COTHEN and FEMA ALE 8/26-27 (UTC)

8/26-27:

COTHEN:
006, 07Z, 702, 708, 720, ABQPRI, D07, D23, D47, F04, I86, I96, J01, J21, J24, LNT, N07, N08, N09, PAC, ROS, SLKNY, VAI, Z35

4522.0, 5732.0, 7527.0, 8912.0, 10242.0, 11494.0, 12222.0, 13312.0, 13907.0, 14582.0, 15867.0, 18594.0, 20890.0, 23214.0, 25350.0

FEMA:
FC0FEM, FC1FEM, FR1FEM, FR3FEM, FC4FEM, FC4FEM004, FR4FEM, FR5FEM, FC6FEM, FC8FEM, FC8FEM002, FC8FEM006, FM8FEM, FR9FEM, FCXBCU1 (10493)

4603.0, 4780.0, 7348.0, 9462.0, 10194.0, 10493.0 (FCXBCU1), 10588.0, 12216.0, 13446.0, 14776.0, 14885.0, 15708.0, 16201.0, 16353.0, 19969.0, 21866.0, 24526.0

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

National Public Health Radio Network Activates

Sporadic US East Coast ALE activity is being reported on the US Federal interagency National Public Health Radio Network (NPHRN). So far nothing has been heard in the West.

Participants include Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), possibly US Dept. of Agriculture (USDA), and many state and local public health departments.

Frequencies are 4442.0, 4757.0 (possible), 4780.0 (possible), 8023.0, 9414.5, 10202.0, 12164.0, and 13488.0 kHz USB.

Just In: LORAN-C Is Dead in the USA!

In a major policy reversal required by economic belt-tightening in this year's US government budget, the US Coast Guard has announced that the United States LORAN-C navigation system will shut down at a time to be determined.

It appears that LORAN was specifically defunded in the budget, which refers to it as "outdated."

Better hope GPS keeps working.

Here's the terse release at NAVCEN:

The Operating Status of LORAN-C

LORAN-C provides coverage for maritime navigation in U.S. coastal areas. It provides navigation, location, and timing services for both civil and military air, land and marine users. LORAN-C is approved as an en route supplemental air navigation system for both Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) and Visual Flight Rule (VFR) operations. The LORAN-C system serves the 48 continental states, their coastal areas, and parts of Alaska.

On February 26, 2009, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) publicly announced the President's Fiscal Year 2010 Budget. In the section for the Department of Homeland Security, the budget "supports the termination of outdated systems such as the terrestrial-based, long-range radionavigation (LOrAN-C) operated by the U.S. Coast Guard resulting in an offset of $36 million in 2010 and $190 million over five years." For more information on the proposed FY2010 Budget, visit the OMB website under President's Budget.

The Coast Guard will continue to operate the current Loran C system through the end of FY2009 and is preparing detailed plans for implementing the FY2010 Budget.

9/14 COTHEN and USACE Logs

Propagation conditions have tanked here in The Land That Shortwave Forgot. This will have to be the last log for a while:

5327.5 WUK437-US Army Corps Of Engineers, CA, ALE sounding, also on 6020 and 6785, at 2052.

7527.0 LNT raised J31 in ALE, then USB voice at 2149.

8912.0 CRB raised D31 in ALE, then secure PARKHILL comm in USB, at 2120.
8912.0 LNT raised K15 in ALE, link quality analyses at 2124.
8912.0 CNT raised D31 in ALE, then clear and secure USB voice, at 2137 and 2142.

11494.0 USDAEOC2-US Dept of Agriculture Alternate Emergency Operations Center, MD, ALE sounding at 2306. Station is not in the COTHEN net, but this frequency is common to both.


COTHEN callsigns heard: 501, 716, A39, CNT, CRB, D31, D45, J01, J09, K15, LNT, T16
Freqs: 7527.0, 8912.0, 10242.0, 11494.0, 13907.0, 15867.0, 18594.0

501 = Coast Guard 1501, HC-130H, E-City
716 = Coast Guard 1716, HC-130H, Sacramento, CA
A39 = US Customs & Border Protection AB139, reg. #N139HS
CNT = CBP Central Regional Communications Node
CRB = CBP Caribbean Regional Communications Node
D31, D45 = CBP P-3 patrol a/c
J01 = Coast Guard 6001, MH-60J helo, E-City
J09 = Coast Guard 6009, MH-60J helo, E-City
K15 = USCG rescue helo, probably Coast Guard Rescue 6515
LNT = Camslant Chesapeake
T16 = CBP Piper PA-42-720R, reg. #N9116Q, FL

Late Night 9/13 SoCal ALE, Mostly Ike

4490.0 043NCS (SHARES Coordination Net Channel 3), snd, 0341, 0441, 0541

5135.0 0401MT (US SECURE Net) snd, 0428

5378.0 FC4FEM (FEMA Region 4, GA) calling/LQA AL4FEM (Possibly Alabama), 0442

5378.0 FC4FEM calling/LQA MS4FEM (Possibly Mississippi), 0514

5711.0 043NCS (SHARES Coordination Net Channel 4), snd 0541

6809.0 FC4FEM snd, 0420

The eye of Ike is nearing Galveston, TX at 0606 UTC. Water is coming up over the sea wall, and there are fires burning.

