Media Helicopters

[pddispatcher]

Anyone know the frequencies that the TV Station choppers talk back to the station on?

 

[Michael-SATX]

The way we found our cities media was to be under or very close to the news helos during a beaking story
and since your Pro-2096 does not have the signal stalker or close call feature, you night set a limit type
search (SR6) say from 450-451 & 455-456 Mhz FM. Also, try searching 10Min before or during the newscast
especially if they indicate a "live" coverage story. Also try signal searching at both the station and AP hanger.
They might even be on an LTR trunking system as we have also had several stations here using LTR TRS's.
So gQQd luck and I wish you GREat success We have one News crew helo here using just cell phones .

As an example only, the below freqs are our conventional freqs, also have KEWS-4 Sky4 on LTR Passport TRS, etc.


KENS-5 News Sky5 455.050000 FM CTCSS= 146.2
KSAT-12 News-Sky12 450.612500 FM CTCSS= 151.4

 

[Confuzzled]

In the FCC database, search for the stations call letters (eg. WABC or WGN) or parent company. You should find the frequencies they're assigned to use. Some will be for reporters and assignment trucks to use and may also be used for choppers.

 

[Sprinter06]

Many are unlicensed I have found. 450's pretty common and some remotes are 902's I believe. Best thing is a good ole fashion search.

 

[Sprinter06]

Try the Air band for common helicopter use in your area these are normally common too. Unicom channels are for aircraft "CB" use and 123.025 is a good standby for most areas. They will communcate with other helicopters and airport when working certain areas and incidents. Though not used for a link between the station and the helicopter it is another area to monitor for fun activities like traffic updates and car chasin bad guys.

 

[W9NES]

On the air band try 123.050 and during the morning and evening rush hours try 123.025.In the Indianapolis Market, 123.025 is very active when we have a major accident on the interstate that blocks traffic. All three helicopters from WRTV ABC 6, WISH CBS 8, WTHR NBC 13 talk to each other on 123.025 You also might do a search from 161.6-161.760Mhz.You might find that these freqs are still in use.