I just read that its illegal to transmit encrypted data over HAM frequencies. Is it just the FCC that enforces that? And how? And I guess generally "who enforces anything on HAM" is a recurring question I have that hams are probably annoyed at answering.
Edit: apparently self-policing by reporting to authorities when its a nuisance, thanks for the info
@jonny Industry, Science and Economic Development (ISED) in Canada also prohibits transmission of encrypted signals by amateur operators UNLESS the algorithm and keys are published publicly somewhere. So if you're hoping for secret communications as a ham operator, you are out of luck.
I believe this prohibition is set by the IARU, but I would have to check that to be sure.
@jonny If running encrypted comms is something you want to do, there are useful unlicensed bands as well, at least for regional/local comms.
@jonny To add a little info that may increase clarity, encryption is a no-go, but encoding is fine. What's the difference? Encoding can be decoded by any listener-Morse code is a great example. We have loads of digital encoding methods, but anyone can look up the protocol and decode them. Encryption is meant to hide or obscure the transmission so that no one can read it.
Remember that ham radio operators are often older, retired, plenty of time on their hands, access to radio direction finding equipment, member of message boards to complain on, and have the ability to write strongly worded letters.
Don鈥檛 get on their bad side if you don鈥檛 want the frequency you鈥檙e using posted in the title of a thread on a members-only message board!
(The government has enforcement including confiscation of equipment and fines.)
@jonny It's a bit more complicated...
One, *as a radio amateur,* (i.e. while using radio amateur's privileges for frequencies, power levels, etc) cannot transmit in a way *obscuring the meaning* of the transmission. This is a worldwide regulation, established as part of international agreements within the whole UN/ITU thing.
The subtle distinctions outlined above go a long way.
@jonny
answer to the first question - it is the same across the world, look up IARU and ITU
answer to the second question - other hams unless it gets too ugly and agencies need to get involved
Actually my local HAM club uses the same skills of "fox hunting" to help federal law enforcement find people who are breaking FCC law. This has resulted in arrests.
I've never seen it done about encrypted traffic. They have done it when there is someone is using our repeater and interrupting normal usage. Things like interrupting conversations with BS and not using a real callsign. Or dead keying with a powerful transmitter.
@jonny it's largely unenforced, but if you piss off another ham then they might report you for it. the FCC can enforce it via fines and revoking your license
this is not legal advice, and i do not admit to doing such a thing, but occasional encrypted transmissions are very unlikely to be punished - especially if the encryption is just tangential to the purpose of the transmission
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