FCC Regulations in regards to talkgroups

[tucktan]

Is anyone aware if the FCC requires talkgroup information to be accessible to the public if requested? For example, can I request all the talkgroup numbers from the organization that owns a trunked system?

[DaveNF2G]

Probably not. For commercial systems, talkgroups represent customers and they consider such information to be proprietary.

For government systems, they are not required to release that info to a simple query. The operator could make a case that talkgroup assignments are the sort of operational info that is exempt from disclosure, even withholding that information under FOIA.

ECPA refers to the ability to withhold certain parameters about a radio system from the general public, too. It is possible that talkgroup assignments could be classified as parameters that may be kept secret.

[N_Jay]

Originally Posted by tucktan

Is anyone aware if the FCC requires talkgroup information to be accessible to the public if requested? For example, can I request all the talkgroup numbers from the organization that owns a trunked system?

Nope.

The FCC does not even request, require, track, store (or seem to care about) talkgroup information.

[ecps92]

Just like the FCC doesn't keep track of PL, DPL or NAC

Originally Posted by N_Jay

Nope.

The FCC does not even request, require, track, store (or seem to care about) talkgroup information.

[ChrisP]

Originally Posted by tucktan

Is anyone aware if the FCC requires talkgroup information to be accessible to the public if requested? For example, can I request all the talkgroup numbers from the organization that owns a trunked system?

While everyone is correct that the FCC has no interest / regulations regarding trunked system talk groups, I know several people that have had mixed success simply making direct inquiries to the agencies operating the trunked systems. Start with a simple request to the system licensee and see what happens. Worst they can say is NO.

Some agencies have supplied talk group information when asked, but you need to be persistent. The request will probably take some time to get to someone who knows or cares what you are asking for. And in some cases, the agency supplied a nice list of talk group text labels on the system, but the talk group numbers were all redacted!

Good luck!

- Chris

[KAA951]

I suggest that you check your state specific open records laws. I know that there are no open records restrictions in our state that would allow agencies to refuse to release frequency or talkgroup information. They could probably make a case for not releasing system keys etc due to security- but simply having talkgroup infomation would not allow anyone to interfere with the operation of their system.

[DaveNF2G]

The courts usually defer to the agencies who are responding to FOIA requests. If an agency says that certain information meets the exception criteria, then a judge will usually find in the agency's favor. The person looking for the information has to make a pretty strong showing that the agency's judgment is incorrect.

[AlanTilles]

There are no FCC regulations that would require a licensee to release talkgroup information. Nor would the FCC get involved in such a request.

Alan S. Tilles, Esquire
Shulman Rogers Gandal Pordy & Ecker, P.A.

[pachanga22]

I'd love to hear your comments on the letter sent to RR, Alan.

RadioReference receives a letter demanding removal of Mobile Relay Associates SMR