May ALE Hits #4 (8050 & 9025 kHz)

The 8050 Connection:

8050.0 kHz USB has at least three different agencies using it, and probably more. Interoperability? Coincidence?

DKB - - - -- - - US JSOC, Ft. Bragg, NC, sounding
FC8 - - - - - - - FEMA Region 8, Denver, CO, sounding
HUNGRIA2 - Mexican Army, clg HUNGRIA ("Hungary")
PASTOR - - - Mexican Army, wkg CANDELA ("Candle")


The 9025 Connection:

9025 kHz USB is a primary US Air Force SCOPE Command radio system autopatching frequency. It's mostly USAF, but other DoD users come up there, and at least one agency in Mexico also uses it.

000 - - - - - - Unknown US military, clg HIK (Hickam AFB, HI)
460034 - - - Unknown USAF, sounding
523506 - - - USAF KC-135 #62-3506, wkg MCC (McClellan/West Coast, CA)
591480 - - - USAF, unknown a/c, clg self
717 - - - - - - USCG HC-130, CG 1717, clg O7SO2R
ADW - -- - - USAF, Andrews AFB, sound and wkg JNR (Puerto Rico)
E31408 - - - USAF E-3B AWACS, calling OFF (Offutt AFB, NE)
GHM - -- - - US military "3-letter net," possible NAOC mission, clg AED (Elmendorf AFB, AK)
HAW - -- - - USAF, Ascension Island, sounding
HIK - - - - - USAF, Hickam AFB, HI
JNR - - - - - USAF Salinas, PR, sound and wkg ADW
MCC - - - - - USAF "McClellan," CA, sound and wkg 523506
OFF - - - - - USAF, Offutt AFB, NE, clg E31408
PLA - - - - - USAF, Lajes AB, Azores
R23573 - - - Possible US Air National Guard, clg OFF

May ALE Hits #3 (FEMA/SHARES)

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA):


FC0FEM - - - - - Region 10 Comm Mgr
FC0FEM002 - - Region 10 Auxiliary
FC0FEM004 - - Region 10 Auxiliary
FC1FEM - - - - - Region 1 Comm Mgr
FC1FEM002 - - Region 1 Auxiliary
FC4FEM - - - - - Region 4 Comm Mgr
FC4FEM002 - - Region 4 Auxiliary
FC6FEM - - - - - Region 6 Comm Mgr
FC6FEM002 - - Region 6 Auxiliary
FC8 - - - - - - - - Region 8, Denver
FC8FEM - - - - - Region 8 Comm Mgr
FC8FEM002 - - Region 8 Auxiliary
FC8FEM006 - - Region 8 Auxiliary
FR4FEM - - - - - Region 4


Frequencies: 2658, 3341, 4780, 5402, 6809, 7348, 8050, 9462, 10194, 10588, 11108, 11126, 11446, 11485, 12129, 12216, 13446, 13894, 14776, 14885 15708, 16201, 17519, 19969, 21866, and 24526 kHz USB.


SHARES (SHAred RESources, Federal freq pool & interoperability capability for ~20 agencies, plus a heavy participation by MARS):


5QWAFA - - - - - - USAF MARS AFA5QW
9BNAFA - - - - - - USAF MARS AFA9BN
9FAAFA - - - - - - USAF MARS AFA9FA
9TCAAA - - - - - - US Army MARS AAA9TC
AAT3BF - - - - - - USAF MARS AAT3BF, Shares Coord. Stn, DE
AQPNNN - - - - - - USN/MC MARS NNN0AQP
KGD34 - - - - - - - - NCC, SHARES Coord. Stn, VA
KOG55C - - - - - - Possible FBI, Las Vegas, NV
OARNNN - - - - - - USN/MC MARS NNN0OAR
OPMHQ2 - - - - - - Unknown US Government
SEJNNN - - - - - - - USN/MC MARS NNN0SEJ
WWLNNN - - - - - USN/MC MARS NNN0WWL
YXPNNN - - - - - - USN/MC MARS NNN0YXP

Frequencies: 4490, 4765, 5711, 6800, 7642, 9064, 9106, 14396.5, 15094, and 17487 khz USB.

