FCC Considering Proposal For Encrypted Ham Radio

Bruce Perens writes "FCC is currently processing a request for rule-making, RM-11699 (PDF), that would allow the use of Amateur frequencies in the U.S. for private, digitally-encrypted messages. Encryption is a potential disaster for ham radio because it defeats its self-policing nature. If hams can't decode messages, they can't identify if the communication even belongs on ham radio. A potentially worse problem is that encryption destroys the harmless nature of Amateur radio.There's no reason for governments to believe that encrypted communications are harmless. See hams.com/encryption/ for more information."

Comments

Re:It's dead either way, why not try this?

[h4rr4r]

Or maybe make that network more free. What exactly is the point of this overly restricted network? Seems like a total waste of a resource.

Are you serious you that you can't swear? What exactly constitutes a swear word in ham radio? Are you required to dress up like it is the 30s?

Re:It's dead either way, why not try this?

[VAXcat]

Can't swear? You clearly haven't spent much time listening to 20 meters, or, at least in my part of the country, 80 meters. Sailors could learn a thing or two about swearing by listening in....

Re:It's dead either way, why not try this?

[Opportunist]

Sir, I must request that you dress according to the occasion. We're not on the internet here, we have standards!