Man Hunters USM
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I believe that is true for the reality show shooting, but how do you know what coms they are using? Since you can't hear phone conversations, how do you know? Do you have any credible information on that?
Manhunters shows some real coms on real two-way equipment. At times the producers edit in a Nextel chirp to what can clearly be seen and heard as a Motorola W3 HHCH with "soft" P25 audio coming out of the speaker. Some inter-agency ops shoots you can see two different two-way radios being used (like ICE and USMS). There is also some fake editing of MDC1200 squawks at the end of some transmissions and "squelch tails" added to the start of some transmissions. There is a lot of fake Nextel patched in to keep the storyline going. This is Hollywood for ya. But there is enough evidence to show that they do use two-way when it is available and phones when it is not. And I have even seen an episode in my home area where P25 was used extensively, but the question is on what frequency. That is our job. So get searching!
Phil
Oh i know, thats why i said they use a bit of everything. As far as the editing that throws a monkey into everything because of sounds etc. The NEXTEL comment was first hand knowledge from our local office. I worked for a company that serviced the GSA vehicles in Connecticut. With the exception of the Court Security multiple USM have all said a majority of what they do is via phone/nextel. Not saying they dont use other coms but with their work most is U/C surv. and plainclothes so the NEXTEL has been in the past an easier device for them.
As far as teh FED freqs here they're is very very rarely any activity on them and i search the bands quite often.
trainman111
Member
Well that all depends where you live. Virginia is swarming with traffic on the fed bands, obviously the closer you get to D.C. the more active it is, but I still copy a lot of traffic in Richmond. Most of the traffic is CBP (or whatever they call themselves now) FBI, DEA, and ATF. Unfortuantely, a lot of it is P25 Encrypted...As for the USMS, I don't hear a whole lot out of them.
I actually meant to add that, I would imagine certain areas are swarming with traffic on a regular basis.
SOFA_KING
Member
I think the big difference is the lack of repeaters and base stations on the USMS freqs. Here the freqs are still active, but only mobile and portable traffic has been heard. The base / repeater traffic is atached to the FBI freqs. That explains why we hear much less on the old USMS freqs.
Does anyone anywhere hear repeaters on the old USMS freqs?
Phil
Does anyone anywhere hear repeaters on the old USMS freqs?
Phil
Well, all i can say is pay more attention to details within the show. you can tell where things are edited or reshot, COPS was notorious for it, Handcuffs missing when the cop knocks on a door, prior to making an arrest etc.
Its not taking anything away from the USMS but, don't believe everything you see on TV. And yes converstations etc are changed, edited, formatted for TV. Its on TV someones being paid, and boring TV doesn't sell.
Yeah, definitely not arguing there. But reshoots to get fake radio conversations isn't happening.
They use 163.2000 P25 NAC 293 in Sacramento, CA.
SOFA_KING
Member
Repeater.
SOFA_KING
Member
Well, Wayne, I hit gold again! I too heard a P25 Repeater on 163.2000 NAC 167 coming from what I think is Orlando. The band is open to that area. In the past I have heard a USMS repeater on this freq in this area using PL 167.9. So I guess all the USMS freqs in FL are still in business.
Phil
Phil
Packetpeeker
Member
The 2 pictures of the radio and antenna.
First, the antenna could have been a stubby antenna, 400 Mhz Band, these are commonly used in short range communications amongst law enforcement agents usually on some type of surveillance op.
Secondly the radio looks like a Motorola Astro Saber, Not all the time, but most of the time agencies will use a talk around or simplex channel rather than to use the agencies repeater.
Third, yes some will use "Nextel" , But personally I would not trust it! There is nothing "Direct Connect" about it, especially in busy metroploitan areas where everybody seems to be on the system.
Speaking about the 800 band, you would be lucky if you talk more than a few blocks, this frequency does not penetrate building structures well. Law enforcement agencies all over as well as businesses have had their share of dead spots and problems due to the cellular band operating so close.
In any event if the radio system was not set up for encrypted conversation they may have used a nextel or some cellular phone (Digital Transmission) because this is something that will allow for some basic form of privacy where they may not want to be listened in on.
Not sur if this was any help, but the radio definitely looks like an older Motorola Radio.
First, the antenna could have been a stubby antenna, 400 Mhz Band, these are commonly used in short range communications amongst law enforcement agents usually on some type of surveillance op.
Secondly the radio looks like a Motorola Astro Saber, Not all the time, but most of the time agencies will use a talk around or simplex channel rather than to use the agencies repeater.
Third, yes some will use "Nextel" , But personally I would not trust it! There is nothing "Direct Connect" about it, especially in busy metroploitan areas where everybody seems to be on the system.
Speaking about the 800 band, you would be lucky if you talk more than a few blocks, this frequency does not penetrate building structures well. Law enforcement agencies all over as well as businesses have had their share of dead spots and problems due to the cellular band operating so close.
