As we see the continued progression to P25 and P25 phase 2 systems, the number of encrypted talkgroups on these systems will only continue to increase. Coupled with the current push by Motorola for all their new DMR systems to have at least basic encryption to limit the use of non-Motorola DMR subscribers on the systems it will only add to the decrease of accessable channels by scanner hobbyists. The reasons are many as to why go to encryption. Yes, as some of the other posts have indicated, some officials are doing it simply to have the knowledge that their conversations are NOT accessible to the general public, but the base reasons very for this. Fire officials and to a lesser degree police officials are doing this to maintain secure scenes. There are still a contingent of folks that will show up to fire scenes or police scenes for various reasons. For some it's basic curiosity, for others it's to create YouTube footage. But anyone that shows up to a fire or police scene can put themselves in harms way if they are not aware of the situation at hand. Baracade scenes with suspects hold up in a house or other structure are not going to use proper firearms etiquette when having a shootout with police. So being there is dangerous. And structure fire situations can also be a huge unknown. Of course most people are not storing explosives in their homes, but there are some that do. There are also meth labs with dangerous chemicals, muzzle loader shooters that have completely legal stores of black powder not to mention gas welding equipment and even simple everyday things like gas grills with compressed propane tanks that can create huge explosions. So fire fighters would need to take time away from fighting the fire to do crowd control in these situations. So the belief by some is if they can't be heard, then no one will hear them and come to take a look.
I have seen were some have said it's paid for by tax dollars so we have the right. Well nuclear weapons design, encrypted communications used in war time by the military, fighter jet plans, war ship plans, the social security system database, and even you medical records and treatments if you are on Medicare or other government insurance are paid for by the government, and ultimately your tax dollars. But it's still classified and you can't claim your taxes paid for it so hand it over. Or do I have the right to know about your last prostrate exam? What sort of hoochie ailment your wife may have? The doctors notes on you ED problems? And remember that there are STILL police departments out there reading names, social security numbers and dates of birth over VHF clear communication channels. Do YOU want to get pulled over in that jurisdiction and have your personal data broadcast for everyone with a scanner to hear it for 20 miles in all directions.
And there is a cure to all of this. You can find area's that are still running open air communications and move there. YOu don't have to live in an area where the evil police chief has made the decision to encrypt the communications of their department which they are fully within their right to do most places.
It was not so long ago that C4FM (aka P25 digital) came on the scene. And I remember everyone screaming about the same thing when their scanners went quiet and they could no longer monitor the local police or fire department. It was called encryption then even though it wasn't. The only difference here is that it's now actual encryption and a new scanner will not get you listening to those conversations.
