Randolph MOA

[mpblog]

Hello all,

So I live and work right under the Randolph MOA. It has been fairly busy around here the past month or so. Anyhow, I've noticed that they have been doing some air-air refueling training over the MOA recently and I have a very good line of sight to them. I can see them perfectly with my worn out eyeballs. I noticed that they typical air-air frequencies are rather quiet during the ops. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what frequencies these air to air refueler ops might be using? I would be really interested in hearing any suggestions. Thanks!

 

[Alliance01TX]

Howdy

The main things you could use to monitor Mil-Air comms.

First, its always help if you know "when" an given MOA and-or Aerial Tankers will be doing work in your area, the best sources are the FAA "Special Use Airspace (SUA) site the provides this information both in Map and text forms. This is for planned or Active MOA and AR work...hence its a dynamic map and changes frequently. Optionally, search up FAA NOTAMS.
Link:

https://sua.faa.gov/sua/

Next on my list is open up ADS-B Exchange in "click" on the "U" button in the top right area as this will filter for Military Aircraft. You can also go into the sites settings and check-box the US A2A Refueling - this is an "Map Overlay" with the Refueling Tracks that are static and the route most tanker will use.
Link:

ADS-B Exchange - track aircraft live

ADS-B Exchange - track aircraft live - aircraft flight history

globe.adsbexchange.com

Now do a search for the DoD AP1/B and note some users report a "Security Error" - I have only seen this error on occasion, was checked and the March Version is available. Next at the back of the publication you can see the AR Tracks and then continue to the back area and look up a Specific "AR Track" and you will see both the FAA Enter/Exits and the Primary / Secondary Tanker radio freqs. The Boom Operator often uses a separate frequency in many cases as well. Mil Air Freq are in both VHF and UHF band! MOA info along with IR and SR training routes are in the book too...

Finally. most USAF Bases (not all) have a local publication that discusses the Air Space in, near or typically used by the base. Always good information, but you have to research - AL works wonders to also find some (not all) Mil-Air Freqs. Search "Randolph AFB MACA" and it will show you one of the base pubs..and more on the search...

Remember most USAF Mil-Air comms are in the "AM" mode, as are the FAA Towers and Centers....

Hope this helps and enjoy!

Bill

 

[MiCon]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong - seriously.
Some years ago I read, or was told, that the newer refueling booms were equipped with a communications contact that allowed the boom operator to communicate with the pilot through the boom, not over the air. Yes? No? If that's true it would explain the lack of OTA comms.

 

[andy51edge]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong - seriously.
Some years ago I read, or was told, that the newer refueling booms were equipped with a communications contact that allowed the boom operator to communicate with the pilot through the boom, not over the air. Yes? No? If that's true it would explain the lack of OTA comms.

This is correct. But it only works once attached to the boom.

https://x.com/boomers_ass/status/1909326286717436251

 

[jbsarandolphmonitor]

Hello all,

So I live and work right under the Randolph MOA. It has been fairly busy around here the past month or so. Anyhow, I've noticed that they have been doing some air-air refueling training over the MOA recently and I have a very good line of sight to them. I can see them perfectly with my worn out eyeballs. I noticed that they typical air-air frequencies are rather quiet during the ops. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what frequencies these air to air refueler ops might be using? I would be really interested in hearing any suggestions. Thanks!

Hi I would like to know what the frequencies are. I live right next to Randolph AFB.Most of my monitoring is for RandolphAFB. I don’t monitor the MOAs.

Thanks
Don

 

[mpblog]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong - seriously.
Some years ago I read, or was told, that the newer refueling booms were equipped with a communications contact that allowed the boom operator to communicate with the pilot through the boom, not over the air. Yes? No? If that's true it would explain the lack of OTA comms.

Yeah, for sure. That would make good sense. I don't know the answer either but that would make good sense.

 

[mpblog]

Hi I would like to know what the frequencies are. I live right next to Randolph AFB.Most of my monitoring is for RandolphAFB. I don’t monitor the MOAs.

Thanks
Don

I think for the most part the daily ops are using the trunked system. It seems rather likely, but I live a good way South down around MOA 2 and I can hear most of the stuff rather clearly but most of it is air-air or air-ground type stuff.

 

[mpblog]

Howdy

The main things you could use to monitor Mil-Air comms.

First, its always help if you know "when" an given MOA and-or Aerial Tankers will be doing work in your area, the best sources are the FAA "Special Use Airspace (SUA) site the provides this information both in Map and text forms. This is for planned or Active MOA and AR work...hence its a dynamic map and changes frequently. Optionally, search up FAA NOTAMS.
Link:

https://sua.faa.gov/sua/

Next on my list is open up ADS-B Exchange in "click" on the "U" button in the top right area as this will filter for Military Aircraft. You can also go into the sites settings and check-box the US A2A Refueling - this is an "Map Overlay" with the Refueling Tracks that are static and the route most tanker will use.
Link:

ADS-B Exchange - track aircraft live

ADS-B Exchange - track aircraft live - aircraft flight history

globe.adsbexchange.com

Now do a search for the DoD AP1/B and note some users report a "Security Error" - I have only seen this error on occasion, was checked and the March Version is available. Next at the back of the publication you can see the AR Tracks and then continue to the back area and look up a Specific "AR Track" and you will see both the FAA Enter/Exits and the Primary / Secondary Tanker radio freqs. The Boom Operator often uses a separate frequency in many cases as well. Mil Air Freq are in both VHF and UHF band! MOA info along with IR and SR training routes are in the book too...

