[FedCom] US Marshals Service Freqs & Ops

Mon Nov 20 18:37:27 EST 2006

Well, like I said before our state's system has a lopt  of federal users,
and about 95% are encrypted.  I've noticed something though with the feds
and our system here that sometimes, there will be a conversation with one
side encrypted.

On Mon, 20 Nov 2006, Arthur-Bryan E. Phelps wrote:

> Having been in LE (not the USMS) this is probably the best and most accurate
> summary of their current operation. We use to joke that the USMS was more
> secret than the USSS. 163.2000 is the primary frequency. Comms. are usually
> in the clear. When joint ops. are in progress, they typically use the lead
> entities radios. Over the next two years many trunked systems that have not
> already added fed talkgroups will be upgrading equipment, etc. and adding
> them.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: fedcom-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:fedcom-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
> On Behalf Of Dave Stewart
> Sent: Monday, November 20, 2006 10:52 AM
> To: Discussion of Federal Government Communications
> Subject: Re: [FedCom] US Marshals Service Freqs & Ops
>
> I believe it depends on the area.  In several areas where agencies have
> trunked systems, Marshals are able to lease radios and the use of that
> trunked system, especially when there is the ability to have their talkgroup
> encrypted.  It just makes sense that you could have one radio for
> operations, and that also allows you to switch over and talk to a PD or SO
> dispatch.
>
> In OKC, 163.200 (repeated) & 164.600 (simplex) are used primarily by the
> Metro Fugitive Task Force (both in analog, no P25).  146.2, 136.5, and CSQ
> are all used.  163.200 is used to run checks on plates, ask for someone to
> look up an address, or for notifying other agents that something might ramp
> up ("hey, I think my guy just showed-up...if you're not busy, let's stage at
> that Conoco near his address").
> 164.600 is used at very low power (2-5 watts) for surveillance and
> coordinating between 2-3 units traveling together.
>
> I believe nextel is used most for day-to-day USMS operations, outside the
> Metro Fugitive Task Force.
>
> 170.75 P25 is used for Court operations.  I also have 162.7875 in my scanner
> for Court ops, but I can't remember the last time I saw it used.  Not saying
> it isn't used, just that I don't recall seeing it recently.
>
> I've never seen any of these 4 freqs encrypted.
>
> As you may know, the "CONAIR" hub facility (Federal Transfer Facility) is
> located on the grounds of the Will Rogers World Airport in OKC.
> It's located on the West side of the airport grounds.  A fairly low-power
> 400MHz trunked system is in use there. This facility is operated by the
> Federal Bureau of Prisons.  You can find more info about the system in
> RadioReference at -->
> http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=RR&sid=3519, and about the
> facility at the Bureau of Prison's Web site at -->
> http://www.bop.gov/locations/institutions/okl/index.jsp.  I've never heard
> anything outside normal "prison talk" (BORING!!) although I've never
> listened when an aircraft is arriving or leaving.
>
> Dave
>
> On 11/19/06, Jeff Kenyon <at649 at tcnet.org> wrote:
> > Are the marshalls still using 163.200?  I'll have to check this page out.
> > I had heard that 163.200 is one freq in use, and some UHF stuff.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > On Sun, 19 Nov 2006, Ken wrote:
> >
> > > Another interesting agency is the US Marshals Service.
> > > For locations of these activities click on the appropriate state map at:
> > > http://www.usmarshals.gov/district/index.html
> > >
> > > Additionally, if you go to the "state page" for each district in
> > > most instances there's a list of "Local Law Enforcement Task Forces"
> > > that USMS participate in, which varies from state to state.
> > >
> > > Grove's "Federal Frequency Directory", 2nd edition with search term
> > > "Marshals" gets 26 potential listings.  UHF wise 10 simplex & 3
> > > repeater pairs are listed.  Additional 13 VHF highband freqs are listed.
> > >
> > > Tom Kneitel's "The 'Top Secret' Registry of U.S. Government Radio
> > > Frequencies" 8th edition (1993), lists VHF highband consisting of
> > > the
> > > following:
> > > Marshal's Services
> > > * 3 Repeater pairs, categorized as "City Repeaters", "Administrative
> > > & Operational Repeaters", "Border Area Repeaters"
> > > *3 Simplex Frequencies
> > > Court House Operations:
> > > *1 frequency pair "Operational Repeates"
> > > *2 simplex frequencies
> > >
> > > USMS may also use regional law enforcement coordination net
> > > frequencies (either through loaned portable equipment or when feasible
> programmed freqs
> > > in their mobile units).   A recent short lived series on "The Discovery
> > > Channel" showed USMS as primarily using cellphones & what appeared
> > > to be nextel nationwide w/t's to coordinate initial investigative
> > > functions & response & than switch to USMS radio systems when at "on
> > > scene" surveillance & tactical apprehension activities.
> > >
> > > Perhaps low powered simplex ops overall makes this federal activity
> > > difficult to monitor.
> > >
> > > Ken
> > >
> > >
> > >
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>
>
>
> --
> Dave Stewart
> dave.stew at gmail.com
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