[FedCom] Re: Frequency verification

[Blaine Brooks]

Bryan E. Phelps wrote:

> 1) Does anyone know what percentage of FBI digital transmissions are DES?

I am speaking strictly from a monitoring standpoint, but I would say
at least 99%. Not much in the clear anymore. At least here in the
DFW area. Occasionally, we'll get a good surveillance, but it's
pretty rare. Usually it's mobile to mobile or mobile to air. I would say
most of the base console outputs are DES, simply because oftentimes
with my PL enabled scanner I'll hear a mobile call base "in the clear", get
a response from them (apparently with them coded) , and then here a
"in the clear" response from the mobile unit. I assume that this is because
the base consoles are tied to hardlines, whereas the portables in mobiles
and air can lose their DES key when battery power goes low or they have
recently done a change out, and forget to re-key. That happens quite often,
and not just with FBI. So far, I have not heard any indications of FBI 
going
P25 in our area, and I do searches quite often, as well as scanning the 
known
frequencies. If you'll remember, it wasn't too long ago FBI was making 
the transition
to DES for all its offices and had to pony up the money for all the 
upgrades,
extra 12.5 channels, repeaters, and such, and the resulting millions in new
equipment and consoles. Frankly, I don't see them dumping all that in 
the trash
and asking for taxpayers money again, but stranger things have happened.

Again, strictly from a monitors standpoint, the FBI seems a totally 
different
animal than the rest of federal law enforcement, in that, they don't always
follow the lead of other agencies transitions (such as over to P25), but 
would
much rather do things at their own pace, with their own radio engineers 
and toys.

> I can understand their concern about cost vs. sales, but until we as
> consumers get some approximate $ estimate, the frustration with P25 vs. PL
> will continue and the scanner folks will continue to be criticized.

News 1 (Terry) and I both live in the DFW area, and both of us enjoy 
listening to
federal frequencies here. However, he uses commercial radios for much of his
listening, including Motorola Astros. While he certainly has a clearer 
digital
signal and less intermod when he's listening, I personally don't have ANY
commercial equipment. Why? Because of the money factor. Sure I would 
love to
go out and plunk down 800 or 900 bucks for a used Astro, but myself 
(along with
the overwhelming majority of other hobbyists I'm willing to bet) can't 
do that. So we
have to deal with the wider frequency coverage and resulting occasional 
intermod,
less sensitive at times, and possibly not as clear of a signal. Is it 
worth it? Of course
it is, for 500 bucks! But am I willing to pay an extra 500 bucks to put 
those commercial
features in a scanner?. Probably not, or at least in the forseeable 
future. It boils down
to how much you want to spend on your hobby. Some are able to purchase 
Ferraris,
and others can only afford Accords. Maybe someday I can afford all the 
bells and
whistles, but right now I'm plenty happy. And yes, I'm an old timer who 
remembers
when trunking came out, and we had to listen to everything from the dog 
catcher
to the code inspectors. We've come a long way baby!.......


Blaine Brooks
Flower Mound, Tx.


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