I work as a paramedic in the Anderson area if I were to buy a p25 radio is it just program and go?
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A trunking radio is a lot more complicated and secure than conventional radios. You'd have to first acquire permission with the radio system manager to get a radio ID authorized on the Palmetto P25 system. I would not buy a radio until you get permission (in writing) saying so. After that you have to make sure you buy a radio that supports the radio system you want to use it on. Palmetto P25 is a APCO 25 9600 baud system so make sure your radio supports that. Once you get your radio you'll have to talk to whoever runs your department and have them program your radio. Only people with a system key can program your radio and system keys are only issued to people trained and trusted to program radios.
Really not a difficult process if you have a legitimate reason to be on the system, but be warned that not many radio systems allow personal radios, so there is a chance you may get told no. At that point your ability to talk will be gone, but you can still scan the system with a scanner or passively on a radio as receive only (somewhat difficult for a novice programmer).
Of course, all of this is a moot point if you only need a conventional radio to listen to the VHF dispatch comms, and possibly talk on IF VHF is patched and/or monitored.
Hope this helps.