Binger511
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Says in the database that KPIT's TSA is VHF p25, supposedly unencrypted. I've heard that there has been some talk of TSA going uhf for a while, but was unsure if KPIT was affected. Anyone know if TSA is still VHF P25 unencrypted?
KPIT-Pittsburgh International Airport TSA
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As of late October, 2021 KPIT TSA was P25 unencrypted. I spent several hours out in the airside terminal waiting on a team to come in from Chicago and all comms were in the clear.
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How far out can you typically hear comms? I was out in the area for several hours a couple months ago and was unable to pick up anything from TSA
There are very few airports testing the new UHF radios. Fed Files Blog from @ChrisP has limited info on them but it does list two locations using the active frequency of 406.7375 MHz, NAC was N01C. Radio IDs were in the 839xxx range. Clear testing was heard from locations around the airport terminals. Encryption was also noted. It is listed in the NTIA documents as being paired with 415.7375 MHz for repeater use.
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THE FED FILES - Welcome to The Fed Files blog! This blog was originally built to support the "Fed Files" column in Monitoring Times magazine. Although the Fed Files, as well as Monitoring Times, ended with the December 2013 issue, this blog continues and is associated with the new federal...
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I don't typically scan TSA unless I will be near/at the Airport. But when I do scan them I can hear them when I am on the Airport Property but as soon as I leave the property they disappear.
Here at KRDU you need to be in or very near the terminal. I can not hear them at the observation park about a quarter mile away.
Binger511
Member
Interesting. Do you know what kind of radios they use? I would assume APX's but if they're just phase 1 conventional, those might be overkill. XTS's might be a better solution.There are very few airports testing the new UHF radios. Fed Files Blog from @ChrisP has limited info on them but it does list two locations using the active frequency of 406.7375 MHz, NAC was N01C. Radio IDs were in the 839xxx range. Clear testing was heard from locations around the airport terminals. Encryption was also noted. It is listed in the NTIA documents as being paired with 415.7375 MHz for repeater use.
The Fed Files Blog
THE FED FILES - Welcome to The Fed Files blog! This blog was originally built to support the "Fed Files" column in Monitoring Times magazine. Although the Fed Files, as well as Monitoring Times, ended with the December 2013 issue, this blog continues and is associated with the new federal...
View attachment 115210
Taking as Allegheny County just purchased APXs for every Police, Fire, and EMS agency in the county for an analog system, I cant see the Federal Government buying old used EOL equipment to "Upgrade" to UHF.
TSA is encrypted. Occassionally one part of the convo is in the clear but 99.99% encrypted. I'm only about 2 miles from the airport as the crow flies so no issue picking them up.
ecps92
Member
XTS is EoL [End of Life] and yes they went APX for the new UHF at the two known [reported] airports
However Phase II only applies to trunking, so yes they are P25 [no need to include Phase]
However Phase II only applies to trunking, so yes they are P25 [no need to include Phase]
In the area where you are, this is not the case in other areas.
TSA encryption is very much a flip of the coin. Some airports are very encrypted (San Diego is one) and others - not so much...
- Chris
- Chris
Anyone know what freqs TSA uses at Arnold Palmer Airport (KLBE) in Latrobe, PA? About 40 miles east of Pittsburgh.
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I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't use radios at all, since it's such a small airport.
Binger511
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Even if KLBE used radios, they probably wouldn't use them much anyway. If you lived close to Arnold Palmer it wouldn't hurt to monitor the federal frequencies anyway.
I have seen a few smaller airports where the TSA had a rack charger of radios that did not get used much, if at all...
- Chris
- Chris
ecps92
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Best time to find out is 1-2 hrs before most of your scheduled Departures and 30 mins Prior to 45 mins after your arrivals
Search 162-174, but concentrate on 168-174 and if after a period of time [could be weeks/months] you find nothing see what 406-420 brings.
But as Chris points out, many smaller airports keep them in the chargers
Usually that is due to they can SEE each other and don't need/use the radios
Looking on-line, I don't see much other than 2 Departures today
airport-departures-arrivals.com
And 2 Arrivals
airport-departures-arrivals.com
Happy Searching tho, and do report back what you find, as it may not be TSA
Search 162-174, but concentrate on 168-174 and if after a period of time [could be weeks/months] you find nothing see what 406-420 brings.
But as Chris points out, many smaller airports keep them in the chargers
Usually that is due to they can SEE each other and don't need/use the radios
Looking on-line, I don't see much other than 2 Departures today
Latrobe Arnold Palmer Airport Live Departures
Live flight departures and arrivals today. Flight status and schedule for Latrobe Arnold Palmer Regional Airport, Latrobe (LBE).
And 2 Arrivals
Latrobe Arnold Palmer Airport Live Arrivals
Live flight arrivals and departures today. Flight status and schedule for Latrobe Arnold Palmer Regional Airport, Latrobe (LBE).
Happy Searching tho, and do report back what you find, as it may not be TSA
ecps92
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What Freq and NAC are you hearing for KPIT? on the VHF ?
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I was flying through KPIT yesterday, and it looked like they had UHF antennas on their radios. I did not pick up any comms though.
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