USCG will be making many rescues when it becomes light and weather improves. COTHEN is worth checking out.

9/13 (UTC) SoCal ALE Hits, Mostly Ike-Related

4490.0  SND  KNY58      02:38:33
4490.0  SND  045NCS     03.41.42
5135.0  SND  SEMO05     02:26:46
5711.0  SND  043NCS     02:41:27
6806.0  SND  0011ARCAP  03:12:38
7348.0  SND  FC4FEM     00:20:14
9414.5  SND  ARC 
9414.5  SND  119CDCS05  00:50:21
11217.0 SND  KTQ313     00:52:05
11217.0 SND  AAT        00:45:55
12164.0 SND  119CDCS05  00:43:27
12216.0 SND  VA3FEM     00:33:53

FC6:
4780.0
5402.0
6809.0
7348.0
9462.0
13446.0

VA3FEM:
6809.0
9462.0
12216.0

FC4FEM:
6809.0
7348.0
9462.0
10194.0

0011ARCAP = US Civil Air Patrol
043NCS = SHARES Natl. Comm. System Liason, unknown location
119CDS05 = US Centers For Disease Control, NPHRN
FC4FEM = FEMA Region 4, Atlanta, GA
KNY58 = SHARES NCS Liason, Gadsen, AL
KTQ313 = US Environmental Protection Agency, Montgomery AL
SEMO05 = NY State Emergency Mgmt. Office
VA3FEM = Unknown FEMA

FEMA NTCN HF ALE Net:
4780
5378
5402
5821
6809
7348
8050
9462
10194
10588
12216
13446

9/12 SoCal Federal Logs

Noteworthy COTHEN & Misc Federal ALE hits:

8912.0  CRB TO T9A 22:49:40
11494.0 USDAEOC2 SND 22:58:05
13446.0 FC6 TO TX6 23:18:23 (LQA)
15867.0 T9A SND 21:41:49
15867.0 RDC SND 22:03:00
18594.0 RDC SND 22:03:00
20890.0 RDC SND 22:03:43

COTHEN
ALE Addresses: 500, C06, CRB, D70, F33, I08, J01, J10, J19, J23, J30, J31, LNT, OPB, P03, P21, PAC, RDC, T16, T47, T72, T9A, TSC
Frequencies: 5732.0 7527.0 8912.0 10242.0 11494.0 13907.0 15867.0 18594.0 20890.0 23214.0 25350

500 = USCG Coast Guard 1500 (HC-130H)
C06 = US Army Corps of Engineers Rapid Response Vehicle #6, TX
CRB/T9A/T16/T47 = Probable US Customs & Border Protection, Caribbean
F33 = USCG HU-25, Corpus Christi, TX
FC6 = FEMA Region 6, TX
J01 = USCG 6001, MH-60J helo, E-City
J10 = USCG 6010, MH-60J helo, Clearwater, FL
J19 = USCG 6019, MH-60J helo, Clearwater, FL
J23 = USCG 6023, HH-60J helo, Mobile, AL
J31 = USCG 6031, HH-60J helo, Mobile, AL
LNT = USCG Communications Area Master Station, Atlantic, Norfolk, VA
OPB = US Drug Enforcement Agency OPBAT (Operations, Bahamas And Tortugas), Nassau
P03 = Possible USCG Air Station, E-City
PAC = USCG Communications Area Master Station, Pacific, Pt. Reyes, CA
RDC = USCG Cutter Campbell (WMEC-909)
TSC = COTHEN Technical Service Center/ Remote/ Natl Law Enforcement Comm, FL
TX6 = FEMA, unknown Texas, possible truncated address
USDAEOC2 = US Dept. of Agriculture Alternate Emergency Operations Center, MD
(11494 is also a USDA freq)

Note: Coast Guard aircraft are already working rescues as of Friday afternoon.

