[MilCom] Report "On Scene" KCEF AirShow 8/15/04

[Ken]

Well I got back to the show today again, arriving around 1230 hrs (and
basically was told by security I could park anywhere I found a parking
space, so I just pulled into the vendor's parking area (which was less than
1/2 filled anyways) & had a very short walk into the show area).  Show
attendance was very low today (perhaps 10 to 15K) because of the weather
(rained in the morning & felt looked like rain all afternoon).

Low cloud cover pretty much limited both civilian & military air performers
to a "low" show & also resulted in the cancellation of the Golden Knights
Parachute Jumps today.

Major Frequencies continued to be:
ATC:  118.35/275.8, 134.85/348.75
Civilian Performers:  123.15 (e.g. Red Baron Pizza Sqdn, Iron Eagles, etc...
(see website)).
A10/C130 Demos:  139.0 (A10's), 383.3 (A10's & C130s)
Thunderbirds:  143.85, 235.25  -- The TBirds left direct after the show
(without landing) for Atlantic City NJ.

C17 (Charleston SC picture wasn't close enought to get tail #), T2, C5
demos, used ATC freqs
I really like how fast the C17 from Charleston can back up out of a parking
space.. Wow!!!!!

Ground Support:
Everything previously listed (the Commander's net repeater was not used, so
I think that it may be now a simplex system supplemented by digital
cellphones).

Air Boss/Show Control:  141.3125  -- This was by far the BEST frequency to
monitor because numerous changes were made throughout the day (I had
monitored all morning long from home).  I'd like to thank Jim (VT), Brian
(CT), & Bill (MA) for ID'ing this freq.  Actually one of the group had a
frequency counter and stood next to the air boss control tower/trailer until
he got a lock on, on the frequency.

Using FRS Radio (Channel 14/ CTCSS 38) again was very successful in locating
other milcom hobbyists who were at the show.

By far one of the highlights for me (along with some other hobbyists) was
the ability to walk out just north & about parallel of the control tower to
an area right next to the DV tents to monitor as well as take pictures of
the TBird show.  This put us out about 200 feet more than the major
spectator line--  I need to stick to scanning because the consumer grade
digital camera I used doesn't have the capability of taking quick sequence
pictures, etc  -- so there was a fair number of open sky pictures!!! :)

I also did get some digital pictures of some comm cards, but I'm going to
have to use some electronic enhancement because of the angle that it was
taken on...

There also were some exhibits in the Base Hangar.. I especially liked the
Force Protection exhibit (but no radio equipment was displayed) with most of
the weapons used for air base defense were displayed.  Also the US Army
Natick Solidier Center (which is the executive agent for developing clothing
& combat feeding for all the military services).   Of course they always
have some samples to eat of the Meal, Ready to Eat (MRE) cuisine (36 page
pamphlet was given out to those who asked) ...   Interestingly this year
they had some food that the U2 pilots use on long missions.  It's actually
in a squeeze dispenser (ground very fine) similar to what your toothpaste
comes in.  I did get to taste some of this (spaghetti & sauce -- there were
3 or 4 others), actually even cold it was very good.  Furthermore Civil Air
Patrol & the US Coast Guard Auxilary were looking to recruit new
members/volunteers.   What struck me most is that the USCG Auxilary seems to
have many members that are in there 60's & 70's, and they are still
passionately dedicated to assisting the USCG in it's missions!!!

Finally, although security was through, it didn't prohibit any milcom
scanning hobbyists from entering with his/her equipment.   I was talking
with one of the base security professionals today and it was mentioned about
the Base Commander asking why so many people walking around  had radios &
earphones...  They basically just told him that it was folks with scanners
listening to the show as well as security police & his comms!!!! (IMHO they
were somewhat planting the seed for an encrypted radio systems -- BTW which
the Air Force is planning to do for at least all the security radio nets in
the future).

Once again "On Scene" provided the extra information, scanning challenges, &
the ability to personally meet other hobbyists, many of who were just a name
on an internet email list  --- If you get the chance consider attending an
airshow/open house & do some "on scene" scanning!!!!

Ken
Springfield MA Monitoring Area