Securing Radio Communications from Unwanted Listeners
by Jenny Christensen
Secure communications are essential to todays two-way radio users. Transcrypt is the worlds leading provider of voice privacy solutions with over 26 years of experience in designing, manufacturing and servicing reliable, secure and sophisticated scramblers/encryption modules, programming and signaling products.
Transcrypt offers many levels of security and has over 2,700 application notes for most every popular make and model of analog two-way radios. The Transcrypt brand sets the standard for confidential communications in over 10,000 radio systems in over 120 countries worldwide.
Transcrypt manufactures 6 levels of security. The appropriate level of protection is based upon the level of technical sophistication of the adversary.
Level 400 Scramblers
The 400 uses simple fixed inversion and is Transcrypts basic level of security. It offers signaling and OTAR capabilities when in the clear mode. This scrambler is appropriate for commercial applications and in situations where confidentiality is not critical to operations. It has outstanding voice quality and minimal export requirements.
Level 416 Scramblers
The 416 offers a medium level of security and uses the hopping inversion method of scrambling. It is upgradeable to the 430 or 460 level of security, making it a popular choice for cost conscious customers who may want to increase security at a later time. OTAR and signaling capabilities can be used in the clear or coded mode. It is exportable with minimal export requirements.
Level 430 Scramblers
The 430 uses a hybrid sweep/hop technology that changes scrambling frequency on the order of 250 times per second. It offers a high level of security and excellent voice quality. It is immune to fixed inversion attacks and is appropriate for tactical public safety. It offers OTAR and signaling capabilities while the radio is in the field and operational. This scrambler has minimal export requirements.
Level 460 Scramblers
The 460 is Transcrypts best selling scrambler, featuring a very high level of security, excellent voice quality, and a proven record of success in the field with military and first responder operations. It uses a hybrid sweep/hop technology and changes scrambling frequency on the order of 650 times per second. This scrambler is robust with features and supports OTAR and signaling capabilities in the clear and coded modes. Due to its high level of security, the 460 requires an export license.
DES Scramblers
By scrambling voice audio using a DES algorithm, Transcrypts DES scrambler transmits a scrambled analog signal that is completely indecipherable, offering a maximum level of privacy. Although the scrambled audio produced by the module is unintelligible, the recovered voice audio is of superior quality. DES is compatible with OTAR and offers a full range of signaling capabilities. The continuous synchronization feature allows users to join secure communications after coding has been initiated, or rejoin secured communication in the event the radio signal is interrupted.
Dark Star Digital Encryption
Now, Transcrypt brings your radio system digital cryptography and the ultimate level of security for analog radios. Transcrypts proprietary Dark Star technology protects your radio system from the most aggressive adversaries. It is ideal for government, military, and police use - especially in applications where privacy is absolutely critical to sensitive, tactical operations. Dark Star works by digitizing the voice and encrypting the resulting data with 128 bit encryption. Dark Star provides excellent voice quality in poor environments and has a virtually imperceptible impact on the range of radio operation. Plus, Dark Star has the benefit of continuous synchronization, and it has a mode which can communicate with Transcrypts existing 460 series scramblers.