BCD325P2/BCD996P2: Encrypted talkgroups

[w2vgp]

First I want to start off to say I'm not trying to figure out how to listen to encrypted talkgroups. I have a BCD996P2 scanner a I've noticed a few times it has briefly stopped on a talkgroup that the database shows as encrypted (De). This will only stop briefly to show the talkgroup ID before resuming scanning. Will the scanner stop on encrypted talkgroups with no or scrambled audio, or just skip over them altogether? I wasn't sure just how the scanner handles those.

 

[hiegtx]

First I want to start off to say I'm not trying to figure out how to listen to encrypted talkgroups. I have a BCD996P2 scanner a I've noticed a few times it has briefly stopped on a talkgroup that the database shows as encrypted (De). This will only stop briefly to show the talkgroup ID before resuming scanning. Will the scanner stop on encrypted talkgroups with no or scrambled audio, or just skip over them altogether? I wasn't sure just how the scanner handles those.

The scanner might stop on a talkgroup (or conventional channel) briefly, until it recognizes that it is encrypted. Once it senses that, it will move on scanning your other channels. The scanner does not "remember" that it saw encryption there before. If, the next time it sees that talkgroup (or conventional frequency), that there is a transmission in progress that does not show to be encrypted, it would stop there & try to receive any audio present.

 

[RandyKuff]

If, the next time it sees that talkgroup (or conventional frequency), that there is a transmission in progress that does not show to be encrypted, it would stop there & try to receive any audio present.

And that could happen on a channel designated with a lower case "e"... For partial encryption...

 

[w2vgp]

Ok thanks! I suspected that's what was happening. It's only one talkgroup I've noticed that with. I don't believe that there are any talkgroups with an upper case "E" where I primarily listen.

 

[hiegtx]

And that could happen on a channel designated with a lower case "e"... For partial encryption...

Yep

What is unusual (to me at least) is for talkgroups on the system that Dallas (both city & county) is moving to, NTIRN. Some talkgroups are already flagged as encrypted, most full time for certain tactical & investigative TGIDs. I have one of my 436HP's logging & recording all activity, to help identify new talkgroups. But at times, the 436 stops on an encrypted channel, and "listens" to the garbled encrypted transmissions, which is in the audio files. My two SDS scanners skip them as expected, as does my 325P2. But for some reason, the 436HP stops on them much of the time.

 

[JoeBearcat]

Simulcast interference not allowing the scanner to ID it as encrypted?

 

[hiegtx]

Simulcast interference not allowing the scanner to ID it as encrypted?

I don't think so. The 436 is receiving the simulcast sites well, after I determined the best antenna and location. No garbled reception (indicative of Simullcast). Also, the 325P2 is sitting next to the 436HP, & is receiving the same system; it recognizes & skips encrypted channels.