VSP Division 3 - now encrypted?

[thstaff]

Has anyone else noticed within the last 2-3 weeks that Virginia State Police has gone full encryption for even routine dispatch traffic?

Suddenly they’ve gone quite and even after updating tables zilch.

That’s the Appomattox Division in Central VA.

Thanks!

 

[simmsrep]

Has anyone else noticed within the last 2-3 weeks that Virginia State Police has gone full encryption for even routine dispatch traffic?

Suddenly they’ve gone quite and even after updating tables zilch.

That’s the Appomattox Division in Central VA.

Thanks!

Division 3 Appomattox is p25 phase 2 now. I listen to the Halifax site and hearing them today, 08/13. Not sure what type scanner you have but you will now need a phase 2 capable scanner.

 

[thstaff]

Thank you for the suggestion. I’m gonna grab this one tomorrow.

Uniden BCD325P2 Phase II Handheld Digital Police Scanner

Uniden Bearcat BCD325P2 Police Scanner builds on the solid technical prowess of the BCD396XT by adding APCO Project 25 Phase II support and a USB front port for updates and programming.

bearcatwarehouse.com

Should solve it according to a radio tech engineer friend of mine. Appreciate!

 

[FJB2022]

Thank you for the suggestion. I’m gonna grab this one tomorrow.

Uniden BCD325P2 Phase II Handheld Digital Police Scanner

Uniden Bearcat BCD325P2 Police Scanner builds on the solid technical prowess of the BCD396XT by adding APCO Project 25 Phase II support and a USB front port for updates and programming.

bearcatwarehouse.com

Should solve it according to a radio tech engineer friend of mine. Appreciate!

The first step is rolling out the new radios and upgrading the system to TDMA, the next step will be switching to their encrypted zones. Unfortunately all STARTS talk groups will be encrypted soon.

 

[thstaff]

Which is disappointing. I know a lot about these systems. I implemented the 2nd of its kind in TN back in the mid 80s. DVP analog in those days. But encrypted. I fought a pretty good battle with my chief in those days as to why we shouldn’t be 24/7 encryption. I ultimately won as he saw my way of thinking. We used DVP only as needed and routine traffic was in the clear. Here’s a recent article I wrote on it recently earlier this year, good background : Dyersburg. New Police Chief. New Era. Right The Wrong

 

[GB1439]

When STARS goes dark, which non-VSP agencies will go with it?

 

[kf4pod]

When STARS goes dark, which non-VSP agencies will go with it?

It will probably depend on the agency. VA Conservation Police (formerly Dept. Game & Inland Fisheries/Game Wardens) have been encrypted for the last couple of years. VA Dept. of Emergency Management (VDEM) VSP Medflight talk group is also encrypted while other VDEM talk groups are not. I don't see agencies like VDOT going to encryption.

 

[jscooke]

I just update the VA State Police to Project 25 phase 2 on my SDS 100 scanner. Receive good signal strength but no traffic on the various division's in Northern VA, Div 1 Richmond, Div 2 Culpeper and Div 7 Fairfax. They have gone dark.
I used the Radio Reference for VA Stars. Used to receive the channels when P25 phase 1, but now nothing.

 

[KJ4DHF]

There is still some traffic RIC 1&2 and CHE 2 this morning.

 

[GB1439]

Fairfax VSP is not dark as of this morning.

 

[FJB2022]

It appears VSP Chesapeake 1 and 2s dispatchers are now encrypted.

 

[HankFrank]

Everything was supposed to go dark today (11/8). There might be bits in the clear here and there but they are currently making the switch.

 

[FQ1100]

At 4:30pm the FULL TIME encryption switch was flipped and VSP went dark state wide

 

[FJB2022]

Dang, we knew it was coming but that sucks!

 

[TJX400]

Yep. Division 1 was clear on my way into work and dark on the way back home. Sad to see it go, but SSP is still in the clear (for now?), so at least traffic conditions will be there.

 

[smwincva]

Can confirm that VSP Fairfax 1 and Culpeper 2 are fully encrypted today. Other STARS talkgroups have had increased encryption in the past several weeks, but still have transmisions in the clear as well.

 

[TJX400]

Is it partial or fully?

Full. Consoles & subscribers.

 

[manda1993]

Full. Consoles & subscribers.

Yea I just talked to someone who knows about the system and got my answer. Thank you!

 

[smwincva]

Fairfax 1 VSP have had increasing number encrypted transmisions this week by the troopers this week (upwards of 75% of the time by Wednesday). However I was still hearing the dispatchers. As of today, Fairfax 1 is fully encrypted, as noted by others in this thread. I have locked it out on my scanner.

 

[kg4icg]

Not just Fairfax, Culpper also. Only thing I'm picking up is State Safety patrol.