[FedCom] Review GFMF -- Federal Frequency Directory Portion

Tue Oct 11 08:45:01 EDT 2005

> Granted the NTIA site holds a lot of data, but there is no more 
> authoritative source for information, e.g. INTEROP frequencies found in 
> their "Red Book."

Arthur, the Fed Freq Directory on the Grove CD includes the very interop 
frequencies you refer to and a lot more. This CD includes nearly the entire 
monitorable Fed/Mil LMR spectrum. The fed interops are only a tiny portion 
within two LMR bands and the NTIA Redbook does not have much else freq wise. 
It is a great reference, but it can't hold a candle to the Grove FFD portion 
of the CD Ken is referring to.

Keep in  mind the entire GMF was classified in 1984 and there have been 
tremendous changes in the LMR spectrum since that point. This Grove CD is 
the ONLY game outside the official stuff that gives you an in-depth freq 
analysis and a look at all the agencies who have been IDed on all the 
government LMR, and civilian/military aero bands, not just the interops. It 
has involved years of work and decades of monitoring by the author, ME!

First, I do appreciate Ken's kind words, thanks Ken, and I understand that 
there are some of you out there who won't buy any scanner frequency 
reference product, much less this one as you feel you can get your freq info 
for free elsewhere, such as this list. That is fine and it is your choice to 
make.

Me, however, I am an old style scanner buff. For me the scanner hobby is 
about the hunt and chase to find new stuff,  to ID and catalog the spectrum 
where I am monitoring from. Whether I have been on the road around the 
country, or right here in my local area, a scanner is always with me and 
usually in the search mode. I have many scanners and most of them are ALWAYS 
in the search modes and not scan looking for new stuff. I have scanners 
dedicated just for the unknown stuff going 24/7. From NORAD headquarters to 
the national battlefields of Virginia, every trip I make is always a scanner 
trip as well.

My freq print and electronic reference library takes up three entire book 
cases and dozens of CDs, and  is an important part of my frequency ID 
process. I am not just satisfied with a list some fellow in Montana sends me 
for western North Carolina or the same old Fed freq stuff you see on 
websites across the net written years ago in the late 80s and early 90s by 
my old friend Roger Cravens when he was in Atlanta (that was based on the 
1984 GMF which is now almost 22 years old.

Guides such as the Grove freq guides provide a detailed look at the spectrum 
you cannot get anywhere else. Considering the spectrum is mobile and 
evolving again a good reference library is a must have. You just never know 
what you will hear new during that next freq swing through the LMR and aero 
spectrums.

But if you are satisfied with your local list, never do any searches through 
the spectrum and have all the frequencies you want to monitor, you don't 
need to purchase the Grove CD and that is fine. If, however, your one of the 
old time, true hard core scanner buffs like me, you might want to consider 
picking one up.

Anyway, time to run, I just got a hit on a Bureau of Indian Affairs repeater 
output 164.625 (input 165.3375) in KIE500 Cherokee, NC. I need to get a PL 
tone for my records. If you would like to see a portion of my fed spectrum 
monitoring list for the local area, check out my scanner freq list on the 
Monitoring Times website in the reference library at: 
http://www.monitoringtimes.com/html/Quad.pdf. Oh and before you get excited, 
yes, it is free, no charge.

73 all and good hunting (if you use the search key),

Larry Van Horn, N5FPW
Founding Father Fedcom
Assistant Editor/Milcom Columnist
Monitoring Times magazine

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Arthur-Bryan E. Phelps" <aphelps at enter.net>
To: "'Discussion of Federal Government Communications'" 
<fedcom at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, October 10, 2005 5:28 PM
Subject: RE: [FedCom] Review GFMF -- Federal Frequency Directory Portion

> Granted the NTIA site holds a lot of data, but there is no more
> authoritative source for information, e.g. INTEROP frequencies found in
> their "Red Book."
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: fedcom-bounces at mailman.qth.net 
> [mailto:fedcom-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
> On Behalf Of Ken
> Sent: Monday, October 10, 2005 5:19 PM
> To: Discussion of Federal Government Communications
> Subject: Fw: [FedCom] Review GFMF -- Federal Frequency Directory Portion
>
>
>
>> Please see comments below:
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "lists" <lists at lazygranch.com>
>> To: "Discussion of Federal Government Communications"
>> <fedcom at mailman.qth.net>
>> Sent: Sunday, October 09, 2005 11:20 AM
>> Subject: Re: [FedCom] Review GFMF -- Federal Frequency Directory Portion
>>
>>
>>> Just an FYI, you can get some of the sources on that CD ROM on line:
>>>
>>> Red Book
>>> http://www.ntia.doc.gov/osmhome/redbook/redbook.html
>> COMMENT:  You are correct.  HOWEVER, it's a very large file 39.6 MB
>> of information.  If you have dial up connection good luck.  Some
>> information
>> was extracted from this very large & somewhat confusing publication &
>> placed
>> in a more readible format on the Fedral Frequency Directory.
>>
>>> Flip
>>> https://164.214.2.62/products/digitalaero/index.cfm
>> COMMENT:   FLIPS will give you up to date FAA AirTrafficControl
>> information, as well as aero related
>> command post, base operations, metro/wx, and other aero related military
>> freqs (e.g. aerial refueling routes).
>> HOWEVER, no military base Land Mobile Radio Nets (e.g. security, fire,
>> aircraft maintenance, etc.) are
>> listed in these pubs.  Grove's "Military Frequency Directory" bundled 
>> with
>
>> the "Federal Frequency Directory"
>> will give you a VERY extensive listing of these LMR nets.  See 
>> www.qth.net
>
>> milcom list archives for
>> the details on this publication.
>>
>>> One source for FAA info
>>> http://www.airnav.com/
>> COMMENT:  Doesn't appear that all information is up to date especially
>> military related changes
>> such as UHF ATC, command post, metro/wx, but a fairly good starting 
>> point.
>>
>>> Many military trunking systems can be found at
>>> radioreference.com
>> COMMENT:  I'd agree that the website's strong point is it's coverage of
>> radio trunking systems to include the emerging military trunking systems
>> being implemented at many bases.  HOWEVER, many military bases
>> remain with conventional land mobile radio nets that again are 
>> extensively
>> covered in the bundled "Military Frequency Directory".   The above
>> website doesn't have this extensive coverage.
>>
>>> Lastly, I maintain a "verified" frequency file for those who monitor the
>>> Nellis ranges at hidesertscan yahoogroup.
>> COMMENT:  It's great that you do this for the monitoring hobby!!!
>>>
>>> October is the month that the FLIP was supposed to leave the net, so you
>>> may want to download it.
>> COMMENT:  So far the site & publications are still available.
>>
>> Again I'd like to emphasize to the group, that you may be able to "roll
>> your
>> own" frequency lists so to speak with some information from government
>> publications & websites
>> BUT definitely not all of the information as indicated above.  Time is
>> always at
>> a premium and the "bundled package" is an effective & efficient way to
>> find the
>> information you need for your milcom & fedcom monitoring efforts!
>>
>> Ken
>>
>>
>
>
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