NIPR/SIPR HF ALE Network Frequency List

Here is my latest NIPR/SIPR network frequency/station list. Traffic on these frequencies is mostly encrypted message traffic with stations using ALE to sound.

SIPR (Secret Internet Protocol Router) Network Frequencies
(USB/ALE): 3113.0 5702.0 5902.0 6715.0 8968.0 9044.0 11181.0 15091.0 17976.0 27870.0 kHz.

SIPR Gateway/Frequency Matrix
ADWSPR Andrews AFB, Maryland 3113.0 5702.0 6715.0 8968.0 9044.0 11181.0 17976.0 27870.0
AEDSPR Elmendorf AFB, Alaska 6715.0 17976.0
CROSPR Croughton AB, United Kingdom 5702.0 5902.0 6715.0 8968.0 11181.0 15091.0 17976.0 27870.0
GUASPR Andersen AB, Guam 5702.0 8968.0 11181.0 15091.0
HAWSPR Ascension Island 5702.0 6715.0 8968.0 11181.0 15091.0 17976.0 27870.0
HIKSPR Hickam AFB, Hawaii 5702.0 5902.0 6715.0 8968.0 15091.0
ICZSPR Sigonella AB, Sicily, Italy 5702.0 6715.0 8968.0 11181.0 15091.0 17976.0
JDGSPR Diego Garcia, Indian Ocean 5702.0 6715.0 8968.0 9044.0 11181.0 27870.0
JNRSPR Salinas, Puerto Rico 3113.0 5902.0 6715.0 8968.0 11181.0 15091.0 17976.0
JTYSPR Yokota AB, Japan 15091.0
MCCSPR McClellan, California 5702.0 5902.0 6715.0 8968.0 11181.0
OFFSPR Offutt AFB, Nebraska 3113.0 5702.0 5902.0 6715.0 8968.0 11181.0 15091.0 17976.0
PLASPR Lajes AB, Azores 5702.0 6715.0 8968.0 11181.0 15091.0

NIPR (Non-Secure Internet Protocol Router) Network Frequencies
(USB/ALE): 3068.0 4745.0 5684.0 8965.0 10600.0 10830.0 11199.0 13242.0 17973.0 20631.0 kHz.

NIPR Gateway/Frequency Matrix
ADWNPR Andrews AFB, Maryland 3068.0 4745.0 5684.0 8965.0 11199.0 13242.0 17973.0 20631.0
CRONPR Croughton AB, United Kingdom 3068.0 4745.0 8965.0 17973.0
HIKNPR Hickam AFB, Hawaii 8965.0
ICZNPR Sigonella NS, Sicily, Italy 4745.0 5684.0 8965.0 13242.0 17973.0 20631.0
JNRNPR Salinas, Puerto Rico 8965.0
MCCNPR McClellan, California 4745.0 5684.0 8965.0 13242.0 17973.0
OFFNPR Offutt AFB, Nebraska 5684.0 8965.0 11199.0 13242.0 17973.0 20631.0

STS-115 Update

NASA and Russian space managers agreed today to extend the shuttle Atlantis' launch window by one day, to September 8, to bolster the U.S. space agency's chances of getting the weather-delayed shuttle off the ground this month.

If shuttle Atlantis weathers tropical storm Ernesto without any major problems, and if engineers can complete hurried preparations, NASA may be ready to make a launch attempt as early as September 6, one day before the shuttle's launch window closes, officials said late Tuesday (August 29).

If the shuttle Atlantis fails to get off the ground before the September 7, the end of its current launch window which could delay the flight to late October, NASA managers may reconsider an earlier decision to only launch in daylight.

STS-115 UHF Milsat Support Up!

I have caught what appears to be DoD Cape on 261.875 MHz working an unidentified station. This will probably be the support frequency for the STS-115 Atlantis launch on Sunday.

STS-115 Launch Sunday at 4:30 pm EDT

We are less than four days away from the launch of shuttle Atlantis and the crew of STS-115 to the International Space Station. Like the previous shuttle flight last month, we will have complete coverage of the STS-115 mission including any INMARSAT and Milsat communications coverage right here on the MT-Milcom blog. We should start the countdown tomorrow afternoon, Friday August 25 at 4:30 pm EDT (2030 UTC).

Remember if you want shuttle frequencies, the best and most accurate list on the internet is available free of charge on the Monitoring Times magazine website. Here you will find everything from HF to Ku-band and everything in between. Look for the Monitoring NASA and Space Communications link, part of the MT Radio Reference Library.



Space Shuttle Mission STS-115
Orbiter: Atlantis
Mission: Space Station Assembly Mission 12A
Payload: P3/P4 Integrated Truss Segment
Launch Date: Aug. 27Launch Time: 4:30 p.m. EDT
Launch Pad: 39B Mission Duration: 11 days

Photo courtesy of NASA.

Milair Nationwide Frequencies Part 7

Milair Nationwide Frequencies Part 7

This is part 7 of our exclusive nationwide milair assignment list. Here is a list of previous parts and the dates they appeared on this blog:

Part 1 Monday May 29, 2006
Part 2 Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Part 3 Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Part 4 Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Part 5 Wednesday, July 5, 2006
Part 6 Wednesday, July 26, 2006

