[MilCom] Air Show/Base Open House Alert/Information!!! (Long Post)

[Ken]

OVERALL INFORMATION:
2005 Westfield International Airshow (and base open house)
Location:  Barnes Air National Guard Base/Municipal Airport, Westfield, MA
Show Dates:  8/27 & 8/28/05 (with preshow arrival activities 8/26/05).
Website information on performers/static displays: 
http://www.2005westfieldairshow.org/

POTENTIAL FREQUENCIES TO MONITOR:
AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL:
Barnes Ground Control:     121.7/289.4 (simucast)
Barnes Tower:  118.9/251.1 (simucast)
ATIS (continuous airport info):  127.1
Bradley Approach/Departure Control:  125.35/325.8
Burlington Flight Service Station:  113.0(T), 122.1(R)

OTHER AVIATION SUPPORT:
Fixed Base Operators (FBO's):
*Five Star Jet Center:  130.625  (licensed to Aeronautical Radio Inc)
(this is  the building right in front of the gravel parking area)
*General Dynamics:  131.725 (corporate type jets) (licensed to Aeronautical 
Radio Inc).
(this is on the other side of the field & caters to business jets)
*Air Flyte:  122.95
(this is next to the control tower/admin building)

MILITARY AERO COMMAND POSTS (most AM mode):
104 FW Command Post  "Hawk Ops"  138.05/138.25, 303.0 (inbound aireraft will 
use 303.0)
Army National Guard Aviation Support Activity (Helos) "Minuteman Ops": 
46.75 (NFM). 123.05, 356.3

AIRSHOW PERFORMERS (all AM mode unless indicated otherwise):
Reference:  "Monitoring Times" magazine 
http://www.monitoringtimes.com/html/mtairshowguide2005.pdf
Thunderbirds:    140.4, 141.85, 142.575, 143.85, 235.2, 235.25, 322.95
Civilian Aerobatic Performers:  123.15, 123.475. 123.45 (probably 1 or 2 
others)
Potential A10's air/air:  139.9,  141.675,  41.45 (NFM),  36.35 (NFM), 
36.825 (NFM)   41.95 (NFM)  34.55 (NFM),  38.65 (NFM)
Air Show Control:  Will probably be either the tower or ground control freqs 
(VHF & UHF)
Refer to the above url for potential additional show related air/air, 
air/ground  frequencies.

AIRSHOW SUPPORT NETS (NFM mode, possibly some P25):
Security:  148.45 & 150.325
Show Control:  148.475 (possible)
Other Military Support nets:  search the band 148-150.8, 138-144, & 406-420 
mhz.
Thunderbirds Maintenace:  see 
http://www.monitoringtimes.com/html/mtairshowguide2005.pdf

Refer to Grove's "Military Frequency Directory" 2nd edition for additional 
base support & air/air frequencies

LOCAL PUBLIC SAFETY SUPPORT (all NFM mode, no P25 in use):

Law Enforcement:
On Scene:  800 mhz ITAC repeater & simplex:  866.0125/.5125, 867.0125/.5125, 
868.0125
Westfield PD:  859.9375, 858.2375
Holyoke PD:  159.21R, 158.955R
Southampton PD:  460.3625R
W.Springfield PD:  867.7875R
Mass State PD:
Troop B Trunking System:  852.2625, 857/858/859/860.7875
MSP car/car:  868.95, 868.9625, 868.975, 868.9875
MSP Low Band:  42.46, 42.50, possibly also 42.44, 42.34, 42.50, 42.54
MSP Troop E (Mass Turnpke):  159.225R, 159.03R, 42.42 (Station E3 
Westfield), MSP Trunk Talk Group
Area Law Enforcement Coordination Nets:  155.475/460.225/858.7375, 460.475 
secondary encrypted

Fire:
Westfield FD:  154.43R, 153.83
Holyoke FD:  159.645R
W. Springfield FD:  866.475
Area Fire Coordination Nets:  154.28/453.4125, 154.37

Emergency Medical:  159.4125, 155.34, 155.205, 463.075, & other common UHF 
med freqs for ambulance/hospital comms

Barnes MAP Airport Authority:  153.920

Refer to Scanner Master's "Southern New England Communications Guide", 10th 
edition & "Police Call Frequency Directory" 2005 for additional frequencies.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

PRESHOW ARRIVAL ACTIVITIES (8/26/05):
Many radio hobbyists will be parked near the civilian airport administration 
building/tower on 8/26/05 starting around 0900 hrs and remaining throughout 
the day.  Generally we will be monitoring FRS Channel 14 / CTCSS 38 
(secondary Channel 5, CTCSS 15) (I'll be using the callsign "CHILL 1"), but 
anyone new to this "on scene" monitoring adventure shouldn't have any 
problem finding the group.   Generally static aircraft will start to arrive 
around 0900 hrs and there will be periods thoughout the day when civilian 
performers as well as the TBirds will practice...

Additional very detailed information on Barnes MAP can be found at: 
http://www.barnesairport.com/   There is a snack bar ('Flight Deck 
Restaurant." on site that is open on Friday as well as restroom facilities.

SHOW DAYS (8/27 & 8/28/05):
I'd strongly suggest arrivall as early as possible (e.g. right at 0800 hrs 
open time so that you get a parking space next to the show area ).  Also 
expect VERY long delays in leaving the area after the show.  In 2003 it took 
almost 3 hours to clear all of the parking areas.  So pack a supper!!! 
RELAX!!!   Also on the day of the show I would expect that at least one of 
the "wagon guys" will be in attendance somewhere on the show line.  From 
past experience. hobbyists generally use this as the meeting point to say 
hello.  FRS communications on 14/38 would be a secondary method of finding 
hobbyists in attendance.

I hope that many of you will have the opportunity to attend both "pre show 
arrival" as well as this superb airshow/base open house.  Hopefully I'll get 
to meet many of you (from the various milcom related as well as general 
scanner lists) this year!!!

Ken