[Scan-DC] EVENT SCANNING

[johnson at cpcug.org]

Over the years, various members of the Scan-DC group have published
frequency lists they collected at sporting events, concerts, NASCAR, etc. 
 These events offer a treasure trove of frequencies to monitor and help
the listener get an extra 'feel' for the event by knowing what is going on
behind the scenes.  For many events, such as football games, transmissions
between the coaches and players are obviously encrypted for privacy and
preventing the opposing team from listening to players' instructions. 
While it would be fun to be able to listen to the players it is just as
much fun to hear the popcorn sellers talking about customers.

In the November, 2007 issue of the American Radio Relay League, QST,
p.55-56, there is an interesting article entitled "Football: Fumbles,
Field Goals and Frequencies” about the use of radio (UHF generally) and
the important role of Frequency coordinators at football games.   The
article states how at one game 196 frequencies were used.

The author was very discrete in not revealing which bands or frequencies
used in the game except for saying a lot of the frequencies are UHF.  I
don't care about the police, TV relay frequencies, etc. but there are a
lot of VHF/UHF and possibly low band frequencies to read that may be in
the clear and will help give that additional 'boost' to enjoyment of the
event.

Any additional way to zero in on listening to the background behind an
event is helpful.  This article provides information on how the Frequency
Coordinators work and helps us focus in on scanning a little better so the
article should be a 'must read' for Scanners.

Ralph Johnson