[FedCom] 139.9 MHz

[Mark Cobbeldick]

I hate to be a pessimist, but this has been a problem since the
early-1980's when Wilson introduced their CitiCom line of radios
(mobile & portable) which has the ability for dealers to keyboard
program them.  Taking Wilson's lead, several other low/mid tier
manufacturers also produced radios which could be programmed in the
field.  Users simply had to reconnect the programming jumper to allow
themselves full programming access.  That is, if the jumper was ever
cut.

In rural areas, small public safety agencies who were using these type
radios would also program them with their own "private" channel for
discreet/tactical communications when they wished the scanner-equipped
general public not to overhear their conversations, and change them
at-will to a different frequency when the local residents determined
their current 'private channel'.

The FCC later stepped in and required a "more sophisticated" technician
requirement than a simple jumper for programming access.  But the Genie
was already out of the bottle.  Many of the list members are also hams
that know the various websites were out-of-band equipment mods are
published.  There are also websites with information on
'self-programming' commercial grade equipment too.

The offenders in the two mentioned cases could be using either type of
equipment...


Mark C.
Virginia





--- Larry Van Horn <larry at grove-ent.com> wrote:
> Stand in line Greg. Had them in the ham bands the other day. Have had
> them in the aero and fixed portions of the HF spectrum. Got hunters
> up
> here in the ham/marine bands. It is up to responsible dealers to do
> the
> right thing and they aren't. Enforcement starts at the sales counter.
> 
> 73 all,
> 
> Larry Van Horn, N5FPW USN (Ret)
> Monitoring Times Assistant Editor and Milcom Columnist
> WUN Military/Government Newsletter Columnist
> Grove Enterprises Technical Support Department
> Telephone: V-828-837-9200/F-828-837-2216/800-438-8155
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: fedcom-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:fedcom-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Greg Brazil
> Sent: Tuesday, July 06, 2004 5:23 PM
> To: mil; fedcom
> Subject: [FedCom] 139.9 MHz
> 
> 
> Just heard some local fishermen talking on 139.9 FM.  "I'm so fxxxxxx
> 
> mad if I had a gun I could shoot him."
> Greg (SF Bay Area)
> 


		
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