TSA system NAC codes?

[W4KRR]

I know the nationwide TSA radio system is listed elsewhere on this site; does anyone have the NAC codes that are in use? The only one I can confirm is 001 on their main repeater.

Here in Ft. Lauderdale, they have a repeater on 172.900, and the NAC code is 001. They conduct a radio check and roll call every day at 1:00 PM local time on the repeater. Afterwards, they are told to "return to your regular regional channel", which I can't hear, presumably because it's simplex.

But, other channels appear to use the same frequency pairs, so I assume they just use different NAC codes to separate them. Any info is appreciated.

 

[JASII]

I seem to recall reading that P25 conventional also has the means to somehow use talkgroups even though it is not a trunked system. Look at Page 30 on this document and it discusses http://www.apcointl.org/frequency/project25/documents/TG-001-2-0-0_P25_Training_Guide.pdf
Talk-Group ID (TGID) is discussed in greater detail.

 

[Wayne]

I know the nationwide TSA radio system is listed elsewhere on this site; does anyone have the NAC codes that are in use? The only one I can confirm is 001 on their main repeater.

Here in Ft. Lauderdale, they have a repeater on 172.900, and the NAC code is 001. They conduct a radio check and roll call every day at 1:00 PM local time on the repeater. Afterwards, they are told to "return to your regular regional channel", which I can't hear, presumably because it's simplex.

But, other channels appear to use the same frequency pairs, so I assume they just use different NAC codes to separate them. Any info is appreciated.

In Houston I have confirmed the following NAC's for TSA;
172.1500, NAC 001, simplex
172.1500, NAC 002, simplex
172.1500, NAC 003, simplex
172.1500, NAC 004, simplex
172.9000, NAC 002, simplex
169.3000, NAC 009, simplex
172.9000, NAC 001, repeater

You have to be extremely close to hear the simplex channels as they appear to use low power Tx. Here, each terminal operates on a diffrent simplex channel, while supervisors monitor the repeater channel.

Wayne

 

[W4KRR]

Wayne, thanks, that's exactly what I was looking for.

You're correct, I can only hear the repeater from my home, which is on 172.900, NAC code 001. At the end of the daily roll call, the units are instructed to return to their normal operating channels, which are probably the simplex ones. I will have to try and confirm if the same NAC codes are used here at FLL airport.

 

[jawhite2]

In Houston I have confirmed the following NAC's for TSA;
172.1500, NAC 001, simplex
172.1500, NAC 002, simplex
172.1500, NAC 003, simplex
172.1500, NAC 004, simplex
172.9000, NAC 002, simplex
169.3000, NAC 009, simplex
172.9000, NAC 001, repeater

You have to be extremely close to hear the simplex channels as they appear to use low power Tx. Here, each terminal operates on a diffrent simplex channel, while supervisors monitor the repeater channel.

Wayne

Wayne,

Which airport does the above apply to, Hobby or KIAH?

Thanks,

John

 

[Gilligan]

In Houston, each terminal operates on a diffrent simplex channel, while supervisors monitor the repeater channel. Confirmed the following NAC's for TSA Houston:
172.1500, NAC 001, simplex
172.1500, NAC 002, simplex
172.1500, NAC 003, simplex
172.1500, NAC 004, simplex
172.9000, NAC 002, simplex
169.3000, NAC 009, simplex
172.9000, NAC 001, repeater

[B]From the wiki:[/B]
Ch  Frequency
 1  172.150 = S1 simplex [APCO-25] 
 2  172.150 = S1 simplex [APCO-25] 
 3  172.150 = S1 simplex [APCO-25] 
 4  172.150 = S1 simplex [APCO-25] 
 5  172.900 = S2 simplex [APCO-25] 
 6  169.300 = S3 simplex [APCO-25] 
 7  172.900 = R1 repeater (169.300 input) [APCO-25] 
 8  172.900 = R1 repeater (169.300 input) [APCO-25] 
 9  172.900 = R1 repeater (169.300 input) [APCO-25] 
10  172.900 = S2 simplex [APCO-25] 
11  172.900 = S2 simplex [APCO-25] 
12  166.4625 = F1 simplex with 103.5 CTCSS [Analog] 
13  166.4625 = F1 simplex [APCO-25]

It looks like you've possibly identified channels 1-4, 6, 7, and 10, at least I'd be willing to bet. You say they use different channels in different terminals, but did you notice all the terminals using a common freq w/ different NAC codes, or actually using different freqs. I'm wondering if, for example, regions are using channels 1-4 or if they are also using 5, 10, & 11. Maybe by putting more information into this, we can figure out their system in more detail. And it would not surprise me if they have the same system installed at every airport (freqs & NAC codes).

 

[Wayne]

Wayne,

Which airport does the above apply to, Hobby or KIAH?

Thanks,

John

Here is the breakdown on specific airport. This is not a complete plan as it reflects activity I have observed during brief trips through the airports.

