Chicago NATO Command and Communications Operations Update

Shortwave America knew that the mainstream media was not telling Chicago residents everything, and that they were being good sheeple to appease the whims of the united States Federal Government. Chicagoans have been asking questions for months now about why the security boundaries were drawn the way they were and just how NATO is operating inside their city boundaries under the protection of a whole slew of U.S. federal protection.

Today, Shortwave America set out to get those questions answered. Today, the citizens of the world even beyond the borders of the city of Chicago know everything. Here is a PDF File from Chicago Police News Affairs regarding media access and related issues.

In the NATO Communications Guide and Live Communications Coverage post here at Shortwave America, we know which systems they are using and which other communications systems should be watched all while following NATO live from this publication.

There is now photographic evidence on hand to back up the story that is being told here. These new and yet untold details will help you follow NATO while they convene in Chicago.

Let's start with the locations of the various Command and Communications Posts:

There are multiple sites starting at Navy Pier (Command and Communications site #1). The Hollyhock is stationed there, and her transponder HAS INDEED been turned off. At Navy Pier on the secure side of the Chicago Locks operations area is the U.S. Coast Guard Command and Communications operation.

Just behind this secure gate is the U.S. Coast Guard NATO Command and Communications Post

This U.S. NATO Command and Communications Post has VHF, UHF, EHF, SHF, and HF communications running

Here we see the communications and surveillance system at the U.S. Coast Guard NATO Command Post which visibly includes an inverted V wire antenna for HF communications.

Here we see the opposite side of the U.S. Coast Guard NATO Command Operation

The U.S. Coast Guard NATO Command Post tent, assumed to be a mess tent or maybe medical ops

U.S. Coast Guard equipment trailers for the NATO operation inside their Command Post

The next location (#2) is the Chicago Police Department boat house next to the Chicago Locks. In the photos below, we see the Coast Guard patrolling the locks and river side of the operation for NATO, and the Chicago Police boat house itself, along with some of the marine support vessels to include the Chicago Fire Department as always.

NATO Command and Communications location number three is the Chicago Museum Campus itself. The greater compliment of operations are based out of the Chicago Field Museum. In the photos below, we see the U.S. Secret Service, various other government agencies and also various consulates operating at the Field Museum.

Everything looks like a normal museum operation until you see the opposite side of the building facing Soldier Field

No snipers YET

The Chicago Shedd Aquarium, part of the NATO Command and Communications operation

This vehicle displays a U.S. Secret Service window placard, parked outside of the Field Museum

The U.S. Secret Service vehicle with the window placard above

U.S. Secret Service and other government agents enter and depart during busy NATO Command and Communications operations at the Field Museum on May 17th, 2012

U.S. Secret Service Agents briefly meeting in front of the Field Museum on May 17th, 2012. Yes, I overheard everything they said as I walked by.

These vehicles belong to the U.S. Secret Service, various consulates, and other government agencies. They are parked outside of the Field Museum

NATO Command and Communications operation number 4 is at the Burnham Harbor parking lot just across the way from Northerly Island and adjacent to the old McCormick Place. In the photos below, we see various members of the military / Homeland Security guarding the operation, meeting with superiors. We also see the greater cross section of the operation to include their communications and surveillance equipment which includes cellular and microwave frequency operation.

Next up is aviation and ground support operations! Many Chicago residents have witnessed the U.S. Coast Guard aggressively patrolling the skies, along with military and other helicopters. Shortwave America has not only photos, but the exact details on head of state and dignitary transportation operations. Other information includes that which is already publicly available data on the Homeland Security helicopters for all of you aviation enthusiasts.

Before we get to the photos, here is how the dignitary / head of state transportation is working! The military and Homeland Security helicopters meet the honored guests at area airports. Those airports are O'Hare, Chicago Executive, Rockford, and one other airport that is unconfirmed. They then fly the guests to Northerly Island (used to be Meigs Field) at Burnham Harbor, where they are are then transported under heavily armed guard using U.S. Government buses and unmarked vans to the old McCormick Place. They are then taken into and through that building to the new McCormick Place and they are also taken DIRECTLY to the NEW McCormick Place building thus bypassing the old McCormick Place and escorted into an entrance just to the North of the public entrance. (all of this was personally observed). This can also be confirmed by way of the NATO Security Transportation Plan PDF file at the Shortwave America NATO Communications Guide and Live Communications Coverage post.

Information above explains why they drew the street closures the way they did. Get it now? Museum Campus being used for operations, Burnham Harbor being used for operations, Northerly Island being used for operations, Lake Shore Drive and Balbo is staging for Chicago Streets and Sanitation equipment, etc.

The reverse order will be taken when NATO guests leave.

Here are the photos!!

Head of State, Dignitary, and Government employee transportation at the old McCormick Place

Government license plate on the buses, any questions?

Coast Guard patrol flies North and then South to 31st and Lake Shore Drive in repeat fashion

Unidentified chopper serving on May 17th 2012 as part of aviation operations for NATO

United States Military Helicopter Transportation for NATO

Close - Up of said NATO Chopper#1

U.S. Department of Homeland Security choppers in formation heading NORTH from Burnham Harbor on May 17th, 2012

Close-Up of Homeland Security Chopper May 17, 2012

WLS / ABC Chopper 7 was escorted through the flight restricted path by Homeland Security choppers pictured above

Close - Up of Homeland Security chopper showing the variety of helos used for this operation

This formation went South to North and then back South to Burnham Harbor

Homeland Security chopper with side door open heading NORTH

A search of the U.S. FAA Aircraft Registration System revealed the information contained in the screen shots below:

Streets and San at Lake Shore Drive and Balbo. Lake Shore Drive is behind me in the photo.

