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To anyone looking to acquire commercial radio programming software:
Please do not make requests for copies of radio programming software which is sold (or was sold) by the manufacturer for any monetary value. All requests will be deleted and a forum infraction issued. Making a request such as this is attempting to engage in software piracy and this forum cannot be involved or associated with this activity. The same goes for any private transaction via Private Message. Even if you attempt to engage in this activity in PM's we will still enforce the forum rules. Your PM's are not private and the administration has the right to read them if there's a hint to criminal activity.
If you are having trouble legally obtaining software please state so. We do not want any hurt feelings when your vague post is mistaken for a free request. It is YOUR responsibility to properly word your request.
To obtain Motorola software see the Sticky in the Motorola forum.
The various other vendors often permit their dealers to sell the software online (i.e., Kenwood). Please use Google or some other search engine to find a dealer that sells the software. Typically each series or individual radio requires its own software package. Often the Kenwood software is less than $100 so don't be a cheapskate; just purchase it.
For M/A Com/Harris/GE, etc: there are two software packages that program all current and past radios. One package is for conventional programming and the other for trunked programming. The trunked package is in upwards of $2,500. The conventional package is more reasonable though is still several hundred dollars. The benefit is you do not need multiple versions for each radio (unlike Motorola).
This is a large and very visible forum. We cannot jeopardize the ability to provide the RadioReference services by allowing this activity to occur. Please respect this.
Otar
- Thread starter aar9sm
- Start date
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Shadow Key
No, you cannot access the OTAR programming unless you have the "shadow key" programmed into the radio.
OTAR is used to program encryption keys into radios, but each radio also has a "shadow key". The "shadow key" is loaded by the system administrator/tech when the radio is first programmed with the frequencies used, PL tones, etc. Only the radios with the correct "shadow key" will receive the new encryption key when it is transmitted over the air.
For example, you can't have a Motorola Saber III with an OTAR module installed, programmed on 165.2375 MHz (US Customs) and receive the correct encryption key when it is transmitted. A system is conventional Over-The-Air- Rekeying (OTAR) or is trunking OTAR. Radios with encryption may request encryption keys from a Key Management Controller (KMC) by a menu selection that activates a Rekey Request. A Rekey Request data message (includes the radio's ID and shadow key) is sent from the radio to the KMC so the radio can be OTARed the encryption keys that it would use for voice. OTAR messages from the KMC that is sending encryption keys to the radio are encrypted using the key encryption key (KEK) of the radio.
Signal500
No, you cannot access the OTAR programming unless you have the "shadow key" programmed into the radio.
OTAR is used to program encryption keys into radios, but each radio also has a "shadow key". The "shadow key" is loaded by the system administrator/tech when the radio is first programmed with the frequencies used, PL tones, etc. Only the radios with the correct "shadow key" will receive the new encryption key when it is transmitted over the air.
For example, you can't have a Motorola Saber III with an OTAR module installed, programmed on 165.2375 MHz (US Customs) and receive the correct encryption key when it is transmitted. A system is conventional Over-The-Air- Rekeying (OTAR) or is trunking OTAR. Radios with encryption may request encryption keys from a Key Management Controller (KMC) by a menu selection that activates a Rekey Request. A Rekey Request data message (includes the radio's ID and shadow key) is sent from the radio to the KMC so the radio can be OTARed the encryption keys that it would use for voice. OTAR messages from the KMC that is sending encryption keys to the radio are encrypted using the key encryption key (KEK) of the radio.
Signal500
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