ElroyJetson
Getting tired of all the stupidity.
This is a public service announcement.
I have received several requests lately to help people solve the ESK problem with M/A-Com radios.
The answer is NO.
Not only will I NOT attempt to help, I CAN'T help.
The ESK system requires the following:
ESK-enabled radios.
Software, ESK administration, cost $15,075.
Key card reader, USB, serial, PCMCIA, whichever works for you.
Software, key card, programmed. (Available only from M/A-Com and programmed only for a specific system, HEAVILY restricted and under great security. You will NOT be able to order one!)
The system has two levels of user authorization and the key cards are password protected.
When an ESK-enabled radio is read, if the correct, authorized key card is not present in the card reader,
and logged in properly, the ESK-enabled data in the radio will be obscured. ALL you will be able to see
is the names of specific sets, but NOTHING else.
You will not be able to save the file without the ESK card present and logged in.
You will not be able to create the file without the ESK card present and logged in.
You might be able to make minor edits to very limited information such as group set names,
but you will not be able to save those changes or write the edited codeplug to the radio
without the ESK key card present and logged in.
In simple terms, FORGET IT. IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN FOR YOU. Unless, of course, you
join up with the local sheriff's department or get a job with the local radio shop that supports
the system. Or maybe, maybe...if you're best friends with the sheriff.
I have some radios available for sale that are ESK-enabled. But what you do with them if you buy
them is totally YOUR business. But know that I can't help you with ESK AT ALL.
Except to say, buy a scanner that supports ESK. And there are a couple that do.
As for ProVoice, that's a subject that I also will tend to avoid. While it's simple to activate the ProVoice
option if that feature is enabled in your radio, I won't give any direct help on it because it's not a feature
that any commercially available scanner handles. ProVoice is a proprietary feature of M/A-Com, and
as such, its legal status is a bit sketchy. It's not encrypted, but then again, it's not an open standard,
either. So I'll also avoid having any direct dealings with the programming of any radios in ProVoice mode,
and if I do program any radios for anybody, ProVoice will not be enabled by me until I have a better
understanding of the legalities concerning it.
Radio is my business and my hobby as well. And while I do enjoy taking a peek behind the cover that
has the "DANGER, DO NOT ENTER" label on it, I won't be sticking my neck out for anybody.
I'm happy to talk to anyone about any radio issues, theoretical or practical, but those are the lines that
I will not cross: Programming ProVoice and attempting to help beat the ESK system...which I don't know
how to do anyway other than to buy a scanner that'll do it.
Elroy
I have received several requests lately to help people solve the ESK problem with M/A-Com radios.
The answer is NO.
Not only will I NOT attempt to help, I CAN'T help.
The ESK system requires the following:
ESK-enabled radios.
Software, ESK administration, cost $15,075.
Key card reader, USB, serial, PCMCIA, whichever works for you.
Software, key card, programmed. (Available only from M/A-Com and programmed only for a specific system, HEAVILY restricted and under great security. You will NOT be able to order one!)
The system has two levels of user authorization and the key cards are password protected.
When an ESK-enabled radio is read, if the correct, authorized key card is not present in the card reader,
and logged in properly, the ESK-enabled data in the radio will be obscured. ALL you will be able to see
is the names of specific sets, but NOTHING else.
You will not be able to save the file without the ESK card present and logged in.
You will not be able to create the file without the ESK card present and logged in.
You might be able to make minor edits to very limited information such as group set names,
but you will not be able to save those changes or write the edited codeplug to the radio
without the ESK key card present and logged in.
In simple terms, FORGET IT. IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN FOR YOU. Unless, of course, you
join up with the local sheriff's department or get a job with the local radio shop that supports
the system. Or maybe, maybe...if you're best friends with the sheriff.
I have some radios available for sale that are ESK-enabled. But what you do with them if you buy
them is totally YOUR business. But know that I can't help you with ESK AT ALL.
Except to say, buy a scanner that supports ESK. And there are a couple that do.
As for ProVoice, that's a subject that I also will tend to avoid. While it's simple to activate the ProVoice
option if that feature is enabled in your radio, I won't give any direct help on it because it's not a feature
that any commercially available scanner handles. ProVoice is a proprietary feature of M/A-Com, and
as such, its legal status is a bit sketchy. It's not encrypted, but then again, it's not an open standard,
either. So I'll also avoid having any direct dealings with the programming of any radios in ProVoice mode,
and if I do program any radios for anybody, ProVoice will not be enabled by me until I have a better
understanding of the legalities concerning it.
Radio is my business and my hobby as well. And while I do enjoy taking a peek behind the cover that
has the "DANGER, DO NOT ENTER" label on it, I won't be sticking my neck out for anybody.
I'm happy to talk to anyone about any radio issues, theoretical or practical, but those are the lines that
I will not cross: Programming ProVoice and attempting to help beat the ESK system...which I don't know
how to do anyway other than to buy a scanner that'll do it.
Elroy
