Man Hunters USM

[colby4601]

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.

If you would have watched the new season at all, you would know this is not the case.

Through multiple episodes in different locales and states, there were seen using Kenwood portables on UHF. Of course cell phones were used, but quite noticeably so were these portables.

 

[MOTOROLANUT]

Usms

I have not watched the new season yet, but agree with Procopper...Viewers have to remember this is a TV show designed to get viewers to watch TV. So they will use any props or theatrics necessary to get an ooooo and ahhhhh response from viewers. 99.9% of the show is edited so it generates a correct response aka looks cool for TV.

 

[SixOneFour]

Man Hunters rocks.. awesome show..

 

[procopper7005]

If you would have watched the new season at all, you would know this is not the case.

Through multiple episodes in different locales and states, there were seen using Kenwood portables on UHF. Of course cell phones were used, but quite noticeably so were these portables.

All I can tell you is what USMS currently issues to task force members. If you saw them using Kenwood on UHF then they are using local radios or state radios.
I was on such a task force from 2008 through 2009, it was all VHF P-25. The only guys with UHF radios were DEA agents working semi rural to rural areas and they were not P25.
Often times in larger cities with many agencies on one task force they will link a UHF and a VHF repeater together for an extendied operation, like Operation Falcon. This does away with the USMS having to issue hundreds of radios out to 20 different agencies.

 

[SOFA_KING]

All I can tell you is what USMS currently issues to task force members. If you saw them using Kenwood on UHF then they are using local radios or state radios.
I was on such a task force from 2008 through 2009, it was all VHF P-25. The only guys with UHF radios were DEA agents working semi rural to rural areas and they were not P25.
Often times in larger cities with many agencies on one task force they will link a UHF and a VHF repeater together for an extendied operation, like Operation Falcon. This does away with the USMS having to issue hundreds of radios out to 20 different agencies.

That is the way I see (and hear) it too. Although I wonder if the USM lost the "nation wide" radio plan they once sort of had. ???

I was in JAX for a couple of days, and WOWZA did I have a real treat! There was a manhunt on in the area (it was announced on the local news) and radio traffic wasa flowin on the old primary repeater frequency with very wide area coverage. All P25 and no ENC! It is funny that the show gave me a inside look at what these guys do, but what you hear on the radio is the stuff that will never make the show. These guys were very funny! (no Lenny on this detail). But knowing what these operations are like from the show made it "more visual" while listening.

And on the topic of different radios, I heard one guy ask another guy what their frequency was because the FBI wanted to program it in their radios. The other guy did not have an answer...it was on his computer. Also, they switched to channel A10 when doing a raid. I suspect that was a talkaround frequency because I did continue to hear repeater traffic that was one sided (out of range to hear the direct signals). While this confirms several questions about the old frequencies being active, and the connection with the FBI not being tied together on the same system (in that area), it also shows talkaround as an option on their radios. What a "payday" of information! I love good listening like that. If it was not on the local news, I would have said nothing about it until later. And it sounded like it was winding down. I got the feeling the "target" fled the area due to the local news announcement. Who would be stupid enough to stick around after that? I'm sure they were looking for leads.

What is better than the TV show? The real life show!

 

[mike4164]

I was listening on my way to work the past few days,as I always do and caught the USMS tracking someone in NYC,I wont say where cause I dont know if they caught him yet,but it was on the federal channels and digital but not encrypted. It was pretty interesting. At first I thought it was the FBI but then I heard the COMMANDER's voice,you know who I am talking about if you watch the show and he sent everyone else back to the office with 1 unit to tail the perp.He does have a very recognizable voice. I did not hear anything this am on the way to work though except all the UN chatter for the nuclear conference that is going on.

 

[jparks29]

Yes, I noticed the same thing. How could anyone not?

That is what I was saying all along.

Phil

Are you not familiar with the XTS4000?

 

[jim202]

There is a huge issue with one federal agency talking on the radio with another federal agency.
Their ego gets in the way to be able to share anything. Think about it, how often do you see
multiple agencies in the same location. It just doesn't happen unless they are forced into it.

Jim

That is the way I see (and hear) it too. Although I wonder if the USM lost the "nation wide" radio plan they once sort of had. ???

I was in JAX for a couple of days, and WOWZA did I have a real treat! There was a manhunt on in the area (it was announced on the local news) and radio traffic wasa flowin on the old primary repeater frequency with very wide area coverage. All P25 and no ENC! It is funny that the show gave me a inside look at what these guys do, but what you hear on the radio is the stuff that will never make the show. These guys were very funny! (no Lenny on this detail). But knowing what these operations are like from the show made it "more visual" while listening.

And on the topic of different radios, I heard one guy ask another guy what their frequency was because the FBI wanted to program it in their radios. The other guy did not have an answer...it was on his computer. Also, they switched to channel A10 when doing a raid. I suspect that was a talkaround frequency because I did continue to hear repeater traffic that was one sided (out of range to hear the direct signals). While this confirms several questions about the old frequencies being active, and the connection with the FBI not being tied together on the same system (in that area), it also shows talkaround as an option on their radios. What a "payday" of information! I love good listening like that. If it was not on the local news, I would have said nothing about it until later. And it sounded like it was winding down. I got the feeling the "target" fled the area due to the local news announcement. Who would be stupid enough to stick around after that? I'm sure they were looking for leads.

What is better than the TV show? The real life show!

 

[SOFA_KING]

I was listening on my way to work the past few days,as I always do and caught the USMS tracking someone in NYC,I wont say where cause I dont know if they caught him yet,but it was on the federal channels and digital but not encrypted. It was pretty interesting. At first I thought it was the FBI but then I heard the COMMANDER's voice,you know who I am talking about if you watch the show and he sent everyone else back to the office with 1 unit to tail the perp.He does have a very recognizable voice. I did not hear anything this am on the way to work though except all the UN chatter for the nuclear conference that is going on.

Lucky you! Next time I go up I hope to hear the "big guy". I like those guys. BTW - I used to live in Monroe.

I have a USM friend down here that is high up in the org. We were in a band together for a while. He doesn't talk shop outside of work, and I don't bother him about it. But he knows some of the people on the show. It is a cool show.