[NLRS] Radio Article - OT but of interest.

[John (JK) Kalenowsky, K9JK]

Further on this 'off' topic...

The State of Michigan has, at quite a bit of expense, installed and operates
a statewide 800 MHz Radio network. It charges users a fee per month (per
radio, I believe) for access to the network and maintains it, keeps it
operational 24/7, etc., further efforts that are not 'free.'. If someone,
even a first-responder, were using that system without authorization...it's
as much 'stealing' as using service from a commercial entity such as a cell
phone provider.

I suspect that illegally MODIFIED Motorola radios was the intended term,
rather than illegally manufactured...or perhaps illegally programmed.

The state attorney general's comment about eavesdroppers was probably based
on the typical understanding (or MORE correctly LACK, thereof) of what the
infraction was.

I'm really curious about how the Fire Chief got radios at
'half-price'...something not right there either and probably something MORE
to that part about submitting fraudulent invoices and why he faces up to 14
years in prison.

My 0.01493 Euros worth.

73, JK

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Baker, Donn B" <Donn.Baker at UNISYS.com>
To: "S. Earl Jarosh" <earl at jarosh.org>; <nlrs at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, December 20, 2004 13:19
Subject: RE: [NLRS] Radio Article - OT but of interest.


1) Key word is "Listen"  The units were capable of transmitting, etc.

2) Many states, including Minnesota, prohibit the presence of equipmewnt in
a vehicle that is capable of receiving (listening) to Public Service
frequencies.  Exemptions for Amateur Radio operators (usually with higher
than Novice license... kind of moot now).  Michigan certainly could be one
of those.

3) Federal law prohibits reception (and owing, making, selling, etc.)
equipment that is intented to work on cellphone frequencies.  That MAY be
worded such that "800 MHz (trunking) frequencies are covered.

Something smacks of not reporting "the rest of the story."  Or an
over-zealous or incompetent prosecutor.

73 Donn
WA2VOI/0

> -----Original Message-----
> From: nlrs-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:nlrs-bounces at mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of S. Earl Jarosh
> Sent: Monday, December 20, 2004 1:08 PM
> To: nlrs at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [NLRS] Radio Article - OT but of interest.
>
>
> This is off topic but of interest to us that are involved in
> public service
> support and service
>
> When did it become illegal to listen to the public service
> bands especially
> if you are part of the assistance and response system.
> Please read on.
>
> S. Earl Jarosh (ex. Steve?)
> N0HZ  (ex. KA0VYB) No Hertz, No Gain
> 612-868-1313
> earl at jarosh.org
> 6128681313 at mobile.att.net
> searljarosh at moneycenters.com
> www.moneycenters.com
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Don" <KA9QJG at WOWWAY.COM>
> To: <RadioModifications at yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Saturday, December 18, 2004 9:12 PM
> Subject: [RadioModifications] Radio Article
>
>
> >
> >
> > Hackers target MSP radios
> >
> > As published in the Flint Journal, December 18, 2004
> >
> > The Associated Press
> >
> >          Lansing, MI - An Oceana County fire chief and three other
> > men were charged Friday (December 18, 2004) with scheming to
> > illegally tap into the state police radio system.
> >
> >          The radio system is supposed to be used by law enforcement
> > or other public service agencies that have been authorized to access
> > it.
> >
> >          Attorney General Mike Cox said it's crucial that first
> > responders be able to communicate on the system without others
> > eavesdropping.
> >
> >          Andrew John Felde, 41, of Grand Rapids is accused of
> > obtaining stolen or illegally manufactured Motorola radios. James
> > Benjamin Brunk, 44, of Cadillac and James Edward Werner, 38, of
> > Rockford, who were state police civilian employees, allegedly helped
> > Felde program the radios to access the 800-megahertz system. They
> > gave him computer software and templates for the radios so they
> > would
> > work on the system, Cox said.
> >
> >          Walkerville Fire Chief Jerry Lee Frick, 63, then bought
> > three of the radios at half price, Cox said, in part with grant
> > money
> > by submitting a fraudulent invoice to a local 911 system.
> >
> >          The men face various felony charges. Frick faces up to 14
> > years in prison if convicted, and the other men face up to 5 to 10
> > years.
> >
> >
> >
> > Happy Holidays Don KA9QJG
> >
> > PS What the Heck is A   Illegally manufactured Motorola radios ?
>