Questions about MSP task forces

[Noobynoobnoobnooby]

Hey guys im a novice looking to begin exploring the hobby. Was curious if someone could recommend a solid handheld with good distance that wont break my bank. Also hoping someone could help me with frequencies/channels affiliated with MSP task forces like DRANO, WAYNE, and others/where that can be found. Is it true i need a newer scanner to be able to access channels?

 

[Forts]

You will need a P25 trunking scanner for starters. Depending on your location you might be dealing with a simulcast tower location that will drive older P25 scanners nuts, but the newer Uniden scanners (SDS100 etc) deal with it much better.

Regarding the task force talkgroups those are essentially all encrypted so you won't be hearing anything there.

 

[Hit_Factor]

Look here https://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=100

In the mode column if you see DE that means it's encrypted full time. Occasionally, you might hear something, but it will probably be followed with 'turn on your encryption'.

Break the bank? Uniden SDS scanners start at $700 or so.

 

[Forts]

Yeah, not cheap for sure... especially if you are in a simulcast area.

 

[afera15]

Hey guys im a novice looking to begin exploring the hobby. Was curious if someone could recommend a solid handheld with good distance that wont break my bank. Also hoping someone could help me with frequencies/channels affiliated with MSP task forces like DRANO, WAYNE, and others/where that can be found. Is it true i need a newer scanner to be able to access channels?

It really depends on where you are at. In simulcast Areas, such as Detroit Metro, Lansing, Grand Rapids Metro, then yes, you are better off getting a SDS series. If you live in more rural areas and won't go to these areas you can use a BCD series without issue. I sell these scanners for a living, so feel free to email me (contact@feracomm.com) and I can get you a quote and recommendation for your area.

Thanks,
Alex!

 

[Noobynoobnoobnooby]

Can scanners with encryption be purchased?

 

[iMONITOR]

Hey guys im a novice looking to begin exploring the hobby. Was curious if someone could recommend a solid handheld with good distance that wont break my bank. Also hoping someone could help me with frequencies/channels affiliated with MSP task forces like DRANO, WAYNE, and others/where that can be found. Is it true i need a newer scanner to be able to access channels?

All DRANO talk-groups are encrypted. You will not be able to monitor them regardless of what scanner radio you buy.

 

[iMONITOR]

Hey guys im a novice looking to begin exploring the hobby. Was curious if someone could recommend a solid handheld with good distance that wont break my bank. Also hoping someone could help me with frequencies/channels affiliated with MSP task forces like DRANO, WAYNE, and others/where that can be found. Is it true i need a newer scanner to be able to access channels?

Most all scanner radios are capable of receiving from the same distance. Your antenna and antenna height has the greatest affect on you distance.

By "newer scanner" you mean APCO P25 digital capable scanners, then yes they can access the majority of agencies in Michigan, however they will not allow you to monitor encrypted talk-groups.

 

[Noobynoobnoobnooby]

I took a look at the list of counties that were sent. I noticed some of their tactical ops, narcotics commons and other commonly marked DE channels were marked D, its safe to assume one could listen to these channels?

 

[iMONITOR]

I took a look at the list of counties that were sent. I noticed some of their tactical ops, narcotics commons and other commonly marked DE channels were marked D, its safe to assume one could listen to these channels?

Yes. And "De" means part time encryption. On rare occasions "DE" will be in the clear.

 

[afera15]

So DE = Digital Encrypted, which can not be monitored, unless you are affiliated with the agency and have a radio.
D = Digital and any P25 Phase 1 can pick it up. Keep in mind that if you are in a Simulcast area like Wayne County and a few of the surrounding counties, you will want to look at getting a latest generation scanner to deal with Simulcast.

 

[afera15]

De (lowercase e) = the talk group can use Encryption or can be in clear

 

[Noobynoobnoobnooby]

How long do you guys think until these other departments all go encrypted?

SDS100 looks nice, simulcast wont be a prob with this one?

Isnt this kinda compromising for them? I mean if i was a drug dealer it seems i could figure out if i was being monitored/followed as long as they were on the Lawnet channel

 

[Noobynoobnoobnooby]

Why do you think some of these tactical teams encrypt part time?

 

[Hit_Factor]

Why do you think some of these tactical teams encrypt part time?

A lot of the information about the talkgroups is supplied by folks like us. We report what we hear. Look into database submissions when you have a chance. RR Database Submission Guidelines - The RadioReference Wiki

 

[Noobynoobnoobnooby]

How busy are these explosive, narcotics, and swat channels? Do they communicate pretty frequently? Do you hear the commands for positioning during bomb threats? And get to listen to the teams surveillancing?

 

[freqs]

Most are Encrypted

 

[krokus]

Can scanners with encryption be purchased?

Not scanners, but the Unication pagers have decryption capability. You will not find the proper key to program via legitimate means, and it is a federal offense to decrypt a transmission that you are not an intended recipient.

 

[Forts]

How busy are these explosive, narcotics, and swat channels? Do they communicate pretty frequently? Do you hear the commands for positioning during bomb threats? And get to listen to the teams surveillancing?

Even if they are in the clear from time to time, their goings on are not to be discussed here.

 

[west-pac]

How busy are these explosive, narcotics, and swat channels? Do they communicate pretty frequently? Do you hear the commands for positioning during bomb threats? And get to listen to the teams surveillancing?

A lot of people get discouraged and turn away from the hobby when then find out some TGs are encrypted. The newer BCD and SDS scanners ignore encrypted TGs, a feature I dislike, and wish they would make an option. Even if a TG is encrypted, if the scanner would give you the option to hear the garbled mess, then you would still know there was activity taking place for that bomb squad TG, SWAT TG, etc... The older P25 Phase 1 scanners allow you to hear the garbled mess when it encounters an encrypted TG. I don't know of any P25 Phase 2 scanners that will pass the garbled audio.