The Official Thread: Live audio feeds, scanners, and... wait for it.. ENCRYPTION!

Citywide173

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Just like a firearm has never hurt anyone... it's the f*tard who uses it for ill purposes. Have fun listening to nothing from now on.

There have been repeated requests, both on here and directly to departments to provide statistics that show that officer safety has been positively impacted or that crime has decreased because of the implementation of encryption. To date, no one has been able to provide it. If you can, please do so.
 

Citywide173

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Can't imagine anyone compiles data on common sense practices. :roll:

Last time I checked, officer injury rates and daily/monthly/annual crime data was compiled relatively uniformly. The reason no one has touted the appreciable change in either due to the implementation of encryption is because that change doesn't exist.
 

Citywide173

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I wasn't aware ARES was unionized.

ARES, that's a good one.

Sadly, I only got my ham ticket because of the Michigan (and a select few other states' at the time) scanner laws. I have probably less than 1 hour of total time transmitting on the ham bands in the 18 years that I've held the ticket. I hold nothing against the ham community, just not my thing.
 

newsnick175

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Again.. the only thing that encryption of police radios does is to block the real time knowledge of breaking news events that the news media can forward to the public so they might be informed. It also denies the hobbyist access to the "airways owned by the people". Recently there was a spike of home robberies in a county that just went dark with encryption. The cops were on the media with "helpful hints" on how to protect residents homes! They can't blame that on the hordes of roving gangs scanning the spectrum for the opportunity to strike!

Encryption is one of those Urban Myths that can't be substantiated!! But since we live in a society that works on the principal of "Cover Your ***", encryption will be the rule and not the exception!
 

RonBon

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Encryption is now a standard option. Radio consulting firms have delivered theit reports. Either dont encrypt or auto full-time encrypt. No longer leaving mode options up to the user. Encryption is not a requirement, it is up to the system owners. If they do it then they do it. If not they dont.

End of thread(in my opinion) :)
 

MTS2000des

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Again.. the only thing that encryption of police radios does is to block the real time knowledge of breaking news events that the news media can forward to the public so they might be informed.

It also stops the media from sensationalizing and polarizing non-events, stops them from misreporting on things that are not news. Encryption also ensures that sensitive operations are protected in real time. Plenty of agencies that use encrypted radio systems are active on social media and do a better job that corporate bottom feeding so called "news" at informing their citizens (and interacting with citizens). Just because they want to keep their radio network secured from intrusions and don't want it blasting out all over the Internet doesn't mean they have anything to hide.

Open an FOIA/Open Records request anytime you wish.

It also denies the hobbyist access to the "airways owned by the people".

How so? Access to the airwaves owned by the people.

"The people" own the courthouse and judges' chambers, so this means by your logic you can just waltz on in and take drop a deuce in the judge's chambers? Or watch TV in the White House?

Lots of things are owned by "the people" and aren't open the public. Encryption is used on just about every government IP based network, including phone systems, enterprise wireless devices, wireless WANs/LANs and "the people" demand it.

Yet when in comes to protecting our two-way radio networks, everyone short circuits and starts crying about it. Interesting.
 

N9NRA

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the encryiption thingy, another take.

I was just thinking on this, and i have a feeling this will go even farther than just encryipting comms, unlike the ham radio service (which i`m a member of :)), the scanning hobby dosen`t have an origanization like the ARRL that, love `em or hate `em, will go to bat for the end user (in this case Amateur radio users). What do i mean? If they wanted to they could just say, "why encryipt? We can just legislate the scanning hobby outta existence", don`t think they can`t? Mabey not streight away, but at some poing they`ll start thinking that just getting ridda that scanner listener/feed provider via some law will be the ticket to getting ridda that pesky scannerist. Just `cause they aren`t doing that very thingy now don`t mean they`re not mabey THINKING on doing it, better hope something happens for the better or someday we`ll be told to turn in our scanners or face arrest. And yes, it`s already done in some other countries like Italy (had to watch my step with my DJ-G5T Alinco when i was there to make sure i only listened to ham stuff, they could arrest you & confiscate your gear if they caught ya listening to anything else). Just a though to chew on. N9NRA
 

tampabaynews

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It also stops the media from sensationalizing and polarizing non-events, stops them from misreporting on things that are not news. Encryption also ensures that sensitive operations are protected in real time. Plenty of agencies that use encrypted radio systems are active on social media and do a better job that corporate bottom feeding so called "news" at informing their citizens (and interacting with citizens). Just because they want to keep their radio network secured from intrusions and don't want it blasting out all over the Internet doesn't mean they have anything to hide.

