[TrunkCom] Re: Motorola radios with the capabilities

[Earl Barfield]

> I have a faint memory of reading somewhere that Motorola once made a
> modified verison of a Saber(?) for a US military contract that had
> software (firmware?) with EDACS capability.  It was a one-off project
> that they needed to do in order to satisfy the contract but had no
> desire to develop into a commercial offering.
> 
> I can't find the reference now.  Anyone else see this?

I hate answering my own questions, but I found the reference.  Look at
http://www.batlabs.com/astrosab.html and scroll down to the section
labelled "The Toy of All Toys".  It specifically mentions the USMC
using EDACS capable sabers in Corpus Cristi, TX.

A quick look at the batlabs redistribution policy seems to indicate
that it's okay to re-post their page contents so here's the paragraph:


===========================================================================
The Toy of All Toys...

There are several references to an SP version of the Astro Saber that
is equipped with Fascinator Securenet, AND works with
GE/Ericsson's EDACS format trunking. The word is that this
ultra-special radio was created in response to a Marine Corps special
requirement for a radio that would work with their land based EDACS
system and would also have Fascinator encryption in
conventional operation for (mostly) tactical and/or offshore
operations.

Motorola was able to supply this item because Ericsson doesn't have
authorization to produce or have Fascinator encrypted
technology since they are not a US-based company. Supposedly this
special radio type is in use at a Marine Corps base in the
vicinity of Corpus Christi, Texas.

We have been advised that such a radio does in fact exist, and has
been confirmed. As to any further details on the unit, SP number,
flashcode, model number, etc. have yet to been provided
===========================================================================


-- 
Earl Barfield  --  Operations Department / Information Technology  
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta Georgia, 30332
Internet: Earl.Barfield@oit.gatech.edu    earl@prism.gatech.edu
          earl@fantasy.gatech.edu         earl@oit.gatech.edu