Federal Freqs ?

[wv_mountaineer]

I am trying to find out what federal frequencies are now in use in my area. I am mostly interested in federal law enforcement. FBI, DEA, ICE, ATF, and US Marshall's, etc.

I live just about 10 miles outside Youngstown, Ohio which is right between Pittsburgh, Pa. and Cleveland, Oh. I'm not asking for known frequencies so to speak however I am asking for frequencies ranges to do searches and find the info on my own.


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[nd5y]

Search 162-174 and 406-420
See Common Frequencies - The RadioReference Wiki

 

[JacobInIndy]

As a side note, when searching those ranges, try searching a small section at a time. Say, 162.4000 - 165.000 for a month, then move on to 165.0125 - 167.000 for a month, and so on.

Searching a smaller range at a time will allow you to catch quick transmissions in that range. If you just set your scanner to search 162.000 - 174.000, you will catch some stuff, but the rarely used stuff you might miss becaeuse your scanner is taking too much time to chug through all the other frequencies.

 

[rescue161]

Also try 137-144.0000 MHz. We used that a lot in the past. Not sure why everyone misses that spectrum for federal/military communications when scanning.

 

[JASII]

Federal Frequencies

There are even a couple of other variants that might be worthy of consideration. It depends on your equipment and interest level. If you have two scanners, you may want to start by searching with one scanner. Then, every find you get, enter into the second scanner. That way as you continue searching, you can monitor active frequencies on a second radio. I was a big federal listening hound in the past. Hopefully you have two scanners that will decode P25 and are capable of PL/DPL as well as NAC codes. Also, a good external antenna and low loss feedline is helpful. Computer control is also helpful. I happen to like Butel, but others have different favorites. I have been known to let my scanner run at home logging activity while I am at work and then I would come home and check out the new finds. At some point you will find the majority of active frequencies, BUT some, even most, are not active very often. For example, I can think of at least one particular P25 VHF repeater near me that is used once a month for a roll call of sorts between federal and local agencies. Other than some huge special events, it is rarely heard other than the monthly test. Remember that patience is a virtue with federal monitoring. You won't be hearing a flurry of "knock down drag out" domestics, alarm calls, and car crashes on those frequencies.

 

[ecps92]

and 148-150.800

Also try 137-144.0000 MHz. We used that a lot in the past. Not sure why everyone misses that spectrum for federal/military communications when scanning.

 

[ff-medic]

I am trying to find out what federal frequencies are now in use in my area. I am mostly interested in federal law enforcement. FBI, DEA, ICE, ATF, and US Marshall's, etc.

I live just about 10 miles outside Youngstown, Ohio which is right between Pittsburgh, Pa. and Cleveland, Oh. I'm not asking for known frequencies so to speak however I am asking for frequencies ranges to do searches and find the info on my own..

I always had more luck finding fed freqs on VHF , more than UHF.

One time...I have no Idea whom it was....I got a analog voice on ?? 163 Mhz ( I have it logged somewhere ). Federal Govt , telling the agent to come to the office. 163 Mhz I believe it was - Central WV - - > Prob Charleston... I was thinkin FBI .

Spend time on the VHF band......Again, Me in state and out, I always got signals on 163 to 167 MHZ, with 163 and 164 particularily.

Good Luck ........FF - Medic !!!