Opposite side of Streets and San staging at Balbo crossing lake Shore Drive, Lake Shore Drive is behind me in the photo

Streets and San staging on Lake Shore Drive facing the lake front at Balbo

Burnham Harbor is absolutely empty of any water vessels

As I started further south to see what else I might find, this reporter crossed through the Chicago Police Gold Star Families Park, the Chicago Fire Department Memorial Park, and the walk was VERY surreal because you could FEEL the tension in the air as joggers and cyclists watchfully went about their daily exercize. No one wanted to make a friendly greeting to other people, even a smile and wave were seen suspiciously. At Lakeshore Drive and 31st street, I met up with a photog from the Chicago Tribune who told me that even the Trib was having trouble identifying the aircraft and determining their operations in regard to NATO. After seeing my photos, the photog called his office and told them my findings. Let's just say it was a very short conversation.

One important observation made through this day long trek was 7 to 8 foot high steel grate fences linked together were seen almost everywhere when it came to major roadsides and overpasses. The fence sections are approximately three to four feet across.

The greater amount of Federal resource and Law Enforcement presence was observed at the various Chicago Federal Buildings. What had previously been just a few vehicles here and there were now street lengths deep and even the local side streets / alleyways near the Federal buildings were packed with Federal Protective Service / Homeland Security Police vehicles.

Homeland Security emergency generator and lighting equipment parked outside of one of the downtown Chicago Federal buildings

The above generator and lighting were attached to this pick-up truck

Homeland Security Van for personnel / arrestee / equipment transport

Chicago Police Special Operations unit Officers hold a mini-conference with Homeland Security Police on one of the many near-by alleyways mentioned earlier

This reporter did speak to Homeland Security Officers who state that they expect the city to absolutely erupt in never before seen violence over the weekend. The officers spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the press. While speaking with the officers, it was observed that their radio transmissions are in the clear as of this time.

One other thing that is proven by this report: Taxpayers are INDEED on the hook for this NATO fiasco! All of this costs money, and it isn't coming from thin air! Hey, Rahmbo and Obummer....where are the funds coming from? WE WANT TO KNOW!!!! 

Thanks to all of you for choosing Shortwave America as your up to date source for NATO 2012!

NATO Communications Monitoring Guide and LIVE COVERAGE

All of you knew it would be just a matter of time until NATO communications got covered here! A thread started at RadioReference on this very topic, and the very kind N9INO posted notes from CARMA at that very thread. Now is the best time to also mention that you want to watch this site and THIS POST for LIVE NATO COMMUNICATIONS LOGGING! The live log starts at the bottom of this post.

Here is that screen shot:

The thread also has information that the USCG Cutter Hollyhock was observed patrolling off of Monroe Harbor yesterday morning.  CG-HOLLYHOCK - MMSI:369932000 http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/shi...mmsi=369932000 (posted by MtnBiker2005 at RadioReference) An extra note says that USCG might have turned off the transponder on Hollyhock.

Here is the NATO Security Transportation Plan PDF File

Under fair use, and giving all credit to CARMA and RadioReference for their work on this, here is the most useful information in print just so no one has to rely on copying stuff from the screen shot above.

Searching-Unlike broadcast communications, two-way transmissions tend to be rather short. That means that if you search too big a frequency range, your chances of capturing a signal are quite poor. Experienced scannists recommend searching no more than 1 MHz at a time. While this can be time-consuming, your odds of finding that previously-unknown frequency go way up. So search, search, search!

• Search the military bands: 137-144 & 148-150.8 MHz. DoD radios have been loaned to local agencies for events such as this in the past. They've even set up local repeaters.

• Search 30-88 MHz. National Guard reported to be providing some motorcade security. "...we're getting 500 State Troopers and 600 National Guardsmen along with assorted hardware to combat a worst-case scenario."

• Search 403-430 MHz. It's the fed UHF band. Also search 163-174MHz.

• Secret Service. "The security perimeter and overall event plan are under the auspices of the United States Secret Service, with support from a variety of federal, state and local partners, including the Chicago Police Department".
MT Fed Files: Secret Service Frequency List

• United States Coast Guard. They'll be enforcing the security zone on US Navigable Waterways.
United States Coast Guard - The RadioReference Wiki

• Marine VHF Channels. Pay particular attention to 156.8 and 157.1MHz.
Marine VHF Channels - The RadioReference Wiki

• Aviation "Guard" channels; 121.5 & 243.0, plus 123.025 & 123.45.

• Federal Agencies. Department of State. "Federal Protective Services is in charge of securing their buildings, some of which are on or nearby the anticipated routes of permitted events such as parades and protests that will take place during the summit."
Federal Agencies Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

• StarCom21
http://www.carmachicago.com/profiles/StarCom21.pdf

• CPD Tactical Trunked Radio System
http://www.carmachicago.com/profiles/CPDTRS.pdf

• CITY OF CHICAGO. Pay particular attnetion to CPD Zones 4 & 5, Citywide channels, CTA supervisors & Rail control, CFD EMS (both old and new) and CFD VHF.
http://www.carmachicago.com/profiles/chgofreq2.pdf
Cook County, Illinois (IL) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

• Chicago O’Hare Airport. AM aviation & trunked systems.
http://www.carmachicago.com/profiles/OHareAirport.pdf

• MilAir. Listen for a possible CAP.
http://www.carmachicago.com/profiles/Milair.pdf

• Mutual Aid. ISPERN, IFERN, I-Tac, V-Tac & U-Tac, as well as Homeland Defense, Federal Aid and Terrorism Response.
http://www.carmachicago.com/profiles/MutualAid.pdf