262.025 AMC Special Operations Air-to-Ground
262.050 Milsat: FLTSAT AFSATCOM Wideband Ch 23
262.075 Milsat: FLTSAT AFSATCOM Wideband Ch 23 /UFO Oscar Navy Fleet Relay (25 kHz) 262.100 Milsat: FLTSAT AFSATCOM Wideband Ch 23
262.125 Milsat: FLTSAT AFSATCOM Wideband Ch 23 /UFO Quebec Navy Fleet Relay (25 kHz)
262.150 Milsat: FLTSAT AFSATCOM Wideband Ch 23
262.175 Milsat: FLTSAT AFSATCOM Wideband Ch 23 /UFO Oscar Navy Fleet Relay (25 kHz)
262.200 Milsat: FLTSAT AFSATCOM Wideband Ch 23
262.225 Milsat: FLTSAT AFSATCOM Wideband Ch 23 /UFO Quebec Navy Fleet Relay (25 kHz)
262.250 Milsat: FLTSAT AFSATCOM Wideband Ch 23
262.275 Milsat: FLTSAT AFSATCOM Wideband Ch 23 /UFO Oscar Navy Fleet Relay (25 kHz)
262.300 Milsat: FLTSAT AFSATCOM Wideband Ch 23
262.325 Milsat: FLTSAT AFSATCOM Wideband Ch 23 /UFO Quebec Navy Fleet Relay (25 kHz)
262.350 Milsat: FLTSAT AFSATCOM Wideband Ch 23
262.375 Milsat: FLTSAT AFSATCOM Wideband Ch 23 /UFO Oscar Navy Fleet Relay (25 kHz)
262.400 Milsat: FLTSAT AFSATCOM Wideband Ch 23
262.425 Milsat: FLTSAT AFSATCOM Wideband Ch 23 /UFO Quebec Navy Fleet Relay (25 kHz)
262.450 Milsat: FLTSAT AFSATCOM Wideband Ch 23 / Have Quick Training
262.475 Milsat: FLTSAT AFSATCOM Wideband Ch 23
262.500 Milsat: FLTSAT AFSATCOM Wideband Ch 23
262.525 Milsat: FLTSAT AFSATCOM Wideband Ch 23
262.550 Milsat: FLTSAT AFSATCOM Wideband Ch 23
262.650 US Navy Afloat Nets
262.900 US Navy Squadron Common
262.9125 Russian GONET satellite downlinks
263.000 Air Traffic Control
263.025 Air Traffic Control
263.050 Air Traffic Control
263.075 Air Traffic Control
263.0875 Russian GONET satellite downlinks
263.100 Air Traffic Control
263.125 Air Traffic Control
263.150 Air Traffic Control
263.350 Blue Angel Fat Albert
263.500 US Navy Air-to-Air tactical (Eastern US only)
263.575 Milsat: UFO November Navy Fleet Relay (25 kHz)
263.625 Milsat: UFO Papa Navy Fleet Relay (25 kHz)
263.675 Milsat: UFO November Navy Fleet Relay (25 kHz)
263,725 Milsat: UFO Papa Navy Fleet Relay (25 kHz)
263.775 Milsat: UFO Oscar Navy Fleet Relay (25 kHz)
263.825 Milsat: UFO Quebec Navy Fleet Relay (25 kHz)
263.875 Milsat: UFO Oscar Navy Fleet Relay (25 kHz)
263.900 Alaska Aerial Refueling Routes
263.925 Milsat: UFO Quebec Navy Fleet Relay (25 kHz)

What is in the September MT Milcom Column?

We have some really neat stuff in our September MT Milcom column. First, our cover is a photo of a Titan 4B launch from Vandenberg AFB carrying a classified DoD payload. This is part of the kick off for a series of columns that will cover monitoring military satellites in the pages of MT.

Monitoring Times was the first commercial hobby publication to carry a column devoted to satellites comms back when we were still in newsprint and bimonthly. That was in the fall of 1983 to be exact and I was the author of the then new Signals From Space column.

Riding on the success of that column was the publication by Grove of my first book, Satellite Communications. It was the first book ever written for the radio satellite monitoring hobby community. It was well received and went through three editions. It helped launch a whole generation of monitors into the satellite listening hobby. Of course, Grove was also the publisher of Satellite Times magazine and during its five year run it helped promote satellite monitoring.

Personally, I have been around satellite monitoring since my early days in the radio hobby. I cut my teeth monitoring Russian military satellites in the 1960s on HF frequencies so I have a bit of experience along these lines. I look forward to sharing that experience with MT readers in future Milcom columns.

As part of this expanded coverage, if you have some specific questions on satellite monitoring, you can email them to the address in the masthead and I will certainly consider them for publication in our MT Help Desk column. Sorry, but due to time constraints, I can't answer each one individually. While you can remain anonymous in the column, I will not accept for publication any query that does not include your name and location.

So what is in the September MT Milcom? We have an overview of the U.S. Military Satellite Program. You will learn about our imaging/recon, early warning, communications, and navigation satellite programs run by the National Reconnaissance Office and DoD. I have included a toolbox of online websites that you can use for more information.

So as I have said before, "miss one issue of MT and you miss a lot."

Photo by Pat Corkery and courtesy Lockheed Martin (copyright held by author and Lockheed and it cannot be reposted or circulated on the net without the permission of the copyright holders).

Atlanta Milcom Monitored Update

Had to make a trip to ATL last week and enjoyed monitoring activity from Dobbins and NAS Atlanta on the Atlanta FPS trunk system. During the visit caught activity on all four sites as we moved around the city. Also monitored several civilian trunk systems and conventional PS frequencies during our visit. You can find a summary of those intercepts on my peronal blog page, The Btown Monitoring Post. Here are the Milcom particulars.

System: Motorola Type II SmartZone (Mixed Mode)

Atlanta 406.4125c 407.2125c 408.5375c 410.1250c
Dobbins ARB/NAS Atlanta 406.7625c 406.9625c 407.5625c 407.8625 408.9625c
Unknown 406.5625c 407.1625c 408.5625c 410.3625c 410.5625
Unknown 407.3625 408.3625c 408.7625c 409.3625c 410.7625

Talkgroups Monitored:
48032 DARB Airfield Ground Control
48080 DARB FD Dispatch

Heard several more TGs but it is difficult to drive, write and monitor at the same time in ATL traffic. Better forgotten than by the cause of an IH-75 pileup.

Was sad to see VFA-203, the Blue Dolphins ramp empty of F/A-18s. The base flying club and VAW-77 have taken over their old hangar on the NW corner of the base. Had a VAW-77 E-2C in front of that hangar with its wings folded when we drove by.

