Alpha Pages

[gr8tff]

What vender does fire/rescue use? What is the frequency? What type of system is it? What is the baud rate?

 

[Dispatcher308]

You can be vague and so can I.

Multiple Vendors(some own system/some commercial), multiple bands (VHF, UHF, 900), systems very (Pocsag, encrypted, Voice) Baud rates of (512, 1200, 2400).

Also it is illegal to monitor these systems by LAW!!!


Any questions.

 

[gr8tff]

ok thanks, you are very helpful

 

[kb3jkc]

Illegal??

Dispatcher308, could you cite the statute(s) that make it illegal to receive alpha pages for fire/ems dispatches? I'm not so sure you are right about that, but I will stand corrected if someone can post the actual law or where it can be found. Thanks.

 

[dpm797]

All of AACo alpha pages are through the commerical carrier of the receiving person, who is a subscriber of that company. I.E. Nextel, Verizon, USA Mobility, & Sprint to name a few. It is sent to those devices using a computer program that sends the message in an e-mail/text message/SMS message depending on that carrier's format. Hope it is clear as the Marley Creek.

 

[ocguard]

Many fire departments use alphanumeric paging services through third-part commercial paging carriers (such as Metrocall or USA Mobility) to augment their department/municipally owned radio dispatch systems. These systems carry messages not only for fire dispatching, but also from the general public and other businesses (such as doctors, lawyers, etc). They are connected to the public telephone system, and are therefore covered under the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, United States Code, Title 18, Chapter 119. It is illegal to intercept any communication on such a system not intended for you. It is also illegal to manufacture or distribute equipment for this purpose.

Some departments/municipalities have built their own alphanumeric paging systems; where the transmitters are owned by the department or municipality, and pager messages are reserved for fire and EMS dispatch and communications. These systems are not connected to the public telephone switch, and are not used by the general public. It is not illegal to intercept messages from these systems, and would be no different than monitoring the tone/voice pager messages from a fire/EMS dispatch channel. I am not aware of any departments in the Baltimore metro area that own their own alphanumeric pager systems. There are a handful popping up in Southcentral PA.

I hope this clears things up.

 

[Dispatcher308]

Thanks Matt, I was going to reply but then you stepped up.

Kevin I hope that helps you. If not im not really sure what else to tell you.


Thanks
Nathan

 

[fd2119]

Prince George's County owns (and maintains) their own VHF POCSAG paging system.

 

[HM1529]

The discussion about pager decoding came up in the PA forum a while back. I posted my take on it there. No, I'm not a lawyer, but I do not interpret the ECPA as restricting monitoring of public safety operated paging systems (just commercial paging).

I posted excerpts from ECPA in this thread:
http://www.radioreference.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84733

I would love to get clarification from someone with an actual law degree, though.

 

[ocguard]

The discussion about pager decoding came up in the PA forum a while back. I posted my take on it there. No, I'm not a lawyer, but I do not interpret the ECPA as restricting monitoring of public safety operated paging systems (just commercial paging).

I posted excerpts from ECPA in this thread:
http://www.radioreference.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84733

I would love to get clarification from someone with an actual law degree, though.

Ben,

The interpretation I posted above is actually the opinion of someone with a law degree (not me, an acquaintance). As you can see, my stance has changed since posting on the PA forum regarding a similar because of the clarification I got.

You are correct. The ECPA does not apply to public safety communications SYSTEMS. However, if a public safety entity is using a commercial communications system (such as a commercial paging system or a cellular phone system), is IT covered by the ECPA because of the high likelihood that a non-public safety message will be inadvertently intercepted.

 

[kb3jkc]

Thanks for the replies to my little question & comment earlier in the thread. While I do routinely deal with legaleese with my job, I'm definitely not a lawyer. Wow, this federal stuff makes for some good reading! My humble interpretation concurs with what Matt has posted - it does appear that it would be illegal to intercept if a commercial carrier broadcasts the data, while it would be perfectly fine if a system controlled by the 911 center/government is used.

 

[williamrowlands]

baud rate

what is the baud rate for alphanumeric pagers in talbot county maryland?