[FedCom] FBI Alpha 3 in Boston

[Tom Greenwood]

The mysterious Athol site appears that it may have also at one time been the
western terminus of the now defunct 1.7/1.8 GHz microwave network.
Strangely, as best as I was able to determine, it was not atop Bearsden Road
where all of the towers are located as I tried to locate it there but was
unable to find it many years ago.  Both the forward link from Mt. Wachusett
and the return link from Athol to Mt. Wachusett were audible atop the hill,
but were weak.  The exact location in Athol to this day remains a mystery.

In answer to your question about the repeaters, in the early 90's (and
somewhat still in effect today as best as can be determined) the multi site
channels were effectively broken up to simultaneously cover individual
states, i.e., there were 4 networks for the Boston Division, Massachusetts,
Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Maine.  There was some degree of overlap
along state borders such as the old Copicut Hill site in Fall River being
connected with the Rhode Island network.  There were also a lot of discrete
repeaters to cover individual cities in addition to short term repeaters
that would come and go with various operations.  Finally, there as at least
one specific simplex frequency that was universal across the area controlled
by the Boston Division that all tied back to Boston.  In the late 80's and
early 90's I believe it was 167.3625.  Many of these simplex sites were
ultimately brought back to microwave hubs on the old 414/419 MHz systems
that were in place in several location around New England.

73's

Tom, N1JQB
Metro West Boston



-----Original Message-----
From: fedcom-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:fedcom-bounces at mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of Ken
Sent: Saturday, April 29, 2006 12:12 PM
To: Bill; Discussion of Federal Government Communications
Subject: Re: [FedCom] FBI Alpha 3 in Boston


Aren't there some channels that actually broadcast thru mulitple sites over
a very significiant area, as well as some that are localized to the specific
repeater only & is not linked to central dispatch?  OR are all sites
automatically linked to the central dispatch center?

VERY interesting about the potential repeater in Athol MA!

Ken
Springfield MA Monitoring Area

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill" <ecps92 at earthlink.net>
To: "Discussion of Federal Government Communications"
<fedcom at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Saturday, April 29, 2006 10:40 AM
Subject: [FedCom] FBI Alpha 3 in Boston


> Alpha 3 is 167.7875 Mhz Boston
> Back in the 90's A-03 was 167.6625 in Athol MA


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