Here is all the aero freqs heard. Had two C-130s from the 94th and several other aircraft in the pattern.

Dobbins ARB/NAS Atlanta (KMGE/KNCQ)

94AW Command Post 379.525 "Dapper Dan"
VR-46 Squadron Common 233.700
Atlanta A/D 121.000/268.700
ATIS (Automatic Terminal Info Service) 269.500
Ground Control 125.300/275.800
Metro 274.750
Pilot-to-Dispatch 139.300/372.200 (Nationwide assignments)
Tower 120.750/370.875

This is not a complete list of base frequencies, just what we logged during our visit. For a complete list of civilian/military Aero and VHF/UHF LMR frequencies for all 50 states, you should purchase the ONLY publication in the radio hobby that has it all the Grove Frequency Master File SFT35 authored by the owner of this blog. This CD-ROM includes military comms (HF/VHF/UHF), Federal freqs (HF/VHF/UHF), and the Grove Shortwave Freq Directory, the definitive guide to the HF utility spectrum) all on one CD.

Is it right or is it wrong?

From the NOTAM system:

KDPG MICHAEL AAF (DUGWAY PROVING GROUND)
M0068/06 - IT HAS COME TO OUR ATTENTION THAT INDIVIDUALS ARE USING THE AIRNAV WEBSITE AS A PRIMARY SOURCE OF AIRFIELD INFORMATION. THE iNFORMATION CONTAINED ON AIRNAV'S WEBSITE IS NOT CREDITABLE. FOR INSTANCE OUR INFORMATION HAS NOT CHANGED ON AIRNAV'S WEBSITE IN SEVERAL YEARS. WE HAVE TALKED TO AIRNAV, AND THEY TOLD US THEY GET THE LATEST INFOMATION FROM THE FAA. IF THIS WERE TRUE OUR INFORMATION WOULD BE CORRECT. 14 AUG 20:22 UNTIL 02 OCT 23:30

So here is a comparison of the latest DoD IFR Sup info and AirNav:

From latest IFR Supplement:
COMMUNICATIONS - CTAF - 126.2 CLOVER CON SOUTH - 134.1 363.5 FIRE STATION - (E) 126.2R DUGWAY RANGE CON - 36.1 126.2 270.0

From AirNav:
CTAF - 270.3 FIRE STATION - (E) 126.2R RANGE CON - 36.1 CLOVER CON SOUTH - 134.1 363.5.

The AirNav data is from the FAA ATA-100 CD that is being highly touted by some on the net. Based on my last monitoring trip to that area the IFR Sup information was accurate which means that the ATA-100 has missing info and errors.

Falcon Range (R-5601) OK Frequency Changes

The Falcon Range, Oklahoma (part of the Fort Sill Complex) has changed its range frequencies. This change is a result of the new DoD 380-400 MHz LMR band implementation and what appears to be an overhaul of the DoD 138-144/148-150.8 MHz bands.

The current range frequencies are as follows:

363.700 Primary (U) ex-390.100
342.300 Secondary (U) ex-385.900
143.750 Primary (V) ex-149.125
356.500 CAS/FAC Primary
344.500 CAS/FAC Secondary

I will have additional frequencies and a profile on this range in a future MT Milcom column. Watch this blog page for details.

Folks in southern Oklahoma and Northern Texas should find listening interesting on these frequencies.

New Government Public Health HF Net

The National Public Health Radio Network (NPHRN)

The National Public Health Radio Network (NPHRN) is a collaborative initiative between CDC’s Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness (COTPER) and the National Center for Health Marketing (NCHM). In summary, the NPHRN will provide CDC, state, territorial, and local health departments with non-infrastructure dependent redundant communications capability – a “back up” method of communication when all else fails. Utilizing specific frequencies within the High Frequency (HF) spectrum, the NPHRN provides CDC and the 50 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Pacific Island Jurisdictions (American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau, and the Federated States of Micronesia), and the localities of Chicago, Los Angeles County, New York City, and Washington, D.C. with a wireless redundant communications capacity. When participating in the NPHRN, CDC and public health partners will have the capability to transmit and receive vital information in the event that traditional infrastructure dependent communication media (telephone, internet, cellular) are damaged, overloaded, or destroyed thus preventing effective and reliable communication. (from CDC Public Health Emergency Preparedness Cooperative Agreement)

Frequencies (ALE):
4442.0 (USB) 4757.0 (USB) 5820.0 (USB) 8023.0 (LSB) 8023.0 (USB) 9414.5 (USB) 10202.0 (USB) 11485.0 (LSB) 11485.0 (USB) 12164.0 (USB) 13488.0 (USB) 15658.0 (USB)18264.0 (USB) 20659.0 (USB)

Frequency information courtesy of Jack Metcalfe.

New MARS VHF Frequencies

The Mil VHF Hi band continues to slowly evolve into a whole new bandplan. See our Milcom column in the August 2006 issue of Monitoring Times for complete details and additional frequencies.

Via a public domain source: Navy-Marine Corps MARS packet operations in the Northeast US has moved from 142.700 to 140.625 MHz. This is the second ref we have seen to 140.625 MHz being used by MARS. Looks like MARS now has a new nationwide VHF frequency of 140.625 MHz.

A new MARS repeater pair has been also announced in the public domain.

148.950/148.350 MHz is being used at NAS Willow Grove with a 77 Hz PL tone. If your local area MARS repeater disappears, check either of the two freqs above for possible new activity.

Major Army MARS Closes Station

Army MARS has announced the closure of their Eastern Area Gateway station, AAA3USA, at Fort Detrick, MD, as of 1 October 2006. The Army MARS chief has also announced reduced hours at the Western Area Gateway, AAA9USA, Fort Huachuca, AZ.

