Will bc396XT be able to monitor Fl. state comms?

[tampatracker]

I see in the previews of the 396XT that is ESK enabled, will that enable monitoring of Fl. Highway Patrol, Fish and Game, ect?

[alphabravo1]

Originally Posted by tampatracker

I see in the previews of the 396XT that is ESK enabled, will that enable monitoring of Fl. Highway Patrol, Fish and Game, ect?

No because there is also encryption involved... I believe you can watch the various TG flash, but will receive nothing.

[Homeboys-Scanna]

ESK refers strictly to the type of control channel. It has nothing to do with the audio being transmitted on the voice frequencies. Even though the scanner can track an ESK control channel and even if there was no encryption, the scanner still wouldn't decode the ProVoice audio.

[KS4VT]

If you read the "Welcome Sticky" at the top of the thread list you would of read this in the first post:

http://www.radioreference.com/forums...slers-fhp.html

2. How do I scan FHP / SLERS / State Law Enforcement / M/A-COM / etc…?

You can’t - sorrry! There is not, nor will there ever be, a scanner that can. Doing a search for any of the above key words will yield pages of results that would make for a great rainy day read.

[gccflscan]

Originally Posted by tampatracker

I see in the previews of the 396XT that is ESK enabled, will that enable monitoring of Fl. Highway Patrol, Fish and Game, ect?

Sorry, but NO.

No scanner made ever will monitor the SLERS system for FHP, FWC etc.

At present the system uses ProVoice EDACS which is the equivalent of digital for EDACS.

Even worse the crap system is 100% encrypted, all groups. So even if PV was solved you would not be able to monitor it.

No monitoring of the state agencies in FL, other than FDOT and forestry.

[radiomanNJ1]

I just wonder how many times people are going to ask the same question.
When the next switch comes for a P25 system they will probably encrypt it also. After all how can you not encrypt things like debris in the road, disabled vehicles, traffic crashes?
It's all highly sensitive stuff FHP does? Oh wait there is always the Florida Wildlife Commission checking on boats and hunters. Now that is real homeland security double secret required.

In reality as the cost of encryption comes down and the idea that it benefits security(?) it is being sold to public safety agencies across the country. It is one of the big selling points with the sky is falling systems now brought to you by Tyco Wireless Communications or is it Tinker Toy Witless Communications, I can't keep track of the name changes anymore.

[khoelldobler]

I understand, and can even appreciate the reasons why FHP is keeping the privacy regarding radio transmissions. I also comprehend the encryption used by SWAT during some of thier transmissions... Encryption costs are decreasing, new radio systems are being paid for by some grants from the radio manufacturers during rebanding, and more and more agencies are leaning towards radio traffic communication isolation due to Homeland Security these days... where will this leave the scanner enthusiast. Eventually, maybe even only 5 years down the road, the hobby will have nothing to listen to, except for some wal-mart employees or the occaisional CB radio traffic, there wont be much else to monitor. Its a shame.

[kf4sek]

Removed

[W4KRR]

Originally Posted by kf4sek

I find it funny that, if I really wanted to monitor the FHP, or any agency on SLERS, all I would have to do is buy a used EDACS radio and opt for the ProVoice, ESK, and encryption options. It may cost $1200 or so but, I could monitor them, again. And, then let's say I decide to stream the comms on the internet for everyone? They would not be "secure" anymore. No system is completely secure. It just takes someone with a big pocket to give us the comms, again. Eventually, someone will figure that out and then all the money they spent on encryption and the feeling of "secure comms" goes right out the window.

Sure, you could buy the exact same type of radios that the State uses from eBay or wherever you want, but how are you going to get the system key and the encryption key? Only the system administrator has these, and he isn't going to give them out to anybody unless they're an authorized system subscriber, and you sure aren't going to stumble upon them on your own

[KS4VT]

Originally Posted by kf4sek

I find it funny that, if I really wanted to monitor the FHP, or any agency on SLERS, all I would have to do is buy a used EDACS radio and opt for the ProVoice, ESK, and encryption options. It may cost $1200 or so but, I could monitor them, again. And, then let's say I decide to stream the comms on the internet for everyone? They would not be "secure" anymore. No system is completely secure. It just takes someone with a big pocket to give us the comms, again. Eventually, someone will figure that out and then all the money they spent on encryption and the feeling of "secure comms" goes right out the window.

Sure, I can appreciate the fact that they do have it on certain things, such as SWAT at a hostage situation. But, not every statewide agency needs to be "secure," especially when all they do is traffic control at an accident scene or at road construction sites.

