What is the MMR? The Metropolitan Mobile Radio system
is a DIGITAL trunked radio system being set
up by MOTOROLA for BEST for the emergency
services in the metropolitan area to use.
Who is going to use the MMR? Initially the Victoria Police (in
the metropolitan area) and Metropolitan Fire
Brigade will use the system when it is finished
- later the Metropolitan Ambulance Service
will also use it.
When is the MMR going to be introduced?
The MMR system is expected to be up and
running in time for the Commonwealth
Games (15-26 March 2006). VICPOL and
the MFB are expected to be on the system
in time for the games - MAS are not moving
onto the system until after the games.
Are any other services going
to use the MMR? At present the system is only being
planned for the Metropolitan area so there
is a possibility that the SES might also
use it along with other government agencies
such as the Sheriff's Office.
Why is the MMR being introduced?
There are a number of reasons why - security
(secure from being monitored and radio's
being stolen), interoperability (agencies
can talk direct to each other), better
reception. Also the current technology
used is getting very old and is prone
to interference.
What system is being used?
Motorola won the MMR contract and are implementing
an APCO-25 (ASTRO) system.
So can I still monitor an APCO-25
system? Yes so long as the talkgroup is
not encrypted.
So I can no longer listen if
encryption is used? Correct - if the agencies implement
encryption it will be DES strength and unbreakable
except for government agencies.
Are any agencies using encryption?
Yes – ALL Victoria Police talkgroups wil
be encrypted.
So what if I steal a radio so
I can still listen to the police?
Our understanding is that if a radio is
stolen and reported as such the next time
the radio 'logs' onto the system it is
'stunned' and needs to be returned to Motorola.
Can I buy a Motorola radio and
clone it?
We don't have an answer to this yet - we
think though that the system would recognise
two radio's with the same ID and reject
both – ‘stunning’ them in the process.