In other news, the three services have now has setup a MARS tri-service ALE network, using frequencies from each. W hope to have more on this in the future.

UK Thwarts Massive Terror Plot - North Atlantic MWARA Freqs

Press reports this morning are headlining a story on a terror plan to blow up commercial airlines in mid flight that has apparently been disrupted by Britain's Scotland Yard. Because the US DHS is not sure if the plot has been completely thwarted, they have raised the threat level to critical or red for flights from the UK to the US. The Associated Press is reporting that the terror threat appeared to be aimed at United, American, Continental and British Airways international flights.

Radio monitors can keep tabs on trans Atlantic aircraft traffic via the North Atlantic MMARA family of frequencies listed below. Be especially diligent of the LDOCF frequencies listed below. These ARINC frequencies could provide especially interesting monitoring.

North Atlantic Major World Aero Route HF Frequencies

This aeronautical major world air route has a high concentration of military, airline, charter, and business aircraft crossing the Atlantic on a variety of routes within six sub-families.

Graphics showing the boundaries of each of the NAT sub-families is available courtesy of Risto Hirvomen via the following links:

NAT ABCEF MWARA Graphic

NAT D MWARA Graphic

NAT-A North Atlantic Family A:
This sub-family of frequencies is assigned to aircraft whose route or portion of route transits Gander, New York, Santa Maria and Shanwick areas, especially those aircraft flying routes with reporting point coordinates between 43N and 47N. During off peak periods, and when watch is reduced on other families, Family A will remain the primary assignment for aircraft flying southerly routes.

Frequencies: 3016.0 5598.0 8906.0 13306.0 17946.0 kHz (USB)
Ground Stations: Gander, New York, Santa Maria, Shanwick

NAT-B North Atlantic Family B:
This sub-family of frequencies is assigned to aircraft flying on eastbound or westbound tracks whose route or portion of route lies within the Gander, Iceland and Shanwick areas, particularly aircraft flying routes with reporting point coordinates between 47N and 64N. In order to ensure even peak-time distribution of traffic between Family B and C, aircraft may be assigned to either family on the basis of; state of registry, airline company or other such criteria as agreed between Shanwick Radio and Gander Radio.

Frequencies: 2899.0 5616.0 8864.0 13291.0 17946.0 kHz (USB)
Ground Stations: Gander, Iceland, Shanwick

NAT-C North Atlantic Family C:
This sub-family of frequencies is assigned to aircraft flying on eastbound or westbound tracks whose route or portion of route lies within the Gander, Iceland and Shanwick areas, particularly aircraft flying routes with reporting point coordinates between 47N and 64N. In order to ensure even peak-time distribution of traffic between Family B and C, aircraft may be assigned to either family on the basis of; state of registry, airline company or other such criteria as agreed between Shanwick Radio and Gander Radio.

Frequencies: 2872.0 5649.0 8879.0 11336.0 13306.0 17946.0 kHz (USB)
Ground Stations: Gander, Iceland, Shanwick

NAT-D North Atlantic Family D:
This sub-family of frequencies is assigned to aircraft whose route or portion of route lies within the Bodo, Gander, Iceland and Shanwick areas, particularly those aircraft flying routes with reporting point coordinates north of 62N.

Frequencies: 2971.0 4675.0 8891.0 11279.0 13291.0 17946.0 kHz (USB)
Ground Stations: Artic Radio, Bodo, Gander, Iceland, Shanwick

NAT-E North Atlantic Family E:
This sub-family of frequencies is assigned to aircraft whose route or portion of route transits New York and Santa Maria areas, especially those aircraft flying routes with reporting point coordinates south of 43N.

Frequencies: 2962.0 6628.0 8825.0 11309.0 13354.0 17946.0 kHz (USB)
Ground Stations: Canarias, New York, Santa Maria

NAT-F North Atlantic Family F:
This sub-family of frequencies is assigned to aircraft whose route or portion of route transits New York and Santa Maria areas, especially those aircraft flying routes with reporting point coordinates south of 43N.

Frequencies: 3476.0 6622.0 8831.0 13291.0 17946.0 kHz (USB)
Ground Stations: Gander, Shanwick

13306.0 kHz is shared between families A and C. 13291.0 kHz is shared between families, B, D and F. 17946.0 kHz is shared by all the families. 13354.0 kHz is shared with RDARA 5 and 7.

Based on basic HF propagation priciples, the following bands are used based on time of day.

2-8 MHz Night Propagation
9 MHz and higher Day Propagation

As a general rule, when assigning primary and secondary frequencies, ground station personnel will assign lower frequencies as primary and higher frequencies as secondary for aircraft flying away from the ground station. Conversely, for aircraft routing towards the station, the higher frequencies will be assigned as primary and lower frequencies as secondary.

Ground Station Frequency Profiles

Bodo Norway
2971.0 2983.0 4666.0 4675.0 6544.0 8840.0 8891.0 11279.0 kHz
SAR: 3023.0 5680.0 kHz

Gander Newfoundland, Canada
2872.0 2899.0 2971.0 3016.0 3476.0 4675.0 5598.0 5616.0 5649.0 6622.0 8831.0 8864.0 8879.0 8891.0 8906.0 11336.0 13291.0 13306.0 kHz
VOLMET: 3485.0 6604.0 10051.0 13270.0 kHz.

