Programming a Provoice radio for OKC

[Gilligan]

If someone were to actually buy a ProVoice radio, how hard would it be to program it for the OKC system? Since we already have the talkgroups, wouldn't it be just a matter of programming them into the radio? Of course, we wouldn't have encryption keys, but it would be illegal to listen to anything encrypted. I have no idea what goes into programming an EDACS radio, but I'm sure someone does...

 

[car2back]

you may check the "trunking forum"; I will warn you, questions of this nature usually end up in a flame-war over the legallity of programming unauthorized trunked radios!

 

[OUAlumni]

you may check the "trunking forum"; I will warn you, questions of this nature usually end up in a flame-war over the legallity of programming unauthorized trunked radios!

Well......yes......but there are a few differences when it comes to EDACS.

a) The radio CAN be programmed not to register and to basically act like a scanner and not transmit.

b) If you legitimately purchase the ProGrammer software from M/A-COM, they do not have a system key like Motorola does, so programming the radio to monitor the system, and ensure that it cannot transmit, can be accomplished without breaking any civil or criminal laws.

Is it stupid to do this? Yep.

Can it be done legally? Yep.

But people - don't throw down $1K for a ProVoice radio and another $500 for ProGrammer. All of the dispatch channels for OKC PD and OKC FD will be broadcast in the clear and in analog on the State Motorola system and you'll be able to enjoy monitoring them right on your old BC235XLT

 

[car2back]

I see... I am not really familar with EDACS.... thanks for the info!

 

[harriskwtvcom]

Yes, but will the OKC dispatch channels be up on the State's 800 all the time...or only when it ihas been patched in?

 

[KK5FM]

But people - don't throw down $1K for a ProVoice radio and another $500 for ProGrammer. All of the dispatch channels for OKC PD and OKC FD will be broadcast in the clear and in analog on the State Motorola system and you'll be able to enjoy monitoring them right on your old BC235XLT

Is this new information? A very high-up person with DPS said two months ago that they have no plans to retransmit fire comms. And the police comms are dependent on them getting the money to add more voice channels. This would be great if it happens... I thought it was reverse logic to have police comms retransmitted in analog, while fire comms would be relatively secure from scanners...

 

[OUAlumni]

Yes, but will the OKC dispatch channels be up on the State's 800 all the time...or only when it ihas been patched in?

Up all the time.

 

[OUAlumni]

Is this new information? A very high-up person with DPS said two months ago that they have no plans to retransmit fire comms. And the police comms are dependent on them getting the money to add more voice channels. This would be great if it happens... I thought it was reverse logic to have police comms retransmitted in analog, while fire comms would be relatively secure from scanners...

It's not too old - I heard that there were talks about having OKC FD dispatch retransmitted so that personnel could coordinate with OKC FD when they respond to State jurisdictions.

 

[freqscout]

Well OU I am going to have to disagree based on incomplete information.

I know that we have the RMA MA Talkgroups patched in with DPS and that is supposed to allow MA through the DPS network for other agencies on that system. I know that the FD radios have the RMA's in them. The talk was that only PD would be retrans on DPS. I could be wrong though.
I say incomplete information because I have not heard that information floating around as of yet. Doesn't mean that it can't or won't happen.

 

[OUAlumni]

I say incomplete information because I have not heard that information floating around as of yet. Doesn't mean that it can't or won't happen.

LOL Well, I wouldn't say that the information is "incomplete" because that would imply that I left something out - we're all working off of the rumor mill here for now, so one rumor doesn't seem to be more credible than another, I guess

 

[dbestfirefighter]

If you consider the rumor mill to be FD chief, PD chief, Dir of the new system and DPS commisoner. Then I guess we all would be interested in your source.

 

[freqscout]

I was referring more to my incomplete information...that was in no way a jab at you. I am not at the center of the activity and planning so I have incomplete information because I am not in the center of the loop.
I was objecting and making note of the fact that I was doing so without being at the center of the info. I appreciate your input in the forum.