[MilCom] KCEF Airshow/Open House Report

[Ken]

Well today 8/14/04 I had the opportunity to attend the Westover Joint Air
Reserve Base, Open House/Air Show.  Although security was strong, it didn't
intefere with any hobbyist entering the airshow.  I parked in the north
parking area (I was the 10th car in the parking lot (which is another
story-- I won't bore you with!!), but this gave a very good view of the show
area.  Also although a somewhat short walk, bus transportation was provided.
(The north parking lot never really did fill completely up).

First and formost it was very gratifying to have one of the "wagon guys"
with his wagon full of radio gear & tripod mounted array of antennas,
speakers, & the US Flag as the rallying point for many internet lists
members (as well as ome non members) monitoring hobbyists.  There were about
14 of us next to this outstanding radio set up.. Brian is to be commended
for his efforts in putting together such a great 'on scene" device.

The frequencies I have listed below was the collective efforts of all, and
not just myeffort.  (Frequency counters really do come in handy):

Air Performers:
Golden Knights:  123.475
Thunderbirds:  143.85, 235.25
Civilian Performers:  123.15
Unknown:  139.875 (NFM)
Also typical ATC comms:  118.35, 134.85, 275.8, 348.4
Base Support Nets:
Typically all of the nets were being utilized in various capacities as
previously posted.  However, some additional freqs were noted were:
Air Boss/Show Control:  141.31
TBirds Comm Tech:  142.175
Parking Control:  139.925
Emergency Medical Fast Response:  866.5125 (ITAC)
Emergency Medical Ambulance Control:  463.10
There also was a theory that the base was using a temporary LTR VHF trunking
system in the 138-144 mhz area, but it wasn't confirmed.


Also what was interesting is that the Air Boss Control Trailer had a beam
antenna pointed to the control tower less than 1/2 mile away - We weren't
able to determine what actual freq this was using, but it did look like a
VHF highband freqs range beam (I've got pictures of it)

Static Displays:
There were some no shows, but here's what I saw:

B52, Tail Code  AFRC "BD", tail #61017
C5, Tail Code AFRC Patriot Wing, tail#90019
CF 18,  432 emblem top of tail tail#188924 (acft was out of Bagotville).

A10, "104 FW", "MA", AF78583
A10, "131 FS", MA AF78642
C141, "AFRC 60177"
F16, "Illinois", SI 87322
OH58 "0-16372
HH65, "6589" "Atlantic City"
KC135, "New Hampshire", ANG, 23576
LC130 "30486"
P3, 286 "LK", 160286
T1,  "Rio Lobos", XL 93626
T6A, "VN"?
T37 "RA 67256"
T37, RA 99548
T38, "Boxin Bears", EN AF70557
UH1 "MA NG" 16392
UH60 "23694"

Also there was RI ANG C130 & 2 other A10's that were part of the flight demo
that I didn't get tail #'s on. Additionally two F/A 18's, but I had some
tech difficulty with my digital camera & the shots didn't come out....

Anyways, the weather looks terrible for tomorrow and the show may be
cancelled since some planes (maybe the TBirds) are flying out tonight).

Ken
Springfield MA Monitoring Area