[FedCom] Federal User's Nextel/Sprint IDEN New Hybrid System

[Ken]

Interestingly I got an email today at work about the new Sprint/Nextel 
Hybrid system that is being introduced.  Apparently Sprint is combining 
sites & electronically improving sites to expand coverage.  Although not 
encrypted, there isn't a scanner on the market today that can decode these 
transmissions.

Apparently the new Sprint hybrid system will keep Sprint subscribers on 
Sprint digital cellphone with access to nationwide walkie talkie (formerly 
Nextel "direct connect") that nextel users have access to

If you go to the Sprint map page  (click on "hybrid" after entering zip 
code)
http://www1.sprintpcs.com/explore/coverage/PhoneZipEntry.jsp?ATR_ExtraOne=UHP_PCS_Phones

I'm a bit confused as to whether nextel users will also get access to sprint 
cellphone sites.

There's a lot of federal, state, & local government usage of Nextel 
including the various federal investigative agencies.  What's been 
interesting has been the development of "'Direct Talk' Off Network Walkie 
Talkie, which allows basically the units to be used as w/t's, allegedly for 
up to 6 miles (which I'm skeptical about) as well as the retention of 
"Nationwide Walkie Talkie", "Group Walkie Talkie", etc.  see: 
http://nextelonline.nextel.com/en/services/walkietalkie/overview.shtml
which IMHO has impacted in the past the amount of radio communications 
traffic monitored on investigative agencies radio systems.

I've noted on one recently new federal/local law enforcement reality series 
(DSC, Thursdays, 2000 hrs local)  that the USMS seems to use nextel's while 
enroute to a raid or surveillance BUT changes to their radio system when "on 
scene" for the actual operation.

Would be interested to hear from anyone who has direct experience using the 
off network option direct talk function.  Also other comments on federal 
nextel usage in your respective areas.
Here in Springfield MA it appears that the IRS-CID, FBI, & DEA are using 
Nextel's (based upon TV news footage of these agencies over the last year or 
so).

BTW to get an idea of the different nextel portables in use see:
http://nextelonline.nextel.com/NASApp/onlinestore/en/Action/DisplayPhones
(not use if the feds have some different models, but I doubt)

Ken




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jeff Kenyon" <at649 at tcnet.org>
To: "Discussion of Federal Government Communications" 
<fedcom at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, October 13, 2005 1:41 PM
Subject: Re: [FedCom] Federal User's Nextel/Sprint IDEN?


>i knew that IDEN isn't encrypted