BLM is still using conventional frequencies, but they have P25 capable radios. They have the capability to communicate with local fire agencies which are only using P25. There are BLM interoperable TGs on the local P25 systems, but they are not used a lot.
BLM to BLM communication is still on VHF/UHF
For several years, maybe even 10, it has been a requirement that all radios purchased by federal agencies, be digital capable. In the natural resource agencies there has been a slow movement to digital systems. The National Park Service has been quicker to build digital systems. As they do, their law enforcement frequencies have been encrypted. There is a national directive, federal government wide, that all law enforcement frequencies be encrypted. Obviously this is an expensive effort to gain compliance with, so it is going very slowly.
The BLM uses UHF frequencies for remote base/repeater linking, but not on the ground communications. Everything on the ground comms is VHF.