• State of Illinois. Pay particular attention to IDOT channels. They're going to want to keep those roads clear for motorcades, etc.
http://www.carmachicago.com/profiles/ILStateRadio.pdf

• Gary/Chicago International Airport
AirNav: KGYY - Gary/Chicago International Airport

• Cook County. Cook County InterOp System.
http://www.carmachicago.com/profiles/CookCountyOps.pdf

• RadioMan911. Live Fire/Emergency Radio From Chicago & 36 Neighboring Counties.
Radioman911 on Justin.tv
Hancockfeed on Justin.tv (John Hancock Center Remote Fire Radio Feed)

• Chicago Area Media Frequencies
Chicago Area Media Frequencies

• MCCORMICK PLACE HOTEL: 451.4000, 451.6000, 452.2000, 452.4500, 452.9750, 456.4000, 462.9250 (reported, not confirmed)

• McCormick Place Security & Fire Safety 453.8500 (114.8). Security - Convention Center 464.9500 (D 261)
Attractions Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

• FEMA/OPERATION SECURE (State Emergency Capability Using Radio Effectively) NATIONWIDE HF NETS
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA) FREQUENCIES
Mutual Aid/Common Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

• SHared RESources High Frequency Radio Program (SHARES)
NCS | SHared RESources High Frequency Radio Program (SHARES)

EXTRA NATO MONITORING TIPS

Now, interestingly enough, if you want REAL TIME live streaming coverage of the NATO event that will not be seen on main stream media, go to Livestream and look up OccupyChi, OccupyChicago, and other occupy / NATO related Chicago live feeds. UStream is also a great source to match what you hear with some live video footage. Again, you will need to do a keyword search.

TWITTER is your friend when it comes to looking for tweets about who is live streaming what, and other tidbits that will always be helpful to radio monitors. (vague hint is left vague for good reason)

Remember that the Chicago Fire Department is now on the P25 SINGLE REPEATED NON-TRUNKED frequencies, so when programming them...do not program as a trunked system. If you don't have a P25 radio, go to RadioReference and listen to the live audio feed for CFD.

Don't place any bets on the digital P25 systems being in the clear unless someone makes a mistake on their rig. HSI (Homeland Security Investigations) are using VHF and might be P25 as well. Monitoring the analog fed freqs might be a possibility for basic, but, telling communications.

Good places to listen to amateur radio traffic where NATO comms might be discussed is the WA9ORC repeater, 146.760 with a PL of 107.2, SARA 146.880 PL 107.2, and NS9RC 442.725 PL 114.8, as well as 442.975 PL 114.8 for any amateur radio emergency communications that might be called up if needed. Amateur Radio simplex frequencies could be active in certain areas of the city, so listen there as well.

Train communications enthusiasts can monitor NATO comms on 161.355 (South Shore Line) 161.340 (Rock Island), 160.920 (Metra Heritage), 160.680 (PBX), 161.205 (Metra Police), and 160.305 (Amtrak) these are the lines most affected by NATO.

Monitoring the Citizens Band frequencies won't be a bad idea, especially CB Channel 18 - 27.185 MHz in AM mode.

NATO Choppers were observed patrolling the Chicago lakefront on 5/16/2012. This brings us to the idea of monitoring not just the freqs mentioned above, but also the Chicago Department of Aviation emergency link on 158.760Mhz.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is using VHF communications that might possibly be P25, or analog or a mix. 

Chicago Police frequencies to monitor that have been listed as future use for quite some time now: 460.03750 (Tact), 460.58750 (Mounted), 460.51250 (Zone 14), 460.43750 (Zone 15), 460.38750 (Zone 16), 460.23750 (Area Wide 1), 460.46250 (Area Wide 2), 460.26250 (Area Wide 3), 460.41250 (Area Wide 4), and 460.21250 (Area Wide 5)


SEE THIS for FCC listing and other information.

Audio: Chicago CB Operators on Channel 18 talk about NATO. (NSFW for foul language and violence)

LIVE NATO COMMUNICATIONS COVERAGE LOG 

Heard on MURS Channel 4 (154.570): Middle Eastern language male subject saying "Allahu Akbar" followed by other middle eastern language speaking by said subject. The transmission lasted all of 15.9 seconds. (5/17/2012) 0931UTC

Chicago Police Zone 4 at 0939UTC 5/17/2012: Operations Command says a subject is selling a large amount of Cannabis. Location and subject description omitted for safety reasons.

MURS Channel 4 (154.570) 10:00UTC 5/17/12 the middle eastern male is back on frequency in his foreign language (possibly Arabic) singing. This was followed by a Muslim religious message in English. This is NOT a recorded event, but is being held live somewhere.

Here we go!!! The appointed time and day is here for the REAL information to start coming out. The May 18th LIVE NATO Communications Coverage starts now! The daytime radio traffic will pick up probably around 7AM, but monitoring overnight as much as possible for any possible relevant traffic.

0741UTC CTA Police 472.9375 has active traffic, but appears as if it's encrypted.

1017UTC 406.700 active, but encrypted (possibly Secret Service)

1300UTC The area of 100 E. Grand is possibly being shut down due to an unattended suitcase. 

1303UTC Assist the Police Officer call going on at 203 N. Lasalle

1344 UTC Chicago Police discover two large tree trunks and a load of bricks at the Chicago Museum Campus that show evidence of having been dragged there by protesters for violent intent. Chicago Park District Personnel are on the way to remove them.

1410UTC Chicago Police 1st District has many cars "down" on jobs and can't find a car to take a job. Looks like a backlog or a rap is about to start.

1412UTC The war on photography is starting up now! CPD 1st District just dispatched to Lake Shore Drive and Monroe for a car that just turned South from North LSD and the city wants them to stop taking photos.

