Digital transmissions on the WAERN

[Always RX]

Not sure if this is a hint of things to come or if any of you have heard the same?? Today I received P25 digital transmissions on 162.8375MHz, which is listed as DEC channel 516 (Canning Mills). The transmissions sounded to me like fairly informal basic radio checks and discussions regarding the P25 performance on the UHF and 'high band'. No call signs were used and so I cannot really say who was involved. Incidentally the quality of the transmissions was excellent.

[vk6hgr]

I heard some too, in analogue mode so couldn't hear the conversation.

Wonder if they're transitioning to digital..?

[Sgt Seedy]

does digital means it going to be encrypted?

[vk6hgr]

does digital means it going to be encrypted?

Probably: -(

[WPXZBP]

Digital will be coming to WAERN metro.

[auntys_eyes]

Digital will be coming to WAERN metro.

But will it be encrypted??

[WPXZBP]

Hazard a guess, yes. I'm not privy to that info.

[vk6hgr]

Hazard a guess, yes. I'm not privy to that info.

Let me be the first to say... Fiddlesticks

[yorky]

Seconded.

[observer]

It does appear that the metro FRS will be getting digitial radios in the near future (as to the exact time line, that is a seperate discussion). Also from the info I have recieved that the radios may be encrypted. How accurate this info is remains to be seen, but if the features/capabilities that I have heard are included, then the radios will most likely have to be encrypted.

[Bonez]

I understand at least one reason they would want to do this.

Idiot kids with scanners going around lighting fires then listening to FESA hard at work later on while thinking they are big proud men for lighting the fire.

I'm sure it happens.

[richard omeara]

Who ever it is they just did a test with encryption.CRAP

[Always RX]

You appear to be right on the money observer. The transmissions I am receiving on the same frequency today are mostly coming up as encrypted signals.

[dlcat1]

I understand at least one reason they would want to do this.

Idiot kids with scanners going around lighting fires then listening to FESA hard at work later on while thinking they are big proud men for lighting the fire.

I'm sure it happens.

I believe that was one of the reasons I got told NSW went encrypted with GRN or PMR back in the day. It's a real pity as there are so many people out there who scan responsibly, but such is progress

[veteranfirie]

There is a substantial amount of information we do not transmit at the moment.

For example.

Fatalities.
FIO information.
Names addresses and contact phone details of witnesses.
Anything to do with police arson operations.
Anything of a political (local govt mainly) nature.
Injuries to firefighters (spouses listening in)
Any suspected terrorist act.
Information on major incidents that the press may misconstrue.


Also have a look at the next major incident you attend, there are lots of FESA personell using mobile phones to convey information.

The digital radio network was first mooted in the mid 90's and I think when the Ops room move to Cockburn in early 2012 we will be totally digital.