NVA VDOT

[KC4ASF]

I have been copying lots of encryption on the NVA VDOT SSP talkgroup this morning.
WHAT could SSP need encryption for? Did I miss something somewhere???

Thanks
Ben

 

[hill]

Look at other treads here in the Virginia section of Radio Reference the others discuss VSP and other State agencies.

Most of the Stars system will be encrypted They even have Department of Forestry encrypted.

Going forward our days of monitoring state agencies in Virginia are numbered, if not already off with being encrypted.

 

[hill]

Also the state police own the radios that SSP uses, so what happens to police radios occurs on the SSP radios also.

 

[LeSueurC]

Also the state police own the radios that SSP uses, so what happens to police radios occurs on the SSP radios also.

It’s not primarily because VSP owns the radios. It’s because SSP’s transmit PII or Personal identifying information over the air

 

[smwincva]

Since STARS started increasing encryption significantly, I have noticed that fewer than a quarter of transmissions on the SSP are still in the clear. The Staunton dispatchers have been encrypted full time for at least a week, while the NVA dispatchers & units have been in the clear once in a while.

 

[AA4HI]

What a rip. I have been listening to the State Police since the 80's. I guess a lot of scanners will be sold by Virginia owners.

 

[fredva]

It’s not primarily because VSP owns the radios. It’s because SSP’s transmit PII or Personal identifying information over the air

At this time in VA, that is a choice, not a legal requirement. It is a requirement in California.

 

[KC4ASF]

Thanks to all of you for your replies!!

I thought it was the creeping of the STARS system into encryption world but I was hoping someone would tell me I was wrong!

 

[trainman111]

It’s not primarily because VSP owns the radios. It’s because SSP’s transmit PII or Personal identifying information over the air

I have been part of a committee for a local agency looking to join STARS for public safety operations and per VSP, they want every user of the system to utilize strapped encryption. Their argument is that they manage the radio system, so it's basically their way, or they won't let you join/use the system.

 

[maus92]

At this time in VA, that is a choice, not a legal requirement. It is a requirement in California.

The choice is being used as a justification for encryption. OTOH, officers and their families support encryption for the perceived safety benefits. CHART operations in MD are in the clear. They typically call out with license plate numbers and incident/vehicle descriptions, which is not PII.

 

[fredva]

The choice is being used as a justification for encryption.

I don't disagree.

 

[KC4ASF]

Does anyone have a suggestion for a new audio feed for me to replace my long time STARS feed.
I live in Spotsylvania with good equipment needing a new job.

Thanks

 

[Outerbanks4wd]

I have been copying lots of encryption on the NVA VDOT SSP talkgroup this morning.
WHAT could SSP need encryption for? Did I miss something somewhere???

Thanks
Ben

SSP is on the VSP primary TG's, its a SP radio. Why wouldn't it be encrypted.....?

 

[smwincva]

Does anyone have a suggestion for a new audio feed for me to replace my long time STARS feed.
I live in Spotsylvania with good equipment needing a new job.

Thanks

Perhaps feeds from the FD dispatch channels & their primary tac channels. I realize there are fewer police agencies to listen to though. But motorists on I-95 would get an an idea where the major incidents are.

 

[KC4ASF]

SSP is on the VSP primary TG's, its a SP radio. Why wouldn't it be encrypted.....?

I simply cannot understand why you would want to encrypt RF communications of the helpers whose main job is assisting drivers.

 

[K3QQN]

It appears that the Tidewater District 5 VDOT is encrypted now in addition to the State Police channels. I had heard that encryption was coming, some even said the whole trunk would be. Anyway STARS is VERY quiet.

 

[KC4ASF]

I shutdown my STARS audio feed today after 20 years. Simply because of encryption.

 

[Anime]

I feel that the ONLY way that we can get some of these encryption decisions reversed is by calling(not emailing) elected officials and give them some good sound reasonable arguments in our favor and either demand decryption of non VSP radio traffic(though decryption of dispatch should be an option) or demand they make radio traffic available for the public on Broadcastify or some other service. I believe the second option is probably the best that both sides could easily agree on.

I wouldn't hold my breath on that though. Virginia made it clear years ago when the media questioned why Virginia hasn't done away with its law against police radar/lidar detectors even though every state allows them and federal rules(or was it the FCC?) says that the spectrum the detectors use should be open and free: Because they don't HAVE to.

Pressure needs to come from elected officials and the governor. Again...I won't hold my breath.

 

[fredva]

I'm wondering if the best chance of success might come from arguing that a law enforcement agency shouldn't be in charge of a system used by other agencies who might not agree with the one-size-fits-all rules. The Virginia Emergency Management Agency would seem to be a better candidate for overseeing a system used by multiple public agencies. That alone wouldn't decrypt VSP but it might free up other local and state agencies to make their own decisions.

 

[manda1993]

Encryption will never be reversed. It is the way it is and no matter what once everything is encrypted that’s it.