Open an FOIA/Open Records request anytime you wish.

LOL.

Around here, my news inbox is pretty empty between 5pm on Friday and 9am on Monday and that's when most of the news happens. Most of the time our agencies fail to provide anything close to real-time information.

And I'm not taking about "sensationalized" stories. I'm taking about stories that affect a large population or the populous can help authorities on. Closed interstates, murder suspects, and missing children come to mind...

What I also don't like about encryption is that government agencies get to "choose" which incidents to notify the media about. That's especially true when it's an incident that involves... department liability.

That being said... many public information officers are great people but are forced to work as mere publicists for their agency with no fault of their own. So, no thanks. We like scanners.
 

Citywide173

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Yup,it was all the scanner's fault. I was sitting, freaking out, in Boston EMS headquarters, listening to one of my partners talking on the department radio from Watertown with automatic gunfire in the background. An agency, with assets on scene-yet Tripathi's name was being thrown around the room as a possibility. Yup, it was all the scanner.
 
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cdnsnipe

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Yup,it was all the scanner's fault. I was sitting, freaking out, in Boston EMS headquarters, listening to one of my partners talking on the department radio from Watertown with automatic gunfire in the background. An agency, with assets on scene-yet Tripathi's name was being thrown around the room as a possibility. Yup, it was all the scanner.

Mr Ed, what makes your situation relevant to the topic of encryption? I've posted an example of a stream that was broadcasted and misused due to lack of descretion... a situation that won't be repeated once encryption is implemented.

Encryption is the answer for departments/agencies who do not want media making false accusations, publishing officers' names and last words, vigilante witchhunts of persons of interest who may be completely innocent, patient and victims' private information broadcasted on the internet...

Keep your head in the sand. You and the Broadcastifiers won't be very happy when it's all gone.
 

MTS2000des

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Keep your head in the sand. You and the Broadcastifiers won't be very happy when it's all gone.

THIS^^.

The golden rule of monitoring was one did not publicly divulge what was heard, unless it was a distress call or an obvious crime in progress.

Sadly, the "me me me now" Internet generation don't realize their endless thirst to stream and blabbermouth only accelerate the inevitable.
 

blantonl

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Yet when in comes to protecting our two-way radio networks, everyone short circuits and starts crying about it. Interesting.

What is interesting is that you continue to espouse your positions that are basically against everything that our community represents.

Is there something here that you still feel provides value to you?

Or are you just in perpetual troll mode?

Or are you trawling with a position that might provide an upgraded job position from where you are right now with some agency in your state?

For someone that loves to rail against everything we do, it's interesting to see that you spend so much time here.
 

MTS2000des

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What is interesting is that you continue to espouse your positions that are basically against everything that our community represents.

Huh? I've been in this game as long as you Lindsay. Upset because I speak the truth about how you profit off publicizing content that really should NOT be commercialized.

Is there something here that you still feel provides value to you?

I find it ironic how you chose to single me out over the many who are in unison with what I have written on this topic. I am honored, really.

I come here to assist others with technical problems. If I am not welcome here, it is your site, I will gladly exit stage left. Believe me I won't be, to put it how another member said in another thread "butthurt" at all.

Or are you trawling with a position that might provide an upgraded job position from where you are right now with some agency in your state?

I'm very happy with where I work. Thanks for asking.

For someone that loves to rail against everything we do, it's interesting to see that you spend so much time here.

I speak in facts. Facts are you personally profit off streaming public safety radio systems, with no regards for the fact that often content that should not be made public without consent of those involved get exposed.

Fact is streaming is killing the hobby. Soon many will have nothing to listen to on their scanners because of it.

Fact is that many systems procure encryption to avoid being publicly rebroadcasted on Broadcastify. I've heard this from enough circles I run in, and it has been documented in at least one local agency through a public records request someone filed who discovered this was a factor in why they chose to encrypt their fire department communications after a high profile incident where names of those involved and misinformation was circulated on this and other scanning websites, social media, disseminated by the local media, etc.

Fact is I come here because I enjoy helping my fellow radio folks and also to get a pulse on those who may be trying to infiltrate or hack into the systems I maintain and manage, as well as keep an eye out on what is going on.

