SDS100/SDS200: Uniden sds200 mod for encryption

[wp3od]

I have a Uniden SDS100, USA version. The problem is that in my location, 95% of P25 is encrypted. Is there a way to modify the SDS200? It's inconvenient to pay so much money for a scanner and barely be able to hear.

 

[ce2576]

There's absolutely NO way to modify a scanner to to pick up encrypted transmissions. That's the whole point of encryption in the first place. They utilize encryption because they don't want you or anyone else to be able to listen to them....period.

Given that more and more agencies are going encrypted seemingly everyday, a visit to the Radio Reference database or forums is almost a must before spending $600-$700 on a scanner. Not too mention whether or not you may need P25 Phase II or if silmucast distortion could be an issue. Buying a scanner isn't as straightforward as it was 30 years ago when I first got into the hobby.

 

[richardbritt]

Modify to do what? Receive encryption? Nope. There is always lots of non law enforcement stuff around to listen to and discover.

 

[K9KLC]

Nope!

 

[hruskacha]

There's absolutely NO way to modify a scanner to to pick up encrypted transmissions. That's the whole point of encryption in the first place. They utilize encryption because they don't want you or anyone else to be able to listen to them....period.

Given that more and more agencies are going encrypted seemingly everyday, a visit to the Radio Reference database or forums is almost a must before spending $600-$700 on a scanner. Not too mention whether or not you need P25 Phase II or if silmucast distortion could be an issue. Buying a scanner isn't as straightforward as it was 30 years ago when I first got into the hobby.

There is custom firmware for the SDS100/200 that's allows use of encryption keys if you are the .01% of people that have the legal authority, and blessings from the system administrator.

I'm not going to share a link, but it's on GitHub. Don't even attempt to use it because you won't get far unless you are that .01%.

Or @wp3od, I might buy it from you if you are interested?

 

[richardbritt]

Polica de Puerto Rico (PRPD) - Red de Radio Interoperabilidad Trunking System, Various, Puerto Rico Polica de Puerto Rico (PRPD) - Red de Radio Interoperabilidad Trunking System, Various, Puerto Rico

Did you look at this page on the site? There are related pages for Puerto Rico also around this this page area. Hope this helps you find something. Going by your amateur radio callsign I see you are in Puerto Rico

73

 

[ce2576]

There is custom firmware for the SDS100/200 that's allows use of encryption keys if you are the .01% of people that have the legal authority, and blessings from the system administrator.

I'm not going to share a link, but it's on GitHub. Don't even attempt to use it because you won't get far unless you are that .01%.

Or @wp3od, I might buy it from you if you are interested?

And exactly how is one supposed to get an encryption key? Pretty sure no law enforcement agency out there it's just going to readly hand over there encryption keys. I see zero chance of that happening.

And why would they hand over the encryption key as that would defeat the whole purpose of encryption in the first freaking place!

 

[bkantor]

May be time to sell your radio unless you will be traveling or moving to another area. Good luck, there is a good market out their for used gear.

 

[wp3od]

This is so disappointing, the hobby is losing a lot of money to listen so little.

 

[drdispatch]

There's absolutely NO way to modify a scanner to to pick up encrypted transmissions. That's the whole point of encryption in the first place. They utilize encryption because they don't want you or anyone else to be able to listen to them....period.

Given that more and more agencies are going encrypted seemingly everyday, a visit to the Radio Reference database or forums is almost a must before spending $600-$700 on a scanner. Not too mention whether or not you may need P25 Phase II or if silmucast distortion could be an issue. Buying a scanner isn't as straightforward as it was 30 years ago when I first got into the hobby.

Ditto.
Not to mention it's illegal to use/posses equipment capable of decoding the encrypted transmissions unless you are an authorized user of the system being monitored.
I realize that it's hindsight now, but checking the RRDB and the forums is always a good idea before spending hard-earned $$$ on a scanner.

 

[Ubbe]

Not to mention it's illegal to use/posses equipment capable of decoding the encrypted transmissions unless you are an authorized user of the system being monitored.

It's different regulations in different countries. In my country it's legal to try and decrypt and listen to every transmission in the air unless it is a pay per view type of transmission. It's also legal to reverse engineer any software but at the other hand we are not allowed to use radar and laser detectors to be warned about our police speed controls and its illegal to use metal detectors.

/Ubbe

 

[n1chu]

It's different regulations in different countries. In my country it's legal to try and decrypt and listen to every transmission in the air unless it is a pay per view type of transmission. It's also legal to reverse engineer any software but at the other hand we are not allowed to use radar and laser detectors to be warned about our police speed controls and its illegal to use metal detectors.

/Ubbe

What country are you talking about? I get your meaning but in the US it’s not illegal to use radar and laser detectors or metal detectors. What IS illegal is to use them in a manner that deliberately attempts to circumvent the law. You can set up 10 radar and laser detectors in your car with their sole purpose of detecting radar and laser beams and not be in violation of the law providing you don’t use them as a method that’s illegal, like hitting someone over the head with one. I have an enhanced cruise control system in my vehicle. It reads the speed limit signs and slows down or speeds up depending upon what the sign reads. It also slows up when I come upon a slower driver. It does this all by itself without any input from me. I am deliberately taking outside information into my vehicle with the specific intention of obeying the posted speed limits, which is another way of saying I am avoiding getting a speeding ticket… and how I’m doing this is not illegal.

As for getting around encryption, previous replies have said it all. If it’s encrypted, and you are one of the people they don’t want monitoring their transmissions, any attempt on your part to receive these encrypted transmission in the clear can be considered illegal, punishable by fines and/or imprisonment.

I live next to a city that encrypts police full time. But not the fire or EMS depts. I can’t hear the police but can pretty much figure out what’s going on when I hear the police sirens buy what other services are requested. We don’t need to know the sensitive and proprietary stuff like where the front door key is hidden outside the home or specific patient info covered under HIPPA and we shouldn’t be chasing ambulances or fire trucks or police cars. (The last thing anyone should do is show up at the scene with their scanner blaring away for everyone within earshot to hear… it’s like they are saying “Look at me, I have a scanner and can hear every word they are saying!” it draws a crowd which may include a cop, curious as to what’s going on, afterall, that’s their job. But they leave with a newly formed opinion that scanning isn’t all that good. Years later when that cop has progressed up in rank and has a say thumbs up or down regarding encryption in that new radio system how do you think that cop will vote? Stay discrete people, the pro encryption people don’t need any help!

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

I have a Uniden SDS100, USA version. The problem is that in my location, 95% of P25 is encrypted.
It's inconvenient to pay so much money for a scanner and barely be able to hear.

Should have done your research or asked for feedback here before making the purchase. Simply put

 

[KevinC]

What country are you talking about?

My money is on Sweden...

 

[AK9R]

The OP's question has been answered and I don't think we need another thread complaining about encryption.