wxyz2009's Install

[Comint]

Now why would QFRS do that?

Maybe it isn't the QFRS, per se.

In the United Kingdom, when TETRA (which is digital and encrypted) was being introduced, the Fire Brigades strongly resisted the move. However, they were badly in need of upgrades to their communications systems - normally funded by the Government - and were told that they either accepted the TETRA system, or no funding would be provided for any alternative equipment.

At present the Qld Department of Emergency Services is investigating new communications systems for government departments, including QAS and QFRS, and possibly QPS, and the Victorian MMR (which is APCO 25, and can be encrypted) is high on their list of suitable 'models'.

So probably the QFRS have absolutely no say in what they will be getting.

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Comint

[AIRMAN]

So probably the QFRS have absolutely no say in what they will be getting.

Do they ever?

So the picture in the future looks pretty sad for those of us who monitor emergency services.

Looks like all that will be left will be CB, HAM, Railways, Shipping and Aviation frequencies to monitor.

Maybe...maybe not......

In the USA many emergency service bands remain analogue and won't be changing. The only encrypted police bands being the Drug Enforcement and similar clandestine departments where they know from past experience that the criminal element monitor their activities like raids etc.

Many general police channels are kept unencrypted, largely because they are monitored by TV and news stations and by a good section of the general community. They hold the view that emergency channels operated by Fire and Police work is for PUBLIC RECORD and not secret. Some of the Police are now called Department of Public Safety.
I have spent time in the USA in these areas and can see the logic in what this strategy entails. They get public co-operation and the ordinary cop on patrol over there is treated with a whole lot more respect than they are here.

Personally, I don't see QFRS, QAS or rural QPS & SES going encrypted anytime soon. It costs money, lots of money.
The QLD State finances have gone pear shaped because of the global economic crisis and we look like staying that way for a while. There's no money for new technology in these aspects and they will hold the view that if something is working OK, why replace it?

[Phil]

So probably the QFRS have absolutely no say in what they will be getting.


Looks like all that will be left will be CB, HAM, Railways, Shipping and Aviation frequencies to monitor.

actually many current Australian Railways Organizations are currently testing a new system that the Japanese and also the French Railways are using which is running the new GSM-R Network, i beleive this to be a hunch that the new IMU's are using GSM-R Equipment for data purposes however this it is only a hunch there was a few gsm-r capable frequencies on the acma register for qr however can't find them again. who knows it could be years away with the finances or could be be months but somehow i see it to be a while away

[AIRMAN]

I don't monitor train frequencies. Up here it's just coal they move and all they do is call numbers all the time. Boring.

[Phil]

sounds like fun not really. however on another note we are getting a bit away from the actual topic

[SunnybankScan]

Qld SES is moving to TETRA. BCC Network

[Phil]

actually that would be interesting as the Northern area of QLD don't have access to Tetra Network and the Tetra radios can't do Conventional channels so i don't see that it would be feasible to use it or the fact that no other emergency service will be able to contact them as well. they wouldn't be able to contact anyone other than there call centre but otherwise it would be good for coverage wise

[Stretch]

physable

Do you mean feasible???

[Comint]

Qld SES is moving to TETRA. BCC Network

My understanding is that it is NOT a Statewide move to TETRA, but only some liaison positions in the Brisbane area have/will be issued with TETRA radios, so they can communicate with BCC upper management.

SES comes under QDES, and as explained elsewhere, QDES still haven't even made up their mind which way they are going.

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[harbinator]

Hi,

very intesting info. which i've been reading up on.

Here's a question for you. I have a prm 80 UHF UW programmed up which i still can scan UHF conventional or analog on. I don't want to replace it & spend big dollars on new hardware. Is there a way to convert analog scanners or allow them to be able to Rx digital?

Cheers.

[Comint]

Here's a question for you. I have a prm 80 UHF UW programmed up which i still can scan UHF conventional or analog on. I don't want to replace it & spend big dollars on new hardware. Is there a way to convert analog scanners or allow them to be able to Rx digital?

Cheers.

NO

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Comint