Faulkner CO Updated

[INDY72]

Beaverbrook going TRBO too

Testing of MotoTRBO with encryption began today on the BFD repeater. Both BFD and GBFD have Conditional TA's from FCC until applications are processed. Once the FCC grants permanent Lic, I will update the db... Looks like Faulkner County Fire is going MotoTRBO encrypted, at least the ones not using the TRS.

I meant Beaverfork... fingers faster than brain.

 

[03msc]

The problem is not so much the people on scene. We can handle them without much issue. The problems we are having is the folks listening and then hitting the socal media with partial or incorrect info. Also one of our local news outlets will take the incomplete/incorrect info from either the scanner or the socal media and publish it without bothering to check the info out. Which is then picked up by their partner in little rock and they publish it without checking it out. And Damon you probably know exactly who I am refering to.

Several months ago this exact deal caused a citywide panic and caused a lot of issues.

Also our Fire Chief is our public info officer and will gladly give a press release when contacted.

Damon check your PM

So this sounds like instead of dealing with the issues - punishing those who need punished - a "solution" is found which basically takes away the right to hear what's going on from the other 99.9% of people who monitor. That's like changing a company dress code because one employee out of 200 wears inappropriate clothing. Just deal with the offender...

Not that you're the one who is to blame, I'm just speaking in generalities here. It seems like this is happening all over the place...very sad.

 

[dave90000]

The problem with your solution is the "offenders" have the same right as your %99. The citizens have a right to their opinions correct or not and since they are opinions and not statements of fact there is nothing that can be done. Also the mainstream media has the bill of rights that prevents your solution of punishment as a option.

With this being said people will continue to do what they do and issues will continue to occur. Have you ever backed up and taken a objective look at why all these agencys are spending the extra money to secure their communications?

I would guess that the above reason is at the heart of most agencys moves to secure communications.

Another point for the move is we now have solid communications in areas that are really weak on analog.

 

[ts548]

So this sounds like instead of dealing with the issues - punishing those who need punished - a "solution" is found which basically takes away the right to hear what's going on from the other 99.9% of people who monitor. That's like changing a company dress code because one employee out of 200 wears inappropriate clothing. Just deal with the offender...

Not that you're the one who is to blame, I'm just speaking in generalities here. It seems like this is happening all over the place...very sad.

They Didn't take away your "right" to listen as you don't have a right to listen. They took away your privilege to listen.

 

[INDY72]

Exactly! Where in the constitution does it say you have a right to monitor communications of anyone? This is in the same category as saying you have a right to vote in Federal elections. Its not true. The only ones in that case with a right to vote in Federal elections are women and blacks. Everyone else: PRIVILEGE! State elections are covered under each state's constitution. Same with the "right" to drive... don't exist. Yes its LEGAL to monitor 99.9% of communications. That doesn't equal a right to do so. We may not be happy about agencies going to either a system that scanners can't monitor, or throwing up encryption on the systems we can. But unless an agency has it SPECIFICALLY in their charter, or bylaws that the system they run MUST be monitorable by the general public, then get over it.

 

[ad5kl]

New Motorola sales pitch - encrypt so the public doesn't know how many times you go to the doughnut store.

 

[03msc]

New Motorola sales pitch - encrypt so the public doesn't know how many times you go to the doughnut store.

haha EXACTLY!

 

[Ghost4658]

The gov dont wont WE THE PEOPLE to know what they are doing!
The faulkner county KGB is watching you!

 

[INDY72]

Unfortunately, its not just Faulkner, its like almost EVERY County. At least with a couple they are simulcasting on AWIN, or analog VHF alongside their TRBO, or NexEDGE. But it looks like the majority are going encrypted IDAS TDMA. So if you are lucky enough to live in an county that is either doing all AWIN, or simulcasting in some way in the clear, good for you, if not.... Well there is always rail and air for a while.... Then just air.

 

[weather4ar]

Actually, it seems to be mostly small rural departments that are using encryption technology. Going by the emission data, most of the Little Rock Metro Counties including Faulkner are narrowbanded but mostly in the clear. There are exceptions like the FC Emergency Squad, Greenbrier, Vilonia PD and Beaverfork FD. The encrypted departments seem to be rural county sheriffs and small town FD's that are not on a County Dispatch System, (except Van Buren County), which needed an easy and inexpensive way to make the digital switch for narrowbanding. Most larger LR Metro departments and counties are unencrypted probably because most will eventually transition to AWIN as it matures and radios and infrastructure become available. Also, as far as railroads go, they will probably be around for years to come. The AAR, the FCC and the rails themselves are in no hurry to go to the 6.25 khz protocol. Most rail radios have analog nfm channels but not digital, even though they are digital capable.