[Scan-DC] USA Mobility public safety paging on 72.72 MHz

[Andrew Clegg]

This evening I was touring around parts of the radio spectrum that I don't 
normally venture in. I came across several pager systems operating in the 
72 - 73 MHz band, between TV channels 4 and 5. One particularly strong (and 
active) signal received here in Arlington is on 72.72 MHz, which according 
to the ULS is registered to USA Mobility (WNVV216) from a site in DC, and 
the channel is assigned under the conventional public safety pool. But, the 
authorization is under Part 90.35a of the FCC's rules, which applies only to 
commercial operators. A quick look at the company's web site shows that they 
provide paging and data service to virtually anyone for any reason (that is, 
I couldn't really pin down exactly what their main business is). Their 
corporate HQ is in Alexandria.

Anyway, do any of you first responders know if this is a public safety 
paging channel? Does USA Mobility provide pager service to local public 
safety folks? Just curious if anyone knows specifically about this company 
and their possible public safety operations. Maybe someone on this list 
works for them?

Cheers,
Andy