New to the hobby: "Encrypted" indicator in the DB?

[N2ZQO]

Hi - Very much a newbie "how to use the database" question, so bear with me.

Are there any "dead giveaways" or other obvious indicators in the database that a system or channel has encryption in place -- or is it down to "trial and error" on the scanner's part (as in, "Given my radio and antenna setup I ought to be able to hear this public safety or police system in my area but it's dead quiet, so probably encrypted"?).

Thanks and 73
N2ZQO

 

[doctordialtone]

Are there any "dead giveaways" or other obvious indicators in the database

Check the "Mode" column.

An "E"is full time encryption.

An "e" is part time.

 

[mc48]

Under the column for mode, lower case e is partially encrypted, and upper-case E is fully encrypted. Hovering over the mode will show the meaning of the abbreviations.

 

[nd5y]

A lower case e indicates part time or user selectable encryption.
You can never count on the database being 100% accurate.

 

[N2ZQO]

Thanks all, for your consistent (and fast!) answers. I'll keep an eye on that field and try to close this thread.

 

[GTR8000]

Note that for conventional listings, the format is slightly different. Any identified encryption will be appended to the conventional mode, i.e. P25E or DMRe, etc. Same concept as noted above, however what was shown was specific to the trunking talkgroup modes of operation.

 

[N2ZQO]

Note that for conventional listings, the format is slightly different. Any identified encryption will be appended to the conventional mode, i.e. P25E or DMRe, etc. Same concept as noted above, however what was shown was specific to the trunking talkgroup modes of operation.

Yes, I caught that difference. Thanks for flagging it!