May ALE Hits #2 (COTHEN)

COTHEN = Customs Over-The-Horizon Enforcement Network.

The original COTHEN was one of the first autoscanning HF networks, using a SELSCAN mode made by Rockwell/Collins. Modulation was based on FED-STD-1045, and used 8FSK with a voice-channel bandwidth. This was replaced by ALE (MIL-STD-188-141).

Recently, use of COTHEN has greatly expanded, especially by the US Coast Guard. It's the busiest US Federal net on HF.

The original net uses these frequencies: 5732, 7527, 8912, 10242, 11494, 13907, 15867, 18594, 20890, 23214, and 25350 kHz, all USB ALE and voice. Stations sound, and also establish link before follow-on voice comms. ALE and voice calls nearly always differ.

More recently other freqs have been added. Mark Cleary has heard 4614.5, 5250, 5909.5, 11222, 13312, and 14582. I can confirm use of these here. Other frequencies are used by COTHEN players, but so far they are not in the same scan.

Identifications come from lists maintained by Mark Cleary and Larry Van Horn/ Tiare Publications.

003 - - - - USCG HC-130J, CG 2003
500 - - - - USCG HC-130H, CG 1500
501 - - - - USCG HC-130H, CG 1501
713 - - - - USCG HC-130, CG 1713
714 - - - - USCG HC-130, CG 1714
716 - - - - USCG HC-130, CG 1716
717 - - - - USCG HC-130, CG 1717
718 - - - - USCG HC-130, CG 1718
720 - - - - USCG HC-130, CG 1720
A23 - - - - CBP/ICE UH-60, Omaha 423
A39 - - - - CBP/ICE AB139 #N139HS
A65 - - - - CBP/ICE UH-60A
A70 - - - - CBP/ICE UH-60A, Omaha 670
A82 - - - - CBP/ICE UH-60A
CBE - - - - USCG Cutter Tahoma (WMEC-908)
CNT - - - - Central Regional Comm Node
CPDST - - Unknown
D01 - - - - CBP/ICE Q400 #N801MR, Omaha 1MR
D05 - - - - CBP/ICE Q400 #N805MR
D07 - - - - CBP/ICE Q400 #N807MR
D08 - - - - CBP/ICE
D14 - - - - CBP/ICE P-3A, Omaha 314
D23 - - - - CBP/ICE P-3B Slick, Omaha 23SK
D31 - - - - CBP/ICE P-3B Slick, Omaha 31SK
D46 - - - - CBP/ICE P-3B #N146CS
D48 - - - - CBP/ICE P-3B #N148CS
D49 - - - - CBP/ICE P-3B #N149CS
D95 - - - - CBP/ICE P-3A, Omaha295
DENPRI - Remote TX, near Denver, CO
EST - - - - Eastern Regional Comm Node
F29 - - - - USCG Falcon Jet, CG 2129
F31 - - - - USCG Falcon Jet, CG 2131
F41 - - - - USCG Falcon Jet, CG 2141, Foxtrot 41
HKW - - USCG Cutter Confidence (WMEC-619)
I00 - - - - CBP/ICE Cessna 550 #N1200N
I08 - - - - CBP/ICE Cessna 550 #N5408G, Omaha 08G
I1L - - - - CBP/ICE Cessna 550 #N6001L, Omaha 01L
I21 - - - - CBP/ICE Cessna 550 #N26621, Omaha 621
I31 - - - - CBP/ICE Cessna 550 #N2531K
I37 - - - - CBP/ICE Cessna 550 #N6637G
I43 - - - - CBP/ICE Beech #N43SA, Omaha 3SA
I4J - - - - CBP/ICE Cessna 550 #N5314J
I52 - - - - CBP/ICE Cessna 550 #N752CC, Omaha 2CC
I63 - - - - CBP/ICE Cessna 550 #N26663Y
I86 - - - - CBP/ICE Cessna 550 #N586RE
IKL - - - - USCG Cutter Tampa (WMEC-619)
