Toying with this mesh networking gear and I'm now glad not to have my HAM license. In the US, HAM radio operators are required to transmit everything in cleartext--and that includes non-HAM transmissions, like the 915Mhz band as used by these mesh comms channels/protocols ( #Meshtastic, #MeshCore, #ReticulumRNode ).

The problem is that the US desperately needs more amateur radio operators for use in emergency response and disaster recovery scenarios.

It would be a shame to lose out on something so critically needed, but that is the situation.

edit[0]: Adding the below as a likely more correct interpretation ( https://mastodon.coffee/@phaysis/116200924914659924 ):

encryption is disallowed on the amateur radio bands except for cases where the signal is used for remote control. The rules don't cover an amateur licensee's uses on other bands that aren't for amateur radio use. If you have a license, you can still use encrypted mesh radio because those operate on ISM bands, not ham.

I apologize for the misinformation. It was due to a misunderstanding.