Interop between US-Canada border

[iowajm780]

This is a curiosity question. Is there some kind of Interop frequency between CBSA and CBP for comm's or to monitor each other?
Not sure how border policy works between the two countries but would think this would be a faster way to talk rather than by phone.

 

[BC_Scan]

(LEO has) There is. I have them written down somewhere. There are a few I have heard tested in the past including one that WA state singled out.

Here in Vancouver, RCMP set aside two VHF channels for CBP to talk from YVR direct to Blaine. I have heard in past but they are encrypted. The last few times through YVR in 2022, CBP were no longer sporting comm's.
RCMP radio dispatch here alerts WA state in past is how its been, no direct chat

 

[beeperboy]

I remember installing some VHF P25 interop sites along the Alberta - Montana border 15 years ago. They colocated with PACS sites on the Alberta side. I'm not sure if the system was intended for Border Services, or for for smuggling/Drug Units. I don't think the system was every fully commissioned or used. I'm sure it's fallen apart by now. Such a waste of money.

 

[ai8o]

Years ago (2007?) I was going to Vancouver BC from Seattle. At the Peace Arch Border crossing the CBP wanted to close one lane.
I witnessed a very HI Tech communications method used by the US CBP and the CBSA.

A CBP agent walked over to the Canadian side, using shoe leather, and asked the CBSA to lower the gate.
Max interop communication method used here!

</Humor>

 

[iowajm780]

Thanks for the response. I watch that Border Security show on Canadian TV and it seems like the CBSA is dealing with mostly Americans who give those folks a hard time.

 

[iMONITOR]

This is a curiosity question. Is there some kind of Interop frequency between CBSA and CBP for comm's or to monitor each other?
Not sure how border policy works between the two countries but would think this would be a faster way to talk rather than by phone.

Northern Border Interop


These talkgroups area linked across the following radio systems as part of the Northern Border Interoperability Demonstration Project:

• Alberta First Responders' Radio Communication System (AFRRCS).
• Maine State Communications Network (MSCommNet).
• Michigan MPSCS.
• Minnesota ARMER.
• Montana Public Safety Communications System (MPSCS).
• North Dakota Statewide Interoperable Radio Network (SIRN 20/20).
• Northwest Ohio Regional Public Safety System.
• Ohio MARCS-IP.
• Ontario Public Safety Radio Network (PRSN).
• Pennsylvania's PA-STARNet P25.
• RENIR - Reseau National Integre de Radiocommunication (Quebec).
• Saskatchewan Provincial Public Safety Telecommunications Network.

DEC	HEX	Mode	Alpha Tag	Description	Tag
9400	24b8	DE	NBI-CALL	Northern Border Interop Calling	Interop
9401	24b9	DE	NBI-TAC1	Northern Border Interop TAC 1	Interop
9402	24ba	DE	NBI-TAC2	Northern Border Interop TAC 2	Interop
9403	24bb	D	NBI-TAC3	Northern Border Interop TAC 3	Interop
9404	24bc	D	NBI-TAC4	Northern Border Interop TAC 4	Interop

 

[mikewazowski]

I saw that posted on a Michigan system but as far as I know, none of it is implemented north of the border and it would surprise me if it's actually implemented on any state side systems.

Heck, PSRN is still in the buildout stage.

 

[GMB951]

Don't seem like they even want to communicate with us

 

[Deziel0495]

CBSA in Atlantic Canada operate on the MPSRN. However, i'm not sure how in-depth.

 

[ecps92]

If I recall correctly, Maine uses the standard day-to-day VHF channels that the normal Police n Fire use for any/all Border Interop

Last trip to Canada we had US Customs working (Ottawa) inside the Airport, making it a "Non international" flight back to Boston and they
were on the Normal CBP/OBP VHF, so it would be a high probability that Canada has some of the US VHF CBP/OBP channels as well

This is a curiosity question. Is there some kind of Interop frequency between CBSA and CBP for comm's or to monitor each other?
Not sure how border policy works between the two countries but would think this would be a faster way to talk rather than by phone.

 

[studgeman]

I spent a lot of time working this specific issue. I have no doubt there are some "not-so-official" ways of doing things, many things I was involved in were done with at least a slight wink and a nod by both county's operational level administrators. As far as official things it is nearly impossible to do anything legally according the US & Canada's own rules plus the several treaties involved. This is a state department level problem.

 

[iMONITOR]

Don't seem like they even want to communicate with us

One of my buddies used to be a railroad cop and they worked together with Canada's railroad cops well, especially in the underground railroad tunnels.. It seems it would be in both their best interest to do so.

 

[footage]

https://www.npstc.org/download.jsp?tableId=37&column=217&id=3309&file=RESOURCE_Maine_Border_Interoperability_Guide_Draft_REDACT.pdf

 

[ToddWilkinson]

This is a curiosity question. Is there some kind of Interop frequency between CBSA and CBP for comm's or to monitor each other?
Not sure how border policy works between the two countries but would think this would be a faster way to talk rather than by phone.

Our Border Site is totally locked down with the big E

 

[mciupa]

Our Border Site is totally locked down with the big E

I guess from the hobbyist perspective. But surely the agents have a way to communicate.

 

[ToddWilkinson]

I guess from the hobbyist perspective. But surely the agents have a way to communicate.

Yeah encrypted talkgroups

 

[ecps92]

yup, same B.I.G. I saw before and was using as my data reference.

https://www.npstc.org/download.jsp?tableId=37&column=217&id=3309&file=RESOURCE_Maine_Border_Interoperability_Guide_Draft_REDACT.pdf

 

[Guccisock5]

One of my buddies used to be a railroad cop and they worked together with Canada's railroad cops well, especially in the underground railroad tunnels.. It seems it would be in both their best interest to do so.

Same company though railroad cops are basically security guards protected by 100 year old weird laws.

 

[moonbounce]

All done by phone. No interop radio channels, at least not when I worked there. Even the police agencies don't have any common frequencies, all done by phone.

 

[flatfoot859]

In Whatcom County, WA we had an interop with the RCMP on the IWN system. I was one of the rare users of that talkgroup. I don't know what it was tied to on the north side.