GMRS for LA Riots.

[WRUE951]

There was some chatter on one of the HAM freqs last night discussing that GMRS was being used by some of the Rioters in Las Angels.   Not being close enough to scan the traffic there, is anyone hearing that type of chatter in LA?   Just curious.. 

[TrikeRadio]

2 hours ago, WRUE951 said:

There was some chatter on one of the HAM freqs last night discussing that GMRS was being used by some of the Rioters in Las Angels.   Not being close enough to scan the traffic there, is anyone hearing that type of chatter in LA?   Just curious.. 

Hmm... I had not thought of listening. I might do that tonight to see if anything is on the repeaters or simplex... 

[WRYS709]

3 hours ago, WRUE951 said:

There was some chatter on one of the HAM freqs last night discussing that GMRS was being used by some of the Rioters in Las Angels.

Which Ham freq?

[LeoG]

That would be a full violation of the eff sea seas rules/regulations.  I can't imagine those breaking the law would decide to use these frequencies illegally and for illicit purposes.  They should have their licenses takes away.  As soon as you here them ID themselves you should write it down and report them.

 

/S

[AdmiralCochrane]

I would be stunned if the rioters were not using HT's.  Also stunned if three letter people weren't nearby using scanners and recorders and I don't mean Uncle Charlie.

[WRTC928]

How do they know the users were GMRS licensees or using GMRS radios? My money would be on FRS, and like @AdmiralCochrane, I'd be more surprised if they didn't use them. It's kind of an obvious tool for quick coordination. And, yes, I have no doubt law enforcement agencies are listening. 

[WSHH887]

I didn't pick up anything on the repeaters that cover the downtown are and my own.  If they are using simplex they'd have to be in a high rise to have line of site with me.  So I didn't pick up anything with my radio set to scan.  But, I am on the coast so it's a few miles away and if they were on the ground they are in urban canyons.

About the only thing happening is some idiot transmitting rap music on 462.575.  But we get idiots like that from time to time.  

[TrikeRadio]

I have not heard anything on GMRS/FRS channels or repeaters about the protests or riots or anything so far

 

[TrikeRadio]

30 minutes ago, AdmiralCochrane said:

I would be stunned if the rioters were not using HT's.  Also stunned if three letter people weren't nearby using scanners and recorders and I don't mean Uncle Charlie.

I don't know... I am guessing they are all using their phones to text each other. I doubt that "walkie-talkies" are even in the world-scope of any of the protestors. To the younger generation radios are so "retro" 

[OffRoaderX]

1 hour ago, TrikeRadio said:

To the younger generation radios are so "retro" 

They will learn the value of using radios after the tracking-data from their phones are used during their trails to prove they were at the scene of their crime.

[WRUE951]

36 minutes ago, OffRoaderX said:

They will learn the value of using radios after the tracking-data from their phones are used during their trails to prove they were at the scene of their crime.

i think it is safe to say that most people know to turn your phone off when attending anything political and defiantly a riot.   I've known this for a least 3 years now and i did when i attended a confrence on voter fraud in Utah in 2023.    

[LeoG]

Off is not off with a cell phone.  It's still pinging unless the battery is removed.

[WSHH887]

Faraday bag doesn't care if your phone is on/off/battery removed.  As an aside, late third generation Toyota Tacomas had a fob to open and start the truck.  Someone figured out the fob was constantly sending out it's signal unless steps were taken to shut it down.  Didn't take crooks long to figure out how to intercept the signal, clone your fob and then just drive away in your truck.  I'm pretty religious about disabling my fob, but sometimes even I forget.  So, it automatically goes in a small faraday pouch.  

 

[LeoG]

That might work.  Strong signals can leak through those bags.  If the cops are operating a Stingray machine it might be close enough to ping the phone in the bag.

[WRTC928]

15 minutes ago, LeoG said:

That might work.  Strong signals can leak through those bags.  If the cops are operating a Stingray machine it might be close enough to ping the phone in the bag.

Would having it turned off make it harder for them to do that?