Federal ALE Logs 11 Sep 08

5732.0 22:25:46 TO J23 TIS LNT
5732.0 22:27:16 TO J23 TIS LNT
5732.0 22:57:36 TO J23 TIS LNT
5732.0 23:07:14 TO Z299 TIS J37
5732.0 23:08:07 SND  TWS J37
6809.0 21:49:01 SND  TWS FC8FEM
6809.0 22:48:56 SND  TWS FC8FEM
7348.0 22:48:47 SND  TWS FC8FEM
9106.0 20:41:05 SND  TWS 43NCS
9462.0 19:48:18 SND  TWS FC8FEM
9462.0 22:48:24 SND  TWS FC8FEM
10194.0 21:48:14 SND  TWS FC8FEM
10588.0 22:48:01 SND  TWS FC8FEM
12164.0 20:18:48 SND  TIS 119CDCS05
12164.0 22:12:26 SND  TIS 119CDCS05
12216.0 19:47:33 SND  TWS FC8FEM
12216.0 19:57:34 TO FM8FEM3 TIS FM8FEM4D
12216.0 21:47:28 SND  TWS FC8FEM
13488.0 22:12:50 SND  TIS 119CDCS05
14776.0 21:09:58 SND  TWS FC6
              

119CDCS05 = US Centers for Disease Control, National Public Health Radio Network (NPHRN)
43NCS = SHARES National Communication System liason, probably KNR43
FC6 = FEMA Region 6, Denton, TX. FEMA National Radio System (FNARS)
FC8FEM = FEMA Region 8, Denver, CO. FNARS
FM8FEM3, FM8FEM4D = Unknown FEMA Region 8 mobiles
J23, J37 = Probably USCG aircraft on COTHEN
LNT = USCG Communications Area Master Station, Atlantic (Norfolk, VA)

Evacuations Underway In Galveston Area

Bloomberg:

Hurricane Ike Aims at Houston; Evacuations Called (Update2)

By Brian K. Sullivan

Sept. 11 (Bloomberg) -- Hurricane Ike tripled in size in the central Gulf of Mexico as it churned on a weekend collision course with the 5.6 million residents of the Houston area, where coastal communities prepared to evacuate.

The system's strongest winds extend as far as 115 miles (185 kilometers) from the eye, up from 35 miles yesterday, the Miami- based National Hurricane Center said today. Ike's wind field is now larger than that of Katrina, the storm that devastated New Orleans in 2005, said Jeff Masters, the director of meteorology at private forecaster Weather Underground Inc.

``The total amount of energy is more powerful than Katrina, so we could be seeing a storm surge that could rival Katrina,'' Masters said. The storm is so large ``the location doesn't matter much; it is going to inundate a huge part of the Texas coast.''

First Federal Storm Relief Logs

5153.5 kHz USB is an unknown MARS net. 10493.0 USB and LSB are FEMA National Emergency Coordinating Net. Conditions are normal for this time of year, in other words wretched, and none of this is currently making it to The Land That Short Wave Forgot.

It's probably worth monitoring 14325.0 USB, the amateur Hurricane Watch Net, though that one too is only computer QRM here. Ahhh, hurricane season. Back to COTHEN I go.

Anyone else who's into ALE might consider COTHEN (Customs Over-The-Horizon Enforcement Network) for post-storm rescue operations. It was busy after Katrina. Freqs (all USB, ALE then follow-on in clear or secure voice) are:

5732
7527
8912
10242
11494
13907
15867
18594
20890
23214
25350

so far just routine soundings by Idaho xx (FBI drug interdiction) aircraft not connected with Gustav.

Federal ALE Logs 1 Sep 08

All USB ALE, Times UTC

31 Aug 08

11217.0   043NCS      SND            23:40:31

1 Sep 08

3345.0    WUK437      SND            06:05:53
4757.0    494FEMAUX   TO  5CDCS16    04:11:38
5140.0    401MT       SND            02:12:32
5140.0    401MT       SND            04:27:44
9414.5    494FEMAUX   TO  033CDCS22  03:16:26

043NCS = SHARES/ National Communications System
401MT = Unknown FEMA Region 4
494FEMAUX = FEMA WGY 9494, Region 4 Auxiliary Station
05CDCS16 and 033CDCS22 = National Public Health Radio Network stations, Centers for Disease Control

Press Release: US Coast Guard Continues HF Weather Broadcasts

Press Release
DATE: February 07, 2008 14:39:41 EST
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Office of Public Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard

Contact: (202) 475-3555


US Coast Guard Continues HF Weather Broadcasts

WASHINGTON - Last April the Coast Guard asked for public comment on the need to continue broadcasting high frequency (HF) high seas weather forecasts for single sideband voice, facsimile charts and text messages over radiotelex (e.g. HF NAVTEX). The Coast Guard required public comment because the infrastructure necessary to provide these services had exceeded its life expectancy and significant costs were involved to continue these services.

After reviewing and analyzing the substantial public response that overwhelmingly urged the continuation of these services, the Coast Guard's "business case study" concluded that it was necessary to continue HF weather broadcasts. The business case study, "An Impact Assessment of Discontinuing USCG High-Frequency Radio Broadcasts of NWS Marine Weather Forecasts" is posted at:
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/high_frequency/HF-WX_notice.htm

The study concluded:

"The responding public collectively perceives that the USCG HF broadcasts are essential to their safety. There is no viable alternative to the USCG HF broadcasts because present alternatives are perceived by the public to be out of financial reach. Also, marine weather forecasts available through these alternative sources may not guarantee the same level of accuracy, timeliness, and/or sufficiency as provided by the USCG HF broadcasts."

