Alleghany County Virginia p25 phase 2

motorcoachdoug

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Nope even using a Harris Radio you will NOT be able to listen to Encrypted Transmissions unless you are an authorized user and the admin give you the keys. Also you would need a KVL3000 plus cables and a working knowledge on how to use the KVL for programming keys to begin with plus with the KVL you can use it on mother moto or harris and the correct cables as well. The whole setup is not cheap
 

Ghstwolf62

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They are using AES 256. Having the talk groups in a commercial radio is the same as having them in a scanner. You will NOT pick up any encrypted traffic at all. Period. Nothing.

It can't be decrypted, basically at all. I heard someone say a few years ago with a CRAY computer and some time it could be but its still not in real time or close to it. There will be no fix to this for quite some time if ever. Maybe someday but not any time soon and by the time it might be I can guarantee you they'll have something more sophisticated out to deal with it. Heck I've heard there are more robust encryption algorithms already either out there or in development.

Having the system in a commercial radio will help with simulcast reception IF you are having issues but it will not get you encrypted comms. I don't think you really understand how it all works. There isn't some crack on the net to get you able to listen to them. It just doesn't work like that. As others have said no one is going to give them out or help you get on the system in any way. Give up the idea. Its not going to happen. They don't care about you not being able to listen. As a matter of fact that is why they went encrypted. They don't want you to be able to listen to them. So why in the devil would they give out a way for you to do it when that's why its encrypted in the first place.

We are just SOL on the subject. Does it suck? Yes it does. Is there a thing we can do about it........no. My daughter texted me a couple of days ago asking me what in the h*ll was going on down here because about 6 sheriff units and VSP units came flying down here into our complex so fast it scared her. One unit bottomed out and went airborne a bit because he was going so fast.

I had no idea they were even there much less what they were doing. That is the way they want it.

I know some on the dept. My daughters know quite a few and are even friends with some and went to school with a few of them. They couldn't get it, I couldn't get it and I can guarantee you that you're not going to get it.

This isn't the guy who ran the radio systems out here for years this is Harris Corp who is doing the system in Alleghany and Rockbridge. Do you really think a multi-billion dollar world wide company with contracts all over the place including the Federal Gov and military not to mention cities, counties and states even some countries is going to risk it all to let Joe Blow in Virginia have the Encryption key to a system because he doesn't like not hearing what's going on anymore? Seriously? Even Wes wouldn't do that when he ran things and this isn't Wes by a long shot. These are the big boys.

I've spoken to you in the past and I can say you have no idea how to program a radio, any kind of raido. Which means you have no business fooling around with a commercial radio much less trying to put a radio system you are not authorized to be on into such a radio. You also have no legitimate use for one for anything much less that. You are only going to get yourself into trouble if you pursue this. You really need to know what you're doing and you don't.

I have more knowledge than you but even for me there are some things I won't attempt because I'm not confident in my abilities to not screw something up like NAS. I do use commercial radios but for HAM radio sometimes but only that so far. Since my scanners work for me for the most part I don't need to put these systems into one of my radios. There is no point.

You're not going to get anything on a commercial radio that you are not getting on your scanner right now. Nothing. So stick with the scanner.
 

bocook222

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Apr 22, 2009
Messages
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They are using AES 256. Having the talk groups in a commercial radio is the same as having them in a scanner. You will NOT pick up any encrypted traffic at all. Period. Nothing.

It can't be decrypted, basically at all. I heard someone say a few years ago with a CRAY computer and some time it could be but its still not in real time or close to it. There will be no fix to this for quite some time if ever. Maybe someday but not any time soon and by the time it might be I can guarantee you they'll have something more sophisticated out to deal with it. Heck I've heard there are more robust encryption algorithms already either out there or in development.

Having the system in a commercial radio will help with simulcast reception IF you are having issues but it will not get you encrypted comms. I don't think you really understand how it all works. There isn't some crack on the net to get you able to listen to them. It just doesn't work like that. As others have said no one is going to give them out or help you get on the system in any way. Give up the idea. Its not going to happen. They don't care about you not being able to listen. As a matter of fact that is why they went encrypted. They don't want you to be able to listen to them. So why in the devil would they give out a way for you to do it when that's why its encrypted in the first place.

We are just SOL on the subject. Does it suck? Yes it does. Is there a thing we can do about it........no. My daughter texted me a couple of days ago asking me what in the h*ll was going on down here because about 6 sheriff units and VSP units came flying down here into our complex so fast it scared her. One unit bottomed out and went airborne a bit because he was going so fast.

