I am writting to inquire if the Boston College Campus Police have gone P25 like BUPD?
Any information would be appreciated!
Any information would be appreciated!
Boston College Campus Police P25?
- Thread starter svtlcpdmedic
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kennyblues
Member
They may have. I just programed in the 472.1375 freq. and found a encrypted P-25 signal. A search of the FCC database shows 2 other listings other than B.C. one in Swansea and the other in Amesbury.
ecps92
Member
Yes they recently upgraded to P-25
svtlcpdmedic said:
Scanner-geek
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They're not encryped are they? That would be ridiculous.
Are they still on the same frequency on P-25?ecps92 said:
ecps92
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Yes, same UHF T-Band channel
svtlcpdmedic said:
Scanner-geek
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Can anyone confirm if Boston College Police have gone encrypted? Thanks
Scannergeek
Scannergeek
I recall them being encrypted when I was in Boston about a month a go. BC usually has a booming signal. Someone closer would know. Foolish if they are encrypted. But what ever. Have the time they don't even answer their BAPERN-3 radio calls.
Scanner-geek
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I can't imagine why they would need encryption. Not exactly the secret service. It's those pesky eagles with scanners.
RKG
Member
The reason that more and more systems will be going encrypted when they go P-25 is because they can.
In the old days of analog radio, encryption required additional hardware, was quirky at best, and severely cut down on working range. With P-25, you are already digital, and encryption is merely a software option that alters the sampling mask, without altering the impacts one has already incurred by going to digital voice in the first place. The firmware option for software encryption is abnormally inexpensive.
In the old days of analog radio, encryption required additional hardware, was quirky at best, and severely cut down on working range. With P-25, you are already digital, and encryption is merely a software option that alters the sampling mask, without altering the impacts one has already incurred by going to digital voice in the first place. The firmware option for software encryption is abnormally inexpensive.
RKG
Member
I think you read too much into the situation. Assuming an "Active Shooter" situation at a major university, the unencrypted traffic over Boston PD, Boston EMS and MSP would dwarf anything carried over the university system.
As a general matter (nothing specific to any licensee), I think the proliferation of encryption that the OP inquired about is simply a matter of it being easy, inexpensive, and comparatively functon-penalty-free to do with P-25 systems
As a general matter (nothing specific to any licensee), I think the proliferation of encryption that the OP inquired about is simply a matter of it being easy, inexpensive, and comparatively functon-penalty-free to do with P-25 systems
ecps92
Member
RKG
Member
While I don't doubt that this is sometimes a factor, once again I think folks are straining to find precise logic where none exists. Most of the time I don't think it goes beyond: "You mean I can go encrypted for (next to) no financial and no performance cost? Well, then, why not?"
Why not? Because it kills interops, and it lets agencys operate in secrecy. The logic is very simple - if we encrypt, then no one can hear us talking.
Obviously the word is going around to campus police chiefs in Massachusetts that P25 (and possibly encryption) is a good thing. If they took a look at some of the recent postings on the PrivateWirelessForum list, and the P25 list, they might get an education.
Peter Sz
Obviously the word is going around to campus police chiefs in Massachusetts that P25 (and possibly encryption) is a good thing. If they took a look at some of the recent postings on the PrivateWirelessForum list, and the P25 list, they might get an education.
Peter Sz
Scanner-geek
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I think it is absurd for BC to use encryption. Let's say there is a dangerous perp on the BC campus. The surrounding PDs like Newton or Boston will have no clue what's going on. You can't coordinate an interagency search on BAPERN. It's one thing if you are conducting sensitive surveillance, but college PD? Come on. Just my opinion, but I think it puts them at a decided disadvantage when Newton can't monitor what's going on a respond quickly when needed. I am not, however, a police officer so what do I know. PO safety should come first. Cost second.
Scannergeek
Scannergeek
ecps92
Member
Peter, Encryption does not kill interops. If they need Interop they can use
a.) Specific Channels - typically w/o Encryption [Mutual Aid, O yea they are a Campus Police Dept, Interops would occur on BAPERN]
b.) Share the Encryption key with those who need it
c.) Disable the Encryption when needed.
d.) Many other alternatives
a.) Specific Channels - typically w/o Encryption [Mutual Aid, O yea they are a Campus Police Dept, Interops would occur on BAPERN]
b.) Share the Encryption key with those who need it
c.) Disable the Encryption when needed.
d.) Many other alternatives
ecps92
Member
The Telephone is a wonderful Interop device. Not sure how long ago it was invented, but it's very handy.
BAPERN would and cold be used. Since every PO in Newton has it in the portables and Boston would simply Patch into the Dist Channel or the Interop Channel for the specific event.
BAPERN would and cold be used. Since every PO in Newton has it in the portables and Boston would simply Patch into the Dist Channel or the Interop Channel for the specific event.
N1BHH
Member
The reason that some of these colleges use P25 encrypted is the salesman tells them it's the best whiz bang gadget for keeping your communications private. These salesmen get an incentive for peddling it. That is correct on misinterpretation. Everyone hears that you have to get P25, but it's only a recommendation, yes, get a radio that is capable, but it's not necessary. Some people just don't know the difference, and they never will. So much for higher education, the ones that need the education are the ones who are receiving the salesman's pitch.
Schoolcop
Member
Boston College Campus Police
I asked one of the dispatchers at BCPD and they are P-25 and encrypted. They just made the switch to encryption not to long ago.
I asked one of the dispatchers at BCPD and they are P-25 and encrypted. They just made the switch to encryption not to long ago.
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