J01 - - - - USCG MH-60J, Juliet 01
J03 - - - - USCG MH-60J, Juliet 03
J06 - - - - USCG MH-60J, Juliet 06
J08 - - - - USCG MH-60J, Juliet 08
J09 - - - - USCG MH-60J, Juliet 09
J10 - - - - USCG MH-60J, Juliet 10
J16 - - - - USCG MH-60J, Juliet 16
J19 - - - - USCG MH-60J, Juliet 19
J21 - - - - USCG MH-60J, CG 6021
J24 - - - - USCG MH-60J, CG 6024
J25 - - - - USCG MH-60J, Juliet 25
J27 - - - - USCG MH-60J, CG 6027
J29 - - - - USCG MH-60J, CG 6029
J31 - - - - USCG MH-60J, CG 6031
J32 - - - - USCG MH-60J, CG 6032
J40 - - - - USCG MH-60J, CG 6040
J41 - - - - USCG MH-60J, CG 6041, Juliet41
J42 - - - - USCG MH-60J, CG 6042
J43 - - - - USCG MH-60J, CG 6043
K02 - - - - USCG MH-65C, CG 6502
K11 - - - - USCG MH-65C, CG 6511
K20 - - - - USCG MH-65C, CG 6520
K36 - - - - USCG MH-65C, CG 6536
K40 - - - - USCG MH-65C, CG 6540
K57 - - - - USCG MH-65C, CG 6557
K59 - - - - USCG MH-65C, CG 6559
K60 - - - - USCG MH-65C, CG 6560
K66 - - - - USCG MH-65C, CG 6566
K72 - - - - USCG MH-65C, CG 6572
K75 - - - - USCG MH-65C, CG 6575
K84 - - - - USCG MH-65C, CG 6584
L08 - - - - USCG MH-65C, CG 6608
LNT - - - - USCG CAMSLANT Chesapeake, VA
LPB - - - - Unknown
N01 - - - - USCG HC-114A, CG 2301
N03 - - - - USCG HC-114A, CG 2303
N05 - - - - USCG HC-114A, CG 2305
N06 - - - - USCG HC-114A, CG 2306
N07 - - - - USCG HC-114A, CG 2307
OMNI - - Unknown omnidirectional rmt
OPB - - - - DEA OPBAT, Bahamas
P26 - - - - Unknown COTHEN Rmt
PAC - - - - USCG CAMSPAC Pt. Reyes
PR1PRI - Primary Remote Tx, PR
RDC - - - - USCG Cutter Campbell (WMEC-909)
T42 - - - - CBP/ICE Piper #N9142B, Omaha 42B
T6P - - - - CBP/ICE Beech #N7166P, Omaha 66P
T85 - - - - CBP/ICE Piper #N9085U, Omaha 85U
T91 - - - - CBP/ICE Piper #N9091J, Omaha 91J
T9F - - - - CBP/ICE Beech #N76509F, Omaha 09F
TSC - - - - CBP/ICE Technical Service Center, FL
UHC - - - - USCG Cutter Decisive (WMEC-629)
VAI - - - - Unknown
VM1 - - - - ICE
YWL - - - - USCGC Thetis (WMEC-910)
VY1 - - - - ICE
WST - - - - West Regional Comm Node
Z14 - - - - USCG Sector St. Petersburg, FL
Z15 - - - - USCG
Z28 - - - - USCG
Z29 - - - - USCG Sector San Diego, CA

KSM CW Now Up, All Freqs

500 kHz is not being copied in SoCal (wrong time of day). Everything else is audible at 1851 UTC, with 8 MHz loudest and 6 MHz just behind. The station is currently running a VVV de KSM wheel.

MRHS Ship Simplex now on 12552 CW

At 1821 UTC, KKUI is calling KYVM on 12552 kHz CW. Signal is good in SoCal. So far no joy.

KSM Special Event in Progress

KSM is currently up on 6474 kHz CW working an unknown vessel. Signal is typically strong in Southern California.

The vessel is one of three that are participating in special contacts for the Sacramento River cruise of the SS Jeremiah O'Brien (KXCH).

