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ON the local front:

We are expecting up-wards to 20,000 troops over the weekend. The Governor declared a State of Emergency in late May. There are holding areas set up for "Detainees". There are at least 22 mobile SAM launchers setup on St Simons Island, Jekyll Island and other access points to Oceanside.

The scanner community is having a real ball (In God we trust; all the rest, we monitor).

Every alphabet soup government agency is represented in spades, and brought in their own communications system.

There are fly-overs from F-14s, helicopter gunships (spotted a group of 7 coming in - in formation yesterday morning).

I monitored a high altitude fly-over for video imaging downlink yesterday - from 60 miles out. Was able to monitor both the aircraft and the ground station. The lucky ones who can afford digital scanners with APC25 decoders are really getting a thrill monitoring certain coded transmissions. There are even deeper encryption devices that cannot be decoded.

We expect the "birdie" machines to go online sometime over the weekend. These will emit Radio Frequency "Birdies" that will cause most scanner devices to lock on to selected frequencies containing nothing but static. They can be programmed to disrupt most all the airwaves around the frequencies in use, in an attempt to thwart those who surveil the surveilers.

Cellphone conversations are being monitored and motorists stopped when their conversations are deemed questionable. Stopping by a bridge will get quick recognition from law enforcement. Taking pictures of bridges, electrical sub stations or other key structures will also merit a law enforcement acknowledgment (in person, and quickly). Extra Law Enforcement personnel have been brought in from all other the state; and beyond...

In terms of scanner listening, it is a target rich environment.

The circus officially starts Saturday morning, when the Sea Island Causeway will be checkpoint entry only; with proper identification. That is after you pass by the SAM sites where the causeway last crosses public access roads on St Simons Island. Sea Island residents can expect up to 3 checkpoint verifications when returning from the mainland or St Simons Island proper. Residents are advised to allot an extra hour of driving time for their commute on or off of Sea Island.

Marinas are being closed down. Waterways are being guarded. It is rumored that the maiden voyage of the new Nuclear Aircraft carrier from East Coast to West Coast will make it's current location coincide with the summit to offer an offshore launch platform for air support. With much of the nuclear sub fleet stationed out of St Marys, GA, additional resources are probably in the area in silent service.

Interesting times indeed...