Department of Transportation
Statewide|, Minnesota
How we verified this
As of August 2026 none of the Minnesota Department of Transportation talkgroups on RadioReference's ARMER page are encrypted — the statewide category lists only "282 D MnDOT TAC 1", "388 D MnDOT TAC 2", "24101 D MnDOT TAC 7" and "24103 D MnDOT TAC 8", and every talkgroup across all eight MnDOT district categories is listed mode "D", in the clear.
Encryption Details
What This Means
This agency was previously listed as encrypted, but verification against live sources on 2026-08-09 found its dispatch broadcasting in the clear. Any P25-capable scanner can receive it — confirm current status on the live RadioReference database, since encryption decisions can change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Department of Transportation radio encrypted?
No. Despite earlier listings, Department of Transportation broadcasts in the clear. This agency was previously listed as encrypted, but verification against live sources on 2026-08-09 found its dispatch broadcasting in the clear. Any P25-capable scanner can receive it — confirm current status on the live RadioReference database, since encryption decisions can change.
Can I listen to Department of Transportation on a police scanner?
Yes. Verification against live sources found Department of Transportation's dispatch broadcasting in the clear — any P25-capable scanner can receive it. Check RadioReference for frequencies and current status.
Why do agencies like Department of Transportation encrypt their radio?
The reasons offered are almost always the same two: officer safety and operational security. Whether either was tested against a real Statewide| County incident is rarely part of the public record, whereas the consequences are easy to observe — no real-time accountability, and neighbouring agencies still in the clear left working around the gap.
Can Statewide| County reverse the encryption decision?
Yes — nothing about the underlying radio technology forces this. It's a decision Statewide| County officials made and can revisit, and other communities have pushed departments back toward open channels through sustained council pressure and coalition-building.
What can I do about Department of Transportation encryption?
File a FOIA request for Department of Transportation's radio recordings and encryption-decision paperwork, then show up to speak at a council or commission meeting. Find other residents or journalists in Statewide| County who want the same access — state legislation requiring public radio access is the longer-term fix, but organized local pressure is what usually moves the needle first.