Presidential visits...

[TinEar]

Just to add another bit of information...Air Force 1 uses ARTCC and normal ATC freqs on all trips but generally they confine themselves to the VHF freqs rather than the military UHF side. I've always assumed it's done that way so all aircraft in the vicinity ARE aware of the flight rather than keeping it secret. And you can indeed hear comms directly from the aircraft in flight to his lead and follow on aircraft on the SAM Interplane freq 136.725. They coordinate on flying conditions during the entire trip. Nothing is secret about the flight itself. There are no doubt lots of secret channels and systems aboard the aircraft for operational comms that you'll never hear but ATC comms are not among them.

 

[kmacka]

When the president visit the Scranton, PA area last, AF1 was heard on approach/departure frequencies. I didn't hear AF1 on any ARTCC frequencies, just for the fact that I was too into listening to local pd, psp, and KAVP frequencies.

I also had a list of Secret Service frequencies entered into my scanners and heard a couple of comms before the President arrived. The only thing I heard was "testing, testing, testing" I suppose it was the advance team setting up.

Also 121.5 was very active. I believe it was either AWACS or Norad telling aircraft to leave certain restricted areas. There was no call sign given, the only thing they said was that there, exactly stated, the "Armed Airforce" and then they would give them directions on the way out of the restricted airspace. It was funny to me that they would say the "Armed Airforce", maybe just to put the fear of god into them!

 

[gcgrotz]

I too have heard AF1 as well as Marine1 on regular ATC VHF freqs here in central VA. I have recordings of Marine1 bringing Clinton to a fundraiser here in 2000. I also once heard AF2 giving a standard position/status report to Gander on 5616KHz, shortly after 9-11 as I recall, and was heading eastbound.

On a similar topic, I've wondered what went on on 9-11 when they flew POTUS out of FL that morning. What transponder code did they use and were they talking to the various en-route centers? I know the plane can fly higher than standard 747s and I guess they had to be in touch with ATC and probably Military ATCs. Did they use UHF or USB freqs or satellite? Inquiring minds want to know!

 

[kmacka]

I never knew that the military has their own ARTCC. If so where can you find the frequencies for them? Are they uhf/vhf or hf or what....

 

[TinEar]

I never knew that the military has their own ARTCC. If so where can you find the frequencies for them? Are they uhf/vhf or hf or what....

They do not have their own ARTCC. They do have UHF freqs that pair with the VHF freq for each sector. The easiest way to get a feel for this is to go to your state in the database at this site. Just below the county list you will find links to the Centers that cover that state and the list will include both the VHF and UHF freq at each sector. In your case, being in northeast Pennsylvania, you should be able to hear the Washington D.C. and New York Centers along with portions of the Boston Center although the Cleveland Center is also listed in the PA database page which is applicable to those in the western part of your state.

 

[oldsarge]

There are no "Top Secret" ATC frequencies. AF1 has to communicate with ATC just like any other military/civilian plane out there. I could understand interflight freqs. between AF1 and its support aircraft being encrypted/scrambled but ATC has no encryption/scrambling equipment.

When I've known AF1 was inbound, I would tune to every FAA frequency I had and the ONLY thing I ever heard was the notice to all aircraft of a no fly zone until AF1 landed and the same for take off. I've never heard the Secret Service or AF1 pilots talking to the ground. If you have some frequencies I don't have, pass them on. Maybe the ARTCC doesn't have top secret frequencies, but it would be pretty damn stupid to broadcast in the clear when every terrorist in the world would love to take AF1 down or try to. The ONLY communications I've heard were those of local law enforcement coordinating escort and even then, not much.

So what 'ident' does AF1 use when communicating with the ground?? AF1, by tail number, or code name? Keep us less informed, informed and up to date.

Guess I'll go lay down and lick my dish now.

 

[TinEar]

So what 'ident' does AF1 use when communicating with the ground?? AF1, by tail number, or code name? Keep us less informed, informed and up to date.

OldSarge, it really isn't that difficult to hear this activity when Air Force 1 flies. That's the ID they use on all the ATC freqs - from Tower at takeoff point to Tower at touchdown point and all the ATC communications along the way. As I mentioned earlier, they do stay on the VHF side of the ATC freqs rather than the military UHF side. "Air Force 1" is heard with every communication from the aircraft. The only time you'll hear him using the tail number is on that SAM Interplane freq I mentioned above - 136.725 - where he's addressed as "9000" usually (from tail 29000) but mostly just "Sir" by the other aircraft in the flight which also use shortened versions of their tail numbers such as simply "94" or "93" which often fly with AF 1. Here in the D.C. area, we also hear him aboard the helo using callsign "MARINE 1" with no attempt to hide the ID and using all the normal flight frequencies in the area.