I had no idea they were even there much less what they were doing. That is the way they want it.

I know some on the dept. My daughters know quite a few and are even friends with some and went to school with a few of them. They couldn't get it, I couldn't get it and I can guarantee you that you're not going to get it.

This isn't the guy who ran the radio systems out here for years this is Harris Corp who is doing the system in Alleghany and Rockbridge. Do you really think a multi-billion dollar world wide company with contracts all over the place including the Federal Gov and military not to mention cities, counties and states even some countries is going to risk it all to let Joe Blow in Virginia have the Encryption key to a system because he doesn't like not hearing what's going on anymore? Seriously? Even Wes wouldn't do that when he ran things and this isn't Wes by a long shot. These are the big boys.

I've spoken to you in the past and I can say you have no idea how to program a radio, any kind of raido. Which means you have no business fooling around with a commercial radio much less trying to put a radio system you are not authorized to be on into such a radio. You also have no legitimate use for one for anything much less that. You are only going to get yourself into trouble if you pursue this. You really need to know what you're doing and you don't.

I have more knowledge than you but even for me there are some things I won't attempt because I'm not confident in my abilities to not screw something up like NAS. I do use commercial radios but for HAM radio sometimes but only that so far. Since my scanners work for me for the most part I don't need to put these systems into one of my radios. There is no point.

You're not going to get anything on a commercial radio that you are not getting on your scanner right now. Nothing. So stick with the scanner.
Thanks for taking the time to explain this. I should be happy with being able to listen to VSP and fire and rescue. At least that will keep me out of trouble. Google the Roanoke phantom 1993.
 

BigLebowski

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Thanks for taking the time to explain this. I should be happy with being able to listen to VSP and fire and rescue. At least that will keep me out of trouble. Google the Roanoke phantom 1993.

What a great thing to advertise. I guess you are longing for more federal supervision?
 

Ghstwolf62

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Thanks for taking the time to explain this. I should be happy with being able to listen to VSP and fire and rescue. At least that will keep me out of trouble. Google the Roanoke phantom 1993.

I'm not even sure what to say to this. I mean under what definition of intelligence do you think its a good idea to tell a forum full of law enforcement officers, communication specialists and others that you want to fu*k with a radio system and spent over 10 years in jail for doing it before.

I mean seriously.

In addition, Bocook used obscene language, harassed a female air traffic controller, made threats to shoot down aircraft, and transmitted recorded music, weather reports, and warnings about his own activities.

I just don't know what to say to this. I really hope you don't do anything. Being angry at encryption isn't a reason to put people's lives, including PS officers, in danger. That is one reason they use it btw.
 

bocook222

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Apr 22, 2009
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I'm not even sure what to say to this. I mean under what definition of intelligence do you think its a good idea to tell a forum full of law enforcement officers, communication specialists and others that you want to fu*k with a radio system and spent over 10 years in jail for doing it before.

I mean seriously.

In addition, Bocook used obscene language, harassed a female air traffic controller, made threats to shoot down aircraft, and transmitted recorded music, weather reports, and warnings about his own activities.

I just don't know what to say to this. I really hope you don't do anything. Being angry at encryption isn't a reason to put people's lives, including PS officers, in danger. That is one reason they use it btw.
I never had any illegal intentions. I just want to be able to listen not do anything to interfere with public safety radio. I learned my lesson when it comes to interference with radio transmissions that could harm others. I have no intention to break the law.
 

bocook222

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Apr 22, 2009
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I've been hearing dispatch in the clear every once in a while on 103 but can't hear any replies. Heard dispatch speaking with VSP 525 but couldn't hear him. I've also noticed that 525 always knows where County cops are doing based on his calls to VSP dispatch. Even before hearing acso in the clear I surmised he probably has a County radio although other state units have to ask their dispatch to call the county to find out where the county is responding to. I finally got a sds200 and had it preprogrammed for county and state police ems etc. I would like to know if I may be missing something as far as how my scanner was set up. Mainly 101 is where 99% of the dispatch was heard in the clear. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated
 

BigLebowski

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I'm not sure what specifically you are asking, but most consoles can select/deselect encryption and occasionally someone manages to turn it off without knowing. Subscribers are programmed with it on full-time and the user can't turn it off.

And yes, VSP has local radios in most areas.
 

bocook222

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Apr 22, 2009
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I'm not sure what specifically you are asking, but most consoles can select/deselect encryption and occasionally someone manages to turn it off without knowing. Subscribers are programmed with it on full-time and the user can't turn it off.

