MQ-9 Reapers at March ARB

This forum is for discussions about scanning military radio communications on HF, VHF/UHF and beyond. You will also find logs and other real-time flight tracking information.
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John L
Posts: 56
Joined: Sat May 17, 2008 9:45 am
Location: MoVal

MQ-9 Reapers at March ARB

Post by John L »

http://www.pe.com/articles/military-810 ... eimer.html

Todays Press Enterprise has an article on Drones moving in at MARB and Pilots/Controllers learning to fly them back and forth from here to Edwards AFB. I don't know if they have any Freqs for them or if they would even need any. I have seen a few on ADS-B up in Northern Cal.

John L
sp1989
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Joined: Thu Jun 04, 2009 4:08 pm

Re: MQ-9 Reapers at March ARB

Post by sp1989 »

I have heard Global Hawk drones on 369.90 mhz when they are in the area, based at Beale AFB, call sign is HIGHTEST. I just checked a DoD document on frequency allocations that someone gave me, the larger UAVs are capable of transmitting on VHF & UHF aero freqs, the smaller drones like the Reaper are not.
John L
Posts: 56
Joined: Sat May 17, 2008 9:45 am
Location: MoVal

Re: MQ-9 Reapers at March ARB

Post by John L »

How does the Tower know when these Reapers are coming in to land? I ASSume that they will use runways 14/32 just like everyone else. I keep looking up for something with a propeller on the rear when I hear planes outside. Just wondering if we are going to get some kind of heads up when they arrive and depart so we can get a look at them.

John L
sp1989
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Joined: Thu Jun 04, 2009 4:08 pm

Re: MQ-9 Reapers at March ARB

Post by sp1989 »

Good question. I just did some searching, apparently Reapers are being equipped with this radio, which can transmit between 30 - 400 mhz. https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/us/produc ... -9150.html
So I guess they will come up on ATC freqs & other military UHF freqs. 369.90 is a good start to listen for them.
sp1989
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Joined: Thu Jun 04, 2009 4:08 pm

Re: MQ-9 Reapers at March ARB

Post by sp1989 »

Through some detective work, I have found that MQ-9 Reapers from March are escorted in & out of the area by Cessna Centurions from a company called Chalk 2 Aviation, using call sign CHASE for the Centurions, and GRIZZLY XX for the MQ-9 Reaper. 122.650 mhz for CHASE & GRIZZLY MQ-9s, 127.650 March tower, 134.0 mhz & 127.0 as they leave the area & RTB. 124.550 mhz as they check in with Joshua Control to enter R-2515 where they operate. Have not heard any UHF comms so far, all VHF HI. Seems to be almost daily activity with the MQ-9s last week or so.
Last edited by sp1989 on Sun Aug 27, 2017 2:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
John L
Posts: 56
Joined: Sat May 17, 2008 9:45 am
Location: MoVal

Re: MQ-9 Reapers at March ARB

Post by John L »

Nice work, I'll plug these in and see what I hear. I read on the MARB Web page that there will be an Airshow in May 18. Something to look forward to.
sp1989
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Joined: Thu Jun 04, 2009 4:08 pm

Re: MQ-9 Reapers at March ARB

Post by sp1989 »

John L, they are up today, GRIZZLY 42 went up to R-2515, you should be able to hear CHASE & GRIZZLY 42 when they RTB March later this afternoon. 122.650 mhz you should hear them air to air as they come back, then March tower, 127.65 & SoCal TRACON 134.0 mhz
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