Finally. most USAF Bases (not all) have a local publication that discusses the Air Space in, near or typically used by the base. Always good information, but you have to research - AL works wonders to also find some (not all) Mil-Air Freqs. Search "Randolph AFB MACA" and it will show you one of the base pubs..and more on the search...

Remember most USAF Mil-Air comms are in the "AM" mode, as are the FAA Towers and Centers....

Hope this helps and enjoy!

Bill

Hey, Bill! I appreciate that. This is good information. It makes perfect sense and I will give this stuff a look. Really, thanks!

 

[jbsarandolphmonitor]

I think for the most part the daily ops are using the trunked system. It seems rather likely, but I live a good way South down around MOA 2 and I can hear most of the stuff rather clearly but most of it is air-air or air-ground type stuff.

Most of the talk groups on the base trs are encrypted. I listen to the air band channels.



Thanks

Don

 

[andy51edge]

mpblog are you scanning the VHF spectrum between 138 and 150.8 MHz? That seems to still be where most A/A communications from T-6 & T-38s takes place. At least that is my observation from Sheppard AFB based trainers.

 

[jbsarandolphmonitor]

Randolph AFB uses 138.000 150.800 MHz band.

Don

 

[Alliance01TX]

MPBLOG

Most of these type freqs are in the RR Database search engine too...A few other "searchable" Reference Items are:
AIRNAV

AirNav

Up-to-date airport and fuel price information for Jet-A and Avgas pilots and aviation professionals. Free, detailed aeronautical information, FBO services, hotels, and car rentals for online assistance in flight planning.

www.airnav.com

SkyVector

SkyVector: Flight Planning / Aeronautical Charts

Make your Flight Plan at SkyVector.com. SkyVector is a free online flight planner. Flight planning is easy on our large collection of Aeronautical Charts, including Sectional Charts, Approach Plates, IFR Enroute Charts, and Helicopter route charts. Weather data is always current, as are Jet Fuel...

skyvector.com

FAA Sectional Charts https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/productcatalog/vfrcharts/sectional/

FAA IDENT for Randolph AFB is "KRND"

If you use ChatGPT: Just query "List of Randolph AFB Aircraft Radio Frequencies" or the like

Don't forget the Randolph AFB might still have one or more "AUX Fields" in or near the base as I recall - been a long time...other on this thread might have addition "Discrete Freqs" for those too...used for Training and Emergency landings.

Recommend loading 243.0 (AM Mode) UHF Emergency Freq too, if not already loaded.

Always good to load in FAA Center Freqs (VHF and UHF) if your scanner has the memory capability...

When I used to drive that area a few years ago had AWACS Training in the area and also MQ-9 Reaper Training to your west as well...

Let us know what you find.

Bill

 

[scanner_nut]

Howdy

The main things you could use to monitor Mil-Air comms.

First, its always help if you know "when" an given MOA and-or Aerial Tankers will be doing work in your area, the best sources are the FAA "Special Use Airspace (SUA) site the provides this information both in Map and text forms. This is for planned or Active MOA and AR work...hence its a dynamic map and changes frequently. Optionally, search up FAA NOTAMS.
Link:

https://sua.faa.gov/sua/

Next on my list is open up ADS-B Exchange in "click" on the "U" button in the top right area as this will filter for Military Aircraft. You can also go into the sites settings and check-box the US A2A Refueling - this is an "Map Overlay" with the Refueling Tracks that are static and the route most tanker will use.
Link:

ADS-B Exchange - track aircraft live

ADS-B Exchange - track aircraft live - aircraft flight history

globe.adsbexchange.com

Now do a search for the DoD AP1/B and note some users report a "Security Error" - I have only seen this error on occasion, was checked and the March Version is available. Next at the back of the publication you can see the AR Tracks and then continue to the back area and look up a Specific "AR Track" and you will see both the FAA Enter/Exits and the Primary / Secondary Tanker radio freqs. The Boom Operator often uses a separate frequency in many cases as well. Mil Air Freq are in both VHF and UHF band! MOA info along with IR and SR training routes are in the book too...

Finally. most USAF Bases (not all) have a local publication that discusses the Air Space in, near or typically used by the base. Always good information, but you have to research - AL works wonders to also find some (not all) Mil-Air Freqs. Search "Randolph AFB MACA" and it will show you one of the base pubs..and more on the search...

Remember most USAF Mil-Air comms are in the "AM" mode, as are the FAA Towers and Centers....

Hope this helps and enjoy!

Bill

you can select IFR And VFR navigation charts overlay along with displaying the designated refueling paths from the blue diamond dropdown option. FAA frequencies for that sector are printed on the sectional charts.