[TrunkCom] Computer paging ( MDT )

[Tom Swisher]

Incorrect. I researched this last year when the department I work for 
studied getting MDTs, and could find no law that prohibits monitoring 
unencrypted ASCII transmissions for personal entertainment. Unlike 
pagers, there is no statute that specifically prohibits monitoring MDTs. 
And thus, as unencrypted ASCII, they're fair game.

The law prohibiting divulgence and unauthorized use is still in force, 
however. Divulging what he intercepted is what got someone in trouble a 
couple of years ago.

It's this that is causing most departments around here in Central Ohio 
to choose CDPD (Cellular Digital Packet Data) for their MDTs, on account 
of sensitive information like driving record, warrant and criminal 
history checks. Not only is it more efficient, but it's encrypted, too. 
The only things going across the Motorola MDC4800 system around here now 
are dispatch messages and car-to-car traffic, and the occasional record 
check from a reserve car not outfitted with a CDPD modem.

The end conclusion of the study, by the way? Without a grant, forget it, 
my little department can't afford it.

Tom WA8PYR

Steven Anderson wrote:
> MDTs have never been legal
> 
> -----Original Message-----
 >While mostly unencrypted, and thus technically legal to intercept
 >(for now), I'll bet that Motorola uses their legal muscle to squash
 >anybody trying to decode it, on copyright/patent grounds.
 >Dontcha just love the way our legal rights can be rendered moot by
 >the civil system sometimes?  Not.

-- 
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Tom Swisher, WA8PYR                        WA8PYR@columbus.rr.com
"Always do sober what you said you would do when drunk. That will
teach you to keep your mouth shut." - Ernest Hemingway
    *** Central Ohio Radio & More - www.qsl.net/wa8pyr ***