Austin Scanning

[Russell]

I wonder if DPS units have the encrypted Talk Groups for WCSO programmed into their radios. For that matter, I wonder who programs the radios, if it's DPS or whoever does the radio work for the county?

The way I understand it ... encryption is in Tiers. The State's encryption level is above counties and cities so they can encrypt/decrypt certain groups below their tier.

Also, 99% of Texas systems are funded, at least, in part by State grants AND most (Motorola) equipment is purchased using the Master agreement (I think this was the original Harris County purchase agreement). The terms of the grants specify what access the State is to have. The Master Purchase agreement could also define the procedures (and encryption hierarchy) to be used when programming the radios.

Similarly for federal grants. Fed access to certain State and Local tiers is a condition of the grant.

My terminology and history may be off regarding 'Master Agreement'. But you get the idea, the radios are programmed using a standard encryption access hierarchy. Consider the radio numbering - public safety radios use State assigned ranges.

Russell

 

[Ensnared]

Well, now there only one reason to drive to Austin, Precision Camera. There is a DEA channel that used to be fairly active along with the Gulf Coast Interop channels.

I would rather travel to a city, not Mayberry. Live music thrives in H-Town, SA, Dallas, etc. In other words, I can do without Austin.

That is how "I" roll.