[FedCom] ROSS 096 - Phila

[Chris Parris]

>>>I don't understand WHY they use these callsigns.  Talk about violating=

COMSEC.  They might as well hang a sign out and tell everyone they have
a surveillance underway. <<<

I've always believed that they used these callsigns as an indication to t=
he
air traffic controllers that they are on mission and may have special
requirements without having to explain it over the ATC channels. Simply
using the ROSS callsign is certainly more discrete than calling approach
control and saying we're the FBI and we are requesting clearance to hover=

in the approach path of your arrival flights at low altitude for a while.=
..


>>> At least the "other" USG agencies operate on
UHF.  That makes them a little less conspicuous.<<<

Sometimes, but I have heard some federal agencies using discrete VHF
channels with ATC or ARTCC's before. I have also heard a controller talki=
ng
with a Customs aircraft on UHF, but still simulcasting on his VHF side, s=
o
it didn't really make them that less conpicuous...

Chris Parris
Beaverton, OR