1415UTC 18th District Bike Team just called by 1800A to meet at Broadway and Oakdale. They will meet with the 19th District Bike Team.

1417UTC Now a call to Madison and Lasalle for a square item covered by paper. Unattended box covered by paper per a CTA Supervisor.

1427UTC CPD 1st District says a green postal box not bolted to the ground that has never been there before has just been discovered, and postal police are on stand-by.

1435UTC 32 N. Dearborn has an unsecured mailbox...new mailboxes are dropping out of the air!! Everyone is on their way.

1437UTC 125 E. Monroe has a subject recording information about employees salaries and so on. Bomb dog has sniffed him down, CPD to be escorted into the building.

Just a special note to all of you following this...if things get too busy, I'll have to abandon this whole effort. There is one of me and no one to help out. If people want to make submissions, corrections, updates, etc. in the comments section, please do.

1457UTC State and Rsndolph, this is another mailbox that has appeared out of nowhere and has been painted black. All the manpower is heading there now since that is Marchall Field's (now Macy's).

Zone 4: "Does anyone know the address to the Korean Embassy"? "Yeah, squad, North Korea!" I'm ROFLMAO!!

1505UTC 9210 just came up and says there is a stranded motorist on a motorbike on Lake Shore Drive at the Southeast corner of the Buckingham Fountain. Motorist ran out of gas, and he wants the surveillance camera to watch motorist for safety reasons.

1505UTC protesters showing up EN MASSE for today's rallies starting with the Nurse's rally and 024th District is freaking out.  They are at Lake Shore Drive and Breyer.

1509UTC ****HAZMAT CALL*** Michigan and Randolph - there is an 07 Dodge van and explosive dogs are picking up explosives in the van. ALL TRAFFIC BLOCKED!!! 1517UTC UPDATE - The van in this incident has a Secret Service placard in the window. Secret Service being talked to. Traffic will re-open soon if not already opened.

1545UTC ON Wacker between Michigan and Wabash, the Nurse's rally is staging with 500 or more people, marching now.

1546UTC Chicago Police stating that 75 or more people are at Jackson and Lasalle, they now confirm that there are 1000 or more in the Nurse's march.

Chicago Police are now using profiling per the following report:  430 South Racine, 4 people wearing hoodies and backpacks with faces covered boarded a train towards downtown. CTA may have called it in.

1553UTC ***LIVESTREAM LINK*** from Jackson and Lasalle with Occupie Chicago "Pie Chi"

1612UTC ***Livestream Link*** From the Nurse's Rally. (Timcast TV at UStream) be warned that this stream cuts in and out.

1628UTC 1st District on their way to Madison and Michigan to tell a small group of protesters that they can't have a sign in public that says "Thank You For The Arab Spring" UMM, HELLO? We have a first amendment, CPD!! You are absolutely disgusting!

1643UTC ALL 1st District Units switching over to "Metro 2", position B9 on the radio. Someone needs to find out what frequency this is.

NATO  Communications Command activity seems to have slowed down significantly, so coverage here will temporarily discontinue. Shortwave America will return later with more.

LIVE FROM CHOPPER 7 NATO Protesters Take Over Downown Chicago

Occupy Protesters and those in solidarity with them have taken over the entire Chicago downtown area. A huge fight broke out on the Michigan Avenue Bridge, and police then kettled protesters. One protester has been charged with Battery to a Chicago Police Sgt.

2003UTC Homeland Security Command just ORDERED Jackson and Dearbron and also Madison and State Streets closed.

2005UTC Chicago Police are now running out of batteries for the Motorola portable radios. They are running as fast as possible to get new batteries out.

2013UTC The name of the Police Official allegedly injured / battered is LT. Jack Ryan of the 007th District

19 May 2012 - 2340UTC - Just started monitoring and am hearing tons of police profiling based on political and social class. Police heard calling the entire protest movement "anarchists". WTF ever happened to allowing people to use their 1st amendment rights without labeling them? The protests so far have not become violent.\

2351 UTC Metro 2 frequency saying water bottles being thrown at police, police stopping the march at the Kinzie Bridge. Lake and Jefferson has people dressed in "all black" and police continue using profiling based on the dress of the protesters.

2359UTC - Police now calling for more units at the Kinzie Bridge. 

2359UTC - Randolph and Desplaines is being closed off

2359UTC - police riot units now suiting up

0002UTC - March is saying new destination is 1831 S. Racine

0004UTC - Twitter accounts saying police have protesters kettled and 3 of 4 avenues closed and blocked. Now Southbound on Milwaukee from Fulton.

0007UTC - protest march is now nearing the Boeing building

0011UTC - Police just made the decision to let the protest march go where it may

0015UTC - @YourAnonNews just said Chicago Blogger and live streamer Timcast was raided at his apartment for covering the NATO Protest

0016UTC - @jackhartmann Twitter confirms raid on Timcast

20 May 2012 coverage:

1947UTC This day starts with witness accounts alleging police brutality of a protester beaten for speaking what were merely harsh words, and even if the words / statements were derogatory, they are likely to be covered by 1st amendment protections. Waiting for an official statement from Chicago Police before attempting to detail the incident here.

Shortwave America thanks WB9HOK and the Chicago Radio Engineers at http://www.cre-radio.com/ your support means the world!

1951UTC several CPD platoons are shutting down streets crossing Michigan Avenue starting with some of the numbered streets that were given out to fast to copy. Closures end at Cullerton and Michigan.

1955UTC Southbound on Michigan passing 11th

Cars approaching Michigan and Harrison

2001UTC Chicago Police spotted Black Bloc at 11th and Michigan

2004UTC trying to determine just how many platoons there are and platoon number assignments. NOT gonna be easy.