Reykjavik, Iceland
2872.0 2899.0 2971.0 4675.0 5616.0 5649.0 8864.0 8879.0 8891.0 11279.0 13291.0 13306.0 17946.0 kHz

Bohemia, New York
NAT: 2962.0 3016.0 5598.0 6628.0 8825.0 8906.0 11309.0 13306.0 13354.0 17946.0 17952.0 21964.0 kHz
Caribbean-A CAR-A: 2887.0 5550.0 6577.0 8846.0 11396.0 13297.0 kHz
Caribbean-B CAR-B: 3455.0 5520.0 6586.0 8918.0 11330.0 17907.0 kHz
VOLMET: 3485.0 6604.0 10051.0 13270.0 kHz
LDOCF: 3494.0 6640.0 8933.0 11342.0 13330.0 17925.0 kHz

Santa Maria, Azores
2962.0 3016.0 5598.0 6628.0 8825.0 8906.0 11309.0 13306.0 13354.0 17946.0 kHz

Shanwick, Shannon, Ireland
2872.0 2899.0 2971.0 3016.0 3476.0 4675.0 5598.0 5616.0 5649.0 6622.0 8831.0 8864.0 8879.0 8891.0 8906.0 11336.0 13291.0 13306.0 kHz
SAR: 2182.0 3023.0 5680.0 kHz
VOLMET: 3413.0 5505.0 8957.0 13264.0 kHz

The best online guide I have seen on this that will answer many questions is at: NAT-HF Guidance. You should download this and study it to understand completely the NAT MWARA system.

Military Satellite Two Line Orbital Elements Released

Courtesy of Ted Molczan and the good folks on the Seesat-L newsgroup, posted 8 August 2006. Note: USA 186 is NROL-24, probably a KH12-5 imaging satellite in the west plane that replaced USA 129. Photo of a Lacrosse radar imaging satellite courtesy of Phil Chien and Earth News.

=====================================
Here are revised preliminary elements, based upon additional observations received from David Brierley, Russell Eberst and Alberto Rango:

Lacrosse 2 18.0 4.5 0.0 3.6 v
1 21147U 91017A 06220.25882128 .00000090 00000-0 13212-4 0 04
2 21147 67.9824 289.4067 0004995 260.3372 99.7196 14.75449480 06

USA 186 15.0 4.0 0.0 5.3 v
1 28888U 05042A 06220.11163838 .00008316 00000-0 86983-4 0 05
2 28888 97.9400 281.3457 0535511 318.9078 37.2929 14.75809909 05

Ted Molczan

New PCALE Version Now In Beta Testing Phase

From the HFLink #1 Newsletter (see full edition on my Btown Blogspot.

PCALE software author Charles Brain G4GUO has been working on the new version over the past year. Charles has been collaborating with Steve N2CKH (MARS-ALE) on the software and radio support, and with Bonnie KQ6XA on some of the innovative new features. A small group has been working behind the scenes using the experimental software. The exciting release of the new improved PCALE is dependent upon the
successful testing of the PCALE Beta Version. A group of volunteer ALE amateur radio operators is now using it on the air. The PCALE Beta Test Group is looking for more operators, but membership is limited. If you are an experienced operator with PCALE or MARS-ALE, please consider it. Beta Test Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pcale/

Some Of The New PCALE Features Now In Beta Testing:
1. Separately programmable sounding and scanning channels
2. Sounding/traffic associated channels (similar to 3G ALE)
3. New Text Keyboarding window for real time texting
4. GPS interface with ALE-GPR (Geo-Position Reporting)
5. Automatic station status reporting (80 Character text)
6. Ambush (auto message, link when a specific station is heard)
7. Easy channel scan groups and alphanumeric group labeling
8. Improved spectrum scope display, sync, and audio AGC
9. Improved user interface and option setup
10. Improved scanning reliability and timing
11. Improved and expanded radio interface
12. CAT support for more transceivers
13. Improved callsign (address) input
14. Improved modem operation and decoding
15. Other features and improvements.

Italian Navy HF/Milsat Comms Intercepted

Sinageruk, posting on the UDXF newsgroup, has caught the Italian Navy active on HF and on the SICRAL Milsat UHF downlink.

6262.5 kHz USB IDR (Navy HQ Rome), IGMA (Magnaghi hydrographic research vessel), IAOD (corvette Sfinge) coordinating data traffic.

258.200 MHz FM (Satcom) IDR, IAEP (frigate Artigliere) coordinating data traffic.

Thanks to Sinageruk and UDXF for the info.
Photo - The Etna Class A5326 alongside a Lupo Class Frigate (MM) Artigliere (F582) courtesy of naval-technology.com.

Chief of Navy Operations Accepts New EA-18G Growler

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (NNS) -- Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Mullen accepted on behalf of the Navy the EA-18G Growler in a formal roll-out ceremony at The Boeing Company's facility here Aug 3.

The Growler will replace its aging predecessor, the EA-6B Prowler, as the Navy's air platform for electronic warfare.

"The EA-18G Growler is a first-class aircraft with a key mission at a critical time in our history," said Mullen.

Naval aviation, he explained, has been a very integral part of the nation's defense in both peace and war.

"As we have seen in operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, naval aviation brings revolutionary capabilities to the fight and demonstrates again and again the enduring criticality of naval air power," said Mullen.

The Growler's speed, range and robust self-defense systems will serve as force multipliers for the joint force, Mullen noted.

"Its pilots and crews will employ Growler's systems not just to jam signals," said the CNO, "but to control all aspects of the electromagnetic spectrum to protect our troops and engage our enemies."

Program managers and engineers saved the Navy billions of dollars, Mullen argued, by using innovative methods such as testing cutting edge technology in existing aircraft and then using the already proven F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet's airframe to create the aircraft.

"Less than three years ago, we signed the contract, and here we are today, on schedule and under budget with a new electronic attack aircraft that exceeds every performance measure," said Mullen.

Mullen praised the men and women flying electronic warfare missions for the Navy in the war on terrorism and stressed the importance of getting Growler to the fleet.

"This roll-out comes none too soon," said Mullen, "because as we speak, the Growler's predecessors are themselves flying vital missions over Iraq and Afghanistan, and they need to be replaced as soon as possible.

"I recently visited some of our Prowler crews in Iraq. I can tell you that they are superb and, like all the Sailors and Marines I met there, are doing remarkable work. It is hard, grueling, vital work. In some ways and in some places, the most vital we are doing."

The CNO also acknowledged the hard work of all those involved in designing and building the Growler.

