LAPD HotShot

[ScanFanEd]

Hello --

I was just wondering if anyone can tell me how LAPD uses the HotShot frequency internally. I understand that they simulcast/dispatch all hot calls on this frequency, however I was just wondering how they use it. Do all radios have this as a priority channel or is meant more for those that are on tactical assignments and such to know what is going on, or something else?

Thanks!

 

[ScanFanEd]

Just a follow-up thought to my inquiry above... If I am not mistaken, Hot Shot is used for Air Ship and K-9 calling. Is it pretty much just these two units that monitor the frequency or does LAPD use it for other internal uses?

 

[Radio_Lady]

Just a follow-up thought to my inquiry above... If I am not mistaken, Hot Shot is used for Air Ship and K-9 calling. Is it pretty much just these two units that monitor the frequency or does LAPD use it for other internal uses?

Yes, Hotshot/Air/K9-"hailing" is pretty much restricted to those purposes, as well as some air-to-air comms between the Air units (and Air Support Division) to keep each other apprised of their status and location. Much of the latter communications is done on the 123.025 common frequency, though.

Among their other duties, the BCC operators monitor both the Air/K9 and "LAPD Access" frequencies and handle requests received on them. There aren't any internal uses that I'm aware of, and field units seldom if ever use it, other than some citywide or admin units who may choose to monitor it as they are out and about. Like the Emergency Trigger frequency, Air/K9 is specifically not to be used as a tactical frequency in either simplex or duplex mode.

A long list of call types are initially multi-cast on Air/K9, including all Priority 1/Code-3 calls, Code Sam, Tom and Roberts, Help and Backup requests, foot and vehicle pursuits and followings, unknown-unit "help" or other urgent calls, ROVER activations, etc. Once an air unit has bought the call or been notified, the Air/K9 frequency is then deselected by the RTO to free it up for other calls.

 

[ScanFanEd]

Thank you for the excellent information, Radio Lady!