RW>And what is it that the average cop on the street wants
RW>to hid and therefore needs a scrambled system?  Maybe
Well... There are many answers to that.  In the early days of Police
Radio some departments published instructions for listing in (if you can
beleive that, I've seen the articles, thus I have to believe it)
However the ones who wish the "Secure" mode on our radios are not your
Average cop on the street.  They are Narcotic officers and other under
cover operatives and if their voice was heard with digital clarity on a
Trunker Tarcker,,,, Their life would likely not be worth the cost of a
new battery.  Thus, They have "Secure" mode
The street cops don't (At least at this time) however once all the
equiptment is set up then everyone will likely have it, if they know how
to use it (major IF) I make it my business to know how to operate the
radios  (I'm the dispatcher after all)
So,  Yes, there are very good reasons for a police officer to wish
secure transmissions... I've had cases where I had a marked car hiding
in the bushes.  I called them on a clear frequency (Since a person
looking for them would only hear the post tranmitter) and had them
answer on a digital data line,  Just one packet of data, Short burst,
impossible to track due to lack of duration.
But this is only done when the officer's safety is at stake.
There is yet another reason too... I've had calls from assorted media
types (You know, Television news) wanting to know what frequency we are
on (Sorry, can't give that out... Reason 1, Don't know,  Reason 2, Not
allowed, Reason 3, Subject to change with every transmission among the
different frequencies we use, Reason 4, Digital system.
But if they could listen in, then they might get a few juicy bits of
information.   For example,  The other night I got a call from a person
who was telling me there was a man lying in the left lane of the freeway
Well, after some questioning we determined he'd been in an accident and
was injured (Well, Killed, but till the troopers arrive at the scene we
still say "injured" and assume the best as opposed to the worse)
Troopers arrived and changed the call for EMS to the ME instead.
(Joke. Lawyer: How then, did you know he was dead?"  Dr: His brain was
in a jar on my desk... But he  Well, I won't finish the joke)  He was a
bit brainless as his brains were splattered all over the OTHER SIDE of
the freeway)
Now, How would you like to notice your spouse was a bit late getting
home, Then hear on the news that his/her brains were splattered all over
the freeway.  Remember the "knock on the door" has not happened yet.
Thus.  They need secure, no media can evesdrop, communications.
 * SLMR 2.1a * Suspense: period after mosquito in the bedroom stops buzz
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