Red Wave Radio

by **Bill Crocke** » Tue, 20 Jan 2004 00:31:57

Has Selfridge ANG base stopped using VHF? Scanning the known VHF/UHF
frequencies for Selfridge, here in Michigan, I have found the VHF spectrum
to be almost dead. Some of the frequencies that fall in the
civilian/commercial aircraft bands are still active, but it seems most of
what I hear is taking place in the UHF frequencies.

Anyone?

Thanks,
Bill Crocker
Macomb, MI.

by **GT Grand Prix** » Tue, 20 Jan 2004 01:01:50

keep in mind that you are also talking about an ANG base...they don't work
often, and their planes are most likely deployed anyway

by **Bill Crocke** » Tue, 20 Jan 2004 01:07:56

Quote:> keep in mind that you are also talking about an ANG base...they don't work
> often, and their planes are most likely deployed anyway

That has changed drastically since 9/11! They built all new runways,
refurbished buildings, and facilities. Selfridge has become very active!
There are planes, fighter jets, and helicopters flying in, and out of there
24/7. Numerous troups have been flown out of Selfridge, with IRAQ as their
final destination. They also send tons of supplies out of Selfridge.

Bill Crocker

by **The Orchardis** » Tue, 20 Jan 2004 15:30:14

On Sun, 18 Jan 2004 10:31:57 -0500, "Bill Crocker"

>Has Selfridge ANG base stopped using VHF?

Most of the VHF Air Force stuff has gone bye bye.

Look for 400 or 800 mhz trunking to be the replacement.

by **Steve Silverwoo** » Sat, 31 Jan 2004 17:31:29

says...

> > keep in mind that you are also talking about an ANG base...they don't work
> > often, and their planes are most likely deployed anyway

> That has changed drastically since 9/11! They built all new runways,
> refurbished buildings, and facilities. Selfridge has become very active!
> There are planes, fighter jets, and helicopters flying in, and out of there
> 24/7. Numerous troups have been flown out of Selfridge, with IRAQ as their
> final destination. They also send tons of supplies out of Selfridge.

Even before 9/11, there has been a marked increase in the USAF's
dependency on Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve components to
fulfill various aspects of the USAF mission. For example, ALL of the
KC-135 and KC-10 tanker missions have been handed over to ANG/AFRes
units. (I have a buddy in the ANG who works on the tankers, so the info
comes from a good source.) When I was in the Calif. ANG working at Van
Nuys (before they moved to Pt. Mugu), we had flight missions going seven
days a week, not just one weekend a month, and that was back in 1986,
when the USAF wasn't nearly as dependent on the Reserve component for
fulfilling its commitments.

--

-- //Steve//

Steve Silverwood, KB6OJS
Fountain Valley, CA

by **Steve Silverwoo** » Sat, 31 Jan 2004 17:31:32

> On Sun, 18 Jan 2004 10:31:57 -0500, "Bill Crocker"

> >Has Selfridge ANG base stopped using VHF?

> Most of the VHF Air Force stuff has gone bye bye.

> Look for 400 or 800 mhz trunking to be the replacement.

Not only that, but it's going encrypted, too. And not that APCO stuff,
I mean serious encryption. What we referred to when I was in the USAF
as "non-tactical" communications -- security, law enforcement, aircraft
maintenance, civil engineering, etc. -- were moving toward use of
encryption even before trunking came on the scene.

--

-- //Steve//

Steve Silverwood, KB6OJS
Fountain Valley, CA