Other participating vessels are the SS Red Oak Victory (KYVM), and the SS American Victory (KKUI).

All vessels will be using 500 kHz (calling) and 425 kHz (working), in CW. KSM, on the shore side, will simulkey all of its HF frequencies, making reception possible over a very wide area. These are:

4350.5
6474.0
8438.3
12993.0
16914.0
22445.8

In addition, ship-to-ship contact may be audible on 12552 kHz CW.

This operation is scheduled to continue until 2200 UTC, with a lunch break at local noon (1900 UTC).

May ALE Hits #1

US Air Force:

000 - Clg HIK - Unknown USAF
523506 - Wkg MCC - USAF KC-135 #62-3506
ADW - Wkg various - USAF HF-GCS Control, Andrews
ADWSPR - Snd - USAF, Andrews SIPRNET gateway
DL0005DAT - Snd - USAF, E-3B AWACS, data
E31408 - Clg OFF - USAF, E-3B AWACS
HAW - Snd - USAF HF-GCS, Ascension Island
HIK - Snd - USAF HF-GCS, Hickam AFB, HI
JNR - Snd - USAF HF-GCS, Salinas, PR
JNRSPR - Snd - USAF, Salinas SIPRNET gateway
MCC - Snd - USAF HF-GCS, old "McClellan"
MCCSPR - Snd - USAF, McClellan SIPRNET gateway
OFF - Wkg various - USAF HF-GCS, Offutt AFB, NE
OFFSPR - Snd - USAF, Offutt SIPRNET gateway
PLA - Snd - USAF, Lajes AB, Azores

Frequencies: 4721, 5708, 6715, 6721, 8968, 9025, 11181, 11226, 13215, 13242, 15043, 15091, 17976, 18003, 23337


US Civil Air Patrol:

0004AZCAP - Snd - AZ CAP
0004NVCAP - Snd - NV CAP
0008WICAP - Snd - WI CAP
0011ARCAP - Snd - AR CAP
043MERCAP - Snd - CAP Middle Eastern Region
060PCRCAP - Snd - CAP Pacific Coast Region
0100NDCAP - Snd - ND CAP
0135ORCAP - Snd - OR CAP
0140NVCAP - Snd - NV CAP
0303WACAP - Snd - WA CAP
0708NVCAP - Snd - NV CAP
0748MOCAP - Snd - MO CAP
100SWRCAP - Snd - CAP - Southwest Region
9101ORCAP - Snd - OR CAP
9101T2CAP - Snd - Unknown CAP

Frequencies: 3204, 4477, 5006, 5447, 6773, 6806, 7602, 8012, 9047, 10162, 11402, 12081


MARS (Military Auxiliary Radio System):

5QWAFA - Snd - USAF MARS AFA5QW
9BNAFA - Clg 9DUAFA, 9KJAFA - USAF MARS AFA9BN
9FAAFA - Snd - USAF MARS AFA9FA
9TCAAA - Snd - US Army MARS AAA9TC
AAT3BF - Snd - US Army MARS, not reversed
OARNNN - Snd - USN/MC MARS NNN0OAR
SEJNNN - Snd - USN/MC MARS NNN0SEJ
YXPNNN - Snd - USN/MC MARS NNN0YXP
WWLNNN - Snd - USN/MC MARS NNN0WWL

Frequencies: 4490, 4765, 5211, 6765, 6800, 7487, 7642, 9106, 11217, 13242, 15094, 17847, 20107, 26812
(Some of these are SHARES, SHAred RESources)

Swedish Radio - Another SWBC Bites the Dust

On Halloween of this year, the trick is on Sveriges Radio International listeners.  Per the R. Sweden web site, that's the last day of MW and SW international broadcasting.

Swedish Radio’s international broadcasts on short and medium wave will close down from October 31, 2010. This is part of a decision by Swedish Radio’s management on our output and distribution announced on March 16 this year.

This means that from October 31, Radio Sweden’s programming in English will be broadcast nationally (on FM), as well as available on the Internet, and our podcast will be available here and on iTunes for downloading.