172.1500, NAC 001, simplex; active at Hobby, IAH, Austin
172.1500, NAC 002, simplex; active at IAH,Austin
172.1500, NAC 003, simplex; active at Hobby, IAH, Austin
172.1500, NAC 004, simplex; active at Hobby, IAH,
169.3000, NAC 009, simplex; active at IAH
172.9000, NAC 001, repeater; active at Hobby, Love Field, DFW, San Antonio
172.9000, NAC 002, simplex; active at Hobby, IAH
169.1625, NAC 001, repeater; active at Love Field, DFW

It looks like you've possibly identified channels 1-4, 6, 7, and 10, at least I'd be willing to bet. You say they use different channels in different terminals, but did you notice all the terminals using a common freq w/ different NAC codes, or actually using different freqs. I'm wondering if, for example, regions are using channels 1-4 or if they are also using 5, 10, & 11. Maybe by putting more information into this, we can figure out their system in more detail. And it would not surprise me if they have the same system installed at every airport (freqs & NAC codes).

There are about 6 terminals at IAH. Each terminal checkpoint seems to have it's own simplex channel for normal ops. For instance, terminal "1" operates on 172.1500, NAC 002 while terminal "2" uses 172.1500, NAC 003. I noted no bleedover or interference from the 4 different users at IAH on 172.1500. By using differing NAC's on the same frequency in simplex mode, they are able to communicate as if they were using four seperate frequencies.

These are just my observations, let's see if those of you that received PSR 500's for Christmas can confirm and/or add to this list........

Happy New Year!!

Wayne

 

[DaveNF2G]

Here's another:

KALB (Albany, NY, International) 172.900, NAC 001

 

[kd4ozw]

Sw Florida International Airport(ft. Myers Fl)
172.9000 Nac $001 Repeater, All Terminals

 

[bravo14]

wonder what would Saint Augustine Airport TSA channels would be? I live like 3-4 miles from there.

 

[W4KRR]

wonder what would Saint Augustine Airport TSA channels would be? I live like 3-4 miles from there.

Why don't you buy yourself a PSR-500, monitor them and tell us? You know you want to!

 

[bravo14]

Why don't you buy yourself a PSR-500, monitor them and tell us? You know you want to!

That might be awhile to buy. I'm working on somethings I need first. I like the 396 since it has FTO. On the PSR-500 how channels can you scan? I know the 96 you can do 500 at one time vs the 396/996 does.

 

[DHSSMF]

Save your money. Its the same 13 channels at every airport. A few airports (less than 20) have different input freqs for ch 7. Most terminals will use simplex channels because of only 1 repeated channel allowed per airport.

 

[Steveradio]

What about small airports that have TSA guess we are considered a International Airport but nothing like Philly or Newark. Do those agents use the same type of system?

 

[Gilligan]

I would guess it's the same system but they probably only use one or two simplex freqs and maybe a repeater instead of using all available channels.

 

[DHSSMF]

Spoke airports (cats 2 thru 4) use the same radios (XTS5000) and frequencies just no repeater. They stay on the simplex channels 1-4. You dont get repeated traffic unless you're at a hub airport, which is usually a cat X or cat 1 airport.

 

[DaveNF2G]

I think there must be other criteria for having a repeater as well. I have been unable to discover the Category number for Albany (NY) International (tried AirNav and the airport's own website), but it is not a hub. TSA does operate a repeater there, though.

 

[DHSSMF]

I think there must be other criteria for having a repeater as well. I have been unable to discover the Category number for Albany (NY) International (tried AirNav and the airport's own website), but it is not a hub. TSA does operate a repeater there, though.

ALB is a Cat 1 airport. Being a hub airport has nothing to do with the airlines unless you're discussing in airine terms ( like DFW (Dallas-Ft. Worth) is hub to American Airlines). In TSA terms the hub airport is where the FSD ( Federal Security Director ) resides. All cat X airports like SFO, LAX, ORD, ATL, & etc. are hub airports. Also a cat 1 airport like ALB, SMF, OAK, are hub airports. Most hub airports wil have spoke airports under their control. We at SMF are a Cat 1 hub airport with 5 spoke airports CIC (Chico), RDD (Redding), ACV (Arcata), & CEC (Cresent City) that is under the command of our FSD. Some hub airports do not have spoke airports, SFO is an example. All federalised airports were supposed to get repeaters back in 02 but the budget was cut, and only the largest airports or most in need got repeaters in the beginning. And, in keeping with standard government politics everything starts on the east coast then makes its way west. We just got ours last month and I'm still working out the dead spots.

 

[diskmonger]

Detroit Metro Airport uses 172.900 as the repeater output, but the input is 169.4125. NAC 001.

 

[Squad10]

ALB is a Cat 1 airport. Being a hub airport has nothing to do with the airlines unless you're discussing in airine terms ( like DFW (Dallas-Ft. Worth) is hub to American Airlines). In TSA terms the hub airport is where the FSD ( Federal Security Director ) resides. All cat X airports like SFO, LAX, ORD, ATL, & etc. are hub airports. Also a cat 1 airport like ALB, SMF, OAK, are hub airports. Most hub airports wil have spoke airports under their control. We at SMF are a Cat 1 hub airport with 5 spoke airports CIC (Chico), RDD (Redding), ACV (Arcata), & CEC (Cresent City) that is under the command of our FSD. Some hub airports do not have spoke airports, SFO is an example. All federalised airports were supposed to get repeaters back in 02 but the budget was cut, and only the largest airports or most in need got repeaters in the beginning. And, in keeping with standard government politics everything starts on the east coast then makes its way west. We just got ours last month and I'm still working out the dead spots.

Are you working out talk-in or talk-out dead spots?