Minnesota National Guard
Statewide, Minnesota
How we verified this
As of August 2026 RadioReference lists three of roughly fifty Minnesota National Guard talkgroups on ARMER as encrypted (a security talkgroup and two aviation talkgroups), with the remainder listed unencrypted.
Encryption Details
What This Means
Particular talkgroups are encrypted rather than the whole system, so channels outside that subset may still be monitored.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Minnesota National Guard radio encrypted?
Yes. Minnesota National Guard uses P25 AES-256 encryption. Particular talkgroups are encrypted rather than the whole system, so channels outside that subset may still be monitored.
Can I listen to Minnesota National Guard on a police scanner?
Partially. Minnesota National Guard encrypts specific talkgroups rather than the whole system, so some channels may still be accessible. Check RadioReference for specific talkgroup status.
Why did Minnesota National Guard encrypt their radio?
The standard justification nationwide is officer safety and operational security, regardless of whether a documented local incident ever required it. The tradeoff that follows is consistent too: public oversight drops, and reporters lose the ability to track military installation response as it happens.
Can Statewide County reverse the encryption decision?
It can. The radios support open and encrypted operation equally well, so this is a configuration and a policy, not a constraint — and policies set by Statewide County officials are policies those officials can revisit when constituents press for it.
What can I do about Minnesota National Guard encryption?
File a FOIA request for Minnesota National Guard'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.