FCC Weighs NY State Police Plan to Convert LoJack Channel to P25

The FCC is seeking public comment on a New York State Police request to convert 173.075 MHz — a frequency long used by the LoJack stolen-vehicle recovery system — into a P25 public safety voice-and-data channel. If granted, the waiver could close one of the most predictable analog monitoring frequencies in the Northeast and set a precedent for other states seeking to repurpose LoJack spectrum.

What the NYSP Application Seeks

On August 11, 2026, the FCC's Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau released Public Notice DA-26-838, seeking comment on New York Division of State Police applications (ULS file nos. 0011998692 and 0011998702) to convert VHF 173.075 MHz from a LoJack channel into a public safety voice and data channel (FCC DA-26-838). The NYSP also requests a waiver of 47 CFR §90.20(e)(6) — a regulation that limits how certain VHF frequencies can be used. The applications were coordinated with the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) and approved by the Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee (IRAC).

Why 173.075 MHz Matters to Scanner Listeners

For decades, 173.075 MHz was a predictable analog tracking-tone channel used by the LoJack stolen-vehicle recovery network. Scanner enthusiasts monitored it for the distinctive tone bursts that followed a LoJack activation — a rare example of a frequency that served both public safety and consumer technology. LoJack's legacy RF system was discontinued on March 26, 2026, freeing up the spectrum for reallocation. NYSP wants to repurpose its existing base stations in the Hudson Valley for "mission-critical communications" rather than surrender the licenses.

The Precedent Problem

The NYSP waiver application is significant beyond New York because it could create a roadmap for other states. LoJack operated on 173.075 MHz nationwide, and state police agencies in multiple states hold licenses for base stations on that frequency. If the FCC grants the NYSP waiver, it signals that LoJack spectrum can be converted to P25 public-safety land-mobile radio — potentially across the country. For now, 173.075 MHz remains analog analog in most areas. A tri-band scanner like the Baofeng K5 Plus can still receive this VHF frequency as it stands today.

How to Participate

The FCC is accepting initial comments through September 10, 2026, with reply comments due September 25, 2026. Interested parties — including scanner hobbyists, news organizations, and public safety agencies — can file comments via the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System using the proceeding number associated with DA-26-838 (FCC Public Notice). The proceeding touches on spectrum policy, the balance between public safety needs and public monitoring access, and the future of VHF spectrum allocation — making it one of the more consequential FCC dockets of 2026 for the scanning community.

What a P25 Conversion Means

If NYSP converts 173.075 MHz to P25, the channel could carry encrypted public-safety traffic — meaning conventional analog scanners would no longer receive it. The NYSP already uses P25 encryption on its primary dispatch channels on the statewide NYS-SPEN system (a UHF trunked network with full-time encryption). Adding a P25 channel at 173.075 MHz would effectively close a frequency that has been open to listeners for decades. The waiver application does not specify whether the new channel would be encrypted, but P25 is capable of encryption and most NYSP operations already use it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What frequency does LoJack use?

LoJack's legacy stolen-vehicle recovery system operated on 173.075 MHz, a VHF frequency in the federal/non-federal shared band. The system was discontinued on March 26, 2026.

What is NYSP proposing with this FCC application?

The New York State Police want to convert 173.075 MHz from a LoJack channel to a P25 public safety voice and data channel for mission-critical communications in the Hudson Valley.

Can I still listen to 173.075 MHz?

As of August 2026, yes — the frequency remains analog pending FCC action. A scanner capable of receiving VHF (such as a tri-band model) can still pick it up.

When are FCC comments due?

Initial comments are due September 10, 2026, and reply comments are due September 25, 2026.

Would the new channel be encrypted?

The application requests authorization for P25 voice and data. While the filing does not explicitly state whether encryption would be used, NYSP already operates encrypted P25 on its primary dispatch channels, and P25 is encryption-capable by design.

Could this set a national precedent?

Yes. LoJack operated on 173.075 MHz nationwide, and multiple state police agencies hold licenses for base stations on the same frequency. An FCC grant of the NYSP waiver could open the door for similar conversions across the country.

Bottom line: The NYSP's request to convert 173.075 MHz from a retired LoJack channel to P25 public safety radio could close a historically open monitoring frequency in the Hudson Valley and set a national precedent for LoJack spectrum reallocation. Scanner listeners have until September 10, 2026 to file comments with the FCC.