What is considered 'heavy' traffic on 8992?

[Moody Gnome]

Hi all,

Just wondered what the 'normal' amount of chatter on 8992 is? I see occasional messages saying there is currently heavy traffic but don't really know if that means 1 per hour or 1 per minute. Been an occasional listener but rarely heard anything - be good to have an idea of what to expect so I can report anything increase if I hear it

Thanks!

 

[googer]

I'm also a bit of a wideband noob as well. On normal days when I've listened, it seems like 2-4 EAMs per hour is fairly standard - typically at regular 15-30 minute intervals. I would say heavy traffic is 6 messages an hour or more.

Back around the "Ides of March Crisis" earlier this year, I recall someone noting that 40-50 unique EAMs had been sent out on 8992 over the course of a particularly busy hour or so. As it's thought that EAMs - particularly those directed to "Skyking" - are launch authentication codes, seeing a message a minute would therefore probably indicate that the US Strategic Air Command is operating at DEFCON 3 or lower. A message a minute would be difficult to accomplish anyway, as the EAMs often take about 2-3 minutes to be relayed.

 

[Moody Gnome]

Thanks googer - that's helpful to know!

Happy listening...