And yes, VSP has local radios in most areas.
I noticed the sds filters the encryption transmissions. I thought my configuration on the sds200 was the issue. Also I thought if the dispatcher turned it off that it would deactivate it on the mobiles as well since the radios can be accessed remotely.
 

clbsquared

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Isle of Wight County
I noticed the sds filters the encryption transmissions. I thought my configuration on the sds200 was the issue. Also I thought if the dispatcher turned it off that it would deactivate it on the mobiles as well since the radios can be accessed remotely.
No, the radios (if programmed in a certain manner) work independently of each other for encryption. Each subscriber can turn it on and off as they see fit.
 

BigLebowski

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No, the radios (if programmed in a certain manner) work independently of each other for encryption. Each subscriber can turn it on and off as they see fit.

But they're not. The subscribers in this case are all strapped secure, hence why there is no clear traffic from the units, only the dispatchers.
 

3003

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Nov 15, 2022
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The radios are all key loaded so they will receive the transmission if it is encrypted or not. However if the TG is set to be encrypted in the radio's personality then it will always be encrypted due to the user cannot toggle that. The dispatcher does have the ability to toggle encryption at the console though. This will lead to what was experienced here where dispatch is clear, but the unit is not.

The issue has been resolved and ACSO is now encrypted on that console.
 

Ghstwolf62

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103 is Covington PD. Once in a great while one of their dispatchers transmits in the clear for a while. Very rarely though and its no doubt a mistake. I've never heard SO in the clear since they threw the switch. Maybe I missed it.
I believe its only some VSP units who have county radios which has always been the case in the past from what I know. So the other units have to play call dispatch to call their dispatch to find out whats going on then backward to the unit with the info. That or they all just jump out and follow the deputies. :)

The deputies out here have always been weird about being listened to. They've told me to my face its not officer safety or confidential info they just don't like people being able to hear them on the radio. They lose a huge resource by the public not being aware and able to give them info which I heard happen a million times over the years but this is what they've chosen. We're stuck.

Plus the few times I called in with info because of what I heard they seemed rather put out that I was listening to them rather than saying "Oh you know where that suspect is right now?" They just didn't like being monitored.

I'm 60 years old and have been listening to police and fire since I was a kid. I went into EMS in LA and scanners became really important because back then we didn't have staging like crews get today except in really major incidents and so being able to hear the SO and Fire on the scanner became a safety issue for us. Many times we got a call of maybe a person injured while SO or fire put out a family fight with injury on their radios, info we didn't get. Listening to that we parked and waited for that wonderful "Code 4" before we went on in. I've always loved listening.

Being disabled and pretty much housebound the scanners are a nice hobby to listen to but part of that has been lost now and I don't think it'll come back. Sad but that's life. I do miss it though.

As others have said just because you hear it doesn't mean you should put it up on a forum. I've discovered a number of things over the years and never put it up anywhere. I've known others who are the same.

You hear a lot of stuff and there are plenty of times I think about wow that's funny or interesting I should post it but then stop and think about how its going to be taken and would the powers that be decide that should go bye bye too. I heard something hilarious today but its a case that someone monitoring this forum may decide that channel should go E because we shouldn't be listening to it so I don't post it no matter how funny it was and what the channel was. Its a little different if its something like 4 units rolling code 3 to a cow wandering on a back road at 3 in the morning that happened a few years ago but a lot of stuff shouldn't be put up like surveillance frequencies and such.

So figure SO, PD and the med channel are out and going to stay out. You should be able to pick up Rockbridge and Alleghany systems from Clifton. You have fire and some other things left on them to keep you busy. I also pick up quite a bit of air traffic out here which I put in when I lost the other stuff. RR too but I don't find that interesting to tell the truth. I get WVSIRN when I go west of here a bit. Pick up often starts around the 24 to 23 and a number of times I stop at McDonalds at the 21 and sit in the parking lot to eat and listen to it. Of course Botetourt is still in the clear and analog. You can get WV Healthnet helo dispatch from here as well as Lifeguard and Lifeguard on Med 9 with reports. Listening to the FRS/GMRS channels can be funny especially when the kids get on them but you also get traveling people and sometimes its funny listening to a wife lambasting her hubby about something or the other.

My go to radios now are the 996P2 which really surprised me with just how fantastic they turned out to be. They pick up the stuff both as a base and and as a mobile really well plus scan much faster than the more fancy 536. I've had more problems with my 536 than the 996P2s. Frankly I think they work much better than the 536 which really surprised me. They work in Roanoke as well and pick up really well down there. I have a 15x for my primary analog/air scanner which is fantastic as well. Spent time on Ebay and found them pretty cheap too.
 
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