The reason EDACS is chosen by DPS agencies

[INDY72]

Plian and simple... to avoid scanners. EDACS was created as an anti-scanner system from day one. When GE/Ericcson created it they specifically added the famous tones of GE's theme to make scanners lose the track of convos, this was used to sell it to DPS agencies in the beginning. We invented a scanner that could track it, so they upped the anti with digital by creating the PROVoice system, then again by ESK. This entire radio system is intended to be scanner proof and right now, it is! It may not be totally P25 compliant yet, but if they wish to keep selling it as the best sytem, it will be and they will make sure that there is something to knock scanners off it. This is not a rant, it is factual. Ask any agency what the primary selling point was.. thats your answer. And yes there are folks working on cracking the way to scan PROVOICE, and even ESK,... but when they do, you can bet your money friends, Tyco/MA-Comm will just again change something so scanners cant monitor it.

 

[mr_hankey]

it's a cat and mouse game.

unfortunately, it ends the hobby when encryption is used, and that's why ESK is so "iffy" - is it encryption or not? (and i think we've already agreed that it's not, so that's good for now)

 

[INDY72]

Its not precisely encryption as used on individual talkgroup to talkgroup basis, it is a format of encryption used o the data chan transmission precisely designed to make sure no scanner can follow it, and to block any radio not affiliated with the system in use. Iether way, it works to keep folks not on that system using athorized radios from listening.

 

[mr_hankey]

oh, and i forgot to mention that the reason ANY system is chosen is because they have the money.

...especially after 9/11

makes me want to be a Police Department.

 

[crayon]

Its not precisely encryption as used on individual talkgroup to talkgroup basis, it is a format of encryption used o the data chan transmission precisely designed to make sure no scanner can follow it, ..

This is not entirely correct. As long as the system is only running ESK, you can still follow the radio traffic using two radios.

Use one radio to feed Etrunker (with ESK support), then let the software control the other radio based upon the TG's that you would like to monitor.

 

[wwhitby]

Plian and simple... to avoid scanners.

Not necessarily true. In the State of New York and the Montgomery, Alabama systems, MA-COMM submitted a lower bid than Motorlola did. I remember hearing that was the primary reason that Montgomery, Alabama went with MA-COMM over Motorola.

Warren

 

[qoatzecotl]

BUT, the NY state system is not EDACS. It's supposed to be OpenSky, like the PA system is supposed to be. That's a whole other can 'o worms... :?

 

[nmfire10]

Plian and simple... to avoid scanners. EDACS was created as an anti-scanner system from day one.

And what qualifies you to make such statements? Last I checked, you had zero involvement in any of the planning / designing / choosing of a large radio system. In reality, I don't think you have a clue.

 

[wwhitby]

BUT, the NY state system is not EDACS. It's supposed to be OpenSky, like the PA system is supposed to be. That's a whole other can 'o worms... :?

Correct. Just yesterday I had read an article that MA-COMM had won this system because their bid was $3Mil less than Motorola's. According to the article, MA-COMM is going to use exisiting towers instead of building new ones like Motorola proposed.

Even though it isn't EDACS, its a good example of how MA-COMM is winning contracts by submitting lower bids than Motorola.

Warren

 

[DaveNF2G]

Correct. Just yesterday I had read an article that MA-COMM had won this system because their bid was $3Mil less than Motorola's. According to the article, MA-COMM is going to use exisiting towers instead of building new ones like Motorola proposed.

That is 3 BILLION less than Motorola!

 

[N_Jay]

Plian and simple... to avoid scanners. EDACS was created as an anti-scanner system from day one.

And what qualifies you to make such statements? Last I checked, you had zero involvement in any of the planning / designing / choosing of a large radio system. In reality, I don't think you have a clue.

Well put nmfire!

Hmm, maybe scanner enthosiests are looked at ascance due to their self-important attitude. :twisted: