Uh Oh - Hudson PD Encryption???

NYRHKY94 · #1 (**permalink**) 02-24-2009, 09:12 AM

Guys:

I'm really hoping I'm way off base here, but it sounds to me like
Hudson PD is currently using encryption. All morning during my
commute, I heard nothing but what sounded like encryption on the Hudson
PD disptach channel (159.2175). If somebody can either confirm or deny
what I'm hearing and suspecting,I would appreciate it.

Please tell me I'm wrong!

Thanks - Mike

ronhl · #2 (**permalink**) 02-24-2009, 05:30 PM

ok your wrong!!
Acually your right unfortunately......that stinks to all who like to monitor them.
Maybe they just testing it out.......

NYRHKY94 · #3 (**permalink**) 02-24-2009, 06:58 PM

Ron:

Boy, did I want to be wrong about this. Ugh!!! The trend toward encryption is increasing in several other states, but I always hoped NH would stay clear of that under the live free and die banner. Encrypting sensitive investigative operations is one thing......encrypting all communications from citizens is a real shame in my opinion.

Mike

NYRHKY94 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-25-2009, 09:07 AM

Are there any members of this board that either live in Hudosn or know an LEO there that can shed some light on why the decision to encrypt all transmissions was made ???

LPD7 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-25-2009, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronhl

ok your wrong!!
Acually your right unfortunately......that stinks to all who like to monitor them.
Maybe they just testing it out.......

Not a test, they have been using Encryption since they went P25 in December of 2006

NYRHKY94 · #6 (**permalink**) 02-25-2009, 07:17 PM

Hi Matt:

I've been listening to Hudson PD "daily" until this past weekend and only a couple units were encrypted. The majority of their units and dispatch were always in the clear up until this past weekend. Now, it looks like everything has switched over to encryption.

Thanks - Mike

RobKB1FJR · #7 (**permalink**) 02-25-2009, 07:23 PM

If you live in Hudson, NH go to the town meeting and complain. Also keep in mind in these tough economic times the police need all the support they can get.

From past experience too the towns that use encryption full time in states that have Police Chief Issuing carry permits have Police Chiefs who won't issue permits or exasperate the process. A non issue in NH.

North Providence is the same way. On an encrypted trunk system. Also North Providence PD brass were investigated for corruption. It is also near impossible to get a concealed carry permit in that town.

A little bit to right wing even for me, but its hard to ignore.

In the pre cell phone and MDT days I could understand the use of occasionaly encryption as needed on a main dispatch channel. Now full-time encryption on a main dispatch channel is basically giving the middle finger to the public who help elect the correct officials to keep the police departments staffed.

end rant.

LPD7 · #8 (**permalink**) 02-25-2009, 08:40 PM

It seemed like the ADMIN Units used Encryption all them time and the Patrolmen used it for secure comms. They seem to be 100% Secure at this time

n1das · #9 (**permalink**) 02-26-2009, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobKB1FJR

If you live in Hudson, NH go to the town meeting and complain. Also keep in mind in these tough economic times the police need all the support they can get.

From past experience too the towns that use encryption full time in states that have Police Chief Issuing carry permits have Police Chiefs who won't issue permits or exasperate the process. A non issue in NH.

North Providence is the same way. On an encrypted trunk system. Also North Providence PD brass were investigated for corruption. It is also near impossible to get a concealed carry permit in that town.

A little bit to right wing even for me, but its hard to ignore.

In the pre cell phone and MDT days I could understand the use of occasionaly encryption as needed on a main dispatch channel. Now full-time encryption on a main dispatch channel is basically giving the middle finger to the public who help elect the correct officials to keep the police departments staffed.

end rant.

Add to rant: Hudson PD will lose a lot of their help from the public when it comes to solving crimes!

RKG · #10 (**permalink**) 02-26-2009, 10:26 AM

I perceive a trend, and it is likely the result of the advent of P25 "software encrypition." In the old days, adding encryption via hardware was expensive, trouble-prone, and resulted in descreased range and speech intelligibility. With P25, you are already into digital voice (which means you've already paid the digital penalties), and software encryption on XTS2500 and XTS5000 radios is a cheap flash option. In essence, once you've gone P25, encryption is essentially free and the apparent notion is, "If so, then why not?"

NYRHKY94 · #11 (**permalink**) 02-26-2009, 11:16 AM

RKG is hitting on the larger future trend issue of "If encryption is a relatively simple option contained in our P25 system (i.e. a flash or configurable switch), then why not implement it?" Hudson PD may have some other "driving force" for why they have chosen to go off the public airwaves......but until we get direct confirmation from a Hudson PD representative, who knows?

For those of us who enjoy this hobby and also support the efforts of local law enforcement agencies in the job they do for us, this issue and/or trend is significant in my mind. What to do about it......is even more of a challenge.