Highway Patrol

[K9DUO]

Are we able to listen to the Tennessee Highway Patrol.? I see their dispatch channels show one encrypted and one not. Why is that. Also is
it legal to have a scanner in a vehicle. I drive a semi and like to listen to highway patrols / state police while traveling.

 

[buddrousa]

Dispatch 1 is in the clear.
Dispatch 2 is ENCRYPTED all chases DOA and very sensitive info they switch to Dispatch 2.
90% of all traffic is on Dispatch 1

 

[ki4hyf]

I like the way TACN is setup, in that (at least for D4/D8) the main dispatch channel is clear and all others are secure. TACN is a model system that I wish others would follow.

I believe that state law allows scanners in vehicles, but I understand there is a Nashville (and maybe others) city ordinance against them. I think hams may have a bit of leeway, but don't take anything I've said as concrete.

 

[FFPM571]

I like the way TACN is setup, in that (at least for D4/D8) the main dispatch channel is clear and all others are secure. TACN is a model system that I wish others would follow.

I believe that state law allows scanners in vehicles, but I understand there is a Nashville (and maybe others) city ordinance against them. I think hams may have a bit of leeway, but don't take anything I've said as concrete.

99% of public safety in the (Nashville) Davidson / Rutheford/ Williamson county is Encrypted anyway. There is no City ordnance against scanners in Nashville

 

[ki4hyf]

I'm not a lawyer, and I'm not wanting to argue, but this sure sounds like it could cover a scanner:

11.04.120 - Police radio—Permit required.
It is unlawful for any person to equip or operate any motor vehicle with a high frequency police radio receiving set unless such motor vehicle is being used by the federal, state or metropolitan government or a peace officer, or unless a permit for the use of the same shall have been granted as provided by this chapter.
(Ord. 90-1339 § 1 (34-1), 1990; prior code § 34-2-2) Metro Government of Nashville and Davidson County

Of course, I could be wrong. Like most laws, it's very vague. I've been under the impression Nashville had mobile scanner laws for years.

 

[FFPM571]

I'm not a lawyer, and I'm not wanting to argue, but this sure sounds like it could cover a scanner:

11.04.120 - Police radio—Permit required.
It is unlawful for any person to equip or operate any motor vehicle with a high frequency police radio receiving set unless such motor vehicle is being used by the federal, state or metropolitan government or a peace officer, or unless a permit for the use of the same shall have been granted as provided by this chapter.
(Ord. 90-1339 § 1 (34-1), 1990; prior code § 34-2-2) Metro Government of Nashville and Davidson County

Of course, I could be wrong. Like most laws, it's very vague. I've been under the impression Nashville had mobile scanner laws for years.

the law as written was pertaining to two way.. Which as of now is a moot point as they are all encrypted

 

[ki4hyf]

the law as written was pertaining to two way.. Which as of now is a moot point as they are all encrypted

Just out of curiosity, what kind of encryption do they use?

 

[ccfire]

I think Chattanooga has a law against scanners in vehicles but not 100% certain

 

[ki4hyf]

I think Chattanooga has a law against scanners in vehicles but not 100% certain

I think you're right, but it's probably not aggressively enforced, unlike texting and driving.

 

[surfacemount]

the law as written was pertaining to two way.. Which as of now is a moot point as they are all encrypted

It's not a 'moot point'. If you have a scanner installed, and you are in their jurisdiction, and they decide it's time to sling some ink, and that is a violation, you are violating. The ordinance clearly states 'receiving', so nothing to do with 'two-way'.

I keep up with this, op, there is an older thread in here where I went through MTAS looking for radio ordinances. I don't know of a single person getting written for scanner possession in Tennessee going back to the late 70's.

People have been charged though. It was an accessory charge. Try to burgle, have a police scanner app on your phone and working, charged with burglary tools. (I have not kept up with adjudication or disposition and that's all I remember).

What I have wondered about, and never run across anything authoritative, is whether DOT will allow you to mount a scanner in a commercial vehicle. I've installed a few over time, but always wanted a letter or notice or something substantive I could put in the vehicle. If you ever find something, please do come back and let us know.

Honestly, between a scanner and waze, at least for our state, waze is the better early warning indicator. Our Troopers do a lot via in car computer versus the old way of calling in tags, sustenance and fuel stops, etc.

