[MilCom] Review GFMF -- Military Frequency Directory Portion Part I

[Ken]

Well here's my review of Grove's "Military Frequency Directory" 2nd edition 
(2004)

Which is now bundled with two other products in Grove's 'Frequency Master 
File"

See:  Website http://www.grove-ent.com/FREQMASFILE.html



There will be two parts to this review.  Part I is my initial review.  Part 
II adds some

Comments after fairly extensive usage of this CD-ROM.



First of all Larry Van Horn completely revised the format of this CD-ROM 
making it much easier to read via the computer screen than the previous 
edition.  Pages are set up in landscape format (11 inches width & 8 ½ inches 
length) and are at a large type set, as weall as a more spread out format in 
comparison to the first edition.  The entire publication is in acrobat 
format and the Abode Reader version 6 is also provided on the CD ROM to aid 
in viewing/printing this publication.



If you were to print out the directory (which I did and the laser printer is 
still cooling down!!!)  it would be 764 pages.  Basically it's tough to get 
it into a three ring binder (using a thin document protector for each state 
(CA needs two!!) about 5 inch thickness of paper in that binder!!!!



The contents of the Directory are as follows (with additional information I've 
added)



COVER PAGE Page (page 1)



TABLE OF CONTENTS (page 2) -- Basically you click on the appropriate title 
and the software takes you to that appropriate page.  Individual pages are 
numbered but the table of contents doesn't indicate the page numbers for the 
titles.



HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE (pages 3 -12)  -- Provides helpful information on 
listening to milcom both aero & ground related, as well as many common aero 
& ground  frequencies to include trunking systems.  It's a very good review 
for the experienced listener and extremely helpful information to the 
newcomer.



SERVICE LEGEND (pages 13 - 18)  --- This provides both the abbreviations for 
services and miscellaneous acronyms utilized throughout the publication.



UNITED STATES LISTINGS:



NORAD (pages 19 - 21)  --- Well with the '9/11' aftermath and the start of 
random  & specific activities air protection patrols/air combat patrols, 
listed are the common frequencies for the 5 NORAD sectors as well as past 
air tactical frequencies active during air protection patrols in 3 of the 
sectors.



MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS  SATELLITE BAND PLANS (pages 21 - 48)  ---  
Basically if it's a military satellite systems (narrow & wide band systems, 
various transponders) such as Lincoln Experimental Satellite (LES),  MARISAT 
(Gapfiller), NATO IV Milsat, Fltsatcom (AFSATCOM, Navy Fleet Relay), SDS 
Milsat, etc. the frequency as well as channel numbers are listed.





STATE LISTINGS (pages 49-728)  ---  Each State (50) and the District of 
Columbia (1)  has separate pages.  The smallest listing is Wyoming (3 pages) 
and the largest is California (73 pages).  Within each state listing the 
following format is utilized:



STATEWIDE  - Includes (where applicable) Land Mobile Frequencies as well as 
Flight Operation Frequencies.   Land Mobile systems are primarily assigned 
to the Army National Guard (e.g. emergency & contingency nets).  Flight Ops 
are air/air tactical which also are ARNG.



AIR ROUTE TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTER(S) - each location & frequencies (VHF/UHF) 
as well as usage (e.g. low altitude discrete, low altitude, high altitude, 
etc.) for these FAA facilities.



VARIOUS CIVILIAN AIRPORTS /MILITARY TRAINING & OPERATING AREAS/ MILITARY 
BASES (in alphabetical order):



HF RADIO FREQUENCIES (if applicable):  HF SSB/ALE listings



LAND MOBILE RADIO FREQUENCIES (if applicable) include listings for such 
functions as:  base commander's net, public works, fire, police, aircraft 
maintenance, aircraft parking, communications maintenance, 
transit/transportation, emergency coordination and  many other type nets 
that are associated with providing both base/community as well as mission 
support.  Of course the size of the base/facility will determine the number 
of frequencies and radio communications nets that are utilized. 
Additionally, approximately 120 Trunked Radio Systems are listed, primarily 
in the UHF band, with complete information being listed on some systems 
(e.g. system locations, frequencies, offsets, talk groups, talk group 
users).  Other system have not been built yet so information is limited.



FLIGHT OPERATIONS FREQUENCIES (if applicable) include:  FAA related air 
traffic control (e.g. approach/departure control, ground control, tower, 
ATIS), mission support (e.g. base operations, base weather (metro), 
base/unit command posts) and tactical air/air  air/ground systems & some 
aerial refueling frequencies.



OVERSEAS LISTINGS:

This new addition also includes some overseas listings (pages 729- 741) most 
of which are limited to Flight Operations type frequencies & some HF 
frequencies.  Countries include:  Ascension Island, Antigua, Australia, 
Bahamas, Belgium, Bermuda, Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New 
Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward, Quebec, & Saskatchewan), 
Europe (aerial refueling, Combined Endeavor XX Radio Relays, NATO), Germany, 
Guam, Honduras, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Puerto Rico,  & United Kingdom.



SPECIAL FEATURES:  As a bonus & separate access the CD-ROM includes a copy 
of official US government military flight information publications/documents 
to include:  General Planning Manual, Flight Information Handbook, Area 
Planning (North & South America, Europe/Africa/Middle East, Pacific 
Australasia/Antarctica, Eastern Europe), Special Use Air Space (North/South 
America, Europe/Africa/Middle East, Pacific/Australasia/Antarctica, Eastern 
Europe/Asia), Military Training Routes (North/South America) & DOD Flight 
Information Publications (US IFR, USF VFR, Africa (Central/Southern 
Regions), Caribbean/South America, & Europe/North Africa/Middle East).  All 
of these special feature publications are available for free download BUT 
the time to download these publications would range from approximately 1 
hour (for a high speed cable/dsl connections) to over 6 hours for a 56 kp 
modem dial up.



CONCLUSION:  This frequency directory is a must to have for any who is 
actively involved or considering trying military communications (milcom) 
monitoring.  This is a very concise directory that will point you in the 
right direction for getting the most pleasure out of milcom monitoring with 
the minimum effort .



Ken

Springfield Massachusetts Monitoring Area