[FedCom] Veterans Administration Radio Systems?

[Ken]

Surely an important and perhaps somewhat interesting radio communications 
systems would be that of the Veterans Administration which has over 1100 
facilities (to include, medical centers, outpatient clinics, nursing 
homes/assisted living, & cemeteries)  in the US & it's possessions.

See the facility locator for a facility that is next to you:

http://www1.va.gov/directory/guide/home.asp?isFlash=1

Many of the larger medical centers are just like small towns with a large 
land area as well as buildings.  I'd assume that there's probably radio 
systems for security, facility support operations, & perhaps paging.

The last comprehensive look at specific locations VA radio systems was in 
Tom Kneitel's "The 'Top Secret' Registry of U.S. Government Radio 
Frequencies" which listed over 175 locations, that on average 3 frequencies 
assigned per location.

Most frequencies were in the high band VHF 162 to 169 mhz range, with some 
also in the 171/173 mhz range.  There was little UHF usage (408-409, 419-420 
mhz area) and also some limited low band VHF (30, 40 mhz area)...

Grove's "Federal Frequency Directory" (lst edition) lists total potential 
frequencies (but not locations in the following bands):

30 to 50 mhz:  approx 12 potential freqs
162.000 to 168.0000 mhz:     approx 42 potential freqs.
168.0125 to 174.0000 mhz:   approx 39 potential freqs.
406.0000 to 420.000 mhz:  approx  104 potential freqs (paired freqs counted 
separately)

Of course with the refarming of frequencies & the new 12.5 khz standard I'd 
assume that there's a lot of changes going on in the VA system, to perhaps 
P25 digital & even encryption for at least the facility security function 
BUT again there's been little published in recent years about the VA radio 
systems.

Perhaps it's time for an article in one of the national publications about 
this system???

K