Encryption Question

[qjschum]

This may be a really dumb question but, My area Burliegh County ND, 58503
A lot of our channels are encrypted. Here is my question, Could you just buy the same type of radio the Police/Fire/EMS use and listen with out transmitting? Once again I am new and just trying to learn more about Scanners/Radios and everything that comes with them.
Thank You,
Quentin

[trumpetman]

Not if it's encrypted. The radio would still have to be keyloaded properly with the key that is kept very secure. Just because you have the same radio doesn't mean it will decode the encryption. Looks like you're out of luck.

[QDP2012]

Also, as I understand it, on certain radio systems, each radio must have a unique radio-ID which would be assigned by and detected by the radio system's control-computer. Radios with unrecognized or unapproved IDs, or radios that are considered stolen, or radios that are malfunctioning, can be remotely disabled by the communications center. Some models that require a unique radio ID also indicate their GPS location on the communication-center's monitoring station.

So, even if the encryption key was known, the individual radio would still need administrative and operational approval to join and remain on the system. That is why in some places, law enforcement agencies "loan/assign" radios to approved news reporters, since the news reporters cannot listen without an approved radio.

Hope this helps,

[Ed_Seedhouse]

Originally Posted by qjschum

This may be a really dumb question but, My area Burliegh County ND, 58503
A lot of our channels are encrypted. Here is my question, Could you just buy the same type of radio the Police/Fire/EMS use and listen with out transmitting?

Well to start with they might not be willing to sell them to an unlicensed user. Also these things cost big bucks - we're talking thousands of dollars for a handheld transceiver.

And then as pointed out by others, they won't give you the decryption key, so even if you could get the radio you still couldn't decrypt the messages.

[QDP2012]

Also, other threads have well covered the legal risks of intercepting/decrypting encrypted signals. Suffice it to say, that related penalties can involve loss of equipment, loss of money, and loss of personal freedom. If you have legitimate reasons for wanting to receive encrypted signals, the easiest thing might be to go talk to the agency chief/director, and ask for an assigned radio and written permission to have it. Of course, as expensive as the radios are, your request might be denied for any number of reasons, including financial.

Hope this helps,