"You can be justifiably proud of this fine aircraft you have provided our Navy and nation," said Mullen. "Right now, day in and day out, naval aviators bet their lives on your aircraft, flying at sea, far from land, and in combat over some of the most remote places on earth. They are succeeding in their tough missions because of the terrific aircraft you have built for them."

The Growler must still undergo test and evaluation, beginning with a first flight planned in the next two weeks, a month earlier than expected.

New York ARTCC Freq List Update

Here is an update on our New York ARTCC Frequency List. Many thanks to Joe Gallagher for the updated frequency information.

118.975/307.800 Colts Neck, NJ Low/FL230 and below
                Dixie/Sector 68
121.325/273.600 North Mountain, PA High/FL180 and above
                SFK/Sector 49
123.625/279.550 North Mountain, PA Low/11,000-17,000 ft
                Swissdale/Sector 93
125.325/282.300 Matawan, NJ High/FL180 and above
                JFK/Sector 56
124.625/278.300 Flint Hill, PA Low/17,000 ft and below 
                PTW/Sector 92
125.925/284.750 Barnstable, MA High/5,500 ft and above 
                Joboc/Sector 65
126.025/     na MQI/BGT (Unk RCAG sites) High/FL310 
                and above Kathy/Sector 82
127.175/350.300 Matawan, NJ High/FL240 and above 
                ETX/Sector 42
128.300/353.500 Ship Bottom, NJ Low/FL230 and below 
                Manta/Sector 66
128.575/269.100 North Mountain, PA High/FL180 and above 
                MIP/Sector 75
132.100/339.800 Flint Hill, PA Low/14,000 ft-FL280 
                Parke/Sector 39
132.150/354.000 Barnegat, NJ High/5,500 ft and above 
                Atlantic/Sector 86
132.175/298.900 Elk Mountain, PA High/FL240 and above 
                ULW/Sector 34
132.200/322.400 Big Flat, PA Low/9,000-17,000 ft
                MDT/Sector 27
132.500/322.500 Joliet, PA Low/9,000 ft-FL270 
                Hyper/Sector 11
132.600/285.500 Huguenot, NY Low/13,000 ft-FL230 
                HUO/Sector 35
132.875/306.200 Philipsburg, PA High/FL180 and above 
                PSB/Sector 73
133.150/290.400 Sparta, NJ/Elk Mountain, PA 
                Low/13,000 ft-FL230 SAX/Sector 36
133.350/372.000 Sayre, PA Low/9,000 ft-FL230 
                CFB/Sector 50
133.475/270.300 Big Flat, PA High/FL220 and above 
                HAR/Sector 10
133.500/282.350 North Mountain, PA Low/7,000-17,000 ft 
                BWZ/Sector 74
133.525/ na ILM (Unknown RCAG) High/FL310 and above 
                Fairr/Sector 83
133.675/239.050 Joliet, PA Low/7,000 ft-FL210 
                LRP/Sector 26
134.325/323.300 Millville, NJ High/FL240 and above 
                EMI/Sector 9
134.450/363.200 Elk Mountain, PA Low/7,000 ft-FL190 
                LHY/Sector 51
134.600/290.200 Flint Hill, PA Low/14,000 ft-FL280 
                ARD/Sector 55
134.800/338.300 Philipsburg, PA Low/10,000 ft and below 
                IPT/Sector 91
135.450/335.600 Modena, PA Low/11,000 ft-FL230 
                MXE/Sector 25

364.800 Special Military Use (Amber-3)

More updates on other FAA centers will be posted here in the future.

West Point Mil Academy Trunk System Update

We have an update on the West Point Military Academy Trunk System that was profiled in the Milcom column in the August issue of Monitoring Times. This update comes from my fellow MT columnist, Chris Parris.

System Type: Project 25 Standard
System ID: 00f WACN: 580A0
Base Frequency: 136.000 MHz; Spacing: 12.5 kHz; Offset: 380
Site 1 138.0375 138.1875 138.3375 138.5125 138.6875 139.0375 139.1875
Site 2 138.1125 139.3375 139.4875 139.6375 140.6625

You can find talkgroup info in the August issue of Monitoring Times magazine. Thanks Chris

Airshow Frequency Reports

Just a reminder to those of you who drag your scanner to airshows. We really need your airshow reports to help us compile the next annual MT Airshow column/report. We make this information available for free on our website as a public service to the radio hobby community.

Even if you go to an airshow and the freqs you hear are already on our list, send us that report anyway. I use everything we receive as part of the verification process when I compile the next edition. These type of usage reports help me keep or delete frequencies, especially those that are no longer being used at airshows. No report is to big or little.

Our list for this year is posted on the MT website (link on this page), it is current and up-to-date through the airshows that we received reports from last weekend. We have seen NO frequency changes for any of the major military flight demo teams this airshow season. So the next time someone on your favorite scanner list ask about where to get the latest airshow freqs, point'em at the MT website.

Nebraska NG VHF-Lo Band Freqs

I have received four confirmed Nebraska National Guard VHF lo band frequencies. These look like simplex narrow band frequencies and an asterisk marks the primary state frequency.

38.500 38.600* 38.700 38.800 MHz

Many thanks and a tip of my MT-Milcom hat to "The Researcher" for this freq information.

9/11 Live: The NORAD Tapes

Most active military monitors in the Northeast have heard of NORAD's NEADS (Northeast Air Defense Sector located at Griffiss AFB, NY), callsign Huntress. If you think you are hearing all the juicy stuff on your scanner, think again. During the 9/11 terror attack, NEADS played a pivotal role in the US response to the attack.

Now, in an exclusive Vanity Fair article at the magazine's online website, you can hear excerpts from over 30 hours of never released tapes from the control room of NORAD's northeast headquarters. Read the transcripts, hear the chilling words, and read the story of 9/11 Live: The NORAD Tapes. Read and listen to the stuff you wouldn't hear on your scanner.