That post shows that you know nothing about encryption. Go ahead and waste your $ as you won't hear squat no matter how many options the radios has.

[kf4sek]

You are right, I do not. Especially since I do not work in the field like you do. I would love to learn more about it, though. I do concede my post.

Originally Posted by KS4VT

That post shows that you know nothing about encryption. Go ahead and waste your $ as you won't hear squat no matter how many options the radios has.

[kf4sek]

This is true. I guess I am out of my league with my post. I concede to those of you who work in the field and have more knowledge on the subject.

Originally Posted by W4KRR

Sure, you could buy the exact same type of radios that the State uses from eBay or wherever you want, but how are you going to get the system key and the encryption key? Only the system administrator has these, and he isn't going to give them out to anybody unless they're an authorized system subscriber, and you sure aren't going to stumble upon them on your own

[gccflscan]

Yes you can purchase a radio with the PV, ESK and encryption options.

Now...

1) Software to program?
2) Encryption Keys?

You may find a dealer who is willing to do the programming, but your not going to get past #2.

There are several steps required for the keyloader to load the keys for encryption and very few people have these. Even the x-FHP comm techs don't have this stuff.

As for a switch to P25. NOT Happening. Anything that might move this system anywhere close to be monitorable in any form is out. ProVoice and encryption was chosen for a reason.

As for the reason for all this. There are person(s) in various agencies which absolutely detest scanners and monitoring, especially from the media. More so than Joe Redneck.

FWC's argument is that "hunters can not monitor us, so we can catch poachers, out of season etc.." THIN, very thin at best.

FHP, plain and simple they don't like being monitored from the top to the lowest newest recruit. The best argument they have is the drug interdiction that they are responsible for on the interstates, fine give them an encrypted group, but the day to day crashes and traffic stops? Again the arguments are thin and specious at best.

Another aspect is the political aspect as well.

Until Tyco Toys goes under, which may be any day this system will remain unmonitorable. And even then if it were to end up in P25 its still going to be 100% encrypted.

[kf4sek]

Like I said, I do not know anything but am willing to learn. So, for those that are "in the know," here are my questions... How many possible encryption keys are there on a ProVoice system? How does the system connect each site to each other? I was thinking IP but that can be unstable at times. Maybe microwave? Is it true that, like DTV, in fringe areas, it is gone due to the "with digital comms it's either there or it's not" factor? If it is so, it must stink when a user of the system gets in that fringe area. I can imagine maintaining a multi-tower, statewide system has to be very time consuming. The guys at CII (Communications International, Inc.) must have their hands full. I think I heard one of the local tech's out of Rockledge say to another tech that he is part of a group that works on the system overnight. Do you see the entire state's SOs, PDs, and FDs eventually switching to the system?

And, before anyone takes it the wrong way, I am not looking for a fight. I just have some questions on a few things.

[KS4VT]

Nick,

You really should be doing searches as these topics have been covered many times over in multiple threads.

If you have a particular item that you can't find, please ask, but I can tell you that your past questions are duplicates of many others.

[kf4sek]

I never thought about searching for this info. Boy, do I feel stupid.

[radiomanNJ1]

Never say never. Their are plans but like you said it will still be encrypted. With P25 at least they can have multiple vendors and don't have to worry about what ever their name is today radio company.

Originally Posted by gccflscan

Yes you can purchase a radio with the PV, ESK and encryption options.

Now...

1) Software to program?
2) Encryption Keys?

You may find a dealer who is willing to do the programming, but your not going to get past #2.

There are several steps required for the keyloader to load the keys for encryption and very few people have these. Even the x-FHP comm techs don't have this stuff.

As for a switch to P25. NOT Happening. Anything that might move this system anywhere close to be monitorable in any form is out. ProVoice and encryption was chosen for a reason.

As for the reason for all this. There are person(s) in various agencies which absolutely detest scanners and monitoring, especially from the media. More so than Joe Redneck.

FWC's argument is that "hunters can not monitor us, so we can catch poachers, out of season etc.." THIN, very thin at best.

FHP, plain and simple they don't like being monitored from the top to the lowest newest recruit. The best argument they have is the drug interdiction that they are responsible for on the interstates, fine give them an encrypted group, but the day to day crashes and traffic stops? Again the arguments are thin and specious at best.

Another aspect is the political aspect as well.

Until Tyco Toys goes under, which may be any day this system will remain unmonitorable. And even then if it were to end up in P25 its still going to be 100% encrypted.