[Scan-DC] MPD System

Sat, 25 Oct 2003 09:18:17 -0400

Folks,
         There are also some rumours of the Howard Co Trunk system going 
completely encrypted. They have already made the decision to dump all the 
Analog channels and go completely Digital, based on signal quality issues, 
as I understand it.
         But why completely Encrypted? Except for security, I don't 
understand this decision from either Howard County or MPD. Doesn't the 
encryption make it difficult to interact with neighboring departments? 
Would the Inter-county systems be encrypted too? If so, I would imagine 
that the encryption key would be loaded into all those radios too, right?
         I understand the need to encrypt tactical/detective/etc type 
channels but just don't see the need for run-of-the-mill Dispatch channels. 
Is this just a waste of Homeland Security money? And what about the 
"logistical nightmare" as John stated before? What would be the big benefit 
besides being able to say its ALL encrypted?

         Also, does anybody know how many jurisdictions, nationwide, have 
gone to a fully encrypted system?

Cheers, Denis

At 08:32 AM 10/25/2003 -0400, you wrote:
>Good morning.  I have from a good authority that MPD will go to complete 
>encryption within 60 days on all talkgroups.  Time will tell if this is 
>actually going to happen.  It means for them manually loading DES key on 
>hundreds of heldheld and mobile units.  It is a large undertaking and a 
>logistical nightmare.
>
>The first test will be today, as I'm told, MPD will encrypt several 
>talkgroups to communicate during today's anti-war demonstrations.
>
>MPD has a lot of Federal money to fund this, so it is not out of the realm 
>of possibility that the system will be totally encrypted within a couple 
>on months.
>
>Regards,
>
>John Nash
>
>
>
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