2006UTC CPD Platoon 9 is parallel on Wabash. Two vans each will peel off in succession to Michigan

2006UTC one platoon now asking for help at 13th and Michigan platoon 20 and platoon 8 going.

2009UTC CPD says the line broke at 13th and Michigan, CPD trying to slow down the march at the front

2011UTC CPD reporting problems at 15th and Michigan

2017UTC OccupyChicago reports the following from their twitter: "A fishing pole with a donut used as bait dangling in front of officers has been spotted in the crowd"

2021UTC CPD reporting position as Wabash and Roosevelt

2026UTC Twitter report just came in stating the following: "#CPD in full on riot gear are now replacing bike cops. Waves showing up. Have pepperspray and tazers. #NoNATO http://t.co/7NTEhnfw"

2028UTC CPD reports passing 18th street

2031UTC CPD says they are approaching Cullerton on Michigan and the whole march spans 4 blocks with lead car now at Cullerton

2034UTC Democracy Now twitter reports the following: "March led by Afghan women, US veterans, mother of army suicide victim. Vets will return war medals to NATO generals"

2035UTC CPD and Homeland Command say they have Black Bloc members on video.  Members participating in Black Bloc may be wise to keep faces covered and possibly expect attempts for feds to talk to you.

2038UTC CPD platoon 3 going to Cermak and State

2047UTC Platoon 8 told to go to Clark and Cermak

2047UTC other platoons told to go to some previously arranged and secret meeting place

2051UTC CPD Zone 4 to handle some undisclosed incident with EMS and CPD

 2054UTC EMS needed at a location given too fast to copy for a woman down somewhere near there is supposed to be Papa Johns

2055UTC CPD cooling buses are at 21st Street.

2058UTC, does anyone know what frequency Metro 1 is on?

2100UTC Gang team just told to parallel the Black Bloc on BOTH SIDES, units to gather at Cermak and Clark on the North sidewalk to meet 1st District Commander Christopher Kennedy, and unit 8160 told to go to Cermak and Federal

2106UTC Platoon 8 told to get out of their bus and work with Illinois State Police on Cermak facing EAST, no cross street given

2108UTC Twitter user OccupieChicago states going home to get some items only to observe the sensors on alarm system were broken off. Possible police raid?

2115UTC Twitter report "Riot police moving in, currently in cellular dead zone #nato #nonato pic.twitter.com/ccrBASbp"

2120UTC Twitter report: URGENT CHI: CPD enroute to 2206 Indiana for protesters climbing wall. #ochi #nonato (live at ustre.am/I4ky/1)

2129UTC Twitter Report: "I've seen multiple cops in riot gear without badge numbers. hiding ids so they can beat? it's a peaceful protest. #noNATO"

2130UTC CPD looking for a male with just the eyes cut out in his face cover and ink all over his hand, wearing a black hat. They want him in custody for some reason.

2134UTC Twitter report: "#NATO front lines. Close as we can get to the summit. 7 rows of riot cops deep. barricades.#NoNATO @OccupyChicago http://t.co/ubgVz8KY"

2135UTC Twitter report: "@OccupyChicago bike cops suiting up and sound cannon spotted at s wabash and east 18th"

2137UTC 2120 S. Michigan has an arrest of the person described from 2130UTC. One police officer stated on the air that the person doesn't match the description given, but he's arrested anyway.

2142UTC  CPD specifically targeting Black Bloc saying they have specific intel coming in and it will be released soon

2144UTC TWITTER REPORT URGENT " Beware of yellow stickers w Black balloons. Undercover CPD put them on peoples backs 2 be picked up later. (live at http://t.co/zhNe5ZrH)"

2145UTC live TWITTER report says CPD Intel might be fabricated

2148UTC  CPD at Indiana and Cermak saying they have helmets only but no full riot gear

2148 CPD issues instructions to remove police without full gear and replace them with full gear officers at the Secret Service fence line by the stage near mounted unit 

2150UTC OccupyChicago twitter reports this: "March seems to be splitting up. Most people still here at Michigan and Cermak, but another group is headed west on Cermak"

2156UTC from OccupyChicago Twitter "CPD saying they are on camera and to pull em all out and lock em all up" also, CPD saying they are all on camera and to "grab em and pull em through, lock em all up"

2201UTC  CPD just gave LRAD OPERATION ORDERS to PLAY THE MESSAGE

2204UTC Twitter reports: "Multiple injuries as protesters clash with riot police. Our reporters are seeing bleeding heads, missing teeth #nonato #cpd @OccupyChicago" and "Cops were seen changing from their uniforms into civilian clothing carrying bricks pretending 2b protesters. #corrupt #NATO" Police say people can exit to the west.

2208UTC Twitter report: "LRAD just passed 18th Street and Indiana heading to location bit.ly/KT8QZl #noNato #LRAD"

2209UTC YourAnonNews twitter reporting this bit of information: "Reports that police have declared unlawful assembly in Chicago #NATO protest | ustream.tv/occupiedair (via @AnonyOps) #NoNATO"

2210UTC OccupyChicago Twitter says "We need more medics. Setting up treatment station in an alley on Cermack west of Michigan twitpic.com/9neito"

2219UTC  CPD states they saw a protester with a gas mask opening some sort of canister, they have an injured officer with no location given and processing team is at Cermak and Wabash. Officers saying that location is too far to walk with arrestees.

2225UTC The officer with head injury is in hands of the medics Officer is safe.

2227UTC  CPD just admitted on air that protesters were able to take a radio from a copper

2228UTC CPD giving multiple reports of people down in various locations, too many locations to give at this time.

