MilRadioComms.com - Military Radio & Aircraft Frequencies

On 1/30/2002 President George W. Bush arrived in Daytona Beach, FL at about 1830 EST. Of course any "scanner nut" or "aviation buff" would be jumping at the chance to see Airforce One or monitor Secret Service communications. After doing some research I did find a list of Secret Service frequencies. I loaded up the scanners and started listening. Sorry to say but all the freqs were digitally scrambled except for one communication. On the day before Bush arrived the Secret Service "Advance Team" was in town and I did hear one transmission which was simply "Test Test Testing". Below you'll find a table with Secret Service frequencies, the ones in bold I had heard digitally scrambled comms on. After more research it appears that the Secret Services does not always operate in this mode. So if the President is coming to your town load up your scanner and you might get lucky and catch a non digital transmission.

Something very interesting I noticed about the Black Chevy (see picture below) which had many different antennas on it. This vehicle is know as The War Wagon. The War Wagon was two cars behind the President in the motorcade. On the back bumper there were two (one on each corner) long (maybe 102") whip antennas. At the bottom of one there was a large box or possibly a loading coil. Appears this is a low frequency antenna of some kind. When I refer to a low frequency I mean lower than normal VHF/UHF. Maybe an HF antenna???

While I was inquiring as to frequencies used by Secret Service one person responded saying that when the President was in their town he could not even hear the local police which were involved with the motorcade. Here in Daytona Beach our police have 3 different trunk systems (Click Here for Frequencies & TalkGroups). There is a system you'll see labled "Daytona Beach". It appeared this system is ONLY used for special events. I was able to follow the entire Presidential Motorcade on this system. It also appeared that the Secret Service agents at the motel also had access to this system. A few strange callsigns and voices I've never heard on Daytona Beach Police channels were heard, I'm assuming this was Secret Service. So, if your city has a trucking system for events that is where you might catch the local police on special detail during a Presidential visit. Today (1/31/02) talk groups 14-001, 14-010 (Actual police in motorcade), and 14-014 (secret service at motel?) were in use.

Communications between Airforce One and ARTCC (Jacksonville in this case), Daytona Approach were all in the clear and on standard VHF Civil Air frequncies. The UHF MilAir frequencies were NOT used. One interesting note, Daytona Approach did not hand off Airforce One to the tower, approach worked him clear down to landing.

Below you'll find photos I had taken of this event. Both photos of the motorcade as well as Airforce One. Simply click on the photo to view the full size photo. These were taken on 35mm file and later scanned. Sorry to say by the actual photos are much better than the scanned images. Have fun, I sure did!

Picture of Presidential Visit
Click on Photo for Full Size Image

Airforce One - SAM29000 Taxi For Takeoff 1/31/2002	Airforce One - SAM29000 Taxi For Takeoff 1/31/2002
Close up of Nose	Close up of Nose
Click to Enlarge this photo and take note of large whip and loading coil on back bumper! This vehicle is known as "The War Wagon".	Men on Roof overlooking AirForce One - Secret Service.
And here is President Bush!	And here is President Bush!
Oh What Secrets does This Tail Hide?!?!?	Airforce One on Takeoff Roll.
Airforce One on Takeoff Roll.	Airforce One on Takeoff Roll.