Yes, Almost all of the talk groups are encrypted. The only ones that are not are some of the local covernment channels such as street sign department and public works. As for the fire and EMS, I was told that as soon as a vehicle changes to a fire ground channel, that the vehicle repeater comes on so that all fire ground communications can be recorded. I believe that they are using 700mhz for fireground, but I have not confirmed that yet. It is interesting that they did make the decision to go digital encrypted for almost everything. There is alot of discussions on other parts of this board about the reception of digital communications by fire fighters on the fire ground. My volunteer company just bought new radios and we were advised (by the same company that is doing the install of Stamfords radios) not to use digital for fireground comunications because of the chance of poor digital decoding and possible backround noise interference. And now no one with a scanner whether a volunteer fire fighter or news agency or public citizen can listen to them any more! They are still maintaining the patch to the VHF frequency for the volunteer fire fighters pagers. I hope that MAYBE they will change their minds and at least get rid of the encryption on the fire and EMS channels. While I dont expect it, one can only hope!!
