[FedCom] US Postal Service Inspectors/Operations

[ken windyka]

Arts & Entertainment Network's "Behind Close Doors" (Joan London) recently
had a full 1 hour program on the US Postal Service covering both operations
& the postal inspectors.  It was Interesting to note that there's 1900
postal inspectors assigned thoughout the country.  By far the most
interesting portion of the program was on the inspection service to include
a "high tech" surveillance van that they use during surveillance
operations.  Inside the van was various video and what appeared to be audio
suveillance equipment.  Also there was one unit labeled "police net".
Excellent information is available at the US Postal Inspection website at:  
http://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/   .What's VERY interesting to read is
the FY 2001 overall activity report.

Frequency information wise, Tom Kneitel's "The Top Secret, Registry of US
Government Radio Frequencies (I've got the 6th editon which is somewthat
dated BUT frequencies listed still are in use) lists 6 frequencies (3 VHF
highband & 2 UHF band) utilized by postal inspectors.  Also listed our
specific frequencies (approximately 310 frequencies (some the same) for 36
states/ US possessions (approx 110 geographic locations) as well as 17
frequencies (4 VHF highband & 13 UHF band) used potentially throughout the US.

Also Grove Enterprise's (Larry Van Horn) Federal Frequency Directory
(CD-ROM, 2001 edition) lists 159 potential frequenies (63 high band VHF, 96
UHF band).

Furthemore, I think in the past there's been some posting about USPS using
some low power w/t's in the 240-400 mhz (NFM) miltary/government aero band.
 I would think that the new Government Low Powered Radio Svc (modified FRS
radios) in the 396-400 mhz (14 channels) might also include USPS activities. 

Locally in my area Postal Security/Inspectors appear to use 415.05
Repeater(s) with "Hartford Base" appearing to be the dispatch control
center.  At times this frequency carries encrypted, simplex, and also
appears to answer other repeaters heard with weaker signal strengths.
Additionally, the Springfield MA Bulk Mail Distribution Center operations
can also be monitored on 171.2625R & 166.225.

Approximately 7 years ago, there was an article in the local newspaper
about the arrest/conviction of a postal employee at a small post office who
was convicted of stealing packages with merchandise.  Apparently Postal
Inspectors set up a "sting" and had some sort or tracking device in the
package because the article mentioned that they knew when the package had
been taken out of the PO and also were able to track the package to the
employee's residence.

Anyways you public/private postings of addititons, corrections/ and your
montioring experiences are welcomed.

Ken Windyka
Springfield MA Monitoring Area