The 2225UTC report is now updated to read that two injured officers are in a CFD #77 Ambulance from Strike Team.

2233UTC unconfirmed reports coming in from twitter saying people are hearing CPD comms relating to explosive bike frames, and police trying to get media away from the area.

2237UTC Twitter report says "ABC camera man in midst of police mob mouths "help". Get out while you can. #noNATO"

2240UTC CPD gets a 911 call from an anonymous person stating a male black with all black clothing is at Cullerton and Michigan with a machine gun. SWAT looked around and saw nothing from the air. This call is now a 19P or what we call 19bullshit.

2248UTC CPD thinks an explosive item was thrown in a garbage can west alley of Michigan and Wabash. Bomb dog enroute

2254UTC CPD says intel has come in saying some members of Black Bloc are trying to find a way to get behind them to take their flank

2256UTC Positive note about CPD....they keep giving orders to stay inside their training guidelines and stick with their training

2257UTC Police intelligence says Black Bloc number 50 is trying to reconverge at 17th and State

2258UTC Commander Christopher Kennedy just gave orders for 160 to go to the 1st district station to perform station security

2259UTC 6700 wants to know if anyone is going to 001 for station security

2300UTC Police units stepping all over each other on Metro2

2300UTC 21st and Michigan on the East side needs officers and CFD Ambo#77 going to Cermak and Michigan

2304UTC Twitter report: "+20 activists in triage right now suffering from head wounds. #nonato #blackbloc...more lrad warnings also" and Homeland Command advised that Zone 6 (districts 007 and 008) sending reinforcements in. Some traffic on Metro 2 becoming encrypted.

2307UTC Twitter report: "Protester just told me his sister works at hospital and was alerted to set up stations to treat gassed patients #noNATO"

2308UTC Twitter report: "march is kettled,police storming through, don't know if let us leave. they have given their "final order". #noNATO @OccupyChicago"

2309UTC OccupyChicago Twitter report: "A medic in the ranks is treating a MASSIVE gash across this mans forehead. He was attacked from behind by #CPD. #M20 pic.twitter.com/HblaPYNg"

2311UTC Platoon 6 told to go to 001 with three teams and park there

2312UTC Second City Cop reporting confirmed TangoDown of City of Chicago websites 

2314UTC CPD needs head injury care for a civilian at 21st and Michigan CFD enroute

2330UTC Twitter report from Phinkasaurus: "I'm out of the march, safe but upset at the reality of police repression against people exercising their 1st amendment rights. #policestate"

2335UTC 1330 CPD said something about protesters fighting with UC Officers on Wabash. Then a comment was said "remember the code word, remember, they have one of our radios." Now they are complaining that someone on  the street has a "scanner" as if having a scanner is a crime.

2346 Radio traffic has been slowing down over the last hour or so, just repeated calls for EMS and extra police units at different spots. CPD looking for extra platoons and other personnel. Mostly just spots on South Michigan Ave.

2350UTC ILEAS just called out to 24th place and Michigan

0000UTC Twitter report: "Police vehicles cutting off Mich from the south. Pretty much nowhere to go. #noNATO"

0001UTC Twitter report from @brethamilton: "Got off the train to find 6 CPD surrounding a protestor and searching him without consent."

0002UTC US Secret Service has 2 in custody for breaching the fence, then CPD changes the story and says USSS says they are still enroute to the location. CPD now confirming USSS DOES have 2 in custody.

0005UTC CPD Water locations: 1910 S. Calumet, 001st district or block 37 at State and Washington

0020UTC CPD reporting 18th and Wabash are multiple protesters with strong odor of Gasoline

0021UTC The Chicago Police RD#HV-295446 and Event#10656 is for ALL arrests at NATO Protests today.

0033UTC Twitter reports are coming in confirming that the Illinois National Guard is on Stand-By in Chicago. One speculated location is Jackson and Lasalle.

0115UTC Chicago Police on Metro 2 reporting QRM on their input frequency

0136UTC Chicago Police are concerned about the Art Institute. The protest keeps moving all over the place and police are moving parallel to them as they did yesterday. Various police movements have become too much to keep up with at this point.

0138UTC Police calling for help at Van Buren and trying to keep the protest in a certain direction. Sounds like they don't want these people going east, they want them South or West. Police are concerned that if they let them go east they will "lose it". 

0847UTC CPD needs an emergency arrest team at Van Buren and Wabash 

0150UTC MASS Tweets coming in with speculation saying that at least one protester has died as a result of alleged police brutality. This report is not confirmed, and Shortwave America will be working to confirm the veracity of the rumor of a protester death.  At 0200UTC it is found that NO DEATH HAS OCCURRED.

0156UTC OccupyChicago is saying that President Obama is at the Chicago Art Institute. OccupyChicago says "we want to talk to him".Shortwave America confirms that Obama DID arrive in Chicago last night. (May 19th 2012)

0204UTC ABC7 Chicago reports via twitter: "45 people arrested so far today and four officers suffered injuries. abc7.ws/MyGt4r #NATO"

0205UTC CPD says all the bridges have HEAVY Police coverage.  

0205UTC Platoon 9 is at Monroe and Michigan, Platoon 11 is at State and Lake with Platoon 4  

0208UTC Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that CPD Superintendent McCarthy has released the following information: 4 Chicago Police Officers have been taken to area hospitals, one of them was stabbed in the leg. 

0212UTC WBBM - AM Radio reporting new information: "Protesters from @OccupyChicago are staging a sit-in on Michigan Avenue in front of Art Institute where Michelle Obama is holding reception."

