Update on Scanner Feed

The radio system that Fremont subscribes to for police, fire, parks, road dept, etc, is planning a major upgrade to technology in two months, July 1st.  The East Bay Radio Communications System (EBRCS) is scheduled to implement "phase 2" operations in late June, early July.  This change essentially doubles the available capacity of the system.  New radios for the users are out in the field now.  This system covers most of Alameda and Contra Costa counties.  How does this effect the Fremont Dispatch scanner feed?  The scanner now in use does not decode Phase 2 signals.  An upgrade to a $350-400 scanner would be required.  Prior to purchasing a used scanner for the feed, I want to make sure a)  phase 2 signals received on an appropriate scanner will have the same or better audio quality.  b)  the radio traffic is not encrypted.  During this transition I will be monitoring FPD via a phase 2 portable scanner and will be actively blogging.
The philosophy of EBRCS has always been to keep dispatch radio traffic "in the clear" and not encrypted.  Each department does have at least one encrypted radio channel available for tactical use, stake outs, etc.  Fremont PD has at least three such channels used by detectives and they cannot be decoded.  However, San Jose Police recently encrypted all of their channels, dispatch included, on the phase 2 system they use.  So, come July 1st the existing feed may be down for several days or weeks while a new scanner is purchased, assuming the signal quality is sufficient for a quality feed and encryption free.

EAST BAY REGIONAL COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM AUTHORITY

SUBJECT
ENCRYPTION POLICY
APPROVED BY
Board of Directors
2-17-2012
EFFECTIVE DATE
February 17, 2012
A. POLICY STATEMENT

The EBRCSA adopted the following policy:
1. Establish three (3) system wide Talk Groups to be used for encryption;
2. Establish that system users standardize on Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) if encryption is used;
3. Encryption should be an agency by agency decision;
4. Encryption should be confined to special operations and not used on primary dispatch talkgroups.
(my italics..Fremont Streets)