To my way of thinking, it's much better to keep these comms in the clear. If the comms were secret or encrypted, other aircraft could claim they didn't know it was the President aboard a plane in their area and could/would wander too close to it. This way, if someone starts getting close, they know it is deliberate and can take appropriate action to move it away. There are lots of things kept secret about the President's movements and protection but his flight plan is not among them. Oh...and the motorcade that's used on the ground flies ahead of him. Listen for the REACH callsign offloading "rolling stock" at the destination and you've probably pinned down those aircraft also.

Alan

 

[kicktd]

Maybe the ARTCC doesn't have top secret frequencies, but it would be pretty damn stupid to broadcast in the clear when every terrorist in the world would love to take AF1 down or try to.

Well it's not that hard to sit and wait either. Most of his trips are public knowledge and it's not that hard to spot a big Boeing 747 in the AF colors with the president seal on it so broadcasting in the clear isn't really a big concern.

Like TinEar said put in the frequencies for the centers around you. Also program in the local Approach, Departure and ground frequencies. Make sure to include the 2XX and 3XX frequencies.

 

[trainman111]

Even if someone wanted to take down AF 1 it would be nearly impossible with all the fighters around, along with AF 1's defense system.

 

[kicktd]

Even if someone wanted to take down AF 1 it would be nearly impossible with all the fighters around, along with AF 1's defense system.

That's true. It's no normal B747 that's for sure

 

[oldsarge]

Thanks for clearing that up for me.

Now since you live in DC, I have another question for you. I know after 911 they took steps to secure the White House stronger and they have a couple folks on the roof now and I also see (through FOX news) a couple tent looking things that may be used as some type of shelter.
Without giving away any secrets, do you know what they are doing up there? I figure they are there to take out any aircraft that strays outside the flight path established over the Capitol area. Looking at FAA flight charts, there is a no fly zone directly over the city. I know Washington National (ok, Reagan National) is nearby and aircraft departing must fly away from the city. I figure they may have some type of ground to air system in place with radios and possibly a radar scope. I damn sure wouldn't want to be the one to fire the shot. I spent a week in DC back in 83 after I retired from the Army. Had to attend a conference and had a rental car. The residents really pissed me off with their driving. I was trying to do a do it yourself tour through the city on the weekend and nobody would give me a break. When I happened to be on the 'wrong side' of town, I went through every red light to get out of there. Spooky place, DC is. People sleeping on the sidewalk a block away from the White House.

Anyway, back on topic here... Can you pass along some frequencies you enjoy listening to that others may be able to catch? Thanks.

 

[TinEar]

OldSarge, there's not a thing I can tell you about the defenses employed by the White House. What you've seen on various newscasts is about all you're going to find out. However, just walking past the area, it's clear the officers on the roof are not just watching the skies. With binoculars, they're looking for any threat in the area including ground threats. Makes sense to me.

Sorry to hear of your experience in our area. By the way, D.C. is not such a bad area -- as long as you travel in an up-armored Humvee with a 50 cal mounted and ready to fire and all passengers equipped with automatic weapons at the ready.

To get serious now for your question about frequencies....
As far as posting freqs you can use in that area, that's almost impossible to do from my area. Here are a few suggestions though for MilAir listening if that's what you're interested in.
1. Go to the database at this site and select your state of Kansas. Below the county list are links to both the Denver and Kansas City ARTCC freqs. I believe Olathe is near Kansas City so select that Center and enter the UHF freqs listed there. Many will be out of your range due to the size of the Kansas City Center but you'll have to determine that by listening and one-by-one eliminating the ones you've heard nothing on over a very long period of time. You can also add some of the VHF freqs that are in Sectors closest to you to become familiar with the activity heard on Center freqs. Disregard the Denver Center link because that will only apply to people living in the far western areas of Kansas.
2. Then, use Google to find any Air Force bases and/or Air National Guard bases in Kansas. After you find the names of their bases, go to the Airnav.com website and select the link for airports and enter those military airports within a couple hundred miles of you. You'll get both the VHF and UHF freqs used at those airports for the military units. You won't find their operational freqs there however.
3. The operational freqs will only come by searching the MilAir bands (concentrate on the 138-144 and 225-400 mHz bands in AM mode) and having a lot of patience over a period of time as you collect any frequencies you hear and try to identify them.
4. This is all best done as a group project and is a lot more fun when done that way. Find others in your area on the Kansas forum that might be interested in MilAir and share frequencies you hear by logging them on the thread. We do that in Maryland and have come up with lots of interest from many people and all of us benefit by building up massive frequency lists.

 

[kicktd]

Actually I've had some luck with getting some ops freqs for some of the bases around me through AirNav

 

[Declared_Hostile]

They've actually installed some unobtrusive ground mounted surface to air missiles around DC in box launchers. I can't remember the locations (they're on govt property) but I've seen the pictures. They're a European/US produced sam based on the amraam sourced from one of the Scandinavian countries if I remember right. The actual name of the system and country escapes me at the moment. Anyway the unobtrusive box launchers don't scare the public like Avenger Hummers sitting around. The little gray box launchers look like so much utility or industrial gear to passing motorists or observers. The pics made the rounds in the newsgroups a year or three ago.

