[Fedcom] POTUS Visit - Post Game Wrapup

[Chris Parris]

Sorry for the delay in my reporting, but I hate it when work interferes
with the hobby!

President Bush made a quick trip through the Portland, OR area on
Saturday. It was announced on Wednesday on the local news media, but I
was aware something was up as the USSS & WHCA frequencies were already
starting to come alive with testing and communications.

Here's a rundown on what I caught activity on during the presidential
visit;

123.775 mHz - Portland tower - AF1 cleared for landing here, as well as
the helicopter operations with the motorcade, since it was fairly close
to air traffic areas. The helicopter was a UH-60 Blackhawk, looking like
one from the air rescue group out of Portland. During the communications
with PDX tower, it sounded like he was using the callsign "HUSBAND
ZERO-ONE", at least it kept sounding like that. An observer for traffic
control was also heard from the helicopter on the Portland trunked
system.
162.6875 - YANKEE - Very busy before and during the visit - all
encrypted.
164.8875 - OSCAR - Also very busy before and during the visit. Some
clear traffic was noted here, as well as digital encryption.
165.2125 - MIKE - Some traffic heard hear on days prior to visit, but
nothing of note on 1/05.
165.375 - CHARLIE - Clear traffic with local Portland field office on
days prior to visit, but all encrypted on 1/05.
166.5125 - SIERRA -Very heavy traffic all day here on 1/05 - all
encrypted but some clear voice during circuit checks during the week.
167.025 - WHISKEY - Very busy all week. This freq came alive with the
usualy paging data almost before I knew of the presidential visit.

Portland trunked system was also active with local law-enforcement
activity for the visit, not only the security and traffic details, but
also keeping tabs on a small number of protesters in the area.

Unfortunately, I was unable to look for any UHF wide-band activity on
arrival or departure. I did not catch any UHF land-mobile activity
related to the visit in the 406-420 bands, other than 413.2 mHz,
security at Portland Air Base.

Chris Parris
Beaverton, OR