What is it with GMRS channel 12 in Florida?

[WRVE426]

Hi

By my question you can tell that I am a noob to radio issues, but here I go: I noticed in several locations in Florida (Tampa, Daytona Beach, Deland, etc.) that there is some rather powerful signal jamming channel 12.  Listening to it, it just sounds like static  I can remove channel 12 from my scan list, but I would prefer understanding what I am dealing with first.

Any idea?

Thank you!

[marcspaz]

There are "other" channels between and around the GMRS channels. There is a good possibility you are hearing digital encrypted signals related to emergency services. 

 

There is a Firehouse near me with an RF link on 462.000 MHz with a side-channel spur that wipes out channel 19 for miles in every direction. 

[WRUU653]

There is a sound that seems almost mechanical in nature here occasionally on 17. It happens I would guess at around every minute or so.  I think it’s bleeding elsewhere too because I heard some local Hams describing it and complaining with some speculation it could be military in nature. Vandenberg isn’t that far away.

[WRQC527]

1 hour ago, WRVE426 said:

rather powerful signal jamming

Some folks say military radar can interfere with frequencies around the 400 to 500 Mhz frequency range, and has been known to play havoc with amateur radio repeaters in that range, so it wouldn't surprise me if that's the issue. Just a thought. There's a linked amateur repeater network called the Winsystem that periodically has to shut down or disconnect 440 repeaters because of this. 

[wayoverthere]

13 minutes ago, WRQC527 said:

Some folks say military radar can interfere with frequencies around the 400 to 500 Mhz frequency range, and has been known to play havoc with amateur radio repeaters in that range, so it wouldn't surprise me if that's the issue. Just a thought. There's a linked amateur repeater network called the Winsystem that periodically has to shut down or disconnect 440 repeaters because of this. 

The CARLA system has had to make changes in some locations as well, including reducing power and switching some repeaters to directional antennas. (I want to say I saw one location only running 1 or 2 watts)