I'm new to the site and to the scanner world. Need suggestions/help. I live in ak

[blue5011]

I use the Uniden HomePatrol and have had good luck listening to ALMR, but it took a little work to get there. I think the problem I originally had was that the HP was scanning too many sites, despite setting my location and narrowing the range down to 0. I'm sure there's a better way, but what I did was use Sentinel to copy ALMR into its own favorites list, delete or permanently avoid all of the sites, then create a new site and manually enter only the control and alternate freqs from Alaska Land Mobile Radio (ALMR) Trunking System, Statewide, Alaska - Scanner Frequencies.

I'm new at this too, but based on my very limited testing and even more limited knowledge, it seems the HP would scan all sites, even if the site should be out of range. So, since most transmissions are pretty short, the transmissions usually end before the HP rolls back around to the right site. Prior to making this change, it would take about 10 seconds to scan through ALMR. Now I'm scanning all of ALMR in about 1-2 seconds. I'm picking up some freqs from APD, AST, etc.

A friend of mine has basically the same problem w/ a HomePatrol. He keeps saying "I shouldn't have to whittle the list down..., it should do that right out of the box". His main problem is that he is near a state border, county border, and a regional DoT border, so he receives waaay too many sites. Plus the local topography is fairly flat.

 

[rogerx]

blue5011: Hopefully a quick response here, but ditto if undercover ops were the only encrypted traffic. However, as one user has stated -- no need for any encryption. I site, corruption will hide where it can and when State laws adequately cover the illegal usage of scanners while committing a crime, should be more then adequate. Basic thinking here, enforce the current laws before stepping to the next level. People are naturally lazy.

dougak: Where about are you located? Your location makes a huge difference amongst the repeaters. Here's my politically correct statement, I too have noticed some AST being rational and broadcasting on the clear, but it's little up here in Fairbanks. Since I live in North Pole, not much HomePatrol can do for me as it's primarily patrolled by AST.

If the locals do start broadcasting clear, I'd be happy to run out and buy a Uniden Home Patrol. I'm far from paranoid here, and would like to be more cautious about the areas I hang around. It's my nature, to think, God will be thar' to protect me. :-/

 

[blue5011]

Since I live in North Pole, not much HomePatrol can do for me as it's primarily patrolled by AST.

If the locals do start broadcasting clear, I'd be happy to run out and buy a Uniden Home Patrol. I'm far from paranoid here, and would like to be more cautious about the areas I hang around. It's my nature, to think, God will be thar' to protect me. :-/

I thought North Pole had their own police force?

When I drove truck on the Parks I would from time to time speak w/ a Trooper on the CB. I never had a lick of trouble out of a Trooper. That being said, some folks think I am an a $ $ h o l e...

 

[aps_ak]

North Pole is dispatched by Fairbanks PD, which was in the clear mostly last time I was up there in 2011. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Roger- this is going a few posts back, but Anchorage public safety has been in the clear for much longer than a few years ago. Valley troopers are only partially encrypted sometimes, you may be thinking of that.

 

[dougak]

dougak: Where about are you located? Your location makes a huge difference amongst the repeaters.

I'm located near Eagle River. From my place I routinely pick up APD North and AST MAT-COM on ALMR. I'm also getting a lot of JBER's ALMR traffic.

 

[dougak]

I'm not sure what all changed, but I updated the HP database tonight. Prior to the update, I received almost all APD transmissions on the non-ALMR freqs listed under Anchorage Borough. After the update, I'm receiving almost all APD transmissions on ALMR. I still deleted all of the HP's ALMR sites and used my site containing only the control freqs. The other problem I noticed is the new database lists the Municipality of Anchorage's GPS coords and range at a location/distance that it wouldn't even come close to ANC, so I had to change the range.

 

[kikito]

Yes, North Pole PD is dispatched by Fairbanks PD. Most of the North Pole area is covered by AST and all three depts. provide each other assistance all the time. So far, only a few NPPD units are encrypted.

What I've also noticed recently was that most of the Wainwright MPs are now encrypted except for dispatch. They were the very first agency to go ALMR P25 in the Interior and after what seems to be more than five years or more on the system without any encryption, suddenly they're doing it too. I wonder why the change. I know there's even some Fire Depts. heads that if they could, they would encrypt too. Like they just found out people can monitor their comms or something? Hopefully that's not the case, but if it is, the ignorance on their part is almost unbelievable. What, it took them 40+ years to find out? The excuse of terrorism was never a good one either on my book. But whatever....

What I also don't get is how many bigger cities/depts/agencies and with much higher crime rates have never nor have any plans to encrypt their comms and some even broadcast their own stuff over the Internet.

Encrypting seems to be like 'gun control', it doesn't do anything for cutting down crime but seems to provide a false sense of security to some. In fact, it seems that just in the past 2 years alone there has been more violent crime and police related shootings up here in Alaska than I can remember in the last 20 years.

But I digress....