In any event if the radio system was not set up for encrypted conversation they may have used a nextel or some cellular phone (Digital Transmission) because this is something that will allow for some basic form of privacy where they may not want to be listened in on.
Not sur if this was any help, but the radio definitely looks like an older Motorola Radio.
jmm346
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Doesn't seem that odd, given the right shared frequency and mode those radios could talk to one another just fine.
Manhunters show
I DVR the shows when I am working, noticed a few Hollywood bloopers. First one comes to mind the commander was giving a breifing, in one scene he had one style of USMS tee shirt on, next scene he had another, This happened about three times during the same show. Next, have you ever known a NEXTEL to communicate directly with a Motorola XTS5000? I have also scene a few of Vertex portables, I think marked NYPD, i use. Its a good show, but apparently there are alot of editing. And for those of you "in the business" how many times does the perp go QUIETLY?
"Trained Observer"
I DVR the shows when I am working, noticed a few Hollywood bloopers. First one comes to mind the commander was giving a breifing, in one scene he had one style of USMS tee shirt on, next scene he had another, This happened about three times during the same show. Next, have you ever known a NEXTEL to communicate directly with a Motorola XTS5000? I have also scene a few of Vertex portables, I think marked NYPD, i use. Its a good show, but apparently there are alot of editing. And for those of you "in the business" how many times does the perp go QUIETLY?
"Trained Observer"
I've noticed a couple of times that they seem to have staged a conversation or briefing via radio that probably never really happened. It seems like they did it to help along the continuity of the story for the viewer.
Actually, there is a bridge that allows for Nextel, regular cellphones and radios to communicate with each other. Kind of like an advanced ACU-1000. Great for undercover work. I have seen it in use here in South Florida. However, I don't think that this is what they were using on the show. I have also noticed MANY bloopers on the show, especially when it comes to radios. I still like the show though.
SOFA_KING
Member
It is called "post production". The editor grabs whatever footage they need to complete the story. It doesn't matter when it was shot, or what communication device was used, as long as the story has continuity. I believe that is why we see such a mix that doesn't make sense. The fake MDC1200, squelch tails, and chirps are "creative imagination" that most viewers will not know much about, but makes it sound "official". I call it bad Hollywood editing. The bloopers are evident.
I do believe they use a mix of radios at times to talk to other agencies on the JTF. By the looks of it, they do not have spare USMS radios to loan out. The other agencies loan out the radios. And if Nextel is what everyone has, and not everyone has a USMS radio, they use that. On UC ops they often use a phone, but I did see one episode where a UC used a P25 radio with what looked like a earbud type "hands free" mic.
Phil
I do believe they use a mix of radios at times to talk to other agencies on the JTF. By the looks of it, they do not have spare USMS radios to loan out. The other agencies loan out the radios. And if Nextel is what everyone has, and not everyone has a USMS radio, they use that. On UC ops they often use a phone, but I did see one episode where a UC used a P25 radio with what looked like a earbud type "hands free" mic.
Phil
mike_s104
Member
I've watched the show a few times. I have noticed the radio with NYPD on it as well as switching back and forth from a radio to a Nextel. I think what was happening was the Marshals were using the Nextels to talk to each other and the NYPD radios to talk to officers from the NYPD (I think it was a probation officer).
I've heard FBI air support actually get pissed because no one was talking to him. He finally said "You all need to stop with the Nextel BS and talk to me" (or something along those lines).
In WV, I have a good feeling the US Marshals use the WVIRP (statewide trunked system) throughout the state for coms.
I've heard a little bit of traffic on 163.2000MHz around here but not enough to say who/what it is.
auxscan
Member
i've heard marshalls over a bronx pd freq a couple of weeks ago. when they were in pursuit of a armed murder suspect. i think it was the 43 pct. anyway it was an intense pursuit even some 45 pct units were on the scene.
You need to keep in mind that most of the people on the show are local detectives assigned to the task force. They are sworn as Special Deputy US Marshals. The USMS provides them with a portable VHF radio which is usually an XTS. If you are seeing other radios on the show its becuase they are using their local agencies radio when inside their system coverage area.
Also, this show does not show a lot of the investigation, it just shows them banging doors. It most certainly does not nor will it ever show them tracking cell phones. Google the word "triggerfish" and you will see the best tool the USMS uses. Ive seen this system in use several times. You can turn your cell phone off and they can still track your location almost live using triggerfish......with a court order of course.
The majority of their tactical radio traffic is simplex P25 and is usually encrypted. Almost all other comms are over nextel and phone.
Also, this show does not show a lot of the investigation, it just shows them banging doors. It most certainly does not nor will it ever show them tracking cell phones. Google the word "triggerfish" and you will see the best tool the USMS uses. Ive seen this system in use several times. You can turn your cell phone off and they can still track your location almost live using triggerfish......with a court order of course.
The majority of their tactical radio traffic is simplex P25 and is usually encrypted. Almost all other comms are over nextel and phone.
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