Are there any experts that can chime in? I'm curious if there are any technical limitations (outside of cost) that make digital public radio systems unrealistic. For example, does changing a signal from analog to digital automatically reduce range or something? I am no expert, but I thought one of the big pluses of digital was range - because you could pick out a digital signal with more noise. Is that true?
I don't know what the likes of Motorola and competitors are turning out these days. I looked around on Motorola's site, and they seem to be pushing P25 radios. Here is one:
http://www.motorola.com/staticfiles...021_APX 7000 data sheet FINAL.pdf?localeId=33
Now, some of these specifications I actually do understand. I use these same technologies in the computer industry every day. I'm sure this radio costs tons of money today, but maybe it will be affordable in 5 years? You gotta admit, this radio is friggen amazing. Top features I thought were cool:
* Integrated GPS.
* Voice and data integration (in one device).
* MicroSD removable memory.
* USB programmable.
* ADP, AES, DES, DES-XL, DES-OFB, DVP-XL encryption with 1024 bit keys (can you say unbreakable!?)
* A dedicated vector based random number generator. Wow. You don't even have one of these in your computer.
* Tamper protection system.
It goes on. Now I'm sure there are even more secure radios. However, from a 'practical' security perspective, this thing appears highly secure. Even if you wanted to break it, you'd need to do some pretty radical stuff (and have LOTS of money to burn).
Now to my point. Motorola seems to be pushing digital radios for public safety systems REALLY hard. It is the top links everywhere on their 'business' web site. These things are plastered all over the public safety system section. Now I'm no expert, but isn't Motorola known for at least being some what in touch with what customers (read - the police) want? Why would they be pushing these all digital, super encrypted radio systems toward the public safety sector if no one was buying?
I'm speculating here, but I'd venture a guess that these systems are quickly becoming more affordable than their analog counterparts. Motorola is selling these because they make financial sense to the public saftey radio system administrators that buy them. And, seeing how UCAN seems to be a Motorola poster child, how long do we have to wait before all you hear on your Pro-106 is the buzzing of encrypted bits on your speaker? Is it inevitable, probable, possible, or unlikely?