Just thought i would comment on the new radio systems some fire departments and sheriff department's are now starting to switch to with all this homeland security money.It has not happened in our area as of yet but it may be in the near future.It is encrypted digital radio communications,the public nor the press can monitor these types of radio system's.And as far as i am concerned this is just another way for local govorment to hide the way they do buisness and keep the press and the public in the dark.I am a former fire fighter but now just enjoy monitoring on the scanner and i know there are many that enjoy this activity as well as me.These systems are bought and payed for with the people's money not there's and there is no reason to go full time encryption for these systems.I can understand scrambling for a drug bust or some other dire situation but more and more are scrambled at all times.So if you are involved with the media or enjoy scanning,you may soon be listning to static.And your first hand news may become 3 days old.And the sheriff or fire department will only release there side of the story and you will be forced to believe it.Without open communications there will be no way to police the police.Kinda like we are watching you but no one can watch us.And one other point these new digital systems are computer controlled via software and could sometimes fail.The ky state police are apco 25 digital however with a digital scanner you can hear them they are not encrypted.I listen to them often and there system works very good however i have heard them in bad weather have quite a bit of difficulty communicating with dispatchers.Digital is good when it works good but if it fails it may cost you your life read the link below and decide for yourself.If they offer these systems in this area the people i think should speak out against it, and i would also like to know how the ones running for the sheriffs office feel about blacked out communications from the public. 

When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.
Thomas Jefferson
Howard t. Jude