Encryption to Start

[kl1lt]

We were told today that all of our radios were to be placed on secure starting probably next week. For those that know where I work you know which talkgroups I am talking about. I don't know if it will be all the talkgroups, but at least ours.

[kikito]

Originally Posted by kl1lt

We were told today that all of our radios were to be placed on secure starting probably next week. For those that know where I work you know which talkgroups I am talking about. I don't know if it will be all the talkgroups, but at least ours.

I'm going to ask a stupid question that doesn't need to be answered if you don't want or can't:

What's so critical about those comms that it needs to be "secure"?

[red8]

Originally Posted by kl1lt

We were told today that all of our radios were to be placed on secure starting probably next week. For those that know where I work you know which talkgroups I am talking about. I don't know if it will be all the talkgroups, but at least ours.

It seems like the going thing now a days, by the way I like your
little avatar about Do Not Rescusitate.

[kl1lt]

Originally Posted by kikito

What's so critical about those comms that it needs to be "secure"?

I don't think that there is much of anything that is critical. Thats about all I'll say so I wont get myself in any trouble.

Originally Posted by red8

I like your
little avatar about Do Not Rescusitate.

Thanks. It is from a t-shirt that I bought my wife for christmas. I was going to buy my Dad one but I figured he would have some big ceremony to burn it.

[kikito]

Originally Posted by kl1lt

I don't think that there is much of anything that is critical. Thats about all I'll say so I wont get myself in any trouble.

That's OK, I didn't expect you could or should say much about it.

Now, if I may speak my opinion on the matter and this is nothing to do with you; it seems like a "waste" of money to use encryption in many types of comms nowadays. If I remember right, the talkgroups or channels that might go "secure" are even the ones that most, if not all people like to 'lockout' and not bother having programmed in their radios (no offense). Last I checked, it was over $600 per radio to add the kind of encryption used in the ALMR system. That means that for every 5 radios or so that are fitted with encryption hardware/software, that's one less actual radio that can be bought and with the thousands of radios used on the system, you do the math.....

Makes you wonder (or not) why I read recently that our local Fire Depts. and other agencies have been denied 'extra' grant funds to outfit their radios with encryption/OTAR, just so they can keep the same kind of operational comms capabilities they've had for decades with Troopers and other law enforcement agencies. Because otherwise it'll defeat the purpose of being in the same system, not to mention maybe 'violate' the conditions of everyone getting the grants in the first place for better interoperability comms among ALL First Responders. Basically, it looks like we're headed to a "worst off" situation if the "encryption craze" keeps going around....

But what can we do, OUR government it's supposed to "know" better than the rest of us on how to spend our tax dollars I guess....

....it is from a t-shirt that I bought my wife for christmas. I was going to buy my Dad one but I figured he would have some big ceremony to burn it.

Yeah, I like your avatar too. It couldn't be more appropiate lately when there's stronger rumors that "Billary" will definintely try to run for office. Hopefully she'll run AWAY from office!