[TrikeRadio]

3 hours ago, OffRoaderX said:

They will learn the value of using radios after the tracking-data from their phones are used during their trails to prove they were at the scene of their crime.

As long as they don't use on of those radios wtih GPS in them  

[LeoG]

It's just a ping.  Sends out the phone ID, ratting you out.  Yes it would make it harder, but not impossible.  Best option is to leave your phone.  And while an HT is an open communication it doesn't ID itself or give it's position away easily.  You can communicate discretely while not technically legal it gives an alibi.

[WRYZ926]

2 hours ago, LeoG said:

Off is not off with a cell phone.  It's still pinging unless the battery is removed.

This is correct. A phone that has been turned off but still has its battery in can be traced through the built in GPS chip. And most new phones don't have an easy way to remove the battery.

As far as the rioters using GMRS or amateur radios without licenses, I don't they even care.

[Davichko5650]

14 hours ago, AdmiralCochrane said:

I would be stunned if the rioters were not using HT's.  Also stunned if three letter people weren't nearby using scanners and recorders and I don't mean Uncle Charlie.

Well, CANG and USMC do have CEWI BN's, right??? (although the nomenclature may differ)

[Lscott]

Using two-way radios may not be of a benefit when sophisticated DF gear is used. The local PD likely won't ave this kind of gear, but the US military, including the National Guard, might. Things get really crazy they will start looking for people.

One example is this brochure. The portable units can act together in a networked configuration for faster and higher accuracy location determination.

https://scdn.rohde-schwarz.com/ur/pws/dl_downloads/pdm/cl_brochures_and_datasheets/product_brochure/3606_9591_12/MP007_bro_en_3606-9591-12_v0600.pdf

[WRYZ926]

59 minutes ago, Lscott said:

Using two-way radios may not be of a benefit when sophisticated DF gear is used. The local PD likely won't ave this kind of gear, but the US military, including the National Guard, might. Things get really crazy they will start looking for people.

Every branch of the military definitely has DF capabilities. What capabilities they have will depend on the type of unit it is. But even combat units such as infantry and armor units have at least basic DF equipment. Now once you get to intel units, they will have all the good stuff that will find someone in a matter of seconds.

I don't see most state and local law enforcement having the equipment for DF since it can be expensive. Federal agencies will more than likely have DF equipment. It will depend on the agency on what capabilities they have.

[WSHH887]

During WWII the Germans used DF equipment to locate resistance radios. But the resistance also used radios to ensnare folks into traps. 

[WRUE951]

The StingRays used today can zero onto someone and track them within inches..  Cops can use StingRays to also identify the activity around crime areas, i.e.  a guy throwing rocks and bricks at law enforcement cruisers. How did they do this.. video surveillance (either private or public) provides a location, time, date, the crime and even video footage, in this case a masked person.  Police match video evidence to that what StingRay provides , a date, time and exact coordinates of person committing a crime.  Further investigation reveials who owns the phone creating all this criminal activity.    Bingo,,  Now the cops have somone they suspect and want to talk to..    Now this is a scenaro played out on X how they found the guy..    

[SteveShannon]

I don’t always travel into deep state trap zones but when I do I put my phone in airplane mode. 

[LeoG]

if you put your phone on airplane mode will the cell tower be able to ping your phone

Yes, a cell tower can still ping a phone even when it's in airplane mode. Airplane mode primarily disables cellular radio for calls, texts, and data, but it doesn't stop the phone from periodically checking in with nearby networks. This "pinging" can still allow for tracking or monitoring.

Here's why:

• Airplane mode is a phone setting, not a network setting: Airplane mode affects the phone's ability to communicate, but it doesn't prevent the network from detecting the phone.

• Periodic pings: Even in airplane mode, the phone may still periodically check in with cell towers to maintain its registration with the network.
• GPS and location services: Airplane mode doesn't turn off GPS, which can still be used for tracking.
• Therefore, while airplane mode can help prevent direct calls, texts, and data usage, it's not a foolproof method to avoid being tracked or monitored by networks.