Alamo Area Regional Radio System (AARRS)

[videogod69]

so silly question im not hearing anything on the new system i have downloaded the latest database and such what am i doing wrong .

 

[blantonl]

Can't be any worse than when they were on a proprietary trunking format using an even more proprietary digital voice mode that required a radio from a single vendor. They are on a standards-based radio system with standards based encryption, anyone in the area should have no issues coming on the system with their existing P25 compliant radios including being keyloaded. This is now a policy issue and not a technology one. I am not sure I agree with your assertion that their interoperability has regressed.

It will have been seriously regressed when completed for SAPD. I think you underestimate how many law enforcement officers in neighboring jurisdictions to San Antonio have scanners to monitor whats going on next to them.

 

[BCSO-Insider]

The technology has been a variable but the biggest challenge has been a policy one and the current mentality of a certain large LE agency is basically, screw everyone.

 

[NC5267]

Looks like they are starting to pass out radios for Bexar County Fire Alarm agencies - I'm seeing lots of affiliations now for BCFA radios and talkgroups.

Also noticed the mutual aid frequencies are popping up for all the brush fires. Nice and seem less so far with BCFA and SAFD working on those talkgroups on the new system. I know most of the BCFA agencies are on the new system now.

I would assume other agencies, School districts etc...Will start showing up one by one.

 

[Echo4Thirty]

It will have been seriously regressed when completed for SAPD. I think you underestimate how many law enforcement officers in neighboring jurisdictions to San Antonio have scanners to monitor whats going on next to them.

I can understand this. Would SAPD allow them to have the ENC key so they can still monitor on their AARRS radios? On a Harris radio its stupid easy to put the TG in the radio and have it prevent TX, so they can scan and just listen in if they wanted. Before the advent of ProVoice enabled scanners, how did they monitor them?

I am not as familiar with the history of SAPD as you guys over there are, but I know when I was managing my old system in FL we had a similar issue and worked with those agencies (along with the news media) to make sure our partner agencies could access our encrypted TGs.

 

[BCSO-Insider]

SAPD is being extremely guarded about giving anyone, including their partners, access. They have chosen to deploy their own key instead of using a common key like BCSO and the other partners. The news media radios are controlled by SAPD so they will have RX only access. Kinda funny when you think about it, the news has potentially more access than other LE agencies. Let’s also add in that Link Layer Authentication is also on play.

 

[Echo4Thirty]

Sounds like a couple of agencies we have here on TxWarn... As I often say, its not the technology thats the hurdle, its the idiots running it. The ENTIRE point of standards based systems (Including AES) is interoperability. It does NO good when you dont even want to give access to your partnering agencies. This is bad system management decisions if they choose to castle up and not even allow BCSO in.

EDIT: I wish I could be a fly on the wall if they tell DPS they cant have their keys... hahahah Ill bet a paycheck DPS ends up getting them and having them in their KVL in Austin, NOT the AARRS shop. Seen this movie before.

 

[BCSO-Insider]

BCSO will get them but will have to go through more hoops than someone applying for TS clearance. The amount of paperwork is stupid. Regarding DPS, they were provided the key along with the already coordinated AACOG key but are not happy given the sheer number of keys SAPD has. And the fact they intend to cycle their keys so OTAR is a mess.

 

[Echo4Thirty]

Sounds like they followed the HPD/HFD system of "hey lets do a different key for each division!"

 

[KevinC]

Sounds like they followed the HPD/HFD system of "hey lets do a different key for each division!"

What do you expect from someone that named one of their subsites METH?

 

[BCSO-Insider]

No comment. 😎

 

[Ensnared]

Encryption for SAPD has been active for a few weeks now.

Thanks. What a shame.

 

[Echo4Thirty]

What do you expect from someone that named one of their subsites METH?

What, not going to mention TOMB?

 

[NC5267]

38438 and 38431 encrypted not listed in the database or listed for their EDACS system equivalent.

39573 UTSA PD

All on the AARRS. I took out the 700 overlay system.

 

[Giddyuptd]

Many underestimate how man agencies use scanners is very true to what blanton said.

Sounds like they followed the HPD/HFD system of "hey lets do a different key for each division!"

Pretty bad when you can't trust your own divisions and have to lock them out at will need basis. Sounds like a huge management and poor internal affairs setup of questionable persons in various places.

Sounds like a couple of agencies we have here on TxWarn... As I often say, its not the technology thats the hurdle, its the idiots running it. The ENTIRE point of standards based systems (Including AES) is interoperability. It does NO good when you dont even want to give access to your partnering agencies. This is bad system management decisions if they choose to castle up and not even allow BCSO in.

EDIT: I wish I could be a fly on the wall if they tell DPS they cant have their keys... hahahah Ill bet a paycheck DPS ends up getting them and having them in their KVL in Austin, NOT the AARRS shop. Seen this movie before.

I recall reading somewhere Texas required locals to provide keys or have a radio installed with said keys in DPS units. Possibly a law I recall seeing. El Paso initially installed radios in units of theirs then ended up figuring it was easier to give dps a keyloader over installing radios of theirs in state vehicles. I'd imagine San Antonio figured it was cheaper to do that then outfit tons of state vehicles with their own purchased radios and install time.

 

[troubadour1318]

Are SAFD and BCFA going to be encrypted?

 

[blantonl]

Are SAFD and BCFA going to be encrypted?

There are no indications that SAFD or BCFA will be encrypted at this time.

 

[mostinterestingman]

Sounds like a couple of agencies we have here on TxWarn... As I often say, its not the technology thats the hurdle, its the idiots running it. The ENTIRE point of standards based systems (Including AES) is interoperability. It does NO good when you dont even want to give access to your partnering agencies. This is bad system management decisions if they choose to castle up and not even allow BCSO in.

EDIT: I wish I could be a fly on the wall if they tell DPS they cant have their keys... hahahah Ill bet a paycheck DPS ends up getting them and having them in their KVL in Austin, NOT the AARRS shop. Seen this movie before.

Unfortunately the current COSA radio system manger has shown his ass several times with his ignorance on encryption. I'm sure any inkling of interoperability & sharing will have to continue to come from the county, like it always has.

 

[Echo4Thirty]

Unfortunately the current COSA radio system manger has shown his ass several times with his ignorance on encryption. I'm sure any inkling of interoperability & sharing will have to continue to come from the county, like it always has.

Nothing like getting a job managing a radio system and not being remotely qualified. Seems to be an epidemic in Texas.

 

[NC5267]

I heard from some media sources that BCSO was only encrypting open, tac, and CID channels. This may have changed as these things do. Also, they said the cost the city is charging them for their(as the city calls it) software update is "beyond stupid." As the media guys put it.