[Scan-DC] Mystery freqs: 459.275 + 459.525

[Eric C. Carlson]

I wouldn't think there's enough bandwidth on the 450 MHz channels for
smart meter backhaul (they generate a ton of data).  However, electric
utilities generally do a lot of SCADA.  I wouldn't be surprised if
they were using the 450 MHz for SCADA related to remote controlled
switches.  RC switches are a big component of the smart grid
implementations (which PEPCO is doing) that are overshadowed in the
public's view by the smart meters.  This is just a guess though; those
new channels could be for anything.

-Eric

On Fri, Jan 4, 2013 at 11:34 AM, Clegg, Andrew W. <aclegg at nsf.gov> wrote:
> I don't know about this particular example, but many of the power meter readers use mesh networks that operate in 902-928 MHz.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: scan-dc-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:scan-dc-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Joel Kahn
> Sent: Friday, January 04, 2013 11:36 AM
> To: Scan-DC at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Scan-DC] Mystery freqs: 459.275 + 459.525
>
> Alan:
>
> Could they be using these frequencies for thier new digital meters to transmit
> low power signals for the readers, or do they do that through the power lines?
>  Joel
> ________________________________
> From: Alan Henney <alan at henney.com>
> To: Scan DC <Scan-DC at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Wed, January 2, 2013 11:49:48 PM
> Subject: [Scan-DC] Mystery freqs: 459.275 + 459.525
>
>
> Good detective work, Eric and Jeff. Thanks.
>
> I noted some of those licenses granted for a range appear in FCC searches,
> and others do not.  Perhaps I needed to select a range rather than an exact
> freq?
>
> What is PEPCO going to do with more analog repeaters?
>
> Alan
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Eric C. Carlson" <ecarlson at gmail.com>
> To: "Alan Henney" <alan at henney.com>
> Cc: "Scan DC" <Scan-DC at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Wednesday, January 02, 2013 6:38 PM
> Subject: Re: [Scan-DC] Mystery freqs: 459.275 + 459.525
>
>
>> 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
>
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