[FedCom] Monitoring Status?

[Larry Van Horn, N5FPW]

Chris is absolutely correct. Things are cyclic and depend on the current 
situation in a particular area. To say it is time to give up fed monitoring 
is folly. Let me illustrate with a story I have never shared with any until 
now.

Several years ago this area was the focus for the search for Eric Robert 
Rudolph (the Olympic/Abortion Clinic bomber). When all hell broke loose up 
here we had two permanent fed repeaters (ATF/FBI) on Brasstown Bald in 
Georgia that we knew existed (saw them with my own eyes in the USFS HQ 
building), but never heard. When the ERR task force settled in for the ERR 
manhunt those repeaters came on hot, heavy and in the clear.

The next thing we observed was all sorts of new freqs for both FBI and ATF 
popping up all over the 162-174 MHz spectrum and a few in the civilian 
aircraft band. Some was in the clear (including all the aviation assets) and 
some used encrypted comms, especially the FBI and their Special Ops Group. 
Over the many years they hunted for Rudolph, things were both quiet and 
active. They were always here, but that was just part of the ebb and flow of 
things. It was all very interesting and things died off after he was 
captured up here digging through a dumpster for food by a local SO deputy. 
What happend to all the new freqs and equipment they installed for the big 
manhunt? It is all still here and we hear it tested from time to time.

We have another freq up here that about once or twice a year comes up active 
for a few days and is some of the most interesting comms I have ever heard 
on fed freqs. It isn't on any repeater, but simplex. When I first discovered 
it several years ago, none of the other long time monitors in this area even 
knew it existed. It stays quiet in my scanner until the next time those 
folks show up around here to do their thing. And before any of you ask, no I 
won't share this freq. I don't want anyone to know I know about that freq 
and that I am listening. Sometimes it is best to hold certain things close 
to the vest and not talk about things openly.

Those are a couple of many instances I can use to illustrate Chris' point. I 
have monitored gov/mil comms for well over 30 years now. Things get hot and 
then things get cold. That is why we listen and you will never know until 
you hear it if something is happening and things are going to be hot in an 
area. You would only know in advance if you are on the inside looking out. 
In that case I know you wouldn't be here on Fedcom talking about it. ;-))

73 all and good hunting,

Chief

Larry Van Horn, N5FPW
ATC (AW)      USN (Ret)
MT Milcom/Help Desk Columnist
Assistant Editor Monitoring Times
Blog Address: http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/
Founding Father Milcom/Fedcom/Trunkcom

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Chris Parris" <CParris2 at compuserve.com>
To: "FEDCOM" <Fedcom at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sunday, July 30, 2006 2:43 AM
Subject: [FedCom] Monitoring Status?


>>>
Prior to May, I was fortunate enough to hear several fed. frequencies and
ops. in the clear almost daily (FBI, ATF, DEA).  Since then all
transmissions, both analog and P25 have been encrypted.   I also notice
that
activity/postings on this site have declined substantially.  I guess the
tide is turning. As the trees fall so winds the river.
<<<

I wouldn't give up that quickly. Federal activity is cyclical, it comes and
goes. I have gone months without hearing much of anything interesting, then
there will be all sorts of activity for a while. Unpredictable at best...

I suspect the slowdown in the list may be to the summer activities of it's
members. I haven't posted much activity here not because I haven't heard
anything, but most of the activity was fairly routine and covered here
before.

- Chris
 --
Chris Parris
Fed Files Columnist
Monitoring Times Magazine
chrisparris at monitoringtimes.com
http://www.monitoringtimes.com
Fed Files Blog: http://mt-fedfiles.blogspot.com/
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