[Scan-DC] Mystery freqs: 459.275 + 459.525

[Eric C. Carlson]

This is a tricky band to research because the licenses are auctioned
as ranges of spectrum rather than specific frequencies.  As a result,
the typical FCC license search by frequency yields nothing.  These
frequencies (actually pairs of ranges centered on 454.275/459.275 MHz
and 454.525/459.525 MHz) are licensed to a subsidiary of the company
that owns PEPCO and other electric utilities.  Check out these
licenses:
http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/license.jsp?licKey=3240216
http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/license.jsp?licKey=3240217

The same entity has similar licenses for the Atlantic City and Salisbury areas:
http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/license.jsp?licKey=3240215
http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/license.jsp?licKey=3240218
http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/license.jsp?licKey=3240219

Together these frequencies cover the 3 areas in which PHI (PEPCO's
parent) has electric utilities.

-Eric

On Wed, Jan 2, 2013 at 12:29 PM, Alan Henney <alan at henney.com> wrote:
>
> It is somewhat of a hassle, but I like to drive around with the CLOSE-CALL feature enabled on my scanner.
>
> In recent months, I've been receiving hits on 459.275 and 459.525, mostly in the Takoma Park and Silver Spring areas.
>
> I assumed they were related to Ride-On Bus (just a guess), so I put them in my scan list.
>
> I do appear to receive occasional data bursts.  Perhaps it is a coincidence, maybe not, but I also hear what sounds like radio techs on a repeater conducting radio range testing in Montgomery and Prince George's counties.
>
> Today there are test tones on 459.275 with CTCSS of 173.8 Hz.
>
> Is this something for the 2013 Inauguration?
>
> This freq is normally an input and I have been unable to find any obvious license for either freq in D.C., Maryland or Virginia.