captain
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Post by captain on Aug 23, 2021 6:24:11 GMT 10
Hi all,
with digital encryption in many communications systems these days, is it still possible to use a scanner to monitor services like the police, ambulance, emergency services etc?
I see that many scanners are for still for sale - and they are advertised as being able to pick up digital transmissions, but can they receive the encrypted signals? If not, then what point are these new digital scanners?
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Post by SA Hunter on Aug 23, 2021 9:45:57 GMT 10
Can only speak for what I know about SA Emergency services.
They use GRN, and I know Police are encrypted, and I believe other agencies are as well - CFS/Ambos/SES.
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malewithatail
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Location: Northern Rivers NSW
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Post by malewithatail on Aug 23, 2021 11:19:23 GMT 10
Most agencies, such as the RFS etc, are now encrypted and digital. There were some scanners available that could receive the digital transmissions, but I believe u can get a computer program to decode the encrypted signals. also some agencies stream live on the net, the NSW RFS does I think. That said, a scanner can give u access to VHF and UHF ham comms as well as UHF cb, and most also cover the FM band, so u can listen to the news as well.
Friends may come and friends may go, but enemies accumulate.
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frostbite
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Post by frostbite on Aug 23, 2021 11:42:44 GMT 10
You didn't need a police scanner to know the cops were all in the Sydney CBD on Saturday, leaving the rest of Greater Sydney wide open for some good ole lockdown breaking.
I'm hearing plenty of people took that opportunity.
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Post by Stealth on Aug 23, 2021 18:24:43 GMT 10
I can't remember what it's called, I'll have to look it up. But during bushfire season last year I had an app where you could listen to the local RFS station. Local cops were on that channel too although only for fire coordination when it came to road closures and stuff. There's a few apps out there that you can get that will do it, and as far as I can tell totally legal to use
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Tri-Polar
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Post by Tri-Polar on Aug 23, 2021 19:20:50 GMT 10
Depends where you are. In the Widebay area, everything is still analog. Mount isa is the same. Pretty handy to listen in on it all. Who knew your town had so many DVs.
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Tri-Polar
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Post by Tri-Polar on Aug 23, 2021 19:31:31 GMT 10
I can't remember what it's called, I'll have to look it up. But during bushfire season last year I had an app where you could listen to the local RFS station. Local cops were on that channel too although only for fire coordination when it came to road closures and stuff. There's a few apps out there that you can get that will do it, and as far as I can tell totally legal to use Communication act sates its legal to listen, however illegal to act on or use the information heard. Obviously this is more implied to police side of things. Cant talk on their channels either without getting a helping hand without lube to enter your rear end.
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australia
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Post by australia on Aug 23, 2021 19:31:44 GMT 10
No you can’t decode encrypted digital P25 , specifically AES256 encryption , not technically possible on any consumer device , no matter what your mate says down the pub !
Police in most states have switched over to encryption, those who haven’t will be ,
Fire and ambulance in some states can be listened to with and phase 1 or 2 p25 scanner , or an SDR if you can be bothered learning the countless hours of software skills ,
But , there is a trend , due to streamers , for all agencies to encrypted their radios on all state radio systems, it will happen in a few years .
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