How To Program An ESK Radio

[JohnnyGalaga]

Does ESK mean the control channel is encrypted? If no, then wouldn't it be possile to program a radio to listen to an ESK system? If yes, then how do esk.exe and unitrunker decode the control channel?

Will M/A - COM sell you the programming software, or are they tight-wads like /\/\otorola.

 

[JohnnyGalaga]

Also, if voice talk groups are digital, can esk.exe, etrunk, or unitrunker tell if it's Aegis, ProVoice, encrypted, or not encrypted ?

 

[SCPD]

Motorola trunking RSS and CPS has required a system key with its software to program a trunking profile into a radio for years.

In contrast - the older MA/COM software had no such constraint. In recent years MA/COM began requiring a smart card in conjunction with the software to program a trunking profile into their newer radios. They half-solved the problem by preventing someone from using one of the new radios on a trunked system. Anyone could buy one of the older models and program them to operate on someone else's system. That's where ESK solves the other half of the problem. By flipping two bits in every frame on the control channel - the resulting data is no longer recognized by these older radios - or radios with older firmware.

The purpose behind ESK wasn't to encrypt the control channel. It only needed to differ just enough to prevent older radios from operating on the system.

 

[SCPD]

Also, if voice talk groups are digital, can esk.exe, etrunk, or unitrunker tell if it's Aegis, ProVoice, encrypted, or not encrypted ?

I think you have to switch to the voice channel to determine these (I'm too lazy to check my notes right now).

 

[JohnnyGalaga]

So with ESK, is the control channel considered encrypted or not encrypted? If I bought a newer radio and the software, could I make it work?

I've known about Motorola needing a system key. Are smart cards the M/A-COM equivalent?

What do these smart cards look like? A credit card? Or is it a computer file like a /\/\otorola system key? Where does the card go while programming a radio?

How does one obtain a smart card?

 

[SCPD]

It's not encrypted - but ... from a bootleg radio perspective ... is more secure than plain EDACS. Yeah, the smart cards are credit card sized. It contains from crypto (I think) challenge / response that the radio's firmware uses to validate the programming. Card plugs into radio.

You can purchase blank cards very cheaply (which won't help you).

Beware that such a device is considered an "access device" under US federal law. Illegally obtaining or forging one is in the same category as a counterfeit credit card or bank card.