NYS Legislators pass law to open NYPD radio encryption to public

[Capttomo]

New York state lawmakers vote to stop NYPD’s attempt to block radio communications from public

“As encrypted radio usage grows, my proposal strikes the proper balance between legitimate law enforcement needs and the rights and interests of New Yorkers.”

nypost.com

 

[jtsjc1]

I don't think I've ever seen that done before. Usually once encrypted it never changes. Even the small towns where I live in NJ are encrypted mostly and there's never been a push to reverse it. Well at least my BCD996P2 maybe will be more active again.

 

[DaveReinstein]

New York state lawmakers vote to stop NYPD’s attempt to block radio communications from public

“As encrypted radio usage grows, my proposal strikes the proper balance between legitimate law enforcement needs and the rights and interests of New Yorkers.”

nypost.com

I get why they would want the cops radio encrypted, FD, no clue why. Although the public should be able to listen either way. It’s a very Gray subject

 

[Capttomo]

So the easiest method and most secure is for NYPD to keep the actual channels encrypted so that anyone with a baofang radio or similar cannot transmit or jam the channels and rebroadcast the transmissions on a separate channel or via an internet site. depending what the law stipulates, they may want to put a 1,3, or 10 minute delay on it being rebroadcasted. we will see.

 

[OldGoat]

Nassau County PD has been encrypted for a few years now. I miss hearing what's going on in my neighborhood. I started listening in the early 70's when the radios looked like the old transistor radios. Some Fire Departments out here on the island may be moving to the 700MHZ bands.

 

[jlab]

New York state lawmakers vote to stop NYPD’s attempt to block radio communications from public

“As encrypted radio usage grows, my proposal strikes the proper balance between legitimate law enforcement needs and the rights and interests of New Yorkers.”

nypost.com

However, as I read the bill, access is still only to "emergency service organizations and journalists". It does not, as the Post headline gives the impression, make police communications accessible to the general public as it was previously.

https://legislation.nysenate.gov/pdf/bills/2025/a3516

 

[tperez102]

Nassau County PD has been encrypted for a few years now. I miss hearing what's going on in my neighborhood. I started listening in the early 70's when the radios looked like the old transistor radios. Some Fire Departments out here on the island may be moving to the 700MHZ bands.

Or Swapping out Crystal's in the unit. They used to have the frequency etched on them. 154.25 , 154.19 , 154.37 Etc.

 

[nfd2004]

When crystal-controlled radio scanners came out I remember going to a Radio shack Store on the Grand Concourse near Fordham Rd in the Bronx and buying FDNY and NYPD crystals. And EMS too.

Like you say "tperez102", they were 154.25, 154.19, 154.37, and NYPD ESU was 470.8375 (?).
I had a few local police pcts too in some of the busier areas (46 pct, 48 pct, etc)

Also, my mobile scanner could pick up the FDNY for about 40-50 miles outside of the city. NYPD ESU had a strong signal too.

It was a great time to tune in the action.

 

[kidfrmqns]

I remember in the 70's and 80's going with my dad to Stuart Electronics on Parsons and Union Tpk. to buy crystals. That place always seemed to be packed with people buying scanners and crystals.

 

[Capttomo]

I bought my crystals from Radio Shack on Broadway near 230 St in Kingsbridge section of THE borough.

 

[OldGoat]

Before crystals, there were the transistor radio type hand held radios with the dial indicator. Attempting to stay on the dispatch freqs with a piece of tape or a rubber band was an art form. We were able to receive the low band 46.10 and 46.12. The Nassau County PD (if the gray matter still works was in the mid 150's. I'm talking early 1970's just after the smoke signals were banned.

 

[nfd2004]

Before crystals, there were the transistor radio type hand held radios with the dial indicator. Attempting to stay on the dispatch freqs with a piece of tape or a rubber band was an art form. We were able to receive the low band 46.10 and 46.12. The Nassau County PD (if the gray matter still works was in the mid 150's. I'm talking early 1970's just after the smoke signals were banned.

I remember that too.
I lived in Bridgeport, Ct then and I remember tuning in the Bridgeport Fire Department and Bridgeport Police Department.
The fire department was on 153.77 mhz., and the police department was on 154.725 mhz.
If I got it tuned in just right, I could hear them both.

"OldGoat" As you mentioned, I used the tape once it was tuned in exactly right.

Note: - "OldGoat", I guess we are both Old Goats because I did that same thing too.
Actually, we are not alone, "I know we have a lot of Old Goats among us here". (ha)

 

[Capttomo]

My first fire Radio in 1971. Tunable

 

[Capttomo]

1974 My first crystal controlled scanner. Loved this machine the speaker was phenomenal

 

[tperez102]

Yes we may be OLDER but still remember what It was like growing Up in this City when every single day bought a new challenge. Had this Thing attached to my Bike rack. Put on quite a few miles too.

 

[captaindewey50267021@gm]

Does anyone remember "Fire Pal" Radios from the 1960s 7 1970.s A Brown colored radio that allowed you to tune into all FDNY Frequencies?
There was a time when almost every FDNY firehouse had a Fire Pal at the House Watch Desk. Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired

 

[grumpy grizzly]

Before crystals, there were the transistor radio type hand held radios with the dial indicator. Attempting to stay on the dispatch freqs with a piece of tape or a rubber band was an art form. We were able to receive the low band 46.10 and 46.12. The Nassau County PD (if the gray matter still works was in the mid 150's. I'm talking early 1970's just after the smoke signals were banned.

I remember when Bearcat came out with the 210, a fully programmable unit. Just type in the freqs ad you were good to go. Then came the hand-held model, take it anywhere. Just get the scanner book from Radio Shack to get the freqs. I still have a 210XL that works!

 

[RTH711]

Does anyone remember "Fire Pal" Radios from the 1960s 7 1970.s A Brown colored radio that allowed you to tune into all FDNY Frequencies?
There was a time when almost every FDNY firehouse had a Fire Pal at the House Watch Desk. Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired

I had one in the early 1960’s. My dad drove me to 220 St in Queens to get it. Great radio for that time.
I was able to beat 240, 281 into a few boxes. Then starting riding with 283 when I turned 18. Great time to be buffing. Brooklyn Dispatcher late 60’s to mid 70’s with a two year break for the army.

 

[OldGoat]

I remember when Bearcat came out with the 210, a fully programmable unit. Just type in the freqs ad you were good to go. Then came the hand-held model, take it anywhere. Just get the scanner book from Radio Shack to get the freqs. I still have a 210XL that works!

These days I have the home Patrol 1 as my base unit and 2 Uniden BCD-436's for outside use.