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Their license may prohibit encrypted transmissions. If you publicize the key, it’s just an encoding.
by teeray 3y ago
Their license may prohibit encrypted transmissions. If you publicize the key, it’s just an encoding.
- dbcurtis 3y agoCertainly true for K6KPH on amateur radio frequencies. I wonder if the same is true for commercial circuits on KPH and KFS? Your comment on licensing got me wondering... I wonder what license the operators for KPH and KFS have these days? I guess there is some kind of general commercial radio operator's license now. Long ago, I started studying for a commercial radiotelegraph operator's license, just for the novelty. I got distracted, and then years later when I got interested again I found out that the FCC wasn't giving out commercial telegraph licenses any more.
- 7402 3y agoYou need the General Radiotelephone Operator License (https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/commercial-radio-operator-license-program/commercial-0 https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-divis...). Yes, they are still issued. 20 WPM plain language code test, 16 wpm code group test, plus written exams.
- spydum 3y agoWhaaa, I wasn't aware licenses restrict encrypted comms? Does that mean packet radios that transport TLS may require special license?
- abstractbeliefs 3y agoYes, you cannot use your ham/amateur radio license for that. Amateur radio is supposed to be firmly in the realm of community building to improve the appreciation of the radio spectrum, and to encourage amateurs to explore, experiment, and innovate in the field. Using it simply as a "service" (ie, as a private data link to carry TLS when you're trying to browse without using starbucks wifi) isn't supporting these goals, and can be used to obscure misuse (for example commercial use) of the band when they should be applying for a commercial license.
- teeray 3y agoIt’s oddly liberating in a way. Once you get over the initial revulsion of no TLS, to reuse the example, you can build simple protocols that just use a callsign for authentication (that’s just a convenience for the operator too, who must station ID every 10 minutes). It makes it easier to experiment without thinking about security at all, because the assumption hams have is that all conversations are public.
- WarOnPrivacy 3y agoAs an encryption cheerleader, this discussion (and the earlier one about efforts to allow DRM for OTA TV*) helps me not lose my way. That is to say, I need to remember that the public good is always the goal and not the tools that achieve that. * ref: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=36713037 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=36713037
- ianburrell 3y agoAlso, amateur radio prohibits using radio for services that could be provided by others. Providing internet access for others is probably not allowed even if it wasn't encrypted. Internet access for amateur use is allowed.
- 7402 3y agoKPH is licensed as a commercial coastal radiotelegraph station. (It may be the last one in the US; it is operated by volunteers in the Pt. Reyes National Seashore, part of the US National Park Service.) Encrypted communications are just fine.
- ianburrell 3y agoAlso, amateur radio does not allow broadcasts. It sounds like it isn't.