hear the retirement home most times and I'm not sure Southwest is actually using that frequency even though it is on their license. Both licences are DMR but use different color codes.

The frequency reuse can make it a challenge determining who you are actually hearing - but not always.

A few of those frequencies are the same user on the same license - most likely that started as analog but a license modification was approved to start migrating over to digital - in this case DMR.

And then of course - the big one - the FCC license data is in no way 100% accurate... hard to say who is at fault there....

 

[som]

Couple o'things.... *snip*

Okay, that makes sense, although it's a bit frustrating. Thanks, Troy!

 

[troymail]

But I mean, how are all these different people using the same frequency? I'm monitoring it and trying to determine where it's coming from. I'm hearing things mentioned that make me think it's either the Superdome or the Fairgrounds. Apparently it's both??

To add a bit more - many times the repeaters/usage has a very small footprint - as in "at" the Superdome.

Again, I have a casino 2-3 miles from me that has a trunk DMR system that I cannot hear from my location. I'm sure the reason is that it really isn't needed to be received or used much out past a small radius around the facility it is intended.

Unlike large county or statewide public safety systems and regional type "fleet" style business radio systems (companies who sell/provide service with radios), business systems are not generally intended for wide area coverage. They cover a building or campus and are potentially network (non RF) linked if the company has multiple buildings/facilities that need to be connected.

 

[nd5y]

You need to click on each callsign and look at each license.
RR frequency search will show expired, canceled and terminated licenses.
If a license has multiple frequencies at multiple locations the RR frequency search will usually show all frequencies at all locations even though some are not used in the county/parish that you did the search for.
Also if a frequency has more than one emission designator it can appear multiple times in the search.

 

[troymail]

Okay, that makes sense, although it's a bit frustrating. Thanks, Troy!

Yup - it can be - but it's a somewhat new (not really) and "fun" part of the hobby.

 

[natedawg1604]

But I mean, how are all these different people using the same frequency? I'm monitoring it and trying to determine where it's coming from. I'm hearing things mentioned that make me think it's either the Superdome or the Fairgrounds. Apparently it's both??

LOL, that's a very good question. The simple answer is, in ULS you will often see many, many, many entities in adjacent areas with a license for the same frequency. In order to determine the actual user(s), you have to manually monitor the frequency yourself.

Although I am not intimately familiar with the fine-grain details, as I understand it a regional frequency coordinator is ultimately responsible for deciding who gets to use which frequency and the specific conditions of such use. It is my impression that frequency coordinators maintain the "real" database of who is currently using a particular frequency in a particular area, and THAT information is highly secret. If anyone can elaborate on this, please do so...

 

[ecps92]

the RRDB shows also the various licensed modes.
Doesn't mean they are used, but only licensed.

What mode are you hearing. Analog, P25 or DMR
Next Question is PL/DPL or NAC or CC SL and TG

There are only 6 Licenses in the FCC

BearCom who rents out to the NFL, Stadiums and other major events regularly, but was a small window license aka STA [Special Temp Auth] for the NBA back in Februrary, so this license is DOA

2 for the NFL - who have gone DMR, altho still licensed for Analog

Creative Communications - another Large Venue [STA] event
the New Orleans Jazz Festival - expires May 10th under an STA

New Orleans Fair Grounds - all portables, so likely not them
Quixote Studios LLC - all portables, so likely not them. They rent out radios for TV/Movie and Commercial filming across the Country

I'm going for the Jazz Festival.
BTW - it's best to drill down on each of the licenses and go to the FCC as there is much more to be found to explain the use, STA, issue, expire date etc over there.

But I mean, how are all these different people using the same frequency? I'm monitoring it and trying to determine where it's coming from. I'm hearing things mentioned that make me think it's either the Superdome or the Fairgrounds. Apparently it's both??

 

[som]

Thanks for the help, everyone! Upon further monitoring, I think I am indeed hearing the preparations for Jazz Fest. Mentions of "congo" (Congo Square Stage), "Acura" (Acura Stage), "horsemen's" (Horsemen's Cafeteria), and other things have convinced me.

Thanks again!

 

[troymail]

Thanks for the help, everyone! Upon further monitoring, I think I am indeed hearing the preparations for Jazz Fest. Mentions of "congo" (Congo Square Stage), "Acura" (Acura Stage), "horsemen's" (Horsemen's Cafeteria), and other things have convinced me.

Thanks again!

Yup - most times listening for a short time helps to determine the users (but not always). Public safety systems are a bit easier but it's all fun....

Are you catching any other info - sometimes users provide things like "Channel 2", etc. Of course, there are also color codes, etc. for DMR and similar things that are helpful - particularly if you find you're "in between" multiple users of the same frequencies.

Radio and talkgroup IDs can sometimes help in the task as well although depending upon the use, they may not always be present. Or, as with some systems around me, all radio and/or talkgroup IDs are set to the same value - like "1" - but that too helps define the system.