Analog vs. P25 System Key differences... (Not ASK)

[werdnuts]

A few of us were discussing the multiple repeated failure and collapse of our City's Public Safety radio system as it is transitioned from Analog to P25 Trunking. When I say failures, I mean the new system hasn't managed to stay live for more than 24 hours. The transition was to take place well over a year ago, but shortcuts and bad planning have resulted in many system failures and resorting back to the analog system.

After a lengthy discussion, we stumbled upon some questions. I've investigated the board as well as the net, but have yet to find a good answer. Since the system was built in parallel to the current analog trunk system, the new P25 trunk system has a new system ID. Those questions are:

Is the new system key the same type of key as the old system? (Obviously, the system key is not the exact same key, since the system IDs are different.) In essence, is the system key used to program XTS3ks and MTS2k the same as the one used to program all the new XTS5000s with the Astro25 software? Maybe a better way to ask, is the system key made for Astro25 different than that used by past CPS? Keeping in mind, that we are NOT discussing the Advanced System Key (ASK) hardware device.

Should we be concerned about someone with skeygen.exe creating a key and using it on the new P25 system?

Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks!

(In case this is not the appropriate forum, I'll post this in the Astro Forum as well.)

[akardam]

Do not post the same topic in multiple forums.

[immelmen28]

Is the system key made for Astro25 different than that used by past CPS? Keeping in mind, that we are NOT discussing the Advanced System Key (ASK) hardware device.

No, there is no difference. It is the same type of key with a new ID.

Should we be concerned about someone with skeygen.exe creating a key and using it on the new P25 system?

This is possible.

[werdnuts]

Perfect! Thank you, immelmen28!!!

I (we) appreciate the clarification! This is just as I suspected.