There are many others in my profession who are here as well, have spoken the same words I have, and yet you aimed your sights at me.

It's great when someone makes something personal. That's how one knows they are right. Instead of making it about the issue, make it about them. I get it.

I am still honored though. Have a great day.

BTW, what is there to listen to in San Antonio these days on a scanner? Not much. Gee, I wonder why.
 

blantonl

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Huh? I've been in this game as long as you Lindsay. Upset because I speak the truth about how you profit off publicizing content that really should NOT be commercialized.

You seem fixated with the term "profit." In fact, it seems to be your over arching theme throughout your rants. Do you not believe in capitalism?

I find it ironic how you chose to single me out over the many who are in unison with what I have written on this topic. I am honored, really.
I'm glad I was able to gently stroke your ego.

Speaking of irony...

I come here to assist others with technical problems. If I am not welcome here, it is your site, I will gladly exit stage left. Believe me I won't be, to put it how another member said in another thread "butthurt" at all.
I didn't ask you to leave, and I didn't say you aren't welcome here. Everyone one of your technical support posts only serves to further line my pockets with more profits and mo' money. Keep up the good work.

On to the facts...
I speak in facts. Facts are you personally profit off streaming public safety radio systems, with no regards for the fact that often content that should not be made public without consent of those involved get exposed.

Citation needed. "should not" be made public and, well, the facts (you know, law etc) are two different things. Which is it?

Fact is streaming is killing the hobby. Soon many will have nothing to listen to on their scanners because of it.

Citation needed. If you are going to state it as a fact, you need to back it up. Otherwise, it's just an opinion. None of this "Oh, I just know.."

Fact is that many systems procure encryption to avoid being publicly rebroadcasted on Broadcastify. I've heard this from enough circles I run in, and it has been documented in at least one local agency through a public records request someone filed who discovered this was a factor in why they chose to encrypt their fire department communications after a high profile incident where names of those involved and misinformation was circulated on this and other scanning websites, social media, disseminated by the local media, etc.

"at least one local agency" - dude, since the 1980s when encryption was first made available, some agencies every year since have implemented encryption. Your one little example agency that you heard about in circles at some user group meeting doesn't count as an industry wide trend.

Fact is I come here because I enjoy helping my fellow radio folks and also to get a pulse on those who may be trying to infiltrate or hack into the systems I maintain and manage, as well as keep an eye out on what is going on.

Dude, you are a "communications coordinator" for a hospital group in the Atlanta area. I don't think there is a need for you to strap on the tactical gear and deploy an APX8000 on both hips and go on patrol protecting the "systems" that you maintain and manage. Come on man, you procure radios, and replace batteries.

There are many others in my profession who are here as well, have spoken the same words I have, and yet you aimed your sights at me.

Like I said earlier, I'm glad to stroke an ego that wants to be petted.

It's great when someone makes something personal. That's how one knows they are right. Instead of making it about the issue, make it about them. I get it.

I am still honored though. Have a great day.

It is great, isn't it?

BTW, what is there to listen to in San Antonio these days on a scanner? Not much. Gee, I wonder why.

You know Erik, there is this company, called Uniden, and they make scanners. You've heard of them, right? You know how a scanner works, correct? Well, here in San Antonio and Bexar County we can monitor every single solitary public safety agency just fine with a Uniden Scanner.

Here, give it a listen:

San Antonio Police Dispatch
San Antonio Fire and EMS
San Antonio and Windcrest Police, Bexar County Sheriff
 

kayn1n32008

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"at least one local agency" - dude, since the 1980s when encryption was first made available, some agencies every year since have implemented encryption. Your one little example agency that you heard about in circles at some user group meeting doesn't count as an industry wide trend.


But it is an industry wide trend. It is not limited to one small agency. Citation or not, I have read many procurement stories where online availability of an agencies communications being used as an excuse to implement encryption.

The city I live near found their comms on RR/Broadcastify and were less than impressed. Guess what is going to happen when they leave EDACS for AFFRCS? RCMP have been on a nation wide conversion from insecure comms to secure comms. They do not want their comms streamed and available to everyone with a smart phone.

What ever happened to the agency that had a dying officers every word played out in the media in Ontario?

Yea... Secure.

You can keep your head buried all you want Lindsay, it's ok.

I do not disagree that agencies are moving towards encryption. Many ARE using RR/Broadcastify as the motivating reason? This you can not deny.


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