NZ Police Switch To Digital Radio

The New Zealand Police have begun there move away from there current analogue radio channels and radios to a new Tait manufactured P-25 encrypted network that is near impossible to scan even with new P-25 capable scanners. Currently only the Wellington region has the technology for general duties police work, but the technology is being released in Auckland and Christchurch next year before being rolled out across the country. The Police want to have Digital radio in the main centres before the Rugby World Cup Here in 2011. Tech stuff The radio network is an American developed standard called Apco Project 25 (P-25) Digital system. The P-25 standard is used mainly in North and South America, parts of Asia and Australia and now New Zealand for digital radio. P-25 can be used with or without Encryption. Only non Encryped P-25 can be scanned with a P-25 capable scanner. Europe mainly uses a standard called TETRA for its digital radio for Emergency Services. The radios have been manufactured by Christchurch based company Tait communications The NZ Fire Service, Ambulance, Customs, MAF and Fisheries have all agreed to move from there analogue systems they run now to the new P-25 in the future although there have been no dates set for the change over for these agencies. Advantages of digital two way radio -Easy to encrypt -Better sound quality -Better coverage in City areas Disadvantages -Doesnt work as well as analogue in rural area when it comes to reception. -equipment is more expensive -Radios must be designed to the same, compatible standard -Only one conversation at a time can occur on each channel (bad if a cop accidently sits on his radio talk button and then no other officers can get though) If you have any questions or comments, both for and against the new digital system, please use the comments section as a bit of a forum if you want. =============================================================================== Thanks and Full Credit to 3news for running this story. http://3news.co.nz