As for the much assumed agents on the roof of the WH with stinger missiles, remember a small plane managed to smash into the WH grounds several years ago feet from the presidential bedroom window without being engaged by those missiles. Not to mention the fact that an airliner in a dive towards the WH could be hit any number of stinger missiles with no effect on it's trajectory as their warhead it quite small and the airliner is very large.

 

[oldsarge]

Well it's not that hard to sit and wait either. Most of his trips are public knowledge and it's not that hard to spot a big Boeing 747 in the AF colors with the president seal on it so broadcasting in the clear isn't really a big concern.

Like TinEar said put in the frequencies for the centers around you. Also program in the local Approach, Departure and ground frequencies. Make sure to include the 2XX and 3XX frequencies.

I got lucky and met someone online that lives not too far from me. He has both Uniden scanners and uses the ARC software too. He sent me a whole slew of data files for both ARC and Uniden software. He has the area pretty well covered although I do see a few freqs that I have that he doesn't. When it's all done, between the two of us, we should have the KC Kansas and Missouri sides pretty well covered as well as MilAir out of Whiteman and New Century. There's an Army Reserve unit at New Century that's currently deployed in Afghanistan flying Chinooks. When we get both of our databases together we will make sure RR is current with what we have. Thanks to you and everyone else that clued me in. I'm fairly new to trunking and never could figure a few things out about it. I'm still learning. The KC area ARTCC is just down the street from me and Garmin is a couple blocks. I have all the players within walking distance when it comes to air and gps. When you receive your Medicare card in the mail like I did, it's a wake up call, and I need to get moving fast.

 

[hummn]

http://flash.aopa.org/asf/know_before/high/high.html
no need to login just click the procede button twice.
TFR, ADIZ,NOTAMs no frequencys but some info for pilots on presidential visits.

 

[Stavro35]

Here's a good source for all the common frequencies used for ground support by the United states secret service.
http://www.milaircomms.com/secret_service.html

Just like any aircraft Airforce 1. .Airforce 2 and "SAM" Special air mission flights MUST communicate with air traffic control from the time they "push" to "wheels up" and "wheels down" ..

During the 2004 G8 Summit . I heard every aircraft involved in transporting EVERYONE to this event. . And CAP flights. I even saw some of the fighters come into the airport and several of them refueling in the air as I watched.

Prior to the visit MOST of the communications were in the clear. Including F.B.I, Secret service. .BATF and FEMA.

Not too long after arrival everything but the local stuff was encrypted. At the time of the 2004 G8 Summit, held in Saint simons island/Sea island Georgia Saint simons unicom (SSI) was "taken over" by air traffic Controllers from the Georgia air national guard. The tower that had not been used since the air traffic controler's strike was used. And of course the area around the airport had every kind of communictions device you can think of in use today.

Federal agent's know we can monitor them when they're in the clear. So don't expect to hear much when POTUS, or anyone under their care is in town ..

 

[oldsarge]

Here's a good source for all the common frequencies used for ground support by the United states secret service.
http://www.milaircomms.com/secret_service.html

Just like any aircraft Airforce 1. .Airforce 2 and "SAM" Special air mission flights MUST communicate with air traffic control from the time they "push" to "wheels up" and "wheels down" ..

During the 2004 G8 Summit . I heard every aircraft involved in transporting EVERYONE to this event. . And CAP flights. I even saw some of the fighters come into the airport and several of them refueling in the air as I watched.

Prior to the visit MOST of the communications were in the clear. Including F.B.I, Secret service. .BATF and FEMA.

Not too long after arrival everything but the local stuff was encrypted. At the time of the 2004 G8 Summit, held in Saint simons island/Sea island Georgia Saint simons unicom (SSI) was "taken over" by air traffic Controllers from the Georgia air national guard. The tower that had not been used since the air traffic controler's strike was used. And of course the area around the airport had every kind of communictions device you can think of in use today.

Federal agent's know we can monitor them when they're in the clear. So don't expect to hear much when POTUS, or anyone under their care is in town ..

Sounds like a spot would have loved to have been in with my frequency counter.
But with everything being encrypted, what's the use? Must have been quite an experience.

I remember once when I was leaving Korea and had a stop over at Yokota AFB Japan, when we landed at night, the whole airfield was lit up like Christmas. There were security vechicles, dogs, and guards all over the place. We thought the place was under some type of attack or siege. What it was, Nixon was on one of his visit to China, and Yokota AFB was the base they selected for all of the backup aircraft to include AF1 (AF2). I have never seen so many blue and white commercial United States of America aircraft in one spot.

We were allowed to disembark the aircraft as usual. Nothing changed except for the high
security.