0235UTC Fake twitter account @FCCAlert telling me the practice of radio jounalism constitutes violation of U.S. Communications Act. Told faker "If you would kindly fuck off -----> over there, that would be great" LOLOLOL All reporting here is legitimate journalism protected by public records act and 1st amendment. Police and all other public safety radio that is not encrypted can be reported on, especially in such a time as a major political event. 

Screenshot of the Jaggoff's Twitter account: 
 

0241UTC ABC7 Chicago Twitter Report: "Supt. McCarthy is at the Art Institute #NATO protest. Protesters sitting in the street. Cops in riot gear." 

Here's a funny statement for everyone: "A #NATO protester fishes for policemen on Jackson Blvd. prior to march to McCormick Place pic.twitter.com/yJGqPwvL"

0256UTC Platoons on Lake Shore Drive and S Side of Art Institute told to hold their line.

0257UTC Occupy Chicago Medics stating they need water at the Art Institute, STAT

Given the weather conditions at this time and the slow down in activity, there are no foreseen events that would be of any worth reporting. This means that today's coverage is over. If anything newsworthy happens, you'll see it here at Shortwave America. 

May 21st 2012 NATO Communications and Command Coverage


Much of this coverage is going to come from Metro2 (B9)



1822UTC Homeland Command and CPD are concerned about an old guy with a colostomy bag at 201 N. Stetson. Why is this a threat?


Platoon 11 going to Wacker and Columbus on re-deployment orders. SW Corner of Randolph and Michigan is a water truck they say.

1827UTC 6 males and 2 females are being stopped for being Black Bloc members with backpacks..(can we say profiling?)

1828UTC Northbound Michigan from Washington

1839UTC Homeland Command says to let the groups break up or let them disperse, but they are going to hold the bridges, CPD is complaining about people with masks somewhere in State St. (OOH!! Masks are real scary!!) Eyes rolling

NOTE: CPD Dispatch is working with Homan Command and Homeland Command

1842UTC CPD is worried about Eastbound lanes of Randolph near the Prudential Bldg. there is a M/W Black Shorts, Black Shirt, Black Backpack with jars of liquid. 1846UTC this male was stopped and it was just water in his jars.

1843UTC CPD Metro2 (B9) getting QRM BIG TIME!!! (A protester grabbed a CPD radio yesterday) not sure if this is that person or an officer with an open key.

1847UTC Michigan Avenue being opened, but just temporarily and it could get shut down at a moment's notice. 

Note: 1902UTC After this weekend, I think I have these "platoons" all figured out. CPD just put a certain number of officers together in these vans and they have no real focus other than just going where they're needed. They have no apparent plan of action and seem to act as nothing more than rapid response mobile strike teams.  

1905UTC CPD Command has stated that there are two planes being flown into the restricted area by the FBI, and the planes are NOT part of the event.  

1906UTC NLG Attorneys will be at Michigan and Randolph soon for a press conference

1920UTC Homeland Command has someone on camera in the median somewhere spray painting a female's shirt. They said they aren't worried about him.

1920UTC Platoon 15 to relieve Platoon 1 so Platoon 1 can go to lunch 

1923UTC Platoon 16 relieving Platoon 2 at Randolph and State for lunch 

1925UTC Platoon 9 relieving Platoon 18, 18 going to lunch  

1956UTC ALL incident response teams are going to East Randolph upper Columbus NOW


2004UTC These platoons are on the way to 400 E. Randolph: 4, 5, 13, 20, 11, 22, and 9 plus all Incident Response Teams

2013UTC Primary switched back to Metro1 due to heavy QRM on Metro2. Interfering radio must be many miles away, cause there's nothing on the input.

2019UTC CPD says a white female is in the crowd wearing surgical gloves handing out some sort of pills. They now know it was just candy. Hey, as long as she has enough for everyone, what's the beef? Some of these damn cops could use something to relax em!

2025UTC Communications and Command activities are dieing down right now. .

This concludes the coverage of NATO Summit Chicago 2012, and the related civic minded citizen responses. Overall, the numbers of violent anarchists were actually much lower than expected, and non-violent civic minded citizens outnumbered the violent folks. Chicago Police made more of a focus on Black Bloc than any other group. See this link to learn more about Black Bloc.Black Bloc members who become violent are not true Black Bloc. This NBC  report details participants of Black Bloc who took things too far. Thanks to all of you who chose to make Shortwave America your home for up to the second NATO Chicago 2012 Communications and Command coverage!

KD0BIK Tutorial - PSK With IPad, IOS APP, and Elecraft KX3 - Intro To The IMD Meter

Jerry - KD0BIK, has created an rather innovative and useful tutorial on the IPAD used with the IOS APP, IMD Meter, and Elecraft KX3 to achieve optimal PSK communications. Jerry's article on this is complete with photos and video.

See that piece here. The video from this tutorial is below this text for your convenience.



Here is the update to the original video


In his PSK tutorial, Jerry mentions something called an IMD Meter. The page describing the meter, its function, and purpose is here.

Have fun everyone! 73's and 88's where applicable!

VOA To Shortwave America: Please Help Us Save The Spanish Service To Latin America!

An earlier article here broke the news of bureaucrats at the BBG committing perjury in front of the U.S. Congress.

Shortwave America has been directly in touch with a couple of people from VOA who have stepped forward with all they have to help save the VOA from being butchered for massive profit by scoundrels at the BBG. These sources have politely asked Shortwave America to help out in this movement. Their request is now being fulfilled by way of this piece asking YOU, the general public, whose tax dollars fund the VOA; whose tax dollars will have been wasted after decades of upstanding service by VOA if VOA gets knocked off of shortwave broadcast frequencies.