While the Coast Guard does not have funds necessary to replace all of its HF transmitters, funds are available to replace the 20 transmitters used for weather broadcasts.

###

The U.S. Coast Guard is a military, maritime, multi-mission service within the
Department of Homeland Security dedicated to protecting the safety and security of America.

------------

The full report is here. It is very comprehensive and informative, and worth the time to get and read it.

------------

Here's more from USCG Navcen:


The Coast Guard's HF infrastructure

The Coast Guard's HF infrastructure consisting of 123 10KW transmitters are no longer supportable. Repair parts are increasingly difficult to find, more expensive, and take can months to obtain. Funds should be available to replace many, but not all of these transmitters. Consequently all but the most essential HF services are or will be terminated. However, due to responsive received from the public and the conclusions of the business case report, the Coast Guard has decided to continue HF broadcasts of high seas weather forecasts and warnings without interruption. Transmitters used for this purpose will be included among those recapitalized.

The Coast Guard uses 20 high power transmitters to broadcast HF weather facsimile, voice and text (SITOR) high seas weather forecasts to mariners. Three additional Navy transmitters are used to broadcast weather information from Guam. The cost to replace one of these transmitters is ~$200K with installation ($4M total for those used for weather broadcasts).

Reliable, high power transmitters are needed to ensure mariners can reliably receive weather information anywhere within the National Weather Service’s area of responsibility.

[Presumably the services to be affected by the phase-out of the other transmitters include those on this list that are not required by GMDSS or other treaties. More when it happens. -Hugh]

Some MARS and SHARES ALE Hits

Copied in California during the 12/28 drill.

MARS = Military Affiliate Radio System. SHARES = SHAred RESources, a Federal interoperability pool and special net administered by National Communications System.

043NCS Natl. Comm. System, sounding on 9106 and 11217 at 1944 and 2143 UTC. Sounding on 11217 and 9106 at 2243.

ANCOPS Unk agency, sounding on 11217 at 2144, 2214, and 2315. Also sounding on 3349 and 17487 at 2144.

YXPNNN US Navy/Marine Corps MARS, sounding on 7642 at 2204.

KULNNN USN/MC MARS, sounding on 11098.5 at 2306.

6DUAFA US Air Force MARS, calling 6NEAFA, at 2332.

Note: The funny backwards MARS addresses are per interoperability committee REF A adopted some years ago, in which unique station identifiers occupy the first three characters (the ones passed in the standard ALE version 1 ID field as opposed to DAT words). YXPNNN=NNN0YXP. 6DUAFA=AFA6DU. And so on.

SHARES Exercise in Progress

Weak USB net traffic on 14396.5 here at 1850 UTC. Jack Metcalfe reports USB traffic on 5236.0 at 1607. Sounds like the quarterly drill.

More when and if I get it.

NECN Quarterly Exercise in Progress

10493.0 kHz is active with the quarterly National Emergency Coordination Net drill. A FEMA station with callsign WGY ??? is working Army MARS at 1854 in USB.

It's worth checking out the alternate primary frequency on 5211.0, or maybe 13956 and 14567, USB and LSB.

Major US Government Exercise This Weekend

COMMUNICATIONS EXERCISE DEEP FREEZE ’07 - 10 FEBRUARY 2007

PURPOSE – To practice operating in an austere environment, gathering information, reporting Essential Elements of Information to NORTHCOM and FEMA, and assisting with the arrival of responding military units and federal agencies using long range HF communications frequencies.

PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS – MARS (Air Force, Army, and Navy/USMC), Air National Guard, Air Force Research Labs, NY State Police, Civil Air Patrol, Amateur Radio Emergency Service, Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service.

SCENARIO – Major winter storm affecting the entire AO [Northeastern US plus mid-Atlantic and northern midwest -Hugh] with heavy rain, flooding, mudslides, ice accumulation, high winds, and heavy snow cutting communications, transportation routes, and severely affecting the urban and rural populations.

The leadership may activate their members as early as 9 FEB to organize communications nets and make preparations for deployments in order to commence full disaster response operations at 0900 on 10 FEB.

For amateur try 3925 Khz LSB and 7237 Khz LSB. Also check SHARES and the usual places.

Centers for Disease Control on HF ALE

The new NPHRN, National Public Health Radio Network, with a headquarters in Atlanta, has been busy recently. This HF net links the federal Centers for Disease Control with state and local health departments.

All frequencies are Automatic Link Establishment (ALE), though some voice has been heard.

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)