Had the opportunity this week to spend 6 hours of continuing frequencies daytime searching, primarily in the 138-144, 148-150.8, 162-174, 406-420 mhz band. Was able to confirm again the repeater, input & output freqs for Westover JARB's new P25 digital system (about 15 out of the 21 total frequencies) . On the civilian side typical US Postal Service Bulk Mail Facility Springfield was very active (165.05R(114.8), 164.3875R(110.9)) as well as some activity on 166.1625R (114.8). P25 Digital included USSS (164.65 simplex), VA Leeds-Northampton (163.2375R), and Analog FBI (167.6625R encrypted) & USACE (168.125R(131.8)). Typical National Weather Service continous transmissions (162.475, 162.50, 162.40, 162.425, 162.525). Sometimes time spent searching doesn't result in any new frequencies (or usages) being found... BUT if you don't have the discipline to do this you will never find anything new.

My basic configuration while mobile is "stealth" monitoring. There's no special monitoring antennas on my vehicle. The portable scanners hang from the airvents or are in the beverage cup holders & the mobile 780XLT is in the passenger's seat with an insulated small sanwich/beverage bag giving the scanner the appropriate 45/50 degree angle in order to see it. The portable antenna extends at a 90 degree angle and lays on the dash board. Generally this set up produces highly satisfactory results. The normal problem with noise is primarily from the a/c & heater blower if it's run at a higher speed. I'm still considering using a Am/FM splitter to use the external antenna. I also carry a scanner mobile magnamount type antenna but don't use it on a regular basis. This configuration results in no attention being given to your vehicle when it is parked and/or is on the roadway.

My first programmable scanner was a "Bearcat" Model 101, 16 channel scanner VHF/UHF. This scanner is programmable by enabling/disabling 16 switches on the front panel in a code (on off , zeros or ones) for most public safety frequencis that was in the instruction manual. If a frequency was not in the book, there was a formula you would have to apply to the frequency in order to get "codes" required onto a worksheet. Sure has heck solved the problem of buying crystals for the fixed receivers OR using a tunable scanner. I still have this scanner in storage.. Perhaps I should use it for some of the known area frequencies.

Today I am in my underground (or should I say partially underground) air-conditioned monitoring command post. The local Air Reserve Base (Westover ARB) is having it's weekend training activity, so I've got one scanner (BC296D) dedicated to searching the 138-144, 148-150.8 mhz bands to try to find additional new P25 radio frequencies in use. Additionally, there's some typical military aero traffic (air traffic control & air/air tacticals from Bradley Air National Guard Station (CT) (A10's heading to Yankee Military Operating Area in central/southern VT & NH). My general scanner land traffic (local pd's, State PD, etc.) as well as military/civilian aero is being shared by my BC780XLT & BC895XLT. Some parachute jumping "sky diving" today also. Depending upon what happens weather wise one the 895 could be pressed into monitoring additional public safety, electric utilities, and public works (local & state).

Some mail list participants felt that my ramblings belong on a "blog" rather than mail list(s) so here it goes. What I hope to post is basically some historic as well as current stories my attempts to find all those radio scanner frequencies of interest in my area. Searching is definitely an adventure.