 So it goes.

STS-132 Launch On Schedule

Launch director at KSC has just cleared a constraint regarding an engineering issue in a payload bay camera.  Weather looks good, and scheduled launch target is about 20 minutes from now.

I haven't seen any reports of range or BRV traffic, but check the usual frequencies like 10780 kHz and the ones reported last mission.  There should be something.

Countdown to Atlantis' Liftoff Begins Today

NASA:

The countdown to liftoff of space shuttle Atlantis on its STS-132 mission is set to begin today at 4 p.m. EDT. Launch controllers will report to their consoles in NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Control Center at 3:30 p.m. to be in place when countdown clocks start counting back from the T-43 hour mark.

"Teams at the Kennedy Space Center and at other centers around the country have been working very hard to get this vehicle ready to fly, and I am happy to report everything is going quite well at [Launch Pad 39A]," NASA Test Director Steve Payne said Tuesday morning. "Atlantis, crew and launch team are ready to go and looking forward to a beautiful launch Friday afternoon."

During the 12-day mission, Atlantis and the mission's six astronauts are delivering an Integrated Cargo Carrier and a Russian-built Mini Research Module to the International Space Station. Technicians will close Atlantis' payload bay doors today, although a few experiments will be added to Atlantis' middeck about 28 hours prior to launch.

Atlantis' astronauts arrived at Kennedy on Monday evening, touching down at the Shuttle Landing Facility in four T-38 jets at 6:49 p.m. Today the crew members will review flight day file material and take part in a checkout of their orange launch-and-entry suits.

Liftoff is scheduled for May 14 at 2:20 p.m. According to Shuttle Weather Officer Kathy Winters, weather is expected to be favorable, with a 70 percent chance of good conditions. The primary weather concern for Friday is the possibility of a low cloud ceiling. Partly cloudy and generally dry conditions will dominate the afternoon hours throughout the week.

Vietnamese Numbers Mystery Continues

The latest ENIGMA2000 newsletter #EN58 has some great stuff in it regarding the mysterious numbers station that broadcasts short 5F messages daily around 1600 UTC (plus or minus three minutes), in Vietnamese.

ENIGMA2000 notes, on page 3, that their Vietnamese speakers have been unavailable.  One is in Viet Nam.  Funny they should bring that up.  That's where mine is too.  There's a big Vietnamese community in SoCal, and so I'll keep at it.
 
(A post on UDXF mentioned that a different (as in available) Vietnamese speaker has listened to one of the many recordings in existence. They thought the radio announcer's dialect sounded northern, maybe the Hanoi area.)


Page 11 has an excellent research result sent to ENIGMA2000 by a California listener who goes by Token. He's done a lot of grunt work on this one.  He's out on the (quiet) desert with good equipment, knowledge of how to use it, and my dream antenna - a rhombic pointed at Asia.  I could sort out the Japanese fishery fax in a hurry with one of THOSE puppies up in the air, dominating our entire suburban neighborhood, with poles sunk into neighbor's flower gardens, keeping lightning away from everyone's houses... but that's not important now.

He mentions that a shipping company might not have a lot of reasons to repeat a broadcast 30 times.  I tend to agree that, until we get something definitive, it's safest to assume it's some kind of encrypted transmission sent to or from Viet Nam, for the purpose of passing coded information of a highly sensitive nature to an unknown person or persons whose identities are not for public knowledge.

Either that, or someone who listened to Conet once too often.

More when we get it.....

Rare Voice Traffic on the Pip!

A listener named Marco reports that he heard the 3756 kHz Russian marker known as The Pip stop for voice traffic on May 3rd. A female spoke for about two minutes in a Slavic language before the marker restarted.

Voice on The Pip has been heard before, though not very often.  The origin is suspected to be military. ENIGMA2000 reclassified the station from XT to S30 on the basis of intercepts like this.

Auroral Storm Trashes HF

There's nothing wrong with your antenna.  A solar wind event May 2nd caused unusually strong aurora, with photos being posted from the northern US.  Conditions are still pretty in and out.