I spent some time recently searching and I am finding a few more federal frequencies that are using multiple NAC codes. For others here that have noticed that same thing, do you find that some agencies, say perhaps ICE for example, seem to often use multiple NACs, but other agencies rarely, or never, seem to use multiple NAC codes?
Federal Frequencies With Multiple NAC Codes
- Thread starter JASII
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DaveNF2G
Guest
You seem to be asking one question about two separate phenomena.
Agencies tend to use a single NAC, just like the generally used single CTCSS or DCS in their analog days.
Frequencies can have multiple agencies using them, each with their own NAC.
Agencies tend to use a single NAC, just like the generally used single CTCSS or DCS in their analog days.
Frequencies can have multiple agencies using them, each with their own NAC.
SOFA_KING
Member
...or the same agency using different codes for different transmitter sites, but I am also seeing some expansion of different NAC codes for some agencies. I suspect there was inteference during tropo band openings and maybe that is why some have expanded. Logical, but in the case of BP/ICE, nothing is logical. They never did know how to design a radio system, and they waste frequency space. Plus they have not come to understand that transmitting digital direct on the repeater output frequency is not going to work when two transmitters are active on the same freq. It is not like FM where you can clearly hear the capture effect or difference in signal. These guys just don't understand radio very well.
Phil
Phil
ecps92
Member
YMMV
All depends on which agency, the need for single site coverage vs Wide-area coverage and how they implement the repeater systems.
FBI tends to use One input Freq with Multiple Output Repeaters all using $167
ICE tends to use One input Freq with Multiple Output Repeaters all using a different [usually sequential] NAC
CBP tends to use Single Repeater sites. input NAC is different than the output of $301
DEA tends to use Single Repeater sites. in/out NAC is $156
Also if your reception is good, you might find more than one Agency using the same frequency, or even the Same agency, different Repeaters, simplex [Tac] etc
Share what you have found
All depends on which agency, the need for single site coverage vs Wide-area coverage and how they implement the repeater systems.
FBI tends to use One input Freq with Multiple Output Repeaters all using $167
ICE tends to use One input Freq with Multiple Output Repeaters all using a different [usually sequential] NAC
CBP tends to use Single Repeater sites. input NAC is different than the output of $301
DEA tends to use Single Repeater sites. in/out NAC is $156
Also if your reception is good, you might find more than one Agency using the same frequency, or even the Same agency, different Repeaters, simplex [Tac] etc
Share what you have found
SOFA_KING
Member
ATF uses one repeater output freq with multiple NAC codes on one input to select the repeater site, although in practice they use the direct TAC channels most of the time, and rotate through those depending on the day or mood.
I think FBI down here has the ability to patch different repeater outputs together to provide coverage to whatever area is needed for the given operation. I have not had enough listening time (in Miami) to prove that, but I have noticed some days as many as 3 or 4 repeater freqs are active with the same traffic. I also noticed this in Orlando down to Tampa. I think FBI has the better radio design...hands down. And better radio operator training too. It all adds up to good and effective communication with the right amount of frequency conservation.
I think FBI down here has the ability to patch different repeater outputs together to provide coverage to whatever area is needed for the given operation. I have not had enough listening time (in Miami) to prove that, but I have noticed some days as many as 3 or 4 repeater freqs are active with the same traffic. I also noticed this in Orlando down to Tampa. I think FBI has the better radio design...hands down. And better radio operator training too. It all adds up to good and effective communication with the right amount of frequency conservation.
"Naked Freqs"
Don't forget to run a copy of fed Freqs without ANY nacs or PLs. Am currently in NW Florida and picked up some stuff this way on 164.775. I believe this is a DHS freq.
Don't forget to run a copy of fed Freqs without ANY nacs or PLs. Am currently in NW Florida and picked up some stuff this way on 164.775. I believe this is a DHS freq.
ecps92
Member
SOFA_KING
Member
No brainer here in Florida. It is CBP NET-16 PL 100.0.
ecps92
Member
That was the point I was making - I had 164.775 programmed in "naked" (without any pl or nac assigned) and I received some voice comms. Not enough to identify them but it sounded like LE comms.
While they were talking, I turned the frequency knob up a notch to where I have it programed in WITH pl100 and heard NOTHING.
While they were talking, I turned the frequency knob up a notch to where I have it programed in WITH pl100 and heard NOTHING.
ecps92
Member
Most of us run PL/DPL/NAC in Search mode, where the radio will ID the tone, but still pass anything else.
Still curious what tone is in your area...as GA is reported to be USF&W
Still curious what tone is in your area...as GA is reported to be USF&W
Hmmm...
I will have to research the "tone search" option, but it brings up a technical question that I hope you can help me with. Please bear with me as I'm still learning.
When using Tone Search, will the radio still hit (give out audio) on signals that dont have pl/dpl/nac or are too weak/far away to determine the pl/dpl/nac?
Thanks,
I will have to research the "tone search" option, but it brings up a technical question that I hope you can help me with. Please bear with me as I'm still learning.
When using Tone Search, will the radio still hit (give out audio) on signals that dont have pl/dpl/nac or are too weak/far away to determine the pl/dpl/nac?
Thanks,
texasemt13
CenTex DBA
Gator, yes they will still pass audio if they cannot decode the tone. Some scanners (most newer ones) allow the Tone Search function, but most older ones do not.
Thanks Friend!
I have the bcd396xt which I believe has that feature. I will check it out.
Thanks again,
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