DOE Convoy Comms & Re: [FedCom] Transporter Picture

[Jim Johnson]

I may be incorrect...and if so let me know...but I believe DOE (TSD) still maintains their SECOM HF network.  From what I've read at various times I recall it being comprised of 4 (or more) HF frequencies between 3 - 12 MHz with several "relay" stations around the country.  Through the use of ALE I'm sure connectivity is pretty dependable and consistant.
 
As to the location of the "relay" stations I'd venture a guess that Rockwell Collins figures into the program along the way.  Recalling a visit I made to their Cedar Rapids facility back in the early 60's, they were very heavily involved with contract services to a number of government agencies...not the least of which was the old DEA "ATLAS" network.  With other locations in CA and TX, I'd imagine they could "service the DOE account" quite handily.
 
Jim Johnson
 


"Elden P. Laffoon" <kb9oex at juno.com> wrote:
Ken, 
I'm a notorious lurker. However, I'll break silence long enough to
confirm two-way comms between vehicles and agents on the teams. When on
break somewhere (lunch, bathroom, etc.) the agent departing the
particular vehicle does carry an HT with them for constant comms. I
can't (read "won't") say which band they use for security reasons. 

I've had the good fortune of travelling with many of these convoys
across the U.S. as a non-attached traveller and have the distinct honor
and pleasure of sharing lunch breaks with several of them. Being a
retired FLEO, I was accorded a quick "tour" of their comms both in the
chase vehicles and cab of the Marmons (IMPRESSIVE as Hell, a Radio Op's
DREAM)!! 

BTW, the SAT system antenna you saw is Qualcomm.

Happy Hunting,
Elden WA9IQL
U.S. DoD Police (Ret.)


On Tue, 20 Sep 2005 16:42:15 -0400 "Ken" writes:
> Mark:
> 
> Very interesting observation on the radio equipment antennas & 
> potential 
> radio equipment installed. I'm wondering if perhaps the security 
> team also 
> has some UHF portables OR are all voice operations on VHF high 
> band?
> 
> I took a quick look at Grove Enterprise's "Federal Frequency 
> Directory" 2nd 
> edition, and the Department of Energy has about 190 VHF high band 
> frequencies authorized. Approximately 28 were listed as 
> "nationwide". 
> That's still a lot of frequencies to program & monitor.
> 
> I guess that the normal DOE convoy routes are pretty standard 
> throughout the 
> country, so perhaps there's some fixed radio bases installed along 
> the way 
> tied in back to there transportation control center in NM. BUT 
> again my 
> theory is that there actual is very little voice communications by 
> design. 
> The satellite sensor package would most likely be giving real time 
> position 
> of the convoy as it progressed. UNLESS the escorts (which I'd 
> assume is at 
> a minimum two other vehicles) see a potential problem and have to 
> communicate to the driver/driver security team riding in the tractor 
> there's 
> isn't going to be any radio communications. Of course human nature 
> as it 
> is, there's always the remote possibility that some informal chit 
> chat 
> could be taking place among vehicles, so picking up a signal (albeit 
> most 
> likely encrypted/scrambled) on a DOE frequency might indicate convoy 
> 
> presence. Additionally while travelling the interstate using 
> Uniden's 
> "Close Capture" or Radio Shack's "Signal Stallker" scanner 
> capabilities 
> would provide the best chance of snagging a signal & perhaps seeing 
> the 
> transport vehicle.
> 
> What I find interesting as missing as there's no cellular telephone 
> antennas 
> on the tractor (with exception of some old AMPS systems, 
> cellphone/pcs 
> planning is for portable handheld usage anyways).
> 
> Could prove to be an interesting challenge to those fedcom hobbyists 
> along 
> potential routes!!
> 
> Ken
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Mark Cobbeldick [KB4CVN]" 
> To: "Discussion of Federal Government Communications" 
> 
> Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2005 9:22 AM
> Subject: Re: [FedCom] Transporter Picture
> 
> 
> > If you look at the photograph of the tractor, and enlarge it, in
> > addition to the sat antenna on the top of the truck (behind the 
> wind
> > cowling), you will see three antennas on the roof of the truck.
> >
> > Left to right they look like:
> > ---------------------------------------
> >
> > - MaxRad (MHB5800 Series) vhf-highband 5/8-wave whip
> > - AM/FM broadcast radio whip
> > - MaxRad (MLB Series) vhf-lowband whip
> snip..snip..
> 
> 
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> 
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