Amd a tip of the MT-Milcom ballcap to Bruce Conklin for the heads up.

Monitoring the Middle East Tinder Box 8-1 Update

There has been some milair traffic associated with the Middle East crisis passed on the new RAF TASCOMM net (Info first presented here July 7, 2006). Watch for activity from Cyprus:

Cyprus
Voice Call Sign: CYPRUS
Frequency (USB mode): Channel 1 - 4742 kHz (a) Channel 2 - 9031 kHz Channel 3 - 11247 kHs, Note: (a) H+15 weather broadcasts, when active.

Keep a real close watch also on the JCS HF-GCS primary 11175 kHz USB as the RAF Cyprus station has used this frequency in the past crisis.

You can get complete shortwave broadcast schedules and frequencies from the region on Gayle's Blog page (see link on the right). Here is a summary of recently logged frequencies for various Israeli intelligence and military services.

You will find information on Lebanese amateur radio activity including echolink repeater info on my personal blog at http://monitor-post.blogspot.com/.

And for those in country (Israel) with an amateur radio license check out the Israel FM Repeater Network website amateur radio repeater information.

Kol Israel.com
Live TV and radio feeds, news and sports, newspaper links, plus links to over 150 hot Israeli sites. There are also links to various Arabic news sources in English.

---

Israeli Mossad Number Station (Enigma E10)
An excellent writeup on the Mossad number stations is on Simon Mason's numbers website.
High Traffic ART EZI FTJ JSR KPA PCD SYN ULX VLB YHF
Low Traffic CIO MIW
No Traffic ABC BAY FDU GBZ HNC NDP OEM ROV TMS ZWL

Transmission times:
H+15 KPA MIW
H+45 CIO SYN VLB

ABC 6428.0
ART 3415.0 5435.0 6986.0
BAY 5530.0
CIO 3557.0 4780.0
EZI 6840.0 9130.0 11565.0 15980.0 17410.0
FDU 4418.0 6210.0
FTJ 2628.0 4461.0 7358.0
GBZ 5170.0
HNC 4110.0 6575.0
JSR 5091.0
KPA 3230.0 5339.0
MIW 3270.0 4360.0 5230.0
NDP 6658.0
OEM 5339.0 6911.0
PCD 3150.0 4270.0 6498.0
ROV 4604.0 6438.0
SYN 3640.0 4648.0
TMS 4015.0 5339.0
ULX 2743.0 4880.0 5091.0 6270.0 7760.0
VLB 3360.0 5170.0 5710.0 9165.0
YHF 2844.0 3840.0 4560.0 5820.0 7918.0 9202.0 10648.0
ZWL 3940.0

Military branches: Israel Defense Forces (includes ground, naval, and air components), Pioneer Fighting Youth (Nahal), Frontier Guard, Chen (women)
Note - historically there have been no separate Israeli military services
Website: http://www.idf.il/

4XZ Israeli Defense Forces Haifa(Enigma M22)
Mode: Morse Code (V CW Marker)
2680.0 2800.0 3150.0 3594.0 4159.0 4241.0 4331.0 5159.0 6379.0 8437.0 8594.0 8780.0 10064.0 11096.0 12984.0 kHz

VFT: 6775.3 7866.3 9253.3 11461.3 13485.3 kHz

Israeli Air Force
Voice Tactical Net: 11208 kHz (USB)

Mode: USB/ALE (MIL-STD-188-141A)
3823.0 4507.0 4681.0 4823.0 5210.0 5456.0 5478.0 5720.0 5813.0 6224.0 6288.0 6565.0 6720.0 7390.0 7839.0 7848.0 7957.0 8020.0 8040.0 8135.0 8234.0 8365.0 8858.0 9229.0 9232.0 10537.0 17128.0 19602.0 kHz

Other previously reported frequencies:
5418.0 6864.0 7630.0 7734.0 7780.0 8100.0 9080.0 9248.0 10614.0 11465.0 11491.0 13442.0 14422.0 14535.0 14913.0 19043.0 19309.0 22769.0 kHz

ALE Addresses:
AA1 Ben Gurion (Lod Air Base), 103th Squadron
AA3 Ben Gurion (Lod Air Base)
BB1 Palmachim Air Base, 124th Squadron
BB3 Palmachim Air Base, 161st Squadron
AAA Tel Aviv AF HQ/NCS
RAM Ramat David Air Base

Other stations: 055, AS5, BB2, C53, C56, C65, CCC, DD1, DD2, EEE, MN1, NAK, SSS, TKM, TS2, TSR

USB/ALE (MIL-STD-188-141A)
Frequency: 10537.0 kHz
1DVIAF AF 1st Division
8DVIAF AF 8th Division

Israeli Border Patrols
Frequencies in MHz and narrowband FM mode.
30.000 30.250 30.300 30.350 30.550 30.600 30.750 30.800 30.900 30.950 31.050 31.200 31.250 31.350 31.450 31.850 31.950 32.000 32.050 32.100 32.200 32.300 32.350 32.400 32.450 32.650 32.800 33.050 33.250 33.300 33.350 33.400 33.500 33.600 33.700 33.950 34.050 34.100 34.200 34.300 34.350 34.400 34.450 34.750 34.900 35.000 35.050 35.250 35.300 35.650 35.700 35.750 35.800 36.100 36.150 36.200 36.250 36.350 36.850 37.000 37.400 37.460 37.500 37.850 38.200 38.450 38.800 39.350 39.400 39.500 39.700 40.000 40.150 40.200 40.300 40.400 40.500 40.550 40.600 40.650 40.700 40.750 40.900 41.150 41.200 41.450 41.500 41.550 41.600 41.650 41.700 41.850 41.900 41.950 42.100 42.150 42.300 42.750 42.800 42.850 42.950 43.100 43.200 43.250 43.450 43.550 43.600 43.800 43.850 44.350 44.550 44.850 45.000 45.850 45.950 46.150 46.500 46.600 46.650 46.700 46.750 46.800 47.100

More information as it becomes available.

