P25 Phase II

[evan11a]

Hi,
A bunch of agencies in my county are switching over to "P25 Phase II" and or going encrypted. Just confirming there is no way that we can listen to this unless we have the keys or passwords that were set by the system administration.

Thank You.

 

[doctordialtone]

Just confirming there is no way that we can listen to this unless we have the keys or passwords that were set by the system administration.

That is correct.

 

[RaleighGuy]

Hi,
A bunch of agencies in my county are switching over to "P25 Phase II" and or going encrypted. Just confirming there is no way that we can listen to this unless we have the keys or passwords that were set by the system administration.

You can listen to Phase 2, depending on the scanner you have, but you can not listen to encryption, even with the key/password, on a scanner.

 

[Volfirefighter]

If they go encrypted, you are out of luck unless you have this guy handy

 

[marksmith]

Phase II alone is not a problem. There are a half dozen scanners at least that can monitor phase II.

There are some fine points.

If the signal is encrypted no scanner can monitor. Generally most systems have a mixture of encrypted channels and unencrypted ones.

Additionally, some systems deploy simulcast technology. While many scanners can scan phas1 or phase 2, there are only a couple that will reliably scan simulcast systems.

What you need to do is look up the systems you want to scan, and then get input on the forum on what you can listen to and what the best scanners are.

 

[jonwienke]

Phase II and simulcast limit your options regarding which scanners will receive them. There are a number of scanners that receive P25 Phase II, but only the SDS100 and SDS200 will reliably handle simulcast.

Encryption is an entirely different thing, if that happens, you are 100% SOL. No scanner has the capability to decrypt, even if you have the correct key. You'd need an authorized system radio, the key, and of course permission to use it. Unauthorized transmit-capable radios can be bricked by an over-the-air command if they are detected on a system.

 

[wtp]

no scanner has the "input system key here" so even if you had it there is no input for it.

 

[evan11a]

Great. Thank you all to answered. Looks like I am out of luck. There goes my hobby, Darn!

 

[jonwienke]

Not necessarily. 100% encryption is the exception rather than the rule.

 

[evan11a]

I see. Thank you.

 

[darkness975]

Great. Thank you all to answered. Looks like I am out of luck. There goes my hobby, Darn!

What system(s) are you referring to?

 

[Blackink]

Great. Thank you all to answered. Looks like I am out of luck. There goes my hobby, Darn!

You're not out of luck if the system is going P25 Phase II, you'll just need a scanner that can receive this signal and there are many out there.
If they are going to encrypt their channels/frequencies, then you're out of luck.