Anne Arundel TalkGroup 32208/32216

[TinEar]

Talkgroup 32208 is an encrypted (always) talkgroup that has been active since the beginning of this new frequency/talkgroup changeover. If you have the Status Bit function turned off, it is represented as talkgroup 32216. The plus eight is the standard status bit thingie that represents an encrypted talk group. The question, however, is what is the function of this talkgroup? I have never been able to associate it with anything in particular that is happening on the other talkgroups such as major fire/police operations.

Speaking of major, I was listening last night with four scanners and couldn't keep up with the action on just AA County's fire department during the height of the storm that passed through our area. Between the homes/buildings hit with lightning and the wires down in the streets, it sure taxed the abilities of the fire department with the help of surrounding counties too. They came through like champs as usual though but with slight delays answering up to fire units in the field because so many talkgroups were in use. I had no resources to listen to police. I think to have properly covered the entire area I listen to on a normal basis I would have needed about a half dozen scanners for each county last night. Do many others of you run multiple scanners during emergency situations?

[Edit] I should have added that TG 32208 (or 32216) is digital voice encryption - not an encrypted data channel.

 

[bnglbill]

I was listening as well, this was the first time in a long time that a box was dispatched to use TG Charlie as the tac channel. I was hoping for another box to go out just to see what TG they would put it on but it didn't happen.

I used to use several Scanners before this whole digital thing I generally use two now, I have a pro 96 and when I lock in a tg on that for a box, I turn my old RS scanner on to monitor the conventional Balt. Co, Balt. City and AACO. dispatch channels so that I don't miss another box getting dispatched. I plan on getting another digital scanner but I'm waiting for the pro 2096 to come out, if it doesn't come out soon though, I may end up buying another pro 96.

 

[TinEar]

I'm also waiting for the PRO-2096 to appear. Latest thing I've heard is that it will be in stores in August.

 

[bear105]

Speaking of major, I was listening last night with four scanners and couldn't keep up with the action on just AA County's fire department during the height of the storm that passed through our area.

Was good listening the past few nights...Especially Baltimore Co on Tuesday night...

 

[TinEar]

It'll be this way all during storm season as long as the weather stays this hot and humid and those violent storms are created. It's difficult to listen to more than your own county with all this activity.

Going back to my original question to start this thread, I guess the silence means no one knows what 32208/32216 is used for. Guess it doesn't matter that much since it's encrypted and we'll never be able to listen to it anyway. Sometimes though, depending on the usage of those encrypted channels, they can be a tipoff for something important happening that spills over onto other frequencies and talkgroups. It was just my curiosity that wanted to be satisfied by knowing what it was used for.