Impd

[KC9MGL]

Seen where IMPD was told today to take the ham radios out of there police cruisers,FCC said they had complaints about them using profanity and not having a ham license in the first place,it was on news channel 6.

[baw352]

I seen the blurb on WRTV's website about the whole ordeal.

As a licensed amateur radio operator, I think what they were doing was completely wrong. The "brass" have turned a blind eye for many, many years in regards to this. Prior to the merge, the Sheriff ordered the "tac" radios removed from Sheriff's Department vehicles. If these were type accepted radios and licensed channels then there would have been more civilization. These radios came about because the trunked system is recorded and "brass" have access to all talkgroups one way or another. These "tac" radios became popular because they were a way to chat without a supervisor or dispatch hearing.

I have worked my days in the law enforcement community and understand the value of these quick offline communication methods. If you chose to take part in a practice that is known as illegal then be ready when the stuff rolls down hill to you.

I think the easy answer is to have MECA get some VHF or UHF licenses. I bet there could be a grant for "tac" radios applied for.

[KC9LGZ]

I can't find anything on ch 6, 8 or 13's website???
Where did you hear this at?

[baw352]

This is the article that was on WRTV's website. No other media outlet carried a story about the issue.

There was a short thing on some of their news casts yesterday in regards to this.

Officers Ordered To Stop Profane Talk On Illegal Radios - News Archive Story - WRTV Indianapolis

[ralphb72]

I support the police but if they want a secondary radio they should go ab out it the correct way. If they can't be expected to follow the law then who can?

[KC9LGZ]

Hey Thanks for the link. I couldn't find it anywhere.

I will wait a few days before I post my thoughts on this.

[PolarBear25]

Outlaw all ham radios.

[NDRADIONUT]

Anyone Know Which Freqs They Were On ??

[GTO_04]

A few thoughts on this:

1) If they had not acted like idiots and used all the profanity, they probably could have continued to use the radios without incident.

2) Now they will probably ask for more encrypted TGs.

3) We lost some good frequencies to monitor and without the need or a digital scanner.

GTO_04

[usswood]

there r plenty of licensed VHF channels and Freq's that the state has...contact the State police commissioner and ask permission to use one of those already licensed VHF Freq's....reprogram the radios...Problem solved!!!

If they want to Transmit on Freq's for me and fellow Hams...I want to transmit on theres when I want 2!!!

[naturalselection]

Ok, Don't read this....and think angry thoughts....just an alternate view....for the sake of mediation.

I have alot of questions concerning this issue not to be taken as flippant, they are actual questions of mine and well articulated but not too technical answers would be appreciated, I know there is a solution that can satisfy all parties involved. not that i have any input in the matter but I would like to get us all thinking. After all IMPD's budget comes from property taxes and those radios were purchased out of the officers pocket book to help them protect and serve better.

i checked Cropsmith: Nitrogen Management Specialists and according to them the use of vhf/uhf radios the way some people on IMPD are using them requires an "RP" license which consists of filling out FCC Form 605 and sending in $65. No test, just money. Like joining a very non-exclusive, anybody can do it, club or forum for that matter. So if all users did this and used clean language would there be any problems?

Also, If IMPD got a license for a specific set of frequencies could anyone still listen? Would you have the right to complain about a channel you're not authorized to use? Example: You subscribe to HBO, your kids get the remote and watch a program that was vulgar, you'd have no right to complain to the cable company or even to the channel because you brought it into your house. Same with your scanners on someone elses channel?

Those "tac radios" are not used to skirt supervisors, they are used to communicate with your team and not tie up the Dept. radio for everyone on the same district. At any given time there can be between 5-12 incidents occuring and communication is incredibly important. Example: I want to tell my teammate to check out a car coming out an alley cause they might be connected to a burglary in-progress at the same time another officer radios for help we could cover eachother and somebody doesn't get heard. A tac is tied to those who protect the ones who protect you...our partners in our immediate area. Thats what the "tacs" are about. Just like forums, sometimes people dont always stay on topic. Curios, anybody out there use IM's while you're at work? You know those are tracked, do you always use them for business purposes? Taking them away is not the answer, compliance is. Is there a set of frequencies Law Enforcement can use that others can't gain access to? Is it possible to have a truely private frequency? For L.E. ears only?

if some slack jawed slope headed booger eatin' moron busted my door down while my family was inside i would want the officers who responded to have every communication tool possible at there fingertips. Fortunately that doesnt happen in USA everyday. but it does happen.

Thanks, This Is Not A Flame.

[ten78]

I am just wondering why hams would be sooooo concerned about radio traffic that is occurring on bands that they can't even use. I am an ex-cop and an amateur license holder. I have some guys i do some security work with that share these off band freq's. I guess i'm not a purist. My time as the police has corrupted me and my willingness to "bend" the regulations.

[ten78]

I have passed out freqs that the guys have been using to some people on here. I truly hope no of you are the complainers. It has caused a great source of info to be silenced. PETTY TATTLING.

[JoeyC]

Anybody who has paid attention to these forums over the past couple years knows where this came from.

[scannerfreak]

Originally Posted by JoeyC

Anybody who has paid attention to these forums over the past couple years knows where this came from.

Yup, my thoughts exactly..

[usswood]

haha...you guys around naptown understand who started the orginal thread...I like hearing anything I can hear in the clear!!! glad State uses its c2c on VHF round here all the time...VCSD also uses there VHF c2c and you hear all the good stuff on it...I have been hearing very very good stuff the last few days also...please keep it up guys

[KC9JUM]

The big problem here is the method they use. They usually go out and get a Kenwood TM-271A, do the expanded transmit mod, put up a 3DB VHF whip on a trunk lip mount, and just set up shop on the VHF Marine frequencies. This is not the first time they have been busted for illegal radios, and it probably won't be the last.

The conduct on some of these channels is terrible. the conduct of IMPD as a whole worries me.

Now if the department wants to license valid VHF channels and buy type accepted radios I am all for it. I am of the opinion that trunked 800mhz just plain has no place but to sell equipment for vendors. Let them run P25 VHF. The existence of these is a symptom of a radio system that just does not work. It should be a wake up call to the MECA people.

[NeFire242]

I'm surprised no hams just tried to talk to the police and carry on a conversation or tell them they can be heard. lol

I would also be amazed if any of the officers would be smart enough to pick a DPL and set up the radios all correctly and try to make it to where they had their own TAC channels.

[naturalselection]

DPL.....Brilliant!!!!