No they're mostly in the clear. I have noticed some of the patrol units will be encrypted, meanwhile BDOC or the (Battle Operations Command) or Dispatcher is in the clear. Everything else on there has been in the clear. I don't think you're going to hear anything through another base unless someone from Keesler affiliates their radio on that base's system. I would think if you could hear them on VHF you should still be able to pick them up unless they've lowered the power, which is possible.