let me ask since its out their,
edacs system yes or no,
There is no straight yes or no.
My shop bought the EDACS programming software. Almost 2500 bucks! We support some EDACS
customers as a second line supplier.
Under certain conditions, we MIGHT program a radio for RX only operation. It's strictly on a case by case
basis, but we are not unfriendly to good people who just want to listen. However, there's no chance
that we'll be able to help listen to an encrypted, ESK, or ProVoice system. Just straight EDACS.
The info on programming Moto radios for scanner use is a little bit conflicted. Let's just say that it's not
easy to do it "safely", that is, in such a way that the radio never reveals its existence to the system.
System keys are a prime problem. Sure, you CAN get them, if you go "underground" to get them, but
very few people will admit to having them or will stick their necks out to use one to program somebody
else's radio.
Prior to 2001 and the post-9/11 paranoia and the Patriot Act, it wasn't such a big deal as it is now, but
these days, who knows what might happen? Do you want to be charged with "domestic terrorism",
an extremely nebulous "catch-all" charge for anything you might do that a paranoid LEO or Homeland
Security officer doesn't think much of, just because you can monitor a radio system by using a non-
copyrighted codeplug fragment that allows you to access the system?
Probably not. not these days, anyway. Really it's better to get a scanner. You might get funny looks
but there's nothing nebulous about laws concerning the use of a scanner. Meanwhile, using an XTS5000
to accomplish exactly the same functionality as a scanner COULD land you in some trouble. And then
you'd eventually end up having to plead your case before a jury of people who likely have no technical
or useful radio-related knowledge, no interest in scanning, are at least a little paranoid in the post-9/11
days, and just want to make a decision and go home.
It's a frightening prospect.
Scanners are safer but not necessarily easier.
Elroy