 

[surfacemount]

Just out of curiosity, what kind of encryption do they use?

Nashville or the state?

 

[ki4hyf]

Both, I guess. I'm just curious. It's pretty rare, but I've seen a couple of ADP talkgroups pop up on TACN when I use DSD to listen to THP Dispatch 1.

 

[n4yek]

I'm not a lawyer, and I'm not wanting to argue, but this sure sounds like it could cover a scanner:

11.04.120 - Police radio—Permit required.
It is unlawful for any person to equip or operate any motor vehicle with a high frequency police radio receiving set unless such motor vehicle is being used by the federal, state or metropolitan government or a peace officer, or unless a permit for the use of the same shall have been granted as provided by this chapter.
(Ord. 90-1339 § 1 (34-1), 1990; prior code § 34-2-2) Metro Government of Nashville and Davidson County

Of course, I could be wrong. Like most laws, it's very vague. I've been under the impression Nashville had mobile scanner laws for years.

While I don't have an HF (high frequency) radio in my car, I do utilize VHF and UHF radios which isn't included in your post.

 

[RaleighGuy]

Zip Scanners has a list of the various state laws on their website, they do not mention local ordinances though.

 

[surfacemount]

Both, I guess. I'm just curious. It's pretty rare, but I've seen a couple of ADP talkgroups pop up on TACN when I use DSD to listen to THP Dispatch 1.

From my current understanding, it's a mix. I'm not 100% certain which flavor of AES, either

 

[Ned5555]

I was clicking around on Broadcastify to see how many of these districts have someone streaming. I provide the Nashville feed, and Chattanooga and Jackson are also online if you click in those counties. Looks like Knoxville, Memphis, Fall Branch, Cookeville, and Lawrenceburg don't have a feed provider.

I encourage anyone with a spare computer to consider providing their region's feed since THP can be a valuable reference during severe weather or large-scale incidents. Unfortunately hosting a feed does tie up a P25 scanner unless you are fancy with SDR programming.

 

[RadioJonD]

I was clicking around on Broadcastify to see how many of these districts have someone streaming. I provide the Nashville feed, and Chattanooga and Jackson are also online if you click in those counties. Looks like Knoxville, Memphis, Fall Branch, Cookeville, and Lawrenceburg don't have a feed provider.

I encourage anyone with a spare computer to consider providing their region's feed since THP can be a valuable reference during severe weather or large-scale incidents. Unfortunately hosting a feed does tie up a P25 scanner unless you are fancy with SDR programming.

Thanks for providing the THP Nashville feed, Nedd5555! It is a valuable situational awareness tool when we travel from NW Alabama to Nashville. I know, travel apps do that too, but comms are more real time than waiting for someone to type it in and post to an app or social media site. Besides, we aren't supposed to be distracted by our smart devices either!

 

[Ned5555]

I'm trying to get a Broadcastify feed up and running for the THP Lawrenceburg district. I have a spare scanner now because Franklin's city fire department has gone Big E.

What TACN tower site in the Lawrenceburg district is going to be easiest for me to receive here in Franklin? The database shows sites in Theta, Thompson Station, Centerville and Lawrenceburg. But as I'm letting the scanner cycle through, it's only picking up full-strength signals from Franklin and somehow Savannah (unless the database is mislabeled). Not hearing any THP District 7 chatter when it pulls Savannah, as expected though because Hardin County isn't their district.

 

[jimg]

I'm trying to get a Broadcastify feed up and running for the THP Lawrenceburg district. I have a spare scanner now because Franklin's city fire department has gone Big E.

What TACN tower site in the Lawrenceburg district is going to be easiest for me to receive here in Franklin? The database shows sites in Theta, Thompson Station, Centerville and Lawrenceburg. But as I'm letting the scanner cycle through, it's only picking up full-strength signals from Franklin and somehow Savannah (unless the database is mislabeled). Not hearing any THP District 7 chatter when it pulls Savannah, as expected though because Hardin County isn't their district.

Have you tried the Gills Chapel site in Marshall County?

 

[Ned5555]

Have you tried the Gills Chapel site in Marshall County?

Not yet. Part of the issue is I don’t know the back woods geography well enough to know Gills Chapel is Marshall County. 🤓 I will get that added!