"Coded" frequency

[x5150x]

Hello! I work for a small PD in a county that occasionally uses "code" when transmitting on the regular dispatch channel. This allows only those squads with radios capable of picking up the code to hear what's going on...Problem is that my department doesn't seem to have such a radio. The county's squads are all Motorola radios and ours is a Kenwood (from the WI State Patrol).

Anyone have any ideas or resources on how I can get code? I just got a TK-290 portable radio and am also wondering if that can pick up this coded freq.

If all else fails, does anyone know where I can get an inexpensive/used mobile radio that WILL get this coded freq?

 

[bc780l]

You'd best have a chat with your supervisory staff to find out if: 1) you and/or your department are authorized to participate in that coded traffic, and then if yes, 2) find out who's your radio tech. You'll need more detail to determine what type of encryption you're talking about and then if the radios you're using are capable of that. Then, maybe more $$ to get that module installed or configured. If you go outside the box, that's putting your career on the line.

 

[rvictor]

Hello! I work for a small PD in a county that occasionally uses "code" when transmitting on the regular dispatch channel. This allows only those squads with radios capable of picking up the code to hear what's going on...Problem is that my department doesn't seem to have such a radio. The county's squads are all Motorola radios and ours is a Kenwood (from the WI State Patrol).

Anyone have any ideas or resources on how I can get code? I just got a TK-290 portable radio and am also wondering if that can pick up this coded freq.

If all else fails, does anyone know where I can get an inexpensive/used mobile radio that WILL get this coded freq?

If the transmissions are, in fact, encrypted then you should be aware that it is illegal to intercept encrypted communications unless you are authorized to do so. Generally, you will also be unable to decrypt transmissions that are encrypted without the necessary encryption keys. Buying an encryption capable radio won't do anything without those.

The bottom line is that if it's encryption, you will need to get on board through the county.

73
Dick

 

[mkescan]

You might get some pretty good answers if you would mention name of the county

 

[OpSec]

The "code" you refer you to is actually digital encryption. Since the agency in question is using Motorola radios, the encryption could be one of several versions (DVP, DVP-XL, DES, DES-XL, DES-OFB or AES) depending on the vintage of equipment being used. A device called a key variable loader (KVL) and radio-specific cable is used to upload the encryption key to the module inside the radio. None of this is cheap.

You have two problems. First, since you have a Kenwood you can't install the needed encryption carrier/hybrid unless you are using the newest/current P25 capable radios or possibly one or two mid-tier Kenwood radios...and even then they only support DES and AES (that I am aware of). Second, it is illegal to intercept said encrypted transmissions without permission. Your TK-290 is not compatible with any kind of Motorola encryption. Don't take this the wrong way, but I'm sure if the county wanted you guys to listen to their encrypted traffic, they'd have authorized the use of their encryption key in compatible equipment bought/used by your department.

Cliff notes: You can't listen to it. They don't want you to.