 

[WL7ARN]

There IS a way around encryption, tho I cannot tell you how (no, that's not like "if I told you I'd have to kill you", lol.) My husband built me a box that sits next to my scanner and if something is encrypted (I get AST, Fbks and NP) all I have to do is switch on the box. However, my husband is a 100% disabled vet (TBI - Vietnam-era) whose cognitive functions have deteriorated somewhat over the years ... he's confined to a hospital bed at home and I'm caregiver. The scanner is great company for me (as is the cat) and that's how I limit its use. Would never think of disseminating info from there. Just wanted you to know that it IS possible.

 

[rogerx]

dougak: Ditto, think I witnessed similar during my last visit to Anchorage a year or so ago.

blue5011: Ditto. But from with my experience, Alaska's slightly different from other places. From what I understand, because it migrated from a territorial government and it's small populace. Hence, you rub somebody within the State Gov the wrong way because you're honest and follow the law, you'll more likely get ridiculed later. However, doesn't bother me as God always wins.

kikito: You're right on the ball. Although, I was assuming FWW were encrypting only inter-agency communications with AST, as AST is primarily encrypted with Fairbanks (due to some bimbo's policy at AST. ;-) You are so right on with your comments, or you're just mimmicking my thoughts. Basically, hear no crime, there is no crime. Or, it's how the devil finds it's path into the system. (ie. Just wait for our first Muslim governor to be elected, with encryption all in place.) Or, Realtors love the idea; Crime is not mentioned within the publics' ears so they can up-sell more. Also, you want to be sure the public is thinking good about you, abolish the press. I mean, I can really go on here... ;-) Now, back on-topic, I don't expect a move to encryption unless there's a need, as doing so will severaly restrict responders aiding in a local or national emergency. In other words, if you get into an accident on FWW, you'll have somebody there. That being said, you get into an accident in the middle of nowhere on Alaska's roads with a HAM or Amatuer Radio nearby, you'll be waiting for AST's encrypted bandwagon to arrive versus a local radio amatuer radio listener helping to contact medical responder nearby. From what I see, people just want to smoke dope, rather care for others. Now for my disclosure, I'm retired, so I'm only stating what I see as I go along here... thing change daily. Based on my experience with policing, this encryption thang definitely goes against the grain. If it were so great, the Cleveland Ohio should be whistling clean since it was one of the first cities to go unlistenable a decade ago. However, crime is so much worse there, as murders & missing people over the past decade could go absolutely unheard of until they pull the half dozen bodies from a house. With open radio traffic, the responders, amateur radio, security can get better info, versus reading out-dated mangled inaccurate press stories.

WL7ARN: Dunno about this, unless the traffic is only scrambled and not encrypted. And, if it's only scrambled, then I think it's legal to unscramble as it is not encrypted. (Semantics within the law from what I can recall.) The posts mentioned previously, via hearsay here, heavily imply encryption is being used. And if there was something to get around this, I would have been advised by one channel or another by now vs. being allowed to speak-out about this stuff. I believe you are listening to unencrypted traffic.

Encryption gives nothing but bad vibes within public policing, as it only seems to condone more of a monarchy, or further exclude the public's involvement. Or, it's desirable to have no witnesses when doing something wrong. A common misconception, people previously thought the traffic was encrypted when it was only digitized. Also, make sure your frequencies are up to date.

Hey, I'd go for the "provide a key for registered scanners", but as they say with gun control, registration is the first step towards making illegal. Suggest people read-up on WW1 & WW2 political science materials. "Ordinary Men: Reserve Police Battalion 101" is a good book, for Policital Science 101 related material. "Kaiser Wilhelm II" Wikipedia article is also good read, as to how hairy politics can get.

 

[kikito]

kikito: You're right on the ball....You are so right on with your comments, or you're just mimmicking my thoughts.

:lol: I'm not mimicking. Let's just say "I'm old enough to know better" when it comes to a lot of these things. Just on these forums alone I've been around over 10 years, before it became what it is now. Anybody remembers the trunkedradio.net days?

Another side to the whole encryption/public policy issue is that there's several radio techs from around the country in these forums that have a "holier-than-thou" attitude and don't like it when other people talk about or criticize their 'employers' policies. To the point that sometimes I wonder if they were part of the force behind agencies going encrypted. They also think everybody else in here are just "dumb scanner enthusiasts". Like they're the only ones that know anything about radio and technology and nobody else has an important, technical job or could do their job too.

But anyway, I guess when the lemmings wake up one day, hopefully not too late, they will realize the direction our country has gone and keeps going. Encryption and law enforcement public policy being just a grain of sand on the whole scheme of things....

 

[rogerx]

Hey now, every grain counts in God's world.

Even the lazy "We only do Microsoft" server admins have a useful purpose! (One of my parents is finally catching on after a five to ten years of me repetatively stating so, concerning their server environment using Microsoft only admins. They're supposedly researching other options due to the nightmare problems and costly hardware upgrades.)