Would you please consider reading and signing this petition to help save the VOA Spanish service to Latin America? Perhaps no language is better recognized or as widely used as Spanish. What do you get in return for signing? You will add your voice to the Voice of America, our country's international voice to the world. You will have done something to help your tax dollars from being wasted, something to help people receive educational, informative, top - rate programming who would otherwise not have it due to draconian censorship.

Thanks for your time, and for helping save VOA one voice at a time!

Voice of America Greenville Transmitter NOT GOING ANYWHERE!!!

PCJ Radio has the news

That is all!

Dick Clark Memorial Tribute Show On CFRU 93.3FM

CFRU and the "Seems Like Old Times" show with Doug Blackwood will air the Shortwave America Dick Clark Memorial show from 2PM to 3PM on May 2nd, 2012. Listen HERE on that day if you live outside of this reception area. Mark that date and time!

867-5309 (Jenny) Episode Planned

Over the summer sometime, Shortwave America will be releasing a special communications humor show focused on the 1982 radio hit, "Jenny" (867-5309) by Tommy Tutone. You may ask what is so original about that, right?

Well, after doing a ton of research...it turns out that this number is actually operational and that the song has been making somewhat of a comeback. In true Shortwave America style, this episode will be well planned, well written, and well-executed.

According to Snopes:  This fabled telephone number still drives telecom companies and their customers crazy to this very day. This same source reports rumors of a band member who had a girlfriend named Jenny who had this phone number, and when the break - up happened, the songwriter created this work as a form of harassment and the girlfriend took him to court resulting in an order of protection and the song being pulled by the courts for a short time.

This source says other telephone numbers have been ruined, to wit:

Phone Number: 776-2323
Year ruined: 2003
How it was ruined: Bruce Nolan, the main character of the movie Bruce Almighty, uses this number repeatedly to call God. Fittingly, the number connected some callers to a Reverand based in Atlanta, Georgia. When he was interviewed about receiving so many phone calls, he replied, "If they ask us if God is there, we say, 'Yes.' He's with us all the time.'"

Phone Number: 281 330-8004
Year ruined: 2005
How it was ruined: This was the actual cell phone number of the rapper and one hit wonder, Mike Jones. WARNING: link is explicit and toolish.

Phone Number: OXford-0614 (Thanks g1smd)
Year ruined: 1932
How it was ruined: Actor Stan Laurel used a phone number in the movie Helpmates. Unfortunately for him, it was his actual number.

Phone Number: Unknown #
Year ruined: 1997
How it was ruined: The number displayed on the construction company in the movie Good Will Hunting. The phone number was the actual number of Matt Damon's previous employer.

Phone Number: 634-5789
Year Ruined: ca. 1967
How Ruined: The number was the title to Wilson Pickett's classic soul hit, in which he implored his babe to give him a call:
"If you need a little lovin'
Call on me....(alright)
If you want a little huggin'
Call on me baby....(mmhmm)
Oh I'll be right here at home.
All you gotta do is
Pick up the telephone, and dial now
6-3-4-5-7-8-9 (that's my number!)
6-3-4-5-7-8-9"
[etc]
Hear it on YouTube

Beechwood 4-5789 - Marvelletes (1962) and The Carpenters (1981)
Pennsylvania 6-5000 - Glenn Miller - This one worked out, as this it is the phone number for the Pennsylvania Hotel in New York City.

Way back in the day the dialing prefixes used exchange names as they were told to the operator who then connected you.  Later this was changed as the conversion to all number direct dialing was implemented.  The caller would dial the number corresponding to the first two letters in the exchange (Beechwood 4-5789 would become 234-5789)

Phone Number: 439-0116
Year Ruined: 1992
How it was ruined: The former phone number of Sublime lead singer, Brad Nowell, mentioned in their song "Don't Push" :
Laughter, its free
Anytime just call me
439-0116

---

This video is a medical education spoof of the original song, and translates to phone number 275-2640 when you match the letters in the parody chorus to the phone pad.(BP, L, and BMI) add a zero at the end when the letters run out for mathematical purposes. I guess we can add this number to the list of ruined numbers now!

Here's the plan: I'll call 867-5309 in different area codes, introduce myself as someone from the Senseless Radio Surveys Corporation, advise them the call is being recorded for quality journalistic purposes, and ask them silly / senseless questions revolving around the number and the song, see how long they stay on the line. Already tried it at one number and it worked like a charm! The individual stayed on the line confused as you can imagine!

867-5309 also has a real twitter account.  Isn't that funny?

Dick Clark Memorial Tribute Show

Dick Clark was someone who did more than become an international broadcast icon, he presented opportunities to music artists who would have otherwise never been known. In the last article here announcing the passing of this history making man, it was mentioned that there would be a special memorial tribute show. That show is now officially released.

DOWNLOAD OR LISTEN HERE

Time: 47 minutes and 37 seconds

PCJ Radio International Seeks Freelance News Presenter - Focus Asia Pacific News Debut Coming Soon

PCJ Radio is looking for a freelance news presenter.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. English with the capability to translate from Chinese.
2. Accent: Australian, British, South African, American
3. Experience in front of a microphone.
4. Must be located in Taipei.
5. Must be able to work 2 hours a week.
6. Have knowledge of news in the Asia/Pacific.
7. Must have knowledge in international broadcasting.

Send demo of voice to keith.perron@pcjmedia.com

The very first edition of PCJ's Focus Asia Pacific will debut on May 5th, 2012.

PCJ Radio started in 2009, and has gained an excellent public image, airing only the best of programming over the course of the decades of its existence. As we expand our programming and hire a new news presenter, we look forward to continuing our tradition of providing only the best talent and programming for your enjoyment. Focusing on the international radio audience with high quality content is what we do best! Here is more about PCJ's past history going all the way back to the days of the Phillips name.