New-ZNY ARTCC High Altitude Sector Chart

We have a new ZNY Hi Altitude sector chart that is easier to read courtesy of Charles Hargrove, N2NOV. He also has a nice resource for radio hobbyist at http://www.n2nov.net.

New-ZNY ARTCC Low Altitude Sector Chart

We have a new ZNY Low Altitude sector chart that is easier to read courtesy of Charles Hargrove, N2NOV. He also has a nice resource for radio hobbyist at http://www.n2nov.net.

New-ZNY ARTCC Oceanic Sector Chart

We have a new ZNY Oceanic sector chart that is easier to read courtesy of Charles Hargrove, N2NOV. He also has a nice resource for radio hobbyist at http://www.n2nov.net.

DoD Emergency Action Message (EAM) Broadcast Time Slots

These broadcast are commonly heard on HF-GCS primary frequencies plus 11244.0 kHz. Please note that not all HF-GCS published frequencies are active for every EAM broadcast time slot listed below. Also some of the activity listed below is not on HF-GCS published frequencies, but on other selected discrete frequencies.

For an in-depth discussion on what an EAM is, see the utility information file on the MT website What is an EAM.

There was an apparent major change to the restoral schedule noted below as of 1 Oct 2004 (beginning of the new U.S. Government fiscal year).

H+00 HF-GCS Offutt AFB, Nebraska
H+03 HF-GCS Offutt AFB, Nebraska
H+06* USN E-6 TACAMO LANT aircraft (6697/11244/13155)
H+07 USN E-6 TACAMO LANT aircraft (6697/13155)
H+10* USN E-6 TACAMO LANT aircraft (6697/11244/13155)
H+12 HF-GCS Andrews AFB, Maryland
H+20 USN E-6 TACAMO PAC aircraft (6697/13155)
H+21* HF-GCS Offutt AFB, Nebraska
H+25 HF-GCS Offutt AFB, Nebraska
H+31 HF-GCS Offutt AFB, Nebraska
H+33 HF-GCS Offutt AFB, Nebraska
H+35* HF-GCS McClellan, California (11244)
H+37* USN E-6 TACAMO LANT aircraft (6697/13155)
H+39 HF-GCS Offutt AFB, Nebraska
H+40* USN E-6 TACAMO LANT aircraft (6697/13155)
H+50 USN E-6 TACAMO PAC aircraft (6697/13155)
H+53 HF-GCS Offutt AFB, Nebraska
H+59 HF-GCS Andrews AFB, Maryland

Current as of 24 June 2004
H+00 HF-GCS Offutt AFB, Nebraska
H+05 HF-GCS Andersen AB, Guam
HF-GCS Croughton AB, United Kingdom
H+07 USN E-6 TACAMO LANT aircraft (6697.0/13155.0 kHz)
H+08 USN E-6 TACAMO aircraft HF-GCS six character EAMs "FOR..."
H+09 HF-GCS McClellan, California
H+14 USN E-6 TACAMO PAC aircraft (6697.0/13155.0 kHz)
H+20 HF-GCS Salinas, Puerto Rico
H+21 New: HF-GCS Offutt AFB, Nebraska
Old: HF-GCS Elmendorf AFB, Alaska
H+25 USSTRATCOM Looking Glass mission aircraft
H+29 HF-GCS Sigonella Naval Station, Sicily
H+30 HF-GCS Andrews AFB, Maryland
H+34 HF-GCS Hickam AFB, Hawaii
H+35 HF-GCS Croughton AB, United Kingdom
H+37 USN E-6 TACAMO LANT aircraft (6697.0/13155.0 kHz)
H+38 USN E-6 TACAMO aircraft HF-GCS six character EAMs "FOR..."
H+40 HF-GCS Elmendorf AFB, Alaska
H+44 USN E-6 TACAMO PAC aircraft (6697.0/13155.0 kHz)
H+46 Unknown station
H+49 HF-GCS McClellan, California
H+50 HF-GCS Lajes AB, Azores
H+55 USSTRATCOM Looking Glass mission aircraft
H+59 HF-GCS Sigonella Naval Station, Sicily

Earlier examples of this broadcast schedule can be seen in the various 1980s editions of the Grove Shortwave Directories (usually on page 5 for those that still have them) - Those minute stamps were also used for the then common "standing by for traffic" calls heard from the various GIANT TALK ground stations operating under their pre-92 daily changing callsign aliases.]

The FOXTROT (SKYKING) messages are also common, or at least they used to be. You should generally hear more than two over any 24 hour period. Of interest, the preface to the FOXTROT broadcasts that would name the echoing ground stations have not been heard (here) since maybe sometime in April 2003 (around the end of major combat in Iraq.) I've heard no instance of a request to DIEGO GARCIA or THULE or anyone else since around that time, just the occasional FOXTROT broadcast from ANDREWS or whoever. They dropped the DECENT, ENLIST, FAIRLY, EYESTRAIN, DEFROSTER
echo requests sometime around Sept 2001 (maybe) to be replaced with plaintext station names (THULE, DIEGO GARCIA, CYPRUS FLIGHT WATCH) after 9/11, and now since around April 2003 maybe nothing.

Busiest frequencies are 8992.0 ("Eight-Niner") and 11175.0 ("Triple-1"), which most stations guard around the clock. The others operate on a schedule which changes twice yearly, on the first of April and October. The upper sideband (USB) mode is used on all HF-GCS frequencies listed above.

Note: The data signal you will on 9025.0 kHz is ALE which is a computerized system that simplifies HF operation (see section below). Older frequency circulated on the internet continue to list 8968.0 and 17976.0 kHz, but these were removed from HF-GCS service several years ago.

Thanks to my friend Jeff Haverlah for the information in this blog message.