Nah, encryption is a useful tool, it's just way over-exploited. Anything over-exploited is usually doomed sooner or later. As such, I only use encryption when I need to, as it deters ease of access or productivity and further risks data loss if the pass/key gets lost. I pretty much follow the crowd, or the conservative, and rarely ever jump into something new like AST is being ordered or willingly doing with encryption. Personally, think somebody ex-military is likely backing the move to encryption, not realizing the political aspects... well, speculation anyways from past experience. ... shrugs.

 

[W2NJS]

Ditto.

Alaska Statutes completely forbid even listening to encrypted radio traffic. However, I would like to think the State wouldn't cite a law-abiding citizen from doing so, with the intent of protecting themselves or others. But second guess this from what I've seen. Criminals seem to walk easily too.

Good luck if somebody is loose running around in your neighborhood with a gun. But, I'm sure AST will always be guarenteed to be there to protect you from the crook.

I've written a lengthy reply here:

http://forums.radioreference.com/al...trooper-frequencies-please-2.html#post1867838

Seems the only next measure is just to move or relocate into a State where you're somewhat guarenteed some measure of security or information. Could always move to a remote village, where locals don't have money to waste or are controlled from spending on military grade encryption.

Good things don't come from excessive force -- for some odd reason. :-/

Now, don't get me wrong, there are some really good uses for encryption, just shouldn't be used for cat & mouse games, as it only deterrs law-abiding people from being informed. Makes me sincerely wonder of the peoples's intention of those supporting this move to 110% encryption. State seems to be more interested in cheap, easy methods (ie. baton for every crime) rather then using an appropriate solution, hence, causing further problems.

Geesh, I hate ranting -- Why bother preaching when the people don't listen and only want to smoke dope.

I think you're missing the point about encryption. You can't receive/decode it even if you wanted to, regardless of the law, because the key information is not available to you to do so. The agencies keep it a secret, and just to make things more difficult they change that key information very often, like every day if they want to, and that makes the encryption codes in all the radios change at the same time.

 

[rogerx]

I think you're missing the point about encryption. You can't receive/decode it even if you wanted to, regardless of the law, because the key information is not available to you to do so. The agencies keep it a secret, and just to make things more difficult they change that key information very often, like every day if they want to, and that makes the encryption codes in all the radios change at the same time.

I didn't understand this. It's possible to specify different keys for different devices based on serial number or unit system registration, unless they're simply using one key for everybody, hence would clarify your comment.


I should have advised people here to contact their Congressman concerning this issue. And to be unbiased, even if you're for encryption. (Might suggest siting resources and experience as well, versus just stating for or against.)

 

[AKBMW]

There's no way "around" encryption. You can't flip a switch on a box and brute force decode voice bits that are encapsulated in AES. Unless one was privy to what the actual key was the sun would go red giant and consume the earth before you could crack it.

 

[AKBMW]

Encryption makes sense in the military

 

[aps_ak]

There's no way "around" encryption. You can't flip a switch on a box and brute force decode voice bits that are encapsulated in AES. Unless one was privy to what the actual key was the sun would go red giant and consume the earth before you could crack it.

^ This.

If a 64-character alphanumeric key in a over-the-air-rekeying capable system can be decoded with a flip of switch on a box someone built, they would find other ways to secure communications.

Not to ridicule anyone, but I'm just incredulous to this.

 

[rogerx]

Security is only a perception. And when something is over-used, it's almost a bolster to a challenge. More like a bolster for a foriegn military or foriegn agency to further find confirmation of it's use. In the meantime, what about us measily good-for nothing slaves & civilians.

Shrugs, I enjoy researching pre-WW1/WW2 European tic-for-tat political scenarios and the aftermath of WW2. Go figure, most problems today, still mimmick the old, as if people still want to be all powerful for some odd reason. Evil you might think? Nah, it's Godly to be all powerful. ;-)

I think, from my prior discussion and preliminary conclusion, this is just a power grab. And, somebody within Government doesn't really understand law enforcment's politics or it's civilian use. (ie. AST investing in sports cars... imagine tossing a 60+ year old into the back of one of those things with bad knees, and not necessarily for criminal conduct but maybe for protective custody.) Not the brightest people. Granted, a few vehicle, but for transporting? Geesh. More like pre-1970's style policing. Well, my gripe. Doesn't help much to gripe publicly as it only further aides the criminal's gripes.

 

[rogerx]

Shrugs, when I worked, I treated people with respect and dignity. Only power given to us is by the people themselves. Without the people, there is no Government.

 

[kikito]

Oh look, some departments with a little more sense and a little less paranoia:

http://www.fox8live.com/story/20446215/nopd-to-leave-dispatch-radio-channels
-unencrypted

 

[aps_ak]

Yep, saw this on another thread the other day.

Sounds like this is